Loading...
This is the time of year that lips start suffering. That’s partly because lips are especially sensitive to dry air. Just as the skin on our hands starts getting dry and irritated when the heat comes on, so too our lips may become chapped. When lips dry out we tend to lick them. That eases discomfort for a few seconds but makes chapped lips worse in the long run.
We also tend to start using lip balm. Many of the products on drugstore shelves contain sunblock. That makes a lot of sense in the summer, but not as much in the winter. A surprising number of people are sensitive to ingredients in lip balm. The more they use the lip moisturizer, the worse the problem. This reader has just such a tale of woe:
Q. I used Chapstick with SPF protection for years. I felt like I was dependent on it.
Someone suggested that an ingredient in Chapstick caused this and recommended that I switch to some other more natural lip balm. I switched, but I don’t notice any difference. Any thoughts about what is going on?
A. It is hard to say what might be causing your discomfort. Some people are very sensitive to the ingredients that provide sun protection (SPF or sun protection factor). If you are susceptible to such chemicals, they could be contributing to sad lips.
One reader wrote to us a few years ago about a similar problem. She complained about a condition called cheilitis, which is medical speak for inflammation of the lips. In her case an allergist suspected the benzone sunscreen in her lip sunblock was causing the problem. She pointed out that it’s hard to find lip balm that doesn’t contain sunblock. Her conclusion:
“In my attempts to protect my lips, I’d been unwittingly making them worse.”
Since you are less likely to burn your lips in the winter, you may wish to look for a product that does not have sun protection. You will have to do your homework, though. Many commercial lip balms may not reveal that a particular ingredient is a sunblock.
Peppermint Oil
Another reader also complained about his lips:
“My lips are incredibly dry and rough. They are so uncomfortable that I cannot keep from constantly licking them. That provides momentary relief, but then they dry out again within minutes. No matter how much lip balm I use I am constantly miserable. What is going on and what can I use to bring some relief?”
Some people react to peppermint oil, an ingredient in some natural lip balms (Dermatitis, March-April, 2010). It can cause an allergic reaction that could lead to irritation, lip licking and dryness. Here is what the physicians reported:
“The etiology [cause] of cheilitis is often not readily apparent. We present a case series of four patients with allergic contact cheilitis (ACC) secondary to exposure to peppermint oil contained in a lip balm product…
“Our patch-test results showed that peppermint oil was the most likely culprit in these patients’ ACC. Peppermint oil is less commonly reported as causing ACC than are more common contactants such as balsam of Peru or nickel sulfate. However, with the widespread use of lip balms containing peppermint oil, more cases of peppermint oil-induced ACC may be expected.”
The Lip-Licking Vicious Cycle Syndrome:
Once you start licking your lips you may end up in a vicious cycle. The more you lick the drier they get. Of course it is not easy to stop licking. When lips become dry and cracked it is almost impossible to resist the urge to lick.
Natural Lip Balm Without Peppermint or Sunblock:
Several years ago we consulted one of the country’s leading natural product chemists. We specified that we wanted to develop an all natural lip balm without sunscreen or peppermint oil. He helped us develop a line of products that might be what you are looking for. Our natural pomegranate flavor has no sun protection chemicals or peppermint oil. You may find that it relieves your discomfort without causing an allergic reaction. Here is a link to The People’s Pharmacy Pomegranate Natural Lip Care. With Chuck’s help we also created The People’s Pharmacy BERRY Natural Lip Care.
Ultimately, if you can stop licking your lips they are likely to recover.
Revised: 12/1/16
Mary Ellen
NC
I suffered with cheilitis for many years. I had a Rx for it that worked but didn’t prevent anything. I discovered that my flavored floss was a major cause of the problem. I began using a non flavored (Butler) floss and now use Vaseline Lip Therapy for any chapped lips. And they now have a softly colored one that gives a lovely fresh color to my lips. I don’t wear lipstick as it seems to migrate to my teeth almost immediately, so the soft color from the Vaseline is an added bonus.
