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Original poster

Cracked lips just won't go away. Help!

52 replies

WyrdSisterWeatherwax · 21/01/2019 16:57

I've been suffering from badly cracked, dry lips for the last year and I'm out of ideas. The rest of my skin is fine so don't think it's dehydration.

So far (with little success) I've tried:

  • Nuxe Reve de meil
  • Lanolips Lemonaid treatment
  • Elizabeth Arden 8 hour balm
  • Blistex relief cream
  • Vaseline
  • Lansinoh nipple cream
  • Carmex yellow pot
  • Burts Bees lip balm

Has anyone tried anything else that's worked for them?

OP posts:
Daisymay2 · 21/01/2019 22:29

Were you on Roaccutane ( Isotretanoin) for your skin? That is well known for causing dry lips.

ChipsAreLife · 21/01/2019 22:47

Another bite for paw paw. Only thing that sorts mine out. Also great on minor burns and rashes!

holasoydora · 21/01/2019 22:49

I used an Occtaine Shea butter lil balm when my lips went really dry around Christmas. I put it on every half an hour but it worked

Frankthebank · 21/01/2019 22:54

Cymex cream. Saved my lips.

purplecorkheart · 21/01/2019 22:57

What is your water intake like? I suffered from awful cracked lips for years until I upped my water intake massively (for a different health reason). Also I did find exfoilating my lips (soft toothbrush) helped.

pigletpie2177 · 21/01/2019 23:02

The only thing that fixes mine when they're that bad is flexitol lip balm. Hope it sorts soon!

thefirstmrsdewinter · 22/01/2019 00:28

Could you try changing your toothpaste? I have sensitive teeth and the dentist told me to use Sensodyne without rinsing, but the next day I had a crack in my lip. Went back to my usual (Kingfisher) and it healed, tried Sensodyne again and it came back.

MitziK · 22/01/2019 13:51

More water did the trick for me. And a quick rub with the back of my hand after I applied neutrogena hand cream.

Delatron · 22/01/2019 14:13

My lips are the best they’ve ever been despite the cold since I gave up all lip balms!! I do believe they become addictive and your lips need them more and more.

Maybe try to cut down slowly.

TheToffeeTruckinTown · 22/01/2019 16:14

I came on here to say perimenopause too boringbertha
amazing isn't it. But I reckon it was that.
I had to give up lipstick Shock for a bit and used Roche posay cicaplast which helped it a lot.

pompomcat · 22/01/2019 16:21

O Keefes unscented is working for me too Smile

boringbertha · 22/01/2019 18:42

TheToffeeTruckinTown glad it's not just me then! I also noticed that when my menstrual cycle cranked back into action after a 6 month absence my lips got worse. When the periods were absent so were my cracked/dry bottom lip.

jcq17 · 22/01/2019 18:46

I am the same and I always use burts bees... I stopped using it last night and my lips look 100x better already! My friend even commented!

ifigoup · 22/01/2019 18:50

Nothing works for me apart from pure lanolin.

Lelivre · 22/01/2019 18:54

Lucas pawpaw ointment resolved mine. Everything else seemed to make them worse this winter.

CandleConcerto · 22/01/2019 18:55

Get a fungal cream. Works a treat.

MeganBacon · 22/01/2019 19:30

Epaderm ointment. Ds has such dry lips/surrounding skin that it is almost eczema-like, but cannot be medicated. He gets large tubs of Epaderm ointment on prescription, it's just an incredibly heavy, almost waxy, moisturiser. Works wonders though.

HaroldsSocalledBluetits · 22/01/2019 19:33

Another vote for no balm at all. I have honestly had no problems since I stopped using it, and had very cracked lips previously.

KissHerYouBrilliantFool · 22/01/2019 19:39

I had very sore lips for years and eventually worked out that eating citrus fruit was the cause.

StoneRoses4Ever · 22/01/2019 19:50

I have this problem and often also corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis) too.

For me I can only use a v few toothpastes, the best being aqua fresh kids age 3-5! It doesn’t seem to irritate.

I have tried every lip salve and balm. Sometimes I used a mild hydrocortisone or anti fungal at the corners. The only lip balm that has helped is Aritaum Ginger Sugar Overnight Lip mask off Amazon. I also use it in the day. It’s v sticky and so my lips have a long lasting barrier. It lasts forever

Maraki · 22/01/2019 19:50

OP yoi say that you were on skin meds. Was it tretinoin for acne? If so, cracked lips are a well known side effect of them.

MrsJayy · 22/01/2019 19:53

I started putting e45 cream on my lips a few weeks ago and my lips are back to normal and iuse camex the red topone very occasionally.

TheVeryHungryDieter · 22/01/2019 21:57

Lucas's Pawpaw ointment for me too. It's the only thing that saves me in winter.

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