There are handful of issues that annoy me additional than obtaining chapped lips. It is not comfortable (and actually, a minimal unpleasant). I can’t end myself from picking at the flakes, and lipstick is a no-go. But worst of all, it feels like nothing at all I do looks to assist. That’s probably the most discouraging aspect of chapped lips—there’s just no rapid address. Anyone else share the wrestle? Very well, I have by no means been 1 to back down from a obstacle, so I established out to do some severe exploration on how to moisturize lips—specifically devoid of working with chapstick.
From offering a complete manual to the sort of skin on our lips to asking our editors for their favourite lip-hydrating merchandise, I consider I’ve cracked the code to cracked lips. Read on to obtain out why chapstick is not the remedy (gasp, I know), and the most effective techniques to lock in lip moisture—for very good.
Showcased graphic from our job interview with Babba Rivera by Belathée Pictures.


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Why does chapstick not always do the job?
A key resource of my chapped lip irritation is consistently using certain goods without seeing any final results. So I tapped movie star aesthetician Brittany Blancato to obtain out why chapstick isn’t the respond to to how to moisturize lips.
“Our lips are sensitive and slender. Generally chapsticks are only providing non permanent hydration reduction even though combining other elements that may perhaps trigger discomfort,” says Blancato. When that short-term hydrator seal evaporates, as it immediately does, your lips can sense even drier than they did in advance of. She notes that this results in a cycle of chasing hydration without having relief, and in the meantime, the lips grow to be far more dry and scaly. Fundamentally my problem to a tee.
In her viral Instagram video, Charlotte Parler, a single of the founders of Dieux Pores and skin and a skincare fanatic, also details out that the skin on our lips does not have any sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands), which is why they are inclined to get so chapped.

Charlotte Parler‘s Suggestions for Perfecting the “Moisture Sandwich”
Parler shared her lip-calming secret on Instagram… AKA my latest savior. Her a few-step strategy for how to moisturize lips is named the Dampness Sandwich and is designed to not only moisturize, but trap it all in for extensive-time period consequences. Apply this into your skincare program or use it as necessary. You can thank her later.
- Moisten your lips with a sip of h2o. As I pointed out previously, Parler notes that this is added important mainly because the skin on our lips does not have any sebaceous glands, so the water is a excellent base.
- Lather your lips in a generous coat of lip balm or product. Following the sip of h2o, the balm or product brings speedy moisture to the lips. In her online video, Parler works by using La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm, which is a multi-goal Vitamin B5 product for dry skin.
- Major it all off with an ointment. This is the 3rd and most critical ingredient of the Dampness Sandwich because it traps in all that get the job done you just did and forces your lips to absorb the drinking water and the cream. It is the major piece of bread maintaining it all within (gotta hold the metaphor heading). You can use Aquaphor or Vaseline (I adore these mini lip tubs) for this stage.
Indeed, you may well search ridiculous, but it is far better than flaky lips. I like to do this at evening in advance of heading to bed so I can allow The Sandwich ‘feed’ my lips as I rest.

Our Editors’ Favourite Merchandise for Dry Lips
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Why I recommend it: This is the previous factor I do prior to I go to sleep, and a single of the 1st items I’m grateful for in the morning. It’s generally my response when another person asks me how to moisturize lips. It uses Laneige’s “Berry Combine Complex,” which is whole of antioxidants and vitamin C, alongside with their Moisture Wrap technological innovation to lock in hydration—all night long. The Dampness Wrap engineering is a blend of hyaluronic acid, a humectant (appeals to water from the air or skin), and other minerals that act as a barrier on your lips. This item is absolutely a cult favored, as each and every solitary 1 of my pals has it, as well.
Benefit Tinted Lip Oil in Heat Distinct
Why I suggest it: Advantage nailed it with this formulation. Clean, efficacious, and totally free of any likely harmful additives, this sheer oil leaves my lips super hydrated with the slightest sheen that lasts. Most effective nevertheless, it by no means leaves any sticky residue. I usually have one particular of these in my purse, on my desk, and in my makeup bag. (Observe: For a hint of colour, I also just bought Merit’s Signature lipstick in Millenial—which I like.)
Naturium’s Phyto-Glow Lip Balm
Why I suggest it: Say good day to deeply moisturized, shiny lips. This solution from Naturium is the very best of both of those worlds: a super hydrating lip gloss and a nourishing lip balm. I wear it all working day, but I notably love it right before likely to mattress. Built with plant squalane and shea butter, your lips will come to feel silky sleek in no time. I have this lip balm in distinct, but it comes in a number of unique tints!
LiveTinted, Unity Balm Gloss
Why I propose it: This gloss is a must-have in my bag and on my desk at all moments. I have ditched all my other chapsticks for this one particular products. The uber-hydrating formula is packed with squalane, hyaluronic acid, and natural vitamins C and E, providing it all those bonus skincare ingredients on major of the hydration. Unlike other glosses, it is not sticky and it lasts on my lips for hours. Moreover, I like that it adds that more little bit of shine for anything unique. I can also dab it on my skin for further shine and hydration, which is a great deal appreciated for the reason that I really like a product that can purpose in a number of strategies.
Revision Skincare Youthful Lip Replenisher
Why I endorse it: It is challenging to explain my pure really like for this solution. When your lips are chapped or cracked, there’s nothing at all like it. Even when your lips are not chapped, there’s still practically nothing that will work fairly as brilliantly as Revision’s product. Glide on the gooey compound (armed with hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and antioxidants) and your lips will really feel plumped and quenched for several hours. The only downside is that the merchandise is so gooey and sticky, you could favor it as a night remedy only. Even so, if you don’t head a minor Lancome Juicy Tube-model consistency, gloss away all working day.
The Lip Balm from Augustinus Bader
Why I recommend it: Ladies and gentlemen, may possibly I introduce you to the lip balm to finish all lip balms. This super-nourishing decide on from Augustinus Bader is thoroughly clean, vegan, and delivers sustainable packaging. I love slathering all over my lips at evening, in the morning, and just about anytime my pucker requires a small really like. What’s much more? This can double as an eye balm as properly. Informed you… marvel balm!
Alder New York 4x Lip Balm Set
Why I propose it: I transfer all over a whole lot, but the solitary regularity of my humble abodes seems to be an desire in locales that call for an further little bit of hydration infused into my skincare regime. (Oregon, Vermont, Chicago… I have a matter for the severe weather.)
But the moment I learned Alder New York’s 4-pack of balms, my lips had been transformed—for the superior. Unlike other balms (or the no-go chapstick we alluded to earlier mentioned) these sink deeply into my lips, nourishing and hydrating from the inside out. What is additional, I really like that they are fast-absorbing, earning the ultimate seem extra matte than melty. Every balm’s formulation of cocoa butter, candelilla wax, and vitamin E means my lips are obtaining a clean up, but powerful treatment method.
I have a tube on me at all instances. Vanilla Kush in my purse, Eucalyptus Mint on my desk, the unscented balm in my car, and my favorite—Citron—in my pocket, constantly.
Three Ships Buttercream Hydrating Lip Mask
Why I suggest it: I’m frequently shifting purses and diaper bags so I never remember to pack a lip hydrator. In the especially dry months I use this lip mask all through my Sunday wind down bath ritual, but you can use it up to two times a working day if you want. I like that this merchandise is 100% plant-derived and leaves your lips tender and supple.
What are your favourite goods for a hydrated pout? Preserve the checklist going in the feedback!