Home Remedies Web

Chapped Lips Home Remedy

Find natural cures and home remedies for chapped lips.

Shahzad Malik, Ph.D.
2–3 minutes
Chapped Lips Home Remedy

Signs and Symptoms of Chapped Lips

Chapped Lips or cheilitis is characterized by dry, cracked, flaky and sore lips that can affect people from time to time at any time of the year. Occasionally, Chapped Lips can be can be painful, embarrassing, and uncomfortable because they can interfere with many daily activities, such as smiling, eating and talking. Common signs and symptoms include dryness, redness, tenderness and sensitivity, cracking, splitting, peeling, and pain.

Minor lip dryness can be healed by simply removing the cause of the dryness or using some of the home remedies listed below. However, if dry lips are causing inflammation and bleeding, it is strongly recommended that you consult with your doctor immediately since it can lead to severe infection.

Causes of Chapped Lips

Chapped lips (cheilitis) can have several causes, including dry weather, sun exposure, dehydration, lip licking or biting, and nutritional deficiencies such as riboflavin (vitamin B2), iron, and other B vitamins. In some cases, allergies, infections, medications, or underlying medical conditions may also contribute.

While lip balms are commonly used to relieve dryness, some products may contain ingredients that irritate sensitive or damaged skin, potentially worsening symptoms in certain individuals. Therefore, choosing gentle, fragrance-free products or trying the home remedies below may help reduce irritation and improve results.

Home Remedies and Natural Treatments for Chapped Lips

Chapped Lips Home Remedy Using Honey and Vaseline

Honey has antimicrobial and humectant properties that can help keep the lips moisturized and support healing. Similarly, petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is an effective skin protectant that helps lock in moisture. When combined, these can serve as a simple home remedy for chapped lips:

  • Put some honey on your lips let it dry for a few seconds.
  • Without moving your lips, apply some Vaseline on top of the lips.
  • Leave the honey and Vaseline on your lips for 10-15 minutes. or longer if you are comfortable.
  • Finally, dip a Q-tip dip in hot water and use it to remove the honey and Vaseline gently.
  • Do this once a day for about 2-5 days to get rid of chapped lips.

Coconut Oil for Chapped Lips

Many people have found that Coconut Oil is a wonderful natural remedy for chapped lips. Simply apply a small amount of oil to the lips several times per day, particularly when the weather is cold and dry.

Natural Remedy for Chapped Lips Using Water Therapy

Since dehydration is the main cause of dry or chapped lips, it is recommended to drink at least 2-3 litres of water daily. Also, on dry winter days, try to use a humidifier in your home to keep the air moist.

Treat Chapped Lips Using Cucumbers

Rub your lips with a slice of cucumber. Many people have found this to be a simple but effective chapped lip remedy.

Using Aloe Vera for Soothing Chapped Lips

The herbal benefits of Aloe Vera make it an amazing healing agent for skin. Therefore, to cure chapped lips, try putting a small amount of Aloe Vera gel on your lips daily.

References

Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Talk to your doctor before trying a new remedy, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.

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226 responses

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  1. Ashley

    I never usually get chaped lips however I stopped using chopstick for awhile and now I have a mild case of chaped lips. I tried chopstick and it just made my lips feel cakey. Aloe Vera worked to help relieve the uncomfortale feeling and also hid the dry skin.

    Reply
  2. unsatisfiedlips

    Dear Sean,
    I have searched the Blistex website and I have noticed that the product SFR does not exist in any shape, way, or form. I am still chapped and I hurt. I was hoping your solution would save me… however it failed because it does not exist. I hope karma comes to you in the form of chapped lips for eternity.
    Love Always,
    unsatisfiedlips xxoo…ouch those kisses hurt…due to the chapness

    Reply
  3. marilyn

    I’ve had this problem of very red, sore chapped lips on and off for years and it is worse in winter. I went to regular M.D.s and dermatologists, years ago. Then I learned that anything with lanolin, parabin, or petroleum (like vasoline) is a carcinogen. I finally went to a homeopathic practitioner, who said it was dyshydrotic eczema– not a simple case of chapped lips. I was advised to eliminate dairy, nightshades (potatos, onions, peppers, eggplant and tomatos), and all raw fruit (except bananas) from my diet. This did the trick– apparantly, my food sensitivities/ allergies were cuasing the problem. Sometimes, it is not just a matter of environmental concitions– like winter weather. It could be another cause as well. Now, I am also using Alba Botanica “Sun” Lipcare with 18 SPF on top of a product called Aqualine (which is hydrolized water). A

