What is the best treatment for chapped lips?

Treatment for Chapped Lips

The best treatment for chapped lips is regular application of white soft paraffin (petroleum jelly) or plant/animal-based oils such as beeswax, cocoa butter, or lanolin, applied every 2 hours while the lips are still slightly damp. 1

First-Line Treatment Approach

Immediate Interventions

• Apply white soft paraffin ointment (petroleum jelly) to the lips immediately and then every 2 hours throughout the healing process 1
• Use only animal or plant-based oils such as beeswax, cocoa butter, and lanolin for lip lubrication 1
• Apply moisturizer immediately after wetting lips while they are still slightly damp 2

What to Avoid

• Avoid petroleum-based products for long-term use as they may cause drying and cracking with chronic use 1
• Avoid lip-licking, which perpetuates the condition by removing natural oils and moisture 3
• Avoid products containing potential irritants such as fragrances, alcohol, and alpha-hydroxy acids 2
• Avoid greasy creams that may occlude follicles and potentially cause comedones along the lip border 2, 4

For Moderate to Severe Chapped Lips

Additional Treatments

• For more severe cases, consider using a mucoprotectant mouthwash three times a day (e.g., Gelclair) 1
• For painful chapped lips, an anti-inflammatory oral rinse or spray containing benzydamine hydrochloride can be used every 3 hours, particularly before eating 1
• If pain is inadequately controlled, a topical anesthetic preparation (e.g., viscous lidocaine 2%) may be used 1

For Inflammation

• Consider using a topical corticosteroid four times daily (e.g., betamethasone sodium phosphate 0.5 mg in 10 mL water as a 3-min rinse-and-spit preparation) 1
• For localized lesions, clobetasol propionate 0.05% mixed in equal amounts with Orabase can be applied directly to affected areas 1
• Topical tacrolimus applied twice daily for 4 weeks may be beneficial for recalcitrant cases 1

Preventive Measures

Daily Routine

• Use gentle, pH-neutral, fragrance-free cleansers instead of true soaps 2
• Apply moisturizers multiple times daily, focusing on problem areas 2
• Maintain adequate hydration by drinking sufficient water 2
• Protect lips from harsh weather conditions using appropriate barriers 3

Special Considerations

• If secondary infection is suspected (unusual crusting, pus, or increasing pain), take bacterial swabs and consider topical antimicrobials 2
• For suspected allergic contact dermatitis to lip care products, consider patch testing and avoid common allergens like castor oil, benzophenone-3, gallates, waxes, and colophony 5

Scientific Rationale

The effectiveness of highly occlusive formulations for chapped lips has been demonstrated in research. A study showed that formulations with high occlusivity significantly improved lip roughness, wrinkle scores, and stratum corneum hydration after 2-4 weeks of continuous use 6. This supports the recommendation for regular application of occlusive agents like petroleum jelly.

The British Association of Dermatologists guidelines specifically recommend white soft paraffin for lip care in conditions affecting the lips 1, while also noting that petroleum-based products should not be used chronically as they may cause drying with prolonged use 1.

Human lips have a lower water content in the stratum corneum and higher transepidermal water loss compared to facial skin, making them particularly susceptible to dryness and requiring specialized care 6.