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 😊

Give it all up and drink lots of water. Lots of lip products are made from Lanolin which is grease from sheeps wool, including Carmel and the nipple creams. It’s a very common allergen which makes it worse for lots of people!

I thought this was going to be one of those rubber duck lips posts lol

Don't use anything on them. Mine are like that if I do. You need to break the cycle of biting the skin as well and then work on not being dehydrated.

Yes I’d bet my bottom dollar that this is an allergy. Cold turkey on everything - make up/sunscreen/lip balms EVERYTHING. I have had allergic reactions on my lips that presented as constant peeling. Pay for a private allergy test and that should tell you what it was. I can’t use almost any lip balms but can use Vaseline, that’s it. Sunscreens make my lips crack too. Be a sleuth and you’ll work it out!

My lips got really dry like that after I came back from ski-ing in my 20s. The only thing that sorted them out was Blistex, then putting Vaseline on overnight when they were less sore.

Some people’s lips are just like this. Are you putting on loads of lip balm in the evening and using a toothbrush to scrub them in the morning?

Another vote for Blistex Relief Cream. It is medicated and works like magic, lip balms do not compare at all.

This could be reaction to something….. some toothpastes can cause this. Or something in the lipbalm or face cream etx you’re putting on your face

Wow! Didn't think this thread would be so popular!

Thanks again for all your advice! I've ordered some Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream and have refrained from using any lip balm since starting this thread, which doesn't sound like a long time, but for me it feels really weird!

I know I should just go cold turkey with the lipsticks/liners and balms, but I honestly feel so unattractive without any. I guess it's weighing up what's more unattractive - Crusty, peeling lips, but with a bit of colour and definition or softer super pale, undefined lips 🤔 What to choose..... 😂

I can't @ anyone right now for some reason. It sends my screen a bit crazy! But whoever said KFC grease as an option, I'm loving the sound of this! Definitely worth a shot! 😉

Came here to say this. Vaseline (that specific brand) and no other balms/gloss.

You admit it's probably due to always using lip balm. A PP has probably said it lol but the answer's probably to stop using it. Your lips might feel a bit dry for a short time but then get better. Most lipsticks, even if they feel powdery when dry, moisturise lips a bit.

I tried the nipple cream. A life saver for my nipples in the early days of breastfeeding, but wasn't enough for my lips.

I've tried everything from Nuxe to plain old Vaseline. The only thing that works is Rose and Co Apothecary rise lip salve in the pink tin. I used it for so many purposes but I've been using for over 10 years now and haven't found anything better. I used it after having lip filler even, for healing, dare I confess here.

You don't have to stop using lipstick @Smutternutmosh . I use it every day and don't have chapped lips at all.

I’m another fan of lanolips, but only the plain original version. The coloured and scented versions have a long list of ingredients whereas the original is pure lanolin so I figure less likely to irritate.

I wish I'd arrived at this thread earlier. There was a program on this exact problem once. Modern lip balms contain exfoliants to make the top layer of skin shed. Contrary to what you'd think, they're also extremely drying. I had an addiction to lip balms for decades until I saw this program and found out the way to cure it is through diet. I can't remember the vitamin but leafy greens has a lot of it. Within a week my lips were normal after shedding a layer every day for years.

You won’t have to go cold Turkey forever OP, wait until it clears up then reintroduce one product at a time, slowly. If something flares it up, there is your culprit.

I’d stop using anything and within a few weeks it should clear up

I get sore lips but mine are seasonal and/ or linked to dehydration- some Nuxe Reve de Miele sorts them out.

Sore lips can be linked to some vitamin and mineral deficiencies in particular B vitamins like folate and B12 plus a couple of others I can't remember. Have you had any blood tests to check these in recent years?

@Smutternutmosh

I think you might have Exfoliative Cheilitis:

dermnetnz.org/topics/exfoliative-cheilitis

This has become a bit more common due to mask wearing.

A big issue with it is that it can have different causes and different solutions. And it can be pretty chronic.

I've heard of people having a lot of success using selsun/ nizoral shampoo to wash their lips and around the mouth.

Definitely recommend 8 hour cream (overnight)

Wise move to stop using the lip balm.

A lot of lip balms are really bad for the lips and cause dryness and cracking, and the longer and more frequently you use them the worse the condition becomes.

Elizabeth Arden lip balm.

Stop using lipstick and just use Vaseline. You may very well be allergic to the ingredients in your lipstick.