    Reply
  4. tia

    This may seem like a lot but it WORKS I used a brown an white sugar make it a paste get some peanuts butter and triple antibiotic ointment get a tooth brush an scrub lips with first the paste then add PB after scrubbing for about 3 mins add triple antibiotic ointment an scrub some more after bout 2mins stop wipe it off with a Warm wet towel an do the process again….Then put a dime size among of ointment on lips an relax NO LICKING LIPS FOR A WHILE GO LUCK PPL

    Reply
  5. sharon

    almost any type of moisturizing lotion applied to lips before and after eating and especially before going outdoors,also ,women don’t forget to keep a tube of lipstick with you to apply when going outside ,it’s the perfect protection from dry lips and to prevent chapped lips (smile).

    Reply
  6. sean

    I’m a brass player for a drum and bugle corps, that tours the country for 40 days during the summer, so believe me when I say we murder our lips in those 40 days. The only lip treatment we use and trust is SFR made by blistex, sold at CVS usually. It usually can completely unchap lips in 2 to 3 days even during 10 hour practices in the sun, and its SPF 20 which is more than enough protection. The active ingredients are Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, and unfortunately for people who don’t like petroleum, petroleum is also in it. Other ingredients that aid to the quick healing are aloe, protein, and cacao seed butter. This stuff works like magic everytime, and is the little known secret of saving lips that brass players have known for years 😉

    Reply
  7. Salma

    I’ve just tried this, the honey with the vaseline, I’ve heard great things about honey, so i thought hey i have it downstairs, i was abit skeptical still, well just before i tried it i was suffering the most horrible dry skin and it was just simply drying so fast that chapping would take an instance 5minute and my lips would dry up, so i tried it, and as i left it on, yes it does sting, but i think thats because its healing and working its magic, and the great thing is it tastes and smells so divine, so far its day 1, i would probably need 5days to sort it out but i will defo let you guys know the outcome 🙂

    ps i heard Burt’s Bee’s is a good thing, also lemon juice helps with bleaching the lips, so with me chapped lips have cause dark and uneven tones on my lips after this remedy im hitting the lemon 🙂

    Reply
  8. Jen

    To Lola,
    That sounds like you have eczema on the skin as well as chapped lips. Go to a dermatologist for a prescription ointment.

    Reply
  9. Kim

    I have chronic chapped lips and have been looking for a permanent fix. Tried pretty much every balm recommended everywhere. So far the best thing that’s worked for me is Labbri lip treatment. it gets rid of all the flaking so i’m starting to kick my habit of biting my lips. other products seem to make my lips flake more but this doesn’t and it actually makes my horrible lips look “normal”. I checked the ingredients and it doesn’t have any of the bad ingredients – mineral oil, petroleum jelly, etc. If you have seriously bad lips like me – I would recommend giving this a shot as it’s saved me from many embarrassing situations. If I find something better I’ll let you know!

    Reply
  10. Derek

    One of the main causes is dryness. If it burns, DO NOT like your lips. Use Berts Bees Chap stick with an aloe vera moisturizer around your lips at night. Works like a charm. Some oils, if used to much, can strip the natural oils of your skin away. Be aware.

    Reply
  11. dreadlocklady

    lethithcin oil , omega oil on lips. stops chapping or cracking. make a drink or water, organic apple cider vinager and honey also put in green tea bags, 2 or 3… drink for good health.

    Reply
  12. Cristal

    that guy above who posted a lack of ‘OMEGA 3s and Vitamin B’ seems to be right. For a decade I’ve had embarrassing cracked/peeling lips. I’ve been taking omega 3s (in fish and flaxseed) and all the peeling went away. I wish I had known this earlier.

    Reply
  13. Lola

    I seem to be able to get my lips under control.I do like the bert’s bees ,but my trouble is the skin above and below the lips . I have tried applying different things to is as well as my lips .Some days it is so bad it look like i have red clown makeup on . does anyone have any suggestions?

    Reply
  14. Barbara

    I first brush my teeth, then I brush my lips. I then dry my lips. Then I put on Alba Lip Balm in Passion Fruit Nectar. I do this three times a day. Plus I drink extra water. My lips feel really good!

