Get Rid of Chapped Lips

Don't lick your lips. Though this is difficult for the ladies when I'm around, licking one's lips will dry them out. It only provides momentary satisfaction while the evaporation of the saliva serves to further dehydrate your lips. And don't forget that saliva contains digestive enzymes. Marinated in your slobber all day, chapped lips become more painful and agitated. Stay away from tasty, flavored lip balms that intrigue your tongue. You're better off buying feces-flavored products.

Get rid of chapped lips with lip balms. Lip balms act as a shield to protect your lips from drying elements, and moist lips heal much faster. Apply liberally and as often as needed. However, there is some controversy as to what makes for the best lip balm. The ingredients in some flagship products are said to cause irritation, and I did find some anecdotal evidence to support this. White petrolatum (pure petroleum jelly) and beeswax are often recommended to get rid of chapped lips, and they're both neutral and safe. On the right sidebar I list a few natural lip balms as well as a way to find products free of agitating chemicals.

Keep your body and living quarters well hydrated. Cracked, chapped lips can be warning sign that your body isn't properly hydrated. In that case, getting rid of chapped lips is pretty easy – drink more water and use lip balms until your lips heal. A dry atmosphere can also take its toll on your lips. In colder climates, furnaces and heating units sap indoor air of all moisture. If you live in a god-forsaken land as I do, get yourself a nice humidifier.

Protect your lips from the elements. If you're going to trudge through a blizzard or brave arctic air, sling a scarf around your face. You cover up the rest of your skin – why not shield the thinnest, most sensitive skin on your body? If you plan on spending some time in the sun, use a lip balm that contains sunscreen and put on a nice, amply-brimmed hat. That golden tan won't do you any good if your lips resemble a pair of cured slugs.

Protect and heal your lips at night. A night of mouth breathing exposes your lips to the drying effects of your own respirations. Whether you're a chronic mouth breather or just have a cold, this cause of chapped lips is easily avoided. Before going to bed, apply a generous amount of lip balm such as white petrolatum (Vaseline) and use a breathing aid like nasal strips. Your lips will be vastly more kissable by morning.

Getting Rid of Severely Chapped Lips

Neosporin. Really? Yes. This stuff has an oil base and will moisturize your chapped lips, reduce inflammation, and fight off bacteria hiding in cracks and fissures. Its smell and taste is – not surprisingly – very offensive. You won't be licking your lips for awhile.

Hydrocortisone ointment. There's nothing like a topical steroid to speed up the healing process. You'll want to apply a thin layer of a 1% hydrocortisone ointment and seal it in with an emollient like Vaseline. If this doesn't work after a week or two, talk to your doctor about getting a stronger (2.5%) solution.

Rosen's Ointment. Often used for children with chapped lips, most pharmacists will mix this stuff up for you without a prescription. It consists of Burow's solution, zinc oxide, and Aquaphor. You probably won't use this paste during the day unless you want to look insane and possibly contagious. However, nighttime applications can get rid of severely chapped lips in a matter of days.