Carolyn
If peppermint oil can cause lips to peel would that hold true for peppermint-flavored toothpaste? My lips, especially the lower, peel as though they’ve been sunburned. I use balms that are as free of irritating chemicals as I can find yet my lip skin peels off in sheets. My mint-flavored toothpaste is formulated for sensitive teeth. And of course, it concentrates more on my lower lip than the upper when I brush. After reading about the effects of peppermint oil I wonder if my toothpaste could be the cause. I’m going to change to a non-minty sensitive brand and see if that helps. Am I on to something?
carol
NC
i use carmex ointment in the tube on lips before bed and in morning … it seems to be similar to vaseline which i used for decades but carmex seems moister to me.
Charlotte
I had bad chapped lips and a great Doctor told me to just use a light coat of plain vaseline, he was a funny guy and said “just keep greased up – grease , grease, grease”.
He said that most “lip products” make you lick your lips more often, especially flavored ones, and that makes it worse.
Rick
Many lips blocks or balms contain carcinogens such as the titanium dioxide other chemicals some of which are photosensitive and not only caused cracked lips they cause these precancerous conditions. Before you use any sunblock period break down the chemical components and if you are sensitized to any of those component you could have an allergic reaction which is your immune systems way of telling you to discontinue the sun block.
carol
pennsylvania
I have cracks & scabbing in the corners of my mouth…have tried alot of things with no cure…it can be very painful…i now use vaseline but it doesn’t relieve it…any suggestions & what is causing it…my lips aren’t chapped
Judy F.
Madison WI
I never use lip balm, almost never use lipstick, and never lick my lips without wiping off the saliva with a napkin or hankie. I never have chapped lips, even during our Wisconsin winters.
Mary Jane
NYC
A number of years ago I developed the habit of making “horse lips” (when not in the company of others). I do it several times a day, and while I still use lip balm, I do not need it as frequently. “Horse lips” apparently increases the flow of blood to your lips. It must work, because I’ve never seen a horse use lip balm.
Keno
Wisconsin
I am apparently allergic to lanolin. If I use a lip balm with lanolin my lips chap worse. No lanolin and they heal. My mother had tested allergic to lanolin she I was a child. As for the third generation, I watched my college age son lick his lips and suggested he go get some chap stick. He replied that when he used it his lips got worse. I bought him several lanolin free lip balms and they solved the problem. My siblings and my second child have no issues with lip balms and lanolin.
M C
Greensboro
Good-quality argan oil or balm works for me, along with gentle exfoliation while in the shower. I use a wash cloth to gently scrub my lips after they are thoroughly softened by warm water. I stress “gently” because exfoliating too hard can result in abrasion or tears. I think removing the dry skin allows the skin underneath to regenerate and be easily moisturized by the balm. I also found that a Vitamin D supplement helped to prevent the rough skin on my elbows and heels in winter and summer as well as improving my chapped lips.
Ann
Chicago
I cannot use any lip products, including lipsticks without getting a cold sore. I have tried hypoallergenic products, even then I get cold sores. Anyone else have this problem?
RichardM
Northern Wi.S
I have never been able to use any chap stick because I would develop a cold sore. The only relief I find for my lips is skin-so-soft product by Avon. It seals my lips against both sun & wind, summer & winter.
s
H
CA
Using chapsticks becomes an addiction. I know people who order them by the carload because they are so afraid their brand will no longer be available. I have seen a full blown panic attack when one is dropped and cannot be reached. It is a serious problem for many.
paige
Alabama
Pure lanolin works great for chapped lips. I get a small tube at a good pharmacy or baby store that is made for nursing moms. Small tube but lasts all winter.
Marsha
I’ve been using Vaseline on my lips all my life. I put in on after I brush my teeth and wipe my mouth and I’m good for the rest of the day.
Sometimes I use coconut oil and that works well too.
Katie
Michigan
I’m disappointed that your lip balm products contain berries and pomegranate. I am allergic to many fruits and avoid products that contain them. Essential oils are also a problem for me. How about lip balm that does not have any of these additives? I generally use Shea butter on my lips and it works OK, but it sure would be handy to have a tube that I could carry with me.
