Dry lips (crusting and disgusting). What's the answer?

[resipsa]

Has anyone got a miracle solution for cracked, dry lips, either temporary or permanent? This weather plus central heating makes mine look awful. I must have spent hundreds of pounds on various lip balms/ointments/creams over the years to no avail. I know about keeping hydrated but I still crack! TIA.

Have you tried a lip scrub before the balm? I find it helps when I’ve had very dry lips

Lip balms often make it worse. Avoid ones with salicylic acid.

I was astounded when I (recently) discovered lip balms have salicylic acid in them, it’s totally counter intuitive!

OP you’ve probably tried this but I use Lasinoh nipple cream. It’s the only thing I don’t react to. I understand that a lanolin is quite a common allergen though.

Nipple cream, something like Lanisoh might help

I have tried a scrub but they bled then crusted over. They are awful. It's worst where, I think, I permanently mouth breathe a little which is unavoidable after a Bell's palsy several years ago (as in, I can't properly close my mouth fully).

Great minds!

I will try the nipple stuff - sure there are several unopened tubes lying around after 2 kids

Are you using any retinol products? U get that with retinol.

Sorry, not u, I.,

I find O'Keeffes lip repair to be the best

I use blistex cream. Make sure you keep super hydrated too, at least 2 litres of fluid a day.

Nope, no retinol. I dread air kissing (and the real thing) as I assume people are trying not to flinch!

Cortibalm, a lip balm with hydrocortisone in it. Started using it a couple of years ago when I was on medication that made my lips crack and peel, and nothing else worked. Exfoliate too – sugar scrubs are good, but a (gentle) rub with the corner of a damp washcloth does the trick too.

Either elizabeth arden 8 hour cream or carex both fab.

Ooh I like the sound of Cortibalm. A friend recommended some Japanese product but it's £65!

I’ve found the blister cream good as a quick fix, but have you tried Nuxe’s reve de Miel lip balm: a little goes a long way and it doesn’t seem to have that addictive quality, I think due to the lack of petrochemicals, ie I don’t need to use it all the time

I get it off eBay (the brand is Dr Dan and it's not sold in the UK) for about a tenner. All in sealed blister packs, it seems above board and I've never had a problem. I was at my wit's end as I'm allergic to lanolin, which seems to be the go-to for severe chapped lips, this stuff saved my poor crusty gob!

My grandmother, born well before WW1, used to use butter.

Holland and barrats DR ORGANICS Manila Honey lip balm is a godsend in these winter months

I've found that blistex in the metal tube is the best thing for chapped lips.

Manuka honey*

Blisrex works quite quickly then use vaseline to stop them drying out again.

Dd had dry lips, I bought the the Ameliorate lip stuff and it really works brilliantly for her.
On very chapped lips I have also used Weleda weather protection cream, a thick cream for babies and children that is miraculous on that red chapping that children can get around their mouths or on cheeks.

Blisteze is my goto. I have to use a CPAP machine and it dries my lips overnight.

I've found that blistex in the metal tube is the best thing for chapped lips

I second this