How to Heal Chapped Lips Fast This Winter

8 min read

Last updated November 6, 2026

To heal chapped lips fast, stop licking them. Then apply a thick balm with petrolatum or shea butter several times a day. Wear a lip balm with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher outdoors, and run a humidifier at home.

Most dry lips improve within 2 to 3 weeks of steady care.

This guide covers what causes chapped lips, which ingredients help and which ones make things worse.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. See a doctor if your lips do not improve.

Key Takeaways

Lips have no oil glands, so they dry out faster than the rest of your skin.
Licking your lips makes dryness worse as the saliva evaporates.
Petrolatum, shea butter, ceramides and dimethicone help seal in moisture.
Fragrance, menthol, camphor and flavoring can irritate dry lips.
Use a lip balm with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher, even in winter.

On This Page

Why Lips Get Chapped
8 Ways to Heal Chapped Lips
Best Ingredients for Dry Lips
Ingredients to Avoid
A Simple Lip Care Routine
When to See a Doctor

Why Lips Get Chapped

Your lips are different from the rest of your skin. They have no oil glands, so they cannot make their own moisture. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) HealthBeat explains why.

Several everyday things dry them out.

Cold, windy weather
Sun exposure, even in winter
Dry indoor heat
Licking your lips often
Not drinking enough water

Winter brings most of these together. That is why chapped lips peak from November to March.

Sun protection factor (SPF) 30+The minimum sun protection factor (SPF) to look for in a lip balm, even in winter, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Cleveland Clinic explains the causes and treatment of chapped lips, which doctors call cheilitis.

8 Ways to Heal Chapped Lips

1. Stop Licking Your Lips

Licking feels soothing for a second. However, saliva evaporates quickly and leaves lips even drier.

Keep a balm handy so you reach for it instead.

2. Apply Balm Often

Use a lip balm several times a day. Apply it before bed, before going outside and after eating or drinking.

A thick layer at night gives your lips hours to repair.

3. Choose a Balm That Seals

Look for balms with petrolatum, white petroleum jelly or shea butter. These form a barrier that locks in moisture.

4. Protect Your Lips From the Sun

Lips can burn too. Use a lip balm with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher whenever you go outside.

5. Run a Humidifier

Indoor heat dries the air in your home. A humidifier adds moisture back, especially in the bedroom at night.

6. Drink More Water

Staying hydrated helps your whole body, including your lips. Keep a water bottle nearby during the day.

7. Do Not Pick or Peel

Peeling flakes can cause bleeding and slow healing. Let the dead skin come off on its own.

8. Exfoliate Gently, if at All

If flakes build up, use a gentle lip scrub no more than once a week. Then apply balm right away.

Quick tip. Keep one balm by your bed, one in your bag and one at your desk. You will use it far more often.

Best Ingredients for Dry Lips

These ingredients help soothe and protect chapped lips.

Ingredient	What it does
Petrolatum or white petroleum jelly	Seals in moisture
Shea butter	Softens and protects
Ceramides	Help repair the skin barrier
Dimethicone	Forms a smooth protective layer
Castor seed oil or hemp seed oil	Adds moisture
Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide	Blocks the sun

Read the label before you buy. A short ingredient list is often a good sign.

How often do your lips get chapped in winter?

All winter long
A few times a season
Rarely
Never

Lip Balm Label Checker

Check the ingredient list in the store before you buy.

Look for

Petrolatum or white petroleum jelly
Shea butter
Ceramides
Dimethicone
Zinc oxide or titanium oxide for sun

Skip while lips are chapped

Menthol
Camphor
Eucalyptus
Fragrance and flavoring
Salicylic acid

Based on tips from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Ingredients to Avoid

Some popular balms contain ingredients that can irritate dry lips. Watch for these on the label.

Fragrance and flavoring
Menthol, camphor and eucalyptus
Phenol and salicylic acid
Alcohol
Retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids
Lanolin, for some people

That cool tingle may feel nice at first. Still, it can mean the product is irritating your lips.

If a balm stings or burns, stop using it.

Good to know. Do not share lip balm. Sharing can spread cold sores and other infections.

A Simple Lip Care Routine

Use this easy daily routine to keep your lips soft all winter.

Morning balm with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher
Reapply after meals and drinks
Drink water through the day
Avoid licking or picking your lips
Thick plain balm before bed
Humidifier on at night

Want to know how many balm applications you need each week? Try this quick tool.

