How to Moisturize Lips

Co-authored by Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD

Last Updated: November 13, 2022 References Approved

Moisturizing your lips is a daily challenge, especially if you are prone to dry lips. Cold and dry conditions can also lead to dry lips, so you may need to do even more to moisturize your lips depending on the weather. You can ensure that your lips are moist by using moisturizing lip products, getting rid of flaky skin, and using other techniques to combat dryness.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Moisturizing Lip Products

1
Apply lip balm with beeswax or shea butter. Check out the ingredients of your lip balm. Make sure to use it only if it contains both humectants, such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin, and occlusive agents, like beeswax, shea butter, or other oils. The humectants will hold onto moisture, while the occlusive agents will prevent it from evaporating. The occlusive agents are particularly important, because without them, the humectants would draw moisture from your lips and let it evaporate, making your lips even drier.^{[1]
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- Apply lip balm any time your lips feel dry. Never lick your lips because this can cause them to dry out even more.
- Avoid using a lip balm with salicylic acid, which will make your lips peel.
2
Select a lip balm with sunscreen. Too much sun exposure can dry out your lips. If you will be spending time out in the sun, then protect your lips with a lip balm that contains sunscreen.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Look for a lip balm that contains a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 protection.
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3
Choose moisturizing lipsticks. Matte lip colors can dry out your lips, so it is best to avoid these types of lip color if your lips are prone to dryness. Opt for moisturizing lipsticks instead.
- Always apply lip balm before applying lip color, no matter what type of lipstick you use.
- If you decide to use a matte color, then apply a heavy layer of lip balm before applying your lipstick.
4
Try a natural moisturizer. If you prefer natural products, then you can also use a natural oil or gel to moisturize your lips. Just dab a few drops of oil or a pea sized amount of gel onto your lips and distribute it evenly. Some good choices include:
- Aloe vera gel.^{[3]
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  Research source} Make sure that you choose one that is made from 100% aloe vera and that has no extra ingredients. You can also use some aloe vera fresh from an aloe vera plant.
- Coconut oil. This oil is solid at room temperature, so it is similar to lip balm.
- Olive oil. A few drops of olive oil can also moisturize dry lips.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Dry Flaky Skin from Your Lips

1
Use a toothbrush. Dry lips tend to flake and exfoliating is a great way to remove this dry flaky skin. This will ensure that your lips will be smooth when you apply a moisturizing balm. Your toothbrush is a great tool for exfoliating your lips. You can run it over your lips a few times after brushing your teeth or apply some lip exfoliator to it and use it to help slough off dead skin.^{[4]
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- Make sure that you use a soft toothbrush or the bristles may be too hard on your lips. Don’t scrub too hard either. Just gently move the brush around your lips.
- Rinse and pat dry your lips when you finish and then apply some of you favorite lip balm to moisturize them.
2
Apply a lip scrub. Lip scrubs help to slough off dead skin, and they also contain moisturizing ingredients. You can purchase a lip scrub or make your own lip scrub using a couple of common kitchen items.^{[5]
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- To make your own lip scrub, just mix together a teaspoon of brown sugar with a teaspoon of olive oil.
- Apply your lip scrub to your lips using your fingertip or a soft bristle toothbrush. Then work the scrub around your lips. When you are finished, rinse away the scrub. Your lips should feel smooth and moisturized when you are finished.
3
Rub a wet washcloth over your lips. You can also exfoliate your lips with a wet washcloth or use the washcloth to wipe away any remaining exfoliating scrub. Make sure that you choose a soft cotton cloth to exfoliate your lips. Then, wet the cloth with warm water and use it to gently wipe your lips.^{[6]
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- After you finish, pat your lips dry and apply a layer of your favorite lip balm to rehydrate them.
4
Repeat no more than twice per week. Exfoliating your lips too often can irritate them and this could lead to dryness, so do not exfoliate your lips more than twice per week.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.} If your lips seem irritated with this schedule, then only exfoliate them once per week or even every other week.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Lips Moist

1
Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to ensure that your lips will be moist from this inside out.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Try to drink about eight 8 ounce glasses of water every day to stay hydrated. Increase your water intake if you have been sweating or if the weather is hot and/or dry.
2
Steer clear of foods that might dry out your lips. Some foods may cause your lips to feel dry or irritated, so it is best to limit these foods or avoid them entirely if your lips are already dry and/or irritated. Foods that may irritate your lips include:
- salty foods, such as chips, pretzels, and popcorn
- spicy foods, such as chicken wings, salsa, and hot sauce
- citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons
3
Run a humidifier at home. Dry air in your home can lead to dry lips, so running a humidifier when you are at home may help. Try placing a humidifier in your bedroom and turn it on any time the air feels dry.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
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Go to source}
- Running an air conditioner can dry out the air, so running a humidifier when you use the air conditioning may help. You may also fund that the air in your home is drier in the winter.
4
Breathe through your nose. If you have a habit of breathing through your mouth, then this could also be causing your lips to dry out faster than normal. Try to get into the habit of breathing in and out through your nose instead.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
5
See a doctor if your lips are still very dry. If you’ve tried many solutions but your lips remain dry, there might be other root causes. Tell your doctor about the problem and ask what might be the issue, and what you can do to solve it. Some causes of lip dryness include:^{[11]
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- Sun or wind damage
- Insufficient Vitamin B2
- Too much Vitamin A
- An allergic reaction to a lip product or food
- A medication, especially one for acne, high blood pressure, or hypothyroidism
- A yeast infection around your mouth

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I tell if I'm exfoliating my lips too often?

Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Margareth Pierre-Louis is a board certified Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist, Physician Entrepreneur, and the Founder of Twin Cities Dermatology Center and Equation Skin Care in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Twin Cities Dermatology Center is a comprehensive dermatology clinic treating patients of all ages through clinical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and telemedicine. Equation Skin Care was created to provide the best in evidence-based, natural skin care products. Dr. Pierre-Louis earned a BS in Biology and an MBA from Duke University, an MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completed a residency in dermatology at the University of Minnesota, and completed a dermatopathology fellowship at Washington University in St Louis. Dr. Pierre-Louis is board certified in dermatology, cutaneous surgery, and dermatopathology by the American Boards of Dermatology and Pathology.

Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

If your lips are peeling every day, you're probably exfoliating too often. Try exfoliating less, like every few days or once a week.
Question

Is Vaseline good for dry lips?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Vaseline can help keep in your natural moisture, but is not hydrating itself. It works best when applied at night over a light layer of lip balm.
Question

How do I get rid of the dry skin on my lips?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can slough it off gently with a tooth brush or a lip scrub then apply lip balm. Make sure you avoid lip products that contain salicylic acid (which causes lips to peel).