    Reply
  15. Lisa

    I’ve been having a problem with dry lips for months now. Tried everything I can think of. I would not use anything containing petroleum (a.k.a. vaseline) because it’s very unhealthy and causes cancer. I’ve been trying the home remedies mentioned here. I’m still having to apply something to my lips every 15 mintues or so. It’s that bad. The only thing I’ve found in the way of something pre-made that really looks to have some benefit and is all natural is on a site called “HealingHandsApothecary”. There is a lip balm called “Healing Lip Treatment” where the base is beeswax and organic coconut oil. What I found different with this product, is that it’s infused with healing essential oils, like calendula and hyssop (and there’s something about it being antibacterial and preventing herpes lesions). Not sure about that.. but I’m giving it a try. It’s the best thing I’ve found to buy, besides trying to concoct something on my own. Also, just so ya’ll should know, mineral oil is toxic. It causes cancer. Google it.

    Reply
  16. MrsRoseyT

    I just tried putting honey on my lips and then opted for coconut oil over the honey instead of the vaseline. We shall see how it turns out. My lips taste good and they have a nice shine so far…lol

    Reply
  17. Jeff

    put a moist cloth on your lips for about 15 minutes then use Carmex moisturizing lip balm every hour. works perfectly.

    Reply
  18. Nicole

    Ty – Im with you ive tried everyhting and onto the Neosporian Lip treatment as Well. Today i have both going on the overnight treatment and the daily along with Burtsbees Lip balm.. I tried putting some Aveeno Intense Relief Repair Cream around it a bit. Seems to be helping slightly but nothing great!!!

    Reply
  19. Ty

    OMG… For the last past 5 weeks my lips have been extremly chapped and even have several splits. Im so embrassed. I used Neosporin Lip health,vasaline,coco butter,eczema cream,chap stick,carmex,bath and body works mint lip gloss,etc. I need a miracle!

    Reply
  20. lady

    y dont u use SKINFOOD AVOCADO LIPBALM it does really work im also suffering from a chapped lips every winter and i’ve tried almost popular lipbalm but none of them works and when i discover skinfood avocado lipbalm it was really amazing.Its not oily and it can easily be absorb by the lips..

    Reply
  21. April

    I just tried the honey and vasoline remedy and WOW! It really does help/work. I can see and feel a difference.

    Reply
  22. april

    hey LA try honey w/ vasaline on top works 4 me

    Reply
  23. LA !

    I’VE HAD CHAPPED LIPS FOR ABOUT ALMOST 2 WEEKS. It got worse. I don’t know how to cure it. It hurts so bad 🙁 Vasaline doesn’t help, blistix doesn’t help.. Nothing helps. 🙁

    Reply
  24. judyd

    I’m sticking with the coconut oil and it has plumped up my lips and releived the chapped feeling, but it hasn’t cured the problem. By using the coconut oil as a carrier oil, I’ve combined it with other oils such as tea tree, oregano, birch, and lavender. Any ideas?

    Reply
  25. Myfanwy

    I have tried the honey and vaseline solution only, but I will say that it has served me well.
    I’ve had the flu for the past 5 days and my lips have become painfully chapped as a result. I put some honey and vaseline on my lips last night and twice today, and now my lips are back to normal. I also drank lots of water and have used my menthol lip balm a few times, so that probably helped as well.

    Reply
  26. Fallen

    im 15 years old and i have SEVERE chapped lips .. like its mostly the top one .. its like red , swollen , and itchy . they burn REALLY bad too .. ive been looking on about every natural cure websites but other websites are saying it doesnt work .. i dont know what to try .. i dont ANYONE have an idea what i can do ? 🙁

    Reply
  27. Jess

    When i get chapped lips it gets me so pissed of. what i usually do is take my toothbrush (i have the kind that spins)and i brush all of the dead skin off. the i add warm water to it. sometimes it doeant always work, but i woul;d still try it. but it might make it worse.

    Reply
  28. hannah

    Omg, I have been looking for something to use on my lips forever. I just went to put oragel in my mouth and it accidently got on my lips. Skin started coming off, so I put a little bit more on and all the dry skin came off. Then I just put a little bit of chapstick and my lips are so smooth (: good luck

    Reply
  29. robert

    the honey vasoline thing along with plenty of vitamins and H2O cleared up my chapped lips in 24 hours!!!!!

    Reply
  30. Madi

    I have had very dy lips every winter. My dad says I should drink more water but the thing he doesn’t know is that I do drink alot of water. Can anyone help me?

    Reply
  31. Madi

    I have had very dy lips every winter. My dad says I should drink more water but the thing he doesn’t know is that I do drink alot of water. Can anyone help me?

    Reply
  32. Emily

    Aquaphor ointment by the makers of eucerine cream. Works awesome for chapped lips. Lather on your lips in the morning and at bed time. It works for any skin irritations.