Weekly lip balm habit

Times you apply balm each day

Add to calendar

When to See a Doctor

Most chapped lips heal with home care in 2 to 3 weeks, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). However, some signs need a doctor’s attention.

Cracks that keep bleeding or do not heal
Swelling, crusting or pus, which may mean an infection
Cracks at the corners of your mouth that last
Lips that stay dry for more than three weeks despite care

Sometimes, ongoing dry lips point to an allergy or a vitamin shortage. A dermatologist can find the cause.

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Foods and Drinks That Can Dry Your Lips

What you eat and drink can also affect your lips. Some foods can sting or irritate lips that are already dry.

Salty snacks, spicy foods and very sour fruits may cause burning on cracked lips. Rinse your mouth with water after eating them.

Drinking enough water helps your whole body, including your lips. Keep a water bottle nearby during the day.

Daily Habits That Protect Your Lips

Small habits make a big difference for dry lips. Most of them take only a few seconds each day.

Apply lip balm in the morning, after meals and before bed.
Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Breathe through your nose when you can, especially outdoors.
Cover your mouth with a scarf on cold, windy days.
Keep a lip balm in your bag, car and desk.

Try to stop picking or biting loose skin on your lips. This can cause small cuts that take longer to heal.

How to Choose a Good Lip Balm

Not every lip balm helps dry lips. Some products feel nice at first but can make dryness worse.

Look for simple ingredients such as petrolatum, shea butter or ceramides. These help seal in moisture and protect the skin.

Choose fragrance-free balms if your lips feel sore or irritated. Flavors and scents can bother sensitive skin.

For daytime, pick a balm with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher. Lips can burn in winter too.

Lip Care at Night

Nighttime is a great chance for your lips to recover. Your lips are not exposed to wind or food while you sleep.

Apply a thick layer of petrolatum or a heavy lip balm before bed. Run a humidifier in your bedroom to add moisture to dry air.

If you wake up with dry lips, you may breathe through your mouth at night. A humidifier can help with that, too.

Lip Care for Kids

Children often lick their lips when they feel dry. This habit can lead to red, chapped skin around the mouth.

Give kids a plain, fragrance-free balm and remind them to use it. Turn it into part of their bedtime routine.

Choose balms without strong flavors so kids are less tempted to lick them off. Check with a doctor if the skin cracks or bleeds.

Common Myths About Chapped Lips

Many people believe tips that do not really help. Knowing the facts can save you time and discomfort.

Some people think licking lips adds moisture. In fact, saliva dries quickly and leaves lips drier than before.

Others believe that using lip balm too often makes lips lazy. Dermatologists do not support this idea when you use a gentle balm.

A tingling balm is not always better. That tingling feeling can mean the product contains ingredients that irritate dry lips.

Protect Your Lips All Year

Dry lips are not just a winter problem. Sun, heat and air conditioning can also dry them out.

Keep using a balm with sun protection in summer. Stay hydrated during hot weather and long flights.

A steady routine works better than a quick fix. Healthy lips come from small habits repeated every day.

Warm drinks like herbal tea can feel soothing on cold days. Let them cool a little so they do not sting sore lips.

Test Yourself

Why do lips dry out faster than other skin?

They have extra sweat glands
They have no oil glands
They are thicker

Lips have no oil glands, so they cannot make their own moisture.

Which ingredient can irritate chapped lips?

Petrolatum
Shea butter
Menthol

Menthol, camphor and fragrance can irritate dry lips.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to heal chapped lips?

Stop licking your lips and apply a thick balm with petrolatum or shea butter often. Use a humidifier at night.

Is lip licking bad for chapped lips?

Yes. Saliva evaporates and pulls moisture away, so your lips end up drier.

Does lip balm with sun protection factor (SPF) matter in winter?

Yes. The sun can still damage your lips in winter, so use sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or higher outdoors.

Why do my lips burn when I use some balms?

Ingredients like menthol, camphor or fragrance can irritate dry lips. Switch to a plain, fragrance-free balm.

Wrapping Up

Start tonight with a thick layer of plain balm and a humidifier by your bed. Then build the daily habit of balm with sun protection factor (SPF) before you head out.

For more winter skin help, read our winter skincare guide. Keeping your home warm and less dry? See our tips to lower your heating bill.

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