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Original poster

Are my lips basically ruined?! 😫

200 replies

Smutternutmosh · 01/02/2023 10:41

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 😊

OP posts:
Justmeandthedog1 · 01/02/2023 13:25

Is it just winter or year round? If year round I think a dermatologist is your best bet.

Terven · 01/02/2023 13:25

It’s the lip balm causing it and maybe you’re a bit dehydrated? An excess of A vitamin supplement can also cause dry, cracked lips.

Clusterfunk · 01/02/2023 13:25

I can’t wear lipstick more than once in a blue moon because it does this to my lips. Try checking the ingredients or going cold turkey on lipstick for a couple of weeks, see if that helps?

Isheabastard · 01/02/2023 13:26

A while ago I made a correlation between having chapped, dry lips with getting out of the habit of taking a general multivitamin.

I take one of those orange vit c plus muti vitamin dissolvable tablets in water everyday. They’re cheap as chips.

Happygone · 01/02/2023 13:26

I swear lip balm is a scam. Once you start it it fucks your lips up when you stop.

I gave it up years ago and my lips are nice. I hope you get sorted.

DuploMum · 01/02/2023 13:27

Definitely try the Blisteze. It is the only thing that stops mine stinging when cold. UK have stopped selling it though but I ordered from the USA

Asurvivor · 01/02/2023 13:31

Blisteze for me too, it is the only thing that works for me. Lip balms make it worse and irritate my lips.

MaverickGooseGoose · 01/02/2023 13:33

Blistex intensive moisturiser, it actually moisturises, lip balms just sit there.

RockStarship · 01/02/2023 13:38

Tbh, for the time being, I think you have to avoid all lip products other than a decent lip balm when you really need it. I had this problem 2000-2010 when thick lipgloss was a big thing. My lips got drier and drier, so I applied more and more to try and make them look and feel better, which then obviously amplified the problem. In the end I was advised to go cold turkey and only use balms specifically made for lips which I did, and my lips started recovering. It took time but they're fine now. Also, drink more water. As soon as my water intake goes down, my lips become drier.

HellooooJackie · 01/02/2023 13:38

Blisteze is the only thing that sorts mine out.

Mirabai · 01/02/2023 13:38

I had lip balm with me at all times. In my pocket, in my bag, my work desk, my bedside table, everywhere.

The result is no more dry lips.

IDontWantToBeAPie · 01/02/2023 13:39

Doctor Rogers Restore Balm. My lips split and crack all winter and this stuff makes them baby smooth

RockStarship · 01/02/2023 13:39

tootrueblue · 01/02/2023 11:50

My dentist told me not to use Vaseline if my lips were already dry. His brother is a dermatologist and Vaseline locks in moisture but doesn't provide it - so if your lips are already dry, Vaseline does nothing.

This as well. I tried Vaseline thinking it would improve my lips and it made them even worse. It masks the problem rather than solving it.

IDontWantToBeAPie · 01/02/2023 13:39

NotLovingWFH · 01/02/2023 10:59

For me the magic lip balm is Blisteze, the little metal tube of white cream that smells medicated. Lip balms and vaseline help a little but this is the only thing that works properly.

This also is good

Quisto · 01/02/2023 13:41

I did Roacutane twice which dries up everything. The dermatologist gave me yellow soft paraffin, which definitely works. I'm allergic to lanolin and the only lip treatment I can use is Neutrogena Norwegian Formula, available in most Chemists.

MourningTea · 01/02/2023 13:47

I had an issue with this for a while, Burt's bees used to make my lips worse and Vaseline just covered my mouth but didn't soothe, my lips were cracked and flakey.
I also recommend that you stop wearing lipstick for a while until your lips are healed than wear it sparingly.
Eventually I found a cure, I've had some success with the plain old Nivea balm but the one I've found that really works for me is the carmex lip balm stick, not the tube.
This one

MourningTea · 01/02/2023 13:52

Ok not sure why the link is broken but it comes up if you Google carmex lip balm stick anyway.

FinallyMrsE · 01/02/2023 13:54

Snoken · 01/02/2023 11:22

Do you drink enough water?

I was going to say this, I know as soon as my lips feel dry it means I haven’t been drinking enough water

LakeTiticaca · 01/02/2023 13:54

NotLovingWFH · 01/02/2023 10:59

For me the magic lip balm is Blisteze, the little metal tube of white cream that smells medicated. Lip balms and vaseline help a little but this is the only thing that works properly.

I second this. Blisteze is brilliant, makes your lips feel nice and smooth as well 😀

Hamtoastie · 01/02/2023 14:00

Blistex intensive moisturiser. Only one that works for me!

PizzaDeliveryZ · 01/02/2023 14:08

You may be reacting to the balm itself but is it possible you have food allergies? If I eat oranges (or any citrus) my lips itch, blister, turn white and then a layer of skin peels off. It also happens to me if I eat raw tomato. If I avoid these two food items I generally have nice normal looking lips and use Vaseline once or twice a day. If I eat an orange, I will need Vaseline every 30 mins as they feel so dry as the skin is blistering and/or starting to peel.

GatoradeMeBitch · 01/02/2023 14:14

If your lips are that dry you might not want to avoid lip balm altogether. I think the BB mint one is for plumping, it might be irritating. Get the honey one, put it on before you go to bed. And is it worse over winter, is your environment very dry? Maybe consider a humidifier. And drink plenty of water.

Lipshere · 01/02/2023 14:19

Have you considered going to the doctors and having your b12’s checked? I had awful dry/cracking lips and nothing worked. I just happened to mention this in passing to my doctor and turns out it’s a b12 deficiency symptom.

Barnetwoman · 01/02/2023 14:22

You might try changing your brand of toothpaste. That worked for me and try a tiny dab of hydrocortisone cream - go easy on it though. It's strong stuff.