    Reply
  33. Kelly

    Pure Romance sells a product called Bosom Buddy. It is a tingly lip and nipple baum. While it can be used for foreplay (hence the name) it is great for lips! Cured my winter lips and it has a good flavor.
    If interested email me @ KellySheldon@PureRomance.com

    Reply
  34. Fluffy

    Lol I just ran out of cucumber two hours ago, cannot find anything else. Lame excuse, I know. Use Chapstick every five seconds!!! Help!

    Reply
  35. alysen

    omg my lips are chapped realy bad i mean realy bad and i have tryd evrything and nothing worked yet sooo sad i wish i could use somthing that would realy work i have tryd neo sporn and a aloe plant that dint work dont know what to try now so sad maby i could try this great chap stick that is very exspensive maby me and my mom will go get it lo lololo

    Reply
  36. Me

    Olive oil – amazing stuff!

    Reply
  37. Anonymous

    Burt’s Bees wax is a miraclel worker. I use either theReplenishing lip balm with pomegranate oil or the regular one (with peppermint). Some of the other ones are dry and don’t absorb into your lips well, but those two are my absolute favorite and cure chapped lips in 2-3 days, but lessen pain and irritation immedeiately. TRY IT!

    Reply
  38. Anonymous

    I have had chapped lips from a very young age. The
    only thing that has worked, for me, are the lipsticks that stay on for ever. I prefer Revlon.

    Reply
  39. Fonz

    I find Burt’s Bees works great. The key is to put it on before you go to bed. You’ll wake up and your lips will be peeling and flakey, but this is a good sign. Don’t rip off the dead skin, just keep it moisturized and try not to lick or bite them, and it should go away within a couple days.

    Reply
  40. Kim

    Dr. Weil’s Conditioning Lip Balm with Tumeric is a miracle. Purchase it at Origins. When I first put it on, it didn’t seem like a big deal. I went about my business, and 30 minutes later the layer of dry skin was easily peeled off when I rubbed my lip with my fingertip…revealing super soft skin. Mind you, I tried to peel the skin off before I applied the lip balm. DO NOT DO THIS. Then skin peeled off easily initially, then it went too deep and started bleeding. Ouch! So just use the balm, it works!

    Reply
  41. Matt

    My lips are always chapped especially during the wintertime. I find nothing to be working, because most chapstick brands just irritate my skin, is there any way to help my situation???? 🙁

    Reply
  42. brooke

    Try Neo-sporn thats what im using right now

    Reply
  43. Alisha

    my lips are so chapped i call them shredded wheat!

    I use chap stick and although it then moisturizes my lips it produces a white kind of paste on my skin? which looks more awful than my original chapped lips 🙁

    hate my lips 🙁

    from what ive read coconut oil, aloe Vera and B2 seem to be good for your lips so might try that…exfoliation hasn’t worked for me

    and damn have ppl really tried nappy rash cream on their lips? how many others have done that and has it worked for

    and for the person who wrote you should put tape on your lips thats cruel lol

    if anybody has a remedy that actually works please do tell

    Reply
  44. Dru

    Most lotions probably shouldn’t be ingested, and I don’t know about you but I can’t help but lick my lips when I put something on them. My tip is to exfoliate with your toothbrush whenever you brush your teeth. Put a dab of olive oil on them before you go to bed. Or, the coconut oil may work better. I think the petroleum based things are great for protection from wind and sun but don’t permeate the skin for actual moisturizing.

    Reply
  45. Quinn

    I use some lotion, but that stings a LOT!!! And, at the moment, we don’t have any Petroleum Jelly, or chapstick. So, do I keep using the painful option?

    Reply
  46. NEED HELP

    plz help the petroleum, chapstick, lip balm, and vaseline havent done a thing!

    Reply
  47. KM

    Thank you a million times for such great info.Im a 27 yearold man,have had the problem of dry,chapped lips for the past 3 years and cant seem to be getting rid of.My bottom lip has now changed its colour from pink to red because I am always peeling off.

    Reply
  48. Anna

    @Candacde, For your 7 year old applying organic coconut oil, cucumber, honey or fresh aloe vera on the lips should be safe! Just tell the kid not to lick for the best results, because the longer the remedy stays on the faster he/she heals.. Good luck!

    Reply
  49. candacde

    My 7 yr old son has very chapped lips and I want to know if I can use any of these remedys on him?

    Reply
  50. Kehau

    I love to surf but the wind and the sun does some serious damage to my lips. I usually use abreva and it dries up and heals by a week, but now abreva is discontinued. A coworker of mine suggested oregano oil so far it’s drying out my blisters and seems to be working but I’m only on day 2.

    Reply