10 Secrets to Getting Rid of Dry Skin on Lips

Amber is a web writer whose articles focus on beauty, skincare, health, and wellness!

If you’re anything like me, winter weather is an instant recipe for having dry, cracked lips. It starts when the chilly air of fall hits. Before you know it, you’re waking up with cracked lips. The dead skin peels off, making it impossible to wear lipstick and have it look good. There are a few things that you can incorporate into your routine to make your lips kissably soft every day of the week!

Why Do We Get Dry, Chapped Lips?

Lips are one of the few areas of the body that do not have oil glands. For example, when your face gets dry, oil glands ramp up production to help keep your face moisturized. Lips are not capable of doing this, making them more prone to being dry. This, in turn, makes dead skin start to flake and peel off.

How to Get Rid of and Prevent Dry Skin on Your Lips

Dry skin seems inevitable for some people, myself included. Follow these ten tips to get rid of dry skin and prevent it from happening again.

1. Gently scrub away dead skin with a toothbrush.
2. Moisturize to help chapped lips.
3. Make sure that you stay hydrated by increasing your water intake.
4. Turn off the fan during the winter (if you can).
5. Prevent sinus congestion to help you sleep with your mouth closed.
6. Exfoliate your lips regularly.
7. Develop a lip care routine.
8. Carry Chapstick or lip balm in your purse.
9. Invest in Neosporin lip treatment to heal scabby lips.
10. Don’t lick your lips!

Once you start to incorporate these tips into your daily life, you won’t have to worry about dry skin every day!

1. Gently Scrub Away Dead Skin With a Toothbrush

After you’re done brushing your teeth in the morning, make sure that all of the toothpaste is rinsed off of your toothbrush. Then, gently rub the toothbrush along your lips in a circular motion. This can help remove some of the dead skin from your lips. It’s a cheap, effective alternative to exfoliating, and you can do it daily.

2. Moisturize to Help Chapped Lips

Coconut oil is one of the best ways to moisturize your lips! When you apply coconut oil will depend on your makeup routine. If you love to wear lipstick or lip gloss, apply the coconut oil at night before going to bed. If you’re not a fan of makeup or stay away from lipsticks, you can carry a small container of coconut oil with you to apply it throughout the day.

To apply coconut oil, dip your finger or a cotton swab in the coconut oil. Then, apply a small amount to your lips. Remember that a little bit goes a long way!

3. Make Sure That You Stay Hydrated

Keeping your body properly hydrated starts from within. Help keep dry skin from forming by making sure that you stay hydrated. If you’re not a fan of plain water, try:

• Foods packed with water, like watermelon
• Water enhancement options (I really like Mio)
• Gatorade or Powerade
• Water with a slice of lemon

As long as the inside of your body is hydrated, the outside of your body will be more hydrated, too!

4. Turn off the Fan for the Winter

When the wind blows on your face consistently, it results in dry, chapped skin. The same thing happens when you sleep with the fan on. If you need white noise to sleep, consider a white noise machine or point the fan away from your face at night.

5. Prevent Sinus Congestion to Help You Sleep With Your Mouth Closed

Even if you don’t breathe through your mouth all day, there’s a good chance that you’re sleeping with your mouth open. The second your nose gets congested, you open your mouth in your sleep. Pick up some decongestants to stop breathing through your mouth. This is usually the culprit behind dry skin that is worse in the morning.

6. Exfoliate Your Lips

Exfoliating your lips is just like exfoliating your face. You rub a lip scrub across your lips. Then, leave it on for the length of time the directions state. Usually, this is only a few minutes. Finally, rinse it off.

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I use this organic lip scrub that works amazingly well. The directions say to use it twice weekly, but I use it during my weekly routines every Sunday with awesome results.

DIY Lip Scrub

If you want to save some money, DIY lip scrubs are always a great option! These are a bit more budget friendly, and you always know exactly what ingredients are in your DIY products. This article has three easy-to-make recipes that use ingredients from your kitchen.

7. Develop a Lip Care Routine

A lip care routine is important to make sure that your lips stay smooth. Exfoliating once is a great idea, but you need to be consistent to see continued results. My lip care routine consists of exfoliating once a week and applying coconut oil nightly.

Then, I make adjustments as needed. If I have a cold, I take something before I go to bed. When I break my own rule and pick at my lips, therefore making them significantly worse, I upgrade to a Neosporin lip treatment.

8. Carry Chapstick or Lip Balm in Your Purse

When your lips are dry, they need to be moisturized throughout the day. Remember, they can't moisturize themselves. Pick up some chapstick or lip balm and toss it into your purse. As the day goes on, apply it any time that your lips feel dry.

9. Invest in Neosporin Lip Treatment to Heal Scabby Lips

I try so hard not to pick at my lips. I’ve been great at sticking to proper lip care these last few years. Before that, I couldn’t help but pick at the dead skin. A friend of mine bought me some overnight Neosporin lip treatment, and I have been a huge fan ever since.

If your lips are scabby, apply a thick coating before bed at night. You’ll see a drastic improvement by morning. This lip treatment can also help protect your lips if they tend to get dry at night. People that simply cannot sleep without a fan on their face can benefit from this being part of their nightly routine.

10. Don’t Lick Your Lips!

According to this article, licking your lips is a recipe for disaster. Saliva contains powerful enzymes to break down food. If it can help break down half-eaten pieces of food because you ate too quickly, just imagine what it can do to the delicate skin on your lips! Instead, apply lip balm or chapstick.

FAQ

What Causes Dead Skin on Lips?

Lack of moisture either in the body, such as dehydration, or simply on your lips. As the skin gets chapped, it starts to peel. This turns into dead skin.

Should I Peel Dead Skin off of Lips?

No! You can accidentally peel off too much and damage your healthy skin. Instead, pick up a pair of fingernail clippers or cuticle scissors to get rid of dead skin to guarantee that you don’t accidentally peel off healthy skin. Make sure you sanitize whatever tool you use first.

How Do You Get Rid of Scabby Lips Fast?

Pick up some Neosporin overnight lip treatment. Apply a thick coat before bed. Then, reapply throughout the day. You’ll begin to see improvements in just a couple of days!

Why Do My Lips Peel When I Wear Lip Balm?

You’re sensitive to at least one of the ingredients. Purchase another brand, or opt for a natural remedy. Coconut oil is a great alternative!

Is Coconut Oil Good for Your Lips?

Yes! The moisturizing properties found in coconut oil can help keep your lips silky soft. Put some in a small plastic container to carry in your purse to have at the ready.

Prevention Is Key

If you already have dry skin on your lips, use preventative methods to make sure that it doesn’t get worse. Then, continue to use them and implement a lip care routine to ensure that you don’t have dead skin peeling from your lips in the future.