Chapped Lips: What Solution Should We Adopt?

Chapped lips, also known under the medical term cheilitis, are a very common issue. This is a sign that the skin barrier is weakened. However, the regular application, including before going to sleep, of a moisturizing lip balm is one of the simplest ways to combat chapping at home. It will provide immediate relief, create a protective barrier on the surface of the lips against external irritants, retain moisture for a longer period, and also heal the weakened skin. Depending on the severity, the healing of chapped lips should take a few weeks.

To allow lip balms to work more effectively, consider initially exfoliating them gently to remove the layer of dead cells. However, be sure to exfoliate only once a week, as doing it too often can exacerbate the problem.

When you're looking for a treatment to use on your chapped lips, it's crucial to choose one that contains a combination of anti-inflammatory actives (such as calendula macerate, etc.) to immediately soothe tight lips and provide more lasting comfort, emollient agents (ceramides, silicones, vegetable butters, waxes, polymers, or vegetable oils) to help retain moisture and rebuild the epidermal barrier of chapped lips, as well as healing ingredients (panthenol, Centella asiatica, zinc, etc.) to allow for the regeneration and healing of the lip area. Conversely, avoid those that contain ingredients with an irritating and drying potential, like alcohol, flavors (menthol, camphor, geraniol, eucalyptus, etc.) and fragrances, which can be counterproductive for chapped lips.

If your lips are extremely dry and chapped, it would be more beneficial to choose a thicker treatment such as a mask or ointment to help soothe chapped lips.

In the absence of a lip balm, other solutions, such as the application of aloe vera gel or coconut oil, can also help to alleviate and improve the appearance of chapped lips.

• Aloe vera : Primarily known as a natural remedy for sunburns, the gel-like, aqueous substance found in aloe vera leaves possesses soothing, hydrating, healing, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for chapped lips. Although there are no concrete studies to date demonstrating the effectiveness of aloe vera on chapped lips, some research advocates for its use on this skin issue. Indeed, according to one study, the polysaccharides contained in aloe vera gel help to accelerate cell proliferation, allowing wounds to heal more quickly.

• Avocado Butter: According to a review, avocado butter would be a good emollient and thickener for lip balms, in addition to being well absorbed by the skin. It also contains several unsaturated fatty acids, notably oleic acid and linoleic acid, known for their beneficial effects on the skin. Indeed, according to a recent study, it was found to increase the synthesis of collagen fibers and accelerate epithelialization.

• Virgin Coconut Oil: While coconut oil is traditionally used as a natural remedy for skin dryness, these same effects could translate into benefits for chapped lips. Indeed, it offers numerous advantages for hydration, healing, and lip protection. The primary virtue of coconut oil is its emollient effect. It helps to trap moisture in the skin of the lips by restructuring its barrier function. Among the other biological activities of coconut oil, it also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, potentially preventing chapped lips from becoming infected.

How to use them on the lips? Apply a small amount of coconut oil, avocado butter, or aloe vera gel to your chapped lips with your clean finger. You can repeat this process throughout the day, as needed.

When they start to become dehydrated and chapped, it may seem natural to lick your lips as a compensatory measure. However, this action only exacerbates the problem and perpetuates the cycle, especially if it's frequently done throughout the day. Indeed, the layer of saliva on the lips contains digestive enzymes, which can damage the epidermal barrier of the delicate and very thin skin of the lips, making them drier and rougher.

Furthermore, when you wet your lips with your tongue, saliva indeed moistens the surface of the lips and soothes the symptoms, but this effect is temporary. In fact, saliva evaporates quickly, further drying out the lips, exacerbating chapping, and increasing their vulnerability to environmental conditions. As it evaporates, saliva absorbs more moisture from the skin.

In the case of chapped lips, people tend to scratch, rub, or gnaw at the peeling skin. However, this can lead to additional cracks and sores that will exacerbate the problem and delay healing. Therefore, it is strongly recommended torefrain from attempting to remove the peeling skin.

Chapped lips that do not heal or improve with regular hydration could be a sign of an infection or a more serious issue. In this case, consult a dermatologist so they can provide you with more suitable and effective treatment options.

• SINGH S. & al. Review on natural lip balm. International Journal of Research in Cosmetic Science (2014).

• PARAMESH R. & al. In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (2018).

• LI J. & al. Aloe vera: A medicinal plant used in skin wound healing. Tissue engineering (2021).