How to Fix Chapped Lips Without Lip Balm: Simple Home Remedies

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Plus, tips to prevent chapped lips in the first place

Co-authored by Indy Chabra, MD, PhD and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: July 2, 2025 Fact Checked

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Home Remedies

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Preventing Chapped Lips

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Causes

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FAQs

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

Looking for a way to get rid of chapped lips without using lip balm? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’re providing the best treatments to soothe dry, cracked lips at home, plus how to prevent chapped lips in the first place. We also interviewed professional makeup artist Erica Coates and board-certified dermatologist Indy Chabra, MD, PhD, for tips on achieving soft, smooth, and moisturized lips in no time.

Fixing Chapped Lips without Chapstick

If you don’t want to use regular chapstick or don’t have any on hand, there are several natural alternatives you can try out to keep your lips hydrated and moisturized. These include petroleum jelly, beeswax, coconut oil, shea or cocoa butter, aloe vera gel, honey, cucumber, and homemade sugar scrub.

Section 1 of 4:

Home Remedies for Chapped Lips Without Lip Balm

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1
Petroleum jelly or beeswax If your lips are very dry and cracked, apply a thick ointment, like white petroleum jelly or beeswax, on your lips several times a day and before bed.^{[1]
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Go to source} These are the 2 main treatments recommended by the National Institute of Health.^{[2]
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- Both beeswax and petroleum jelly are occlusives, which create a barrier on your lips to prevent moisture from escaping.^{[3]
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Coconut oil Gently massage coconut oil over your lips for a “natural chapstick.” Coconut oil is an emollient, which means it soothes, softens, and moisturizes.^{[4]
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Cleveland Clinic
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Go to source} It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to promote healing and reduce pain.
- Other oils to treat chapped lips include castor seed oil, hemp seed oil, and mineral oil.^{[5]
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- Coconut oil is typically solid at room temperature. Rub a little bit of oil between your fingers to warm it up and soften it before putting it on your lips.
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Shea or cocoa butter Look for products that contain either shea or cocoa butter, or rub a small chunk of pure shea butter or pure cocoa butter on your lips—it will become creamy because it melts at room temperature. Both ingredients have emollient and anti-inflammatory properties, which can also ease swelling and redness.^{[6]
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- Shea butter contains fatty acids that lubricate the skin and create a barrier that keeps moisture in.^{[7]
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- Cocoa butter is also high in different fatty acids, which can help hold in water to keep your skin from drying out.^{[8]
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Aloe vera You can purchase pure aloe vera gel at a store, or use fresh aloe vera from the leaf of an aloe plant. Aloe vera is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that promotes skin healing.^{[9]
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Go to source} However, some people experience irritation or rashes when they use aloe, so be cautious and stop using it if it makes your lips feel worse.^{[10]
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- To extract aloe vera gel from a plant, cut a leaf off the plant, slice it open with a knife, then use a spoon to scoop out the gel.
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Honey Apply organic honey to your lips throughout the day using your fingers or a cotton swab. Honey has emollient, humectant, and soothing properties, making it a great remedy for chapped lips. It’s also antimicrobial, so it can prevent you from developing an infection from any cracks or sores.^{[11]
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- Avoid honey and honey products if you have pollen or bee venom allergies.
6
Sugar scrub Gently exfoliating your lips can remove dead skin cells and leave you with softer, smoother lips. Just apply a DIY lip scrub or a ready-made lip scrub on your lips, then massage the scrub in circular motions using your fingers for one minute. Wipe off any excess scrub, and immediately follow up with some petroleum jelly or coconut oil to restore moisture.^{[12]
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- Coates recommends exfoliating “at least once a week to get rid of dead skin.”^{[13]
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- To make a DIY lip scrub, mix equal parts of olive oil and white sugar in a bowl until it forms a paste. You can also combine one part honey and 2 parts sugar to make a honey lip scrub.
Studies show that cucumber is good for moisturizing, due to its high water content.^{[14]
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PubMed Central
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Go to source} It also soothes irritated skin and reduces swelling.^{[15]
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PubMed Central
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Go to source} Try putting a slice of fresh cucumber on your lips for 5-10 minutes to alleviate cracks, flakes, or burning.^{[16]
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Some believe that milk cream is an effective moisturizer for your lips, since it contains lactic acid that gets rid of dead skin cells and leaves your skin more hydrated.^{[17]
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Research source} Just apply milk cream on dry lips for 10 minutes, then gently wash it off with lukewarm water.

