We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

What Are the Best Home Remedies for Cracked Lips?

By Jami Yontz
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Cracked, red, and peeling lips can be painful and unappealing, but there are many home remedies that are low cost and easy solutions. Home remedies for cracked lips include applying homemade creams, vegetables, and various oils. There are also lifestyle recommendations that can help cure and prevent a person’s lips from becoming dehydrated.

Dry and cracked lips are uncomfortable and can begin to peel or bleed. Cold weather conditions can cause a person’s lips to become chapped and eventually crack, and a lip sunburn can also cause this condition. Chemicals in lipsticks or lip gloss can cause cracked lips, and some acidic foods will cause the lips become dry and cracked. The issue usually becomes worse as people attempt to moisturize the lips by licking them. Smoking and drug use can also cause cracked lips to occur.

Homemade creams and formulas are some of the best home remedies for cracked lips. A topical mixture of glycerine and either milk cream or honey can help to moisturize lips. Soaking rose petals in fresh milk or water is another formula commonly used.

Topical mixtures of aloe vera, olive oil, honey, and unsalted butter are also popular home remedies for cracked lips. Many people suggest that applying petroleum jelly each night will heal the peeling or bleeding lips. Castor oil, mustard oil, and Mentholatum are also used as treatment options.

One of the most popular home remedies for cracked lips is using cucumber slices and rubbing the slices over the person’s lips. Cucumbers have a high water content and contain many other nutrients that can help rehydrate the person’s lips and provide essential vitamins for rejuvenation. Neem leaves applied to the lips each night can help heal the cracked lips and prevent infection.

Lifestyle remedies can also help heal and prevent a person’s lips from becoming inflamed or dry. Drinking seven to ten glasses of water each day is highly recommended by medical professionals and dermatologists to keep skin hydrated. Vitamin A is a natural antioxidant and can be helpful in preventing the lips from cracking. A vitamin B deficiency can cause cracked lips, and supplements can help a person maintain a healthy level of the nutrients. During cold, dry months of the year, a humidifier will help to keep moisture in the air of a home, helping to keep skin moist during winter months.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By Wisedly33 — On Jul 01, 2014

@Scrbblechick -- While I support using naturally derived remedies whenever possible, there comes a time when the person needs something stronger, and if that relief comes in a tube of Blistex, so be it!

I know a couple of things not to use are camphor or eucalyptus. Those are very drying and will only end up drying your lips out. I always recommend reading lip balm/remedy labels to see if it contains either of those two substances before buying it. You're better off using plain petroleum jelly than camphor. It will dry your lips out in a hurry, and sometimes will irritate them further.

By Scrbblchick — On Jun 30, 2014

Petroleum jelly will help, but I had terribly chapped, cracked lips back in the winter and the thing that helped me the most was coconut oil. I bought a jar of food grade coconut oil and it felt wonderful on my lips! It did help moisturize them.

What helped the most, though, surprisingly, was a 98-cent tube of Blistex medicated lip balm. I don't know what's in it that did it, but my lips were better overnight after I used it. It's good stuff. It may not be a home remedy, but it's cheap and it works! That’s good enough for me!

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.