Are my lips basically ruined?! 😫

[Smutternutmosh]

Hi,

So possibly a slightly dramatic title, but my lips are soooo dry all the time!

They've been like this since I was a young teenager. Basically since I started slapping on the lip balms...but constantly! The more I used, the more I needed it and I honestly think it's ruined my lips. I'm now late 30's 😬

They're not just dry. They have this constant cycle of thick, dry skin, peeling off, then back to cratery dry skin again. Nice 👍

It doesn't matter what kind of lip balms, treatments I use. I've even tried that nipple cream (name escapes me) and I know that's very popular on here as a lip conditioner, but it just didn't really do anything. I do wear lipstick everyday, which probably isn't helping, but I feel a bit naked and plain without it. I always wear lip balm underneath though.

Any other magic suggestions? It really is driving me mad!

TIA 😊

Aquaphor is a product that my dermo quite likes. But everyone can just let you know they product they use and like, but if you are having a deeper skin issue, none of these may work for you.

I would leave off the lipstick and mint balm, drink enough water and use either By Terry Baumé de Rose or La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baumé Lips. One of my staff was under a dermatologist and was on high strength medication which dried out her skin, La Roche Posay was what the dermatologist recommended and she had great results. It’s only 7.50.

My dentist told me to up my vit B12 and to use the patches. It does appear to have made a difference. That, and lots of water.

I used to get this a lot. I find I get a lot of relief by smearing Vaseline on very thickly then putting a flannel in very, very hot water, squeeze all the water out and then rub over your lips and slough off. I then apply coconut oil. I now do this several times over the wintertime and helps every time.

I’ll tell you my story in case it’s helpful: I ended up using lip balms constantly after a course of roaccutane. I would bulk buy carmex. A few years ago, my lips started to get extra sore and dry around the lip area. It looked unsightly and felt so uncomfortable. Hydrocortisone did nothing. I ended up seeing a dermatologist privately. He said there were a lot of irritating ingredients in my lip balms and I needed to come off them. He prescribed a stronger steroid ointment that I was to use once a day for a period of time. It worked. My lips are now back to normal. The dermatologist said I could use a bit of Vaseline if ever I really need to- which I generally do only when I have a cold. Best of luck- I know how uncomfortable dry lips are.

I should also say that I never wear lipstick anymore just a lip stain balm, I think lipsticks were making it worse for me.

For me what worked is gentle exfoliating my lips with an ear LD toothbrush and Vaseline, gently and a few times a day at first. Then cleaning residue before either blistese or Carmex (many other make my lips worse). It’s removing the skin before it builds up that makes the difference.

Once they calmed down just nightly exfoliating is enough.

Stuff like the waxy Nivea tubes and lipsil etc should be avoided

Blistex is what you need. www.amazon.co.uk/Blistex-150080-Relief-Cream/dp/B008FMJT5C

I was on holiday in Egypt 20 years ago and the only person on our tour who didn't get dry cracked lips, despite copious applications of Vaseline and lip balm, was the woman who used Blistex. As soon as I got back I bought some and bingo, problem solved. I always have a supply. Smells strange but it works brilliantly.

If I ever run out or can't get any Blistex, I find a little blob of this thick Neutrogena hand cream applied at night helps too:
www.boots.com/neutrogena-norwegian-formula-concentrated-hand-cream-unscented-50ml-10005607
Not recommended for the lips, I should say, but I've used it many times and have had no ill effects.

Yep, just at night on freshly washed face (to keep the moisture in)

Could be your toothpaste?

Try switching to a brand that doesn’t have SLS and see if that helps.

Whoops, this is the new Blistex:

www.boots.com/blistex-relief-cream-5g-10137751

Some people say it's not as good as the old product but it still works for me.

Go and see a dermatologist if they are this bad.

You may find you're dehydrated. I can see the appearance of my lips changed when I've barely drunk for a few days (out and about so have to not drink in case of needing bathroom).

I suffer with really dry lips and I've been using O'keeffe's lip balm (the one in a little pot) and it's fantastic! I also highly recommend Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, if my lips are really bad I use that and they are soft within 48 hours. It's a bit pricey but if you just use if on your lips it'll last you for ages.

they will be okay again op, I was totally where you are. Unfortunately I agree nothing- blistex, Carmex, Vaseline, Elizabeth Arden 8 hour, Nivea, neutrogena, none of it worked. I upped the water too and went without and it fixed itself but when warm weather came so not sure. For people looking for a nice balm loccitane from the little yellow tub is amazing (op I didn’t use this with bad lips so not sure). Hugs

If you've never exposed your skin to the elements I'm not surprised they don't like it when you do! It's like taking a baby's skin out into 30* sunshine!

You do need to go cold Turkey I'm afraid and just push through. Let your lips acclimatise and get a bit 'weathered' and thicken up. ( not as awful as I've just made that sound).

Drink a bit more water. Don't go back to any kind of lip balm if you can help it. You'll be grand.

Perhaps it's the lipstick brand?

Agree with this

This is the only thing that’s helped mine. Holland and Barrett do one in a green tube

I have similar problem with mine - worse in winter

I Exfoliate with a sugar scrub and I use the tiniest amount of hydrocortisone when my lips are very bad. (Can get low percentage over counter at pharmacy)

I use the big blue pot of Nivea face moisturiser on my lips too very nourishing overnight and avoid the perfumed lip balms and lipsticks.

a 24 hour lip stain with a top coat of Vaseline lasts longer and is best if I do want a bit of colour.

I was about to say - I bet you're dehydrated. I suffered for years in my youth, it was an absolute revelation when I twigged that drinking lots of water meant soft, smooth lips!

I second the Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream, it stinks but contains salicylic acid so will help to slough off any dead skin, I apply it at night after teeth. Use a lip scrub, and instead of lipstick, could you use a stain and a gloss?

@MrsPicklesonSmythe Can you tell me what its called please

..oh, and the best lip balm I've ever used was a hemp one from the brand Yaoh. Miraculous stuff.