Section 2 of 4:

How to Prevent Chapped Lips

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Licking your lips does temporarily add moisture, but at a cost. As saliva evaporates, your lips become drier, and the enzymes in your saliva (that are supposed to digest food) will also irritate your lips.^{[18]
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Drink plenty of water. Dehydration may be the reason why your lips are feeling dry.^{[19]
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Cleveland Clinic
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Go to source} This is particularly true in the winter, when the air is dry and many people drink less water. If your lips are chapped, be sure to drink enough water to stay hydrated.
- If you work out, sweat a lot, or the weather is hot, you may need to increase your water intake. Generally, men need about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day, while women need about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day.^{[20]
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Plug in a humidifier at night. Keeping your room moist will help prevent your lips from drying out any further. This is especially important when your air conditioning or heat are running, as both may dry out the air in the room where you sleep.^{[21]
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Avoid irritating ingredients in lip products. Stay away from lip products that contain camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol. While these ingredients may initially feel soothing, they can actually dry out your lips and make them more irritated.^{[22]
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Go to source} You should also avoid any lip products that cause burning, stinging, or tingling. Other ingredients to avoid for chapped lips include:^{[23]
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- Lanolin
- Fragrance
- Propyl gallate
- Salicylic acid
- Phenol (or phenyl)
- Octinoxate or oxybenzone
- Flavoring: Cinnamon, citrus, mint, and peppermint
The more you breathe through your mouth, the drier your lips may become.^{[24]
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Cleveland Clinic
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Go to source} To stop mouth breathing, try sleeping on your side, elevating your head and upper back if you sleep on your back, or wearing a nasal strip on your nose or a chin strap to keep your mouth closed as you sleep.
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Wear sunscreen and avoid excess exposure to the sun. If you’re going outside, apply a non-irritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to protect your lips from the sun. The sun can burn dry, chapped lips more easily, even during the wintertime.^{[25]
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- If you’re trying to avoid lip balms altogether, minimize your time in the sun.
- Try to choose a lip balm that has zinc oxide. “Zinc oxide provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB [rays],” says Chabra.^{[26]
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- You can also protect your lips by wearing a hat with a wide brim to help shade your face, or covering your lips with a scarf when it’s cold out.
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Stay out of harsh weather. Windy, dry, or cold weather can quickly dry out and crack your lips. You’ll want to stay indoors as much as possible to give your lips a chance to heal.^{[27]
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- If you’re outside, wrap a scarf over your mouth to protect your lips.
Picking, biting, and brushing can irritate them and prevent healing.^{[28]
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Go to source} Instead, apply a heavy ointment-based balm to soothe your lips, or let dead skin fall off naturally.^{[29]
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9
Skip drying lipsticks. If you want to wear lipstick, stick to creamy, moisturizing formulas. Some long-wear and matte lipsticks can be especially drying.^{[30]
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- To prepare your lips, “apply a product that has moisturizing benefits, such as lip balm or an overnight lip mask. If your lips are dry, cracked, or flaky, exfoliate first, then apply moisture,” recommends Coates.^{[31]
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  Erica Coates
  Professional Makeup Artist
  
  Expert Interview}
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Stay away from acidic, salty, or spicy foods. Eating certain foods may irritate the delicate skin on your lips and facilitate water loss.^{[32]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} If you’re lips are chapped, try to avoid:^{[33]
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- Spicy foods, like hot wings or salsa
- Citrus, like grapefruit, oranges, or lemons
- Salty snacks, like chips, pretzels, and lunch meats
Flavors like spearmint and peppermint, as well as ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), may cause allergic reactions that aggravate already irritated skin.^{[34]
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DermNet NZ
Online clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin health

Go to source} Consider switching to an SLS-free toothpaste, such as Sensodyne Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair or Tom’s of Maine Antiplaque and Whitening Toothpaste.