One culprit for me was lipstick. I tried many brands including hypoallergenic ones and all of them cause my lips to peel.
SASHA
Lip balm containing lanolin is very painful to me.
Gary
My understanding is that the sun pumps out a lot of UV in the winter. In fact, snow cover can make things worse, reflecting rays into one’s face. Thus, lips do need sun-screen protection during winter months.
Sara
Illinois
I have put a light coating of honey on my lips and covered it with clear tape for just a few minutes.
Gerry
I was diagnosed with angioedema a number of years ago: swelling beneath the surface of the skin, in my case swelling of throat, tongue, lips, and other areas of the face. Research on the internet came up with a diet and list of things to avoid on the New Zealand Public Health site, including many mints, berries, plus all salicylates, which are found in aspirin and the skins of fruits and vegetables as well as soft drinks or anything fizzy. My doc prescribed a regimen for each night: zyrtec, benedryl and zantac at bedtime. I also carry an epipen.
Products by Almay and Neutrogena, including lip balm and deodorant, work for me as they are without any perfume or other allergenic content.
jazz pollard
Many people out there would have heard of the term “chapped lips” and assume it is the same as having dry, sore or cracked lips however this is not necessarily true so here I will try and define chapped lips and give the differences to other lip related conditions.
strawberrygal
When I met my husband in college, his family swore by camphor ice for chapped lips, and I’ve used it ever since. Chapped lips always return to normal in a day or two, and when used at bedtime on a nose sore from constant blowing with a cold, I wake up with the soreness gone. Unfortunately, Camphor Ice is not available on most drugstores’ shelves and must be ordered, but it’s worth it. It is made by Dermatone in Windsor Locks, CT.
Lynn555
What works for my dry, itchy lips is Lansinoh cream (pure lanolin) and 1% hydrocortisone ointment, mixed together in the palm of my hand. You must be sure to get hydrocortisone ointment, not cream because the ointment contains only hydrocortisone and petrolatum.
Avoiding irritants on the lips is very important — the reason products like Blistex sting when applied is that they contain ingredients like menthol and camphor which are the worst things possible for skin. Hope this helps.
TW
Perhaps you don’t need lip protection at all. Maybe you should stop using it altogether and see if the natural balance in your lips return. It may be a bit uncomfortable for a while, but stay with it and see what the outcome is.
When my lips feel dry it usually means I need more water. I drink a large glass of water and swab some Vaseline on my lips and call it a day.
Good luck.
CBL
Try using petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, on your lips. Put it on at night before going to bed. Use just the plain, old-fashioned kind. I taught in high-poverty schools for years and the children often had bleeding lips in winter. I kept a jar of Vaseline and cotton swabs for the children, and they loved the relief it gave them.
B.Y.L.
Lip balms and lotions generally contain petroleum derivatives which my skin doesn’t tolerate. Chapping and cracking is the result. Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion (fragrance free) does not. It is a lotion that, for me, not only controls dry itchy skin, but also heals dry, rough, cracked lips. A tiny dab, smoothed on the lips until no longer moist, does the job. I apply it several times a day… under lipstick, without lipstick, and when I go to bed. I’ve heard that Eucerin lotion is also effective in this way.
TEM3
My Dad used to tell me to coat my lips with cow manure. He guaranteed I would not lick them more than once.
Amy G.
Hi –
I depend of your great advise and information, People’s Pharmacy, but I’m disappointed that you put peppermint oil in your chocolate mint lip balm, based on the problem you mentioned with it above.
Also, this is random, but I am also disappointed in your Milk of Magnesia deodorant, because it doesn’t work for me. I want to use an aluminum free formula, and so many people rave about m.o.m., but I guess it isn’t for everyone.
Thanks.
People’s Pharmacy response: We appreciate you letting us know your reaction. We would never suggest that milk of magnesia is the answer for everyone. And we definitely advocate people who are sensitive to peppermint oil avoiding it in their lip care products!