Section 3 of 4:

What causes chapped lips?

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Harsh weather, sun exposure, and dehydration can cause chapped lips. When there’s a lack of moisture in your lips, it makes them prone to dryness, cracking, and discomfort. This might happen because of environmental factors, such as cold weather, dry air, or excess sun exposure, or personal habits, such as not drinking enough water, licking your lips, or picking or biting your lips.^{[35]
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- Additionally, allergies, tobacco smoke, infections, and different medications can cause dry, chapped lips.^{[36]
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why are my lips so dry but not chapped? It’s probably due to cold or dry weather, being dehydrated, or licking your lips frequently.^{[37]
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Go to source} However, an allergic reaction to lip products, a yeast infection, or another medical condition can make your lips feel dry and uncomfortable.^{[38]
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- Be sure to drink enough water to stay hydrated, avoid licking your lips, and protect your lips with a scarf or balm before stepping outside. If these lifestyle changes do not work, visit a dermatologist for advice.
2
Can you put lotion on your lips? Yes, you can put lotion on your lips, but it’s not the best solution for dry or chapped lips. A lip balm or ointment is a better option for locking in moisture and protecting your skin barrier. If you want to use lotion as a temporary measure, choose one that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, and look for ingredients that can help heal chapped lips, such as ceramides, shea butter, castor seed oil, and petrolatum.^{[39]
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3
What are the best Chapstick alternatives? The best Chapstick alternatives include petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, or shea butter and coconut oil. Aquaphor Healing Ointment is another popular product to heal very dry, chapped lips.

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How can I use beeswax on my lips?

Shara Strand
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Shara Strand is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Shara Makeup Studio, a makeup and image consulting studio based in New York City. She has over 15 years of image and makeup consulting experience including working as a regional artist for Bare Escentuals and Estee Lauder, Saks 5th Avenue, Bloomingdales, and Bergdorf Goodman. Her work has been featured in WNBC, Fox 5, Direct TV ABC morning news, and Hamptons Magazine. She is the creator of Shara Cosmetics and is a two time Billboard charted singer. She holds a BFA from New York University.

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I can't stay indoors because I have school and it is summer, but I don't want to wear a scarf. How can I protect my lips?

Carlotta Butler, RN, MPH
Registered Nurse
Carlotta Butler is a Registered Nurse in Arizona. Carlotta is a member of the American Medical Writers Association. She received her Masters of Public Health from the Northern Illinois University in 2004 and her Masters in Nursing from the University of St. Francis in 2017.

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To protect your lips in the summer, use a lip balm with a SPF of at least 15. Try Blistex products.

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How do I protect my lips year-round?

Carlotta Butler, RN, MPH
Registered Nurse
Carlotta Butler is a Registered Nurse in Arizona. Carlotta is a member of the American Medical Writers Association. She received her Masters of Public Health from the Northern Illinois University in 2004 and her Masters in Nursing from the University of St. Francis in 2017.

Carlotta Butler, RN, MPH

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Protect your lips as much as possible in all temperatures. Before going out in cold or dry weather, apply lip balm or some other kind of lubricant such as vaseline. In summer use a lip balm with a SPF of at least 15. Follow other advice offered in this article such as staying hydrated and avoid licking your lips.

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If your lips do not heal in 2-3 weeks with the remedies above, see a board-certified dermatologist for advice.^{[40]
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