8 Tips to Help Soothe Chapped Lips: Beauty Expert Hayley Walker’s Ultimate Guide

How to avoid chapped lips

It’s that time of year when the either gets colder and wetter causing our skin and lips to get drier. We spoke to beauty expert Hayley Walker from Just My Look to help give us her best advice on how to avoid getting chapped lips through Autumn and Winter.

Hayley Walker, Beauty Expert at Justmylook said: “As the darker nights start creeping in and the temperature begins to drop, I’m reminded that chapped lip season is upon us.  Chapped lips are a common but uncomfortable problem that can leave your lips dry, flaky, and even cracked. With a combination of prevention and the right treatment, you can keep your lips smooth, hydrated, and healthy.” 

Most Common Causes of Chapped Lips

“Winter’s chill, with its biting winds and dry air, can wreak havoc on your skin, and your lips often take the biggest hit. Without oil glands to keep them moisturised, your lips are far more prone to drying out and cracking. And it’s not just winter—summer can be equally brutal, with UV rays leading to sunburn, peeling, and dryness. The solution? Wrap up with a scarf in cold weather and always keep an SPF lip balm on hand for sunnier days.

“Dehydration is another hidden culprit. Your lips are usually the first to show signs of dryness when you’re not drinking enough water, and licking them only makes things worse. While it might seem like quick relief, saliva evaporates quickly, leaving your lips drier than before. Other habits like overusing matte lipsticks, mouth breathing, or aggressive scrubbing can lead to cracked, sore lips. Even your diet plays a role—vitamin deficiencies, especially in B vitamins, can leave your lips dry and irritated. Keep yourself hydrated, eat well, and show your lips some love all year round.”

8 Expert tips to prevent chapped lips 

1. Always wear an SPF lip balm 

“No matter the season, your lips need protection from harmful UV rays. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to sunburn and dryness, making your lips more prone to cracking. Keep a lip balm with SPF on hand and reapply regularly, especially when outdoors. I love the Sun Bum original sunscreen lip balm SPF 30 – it protects my lips without leaving that sticky texture behind.” 

2. Cover your lips in cold weather

“Cold, windy weather strips moisture from your lips, leaving them dry and vulnerable. Covering your lips with a scarf creates an extra layer of protection, helping to lock in moisture and prevent cracking.”

3. Stay Hydrated

“Lips are extra sensitive to dehydration, as they lack oil glands. Drinking plenty of water, ideally 1.5 to 2 litres a day, keeps your lips hydrated from the inside out. Hydrating foods like watermelon and cucumber can also help.”

4. Use a Humidifier

“Dry indoor air, especially during winter, can sap moisture from your skin and lips. A humidifier adds much-needed moisture back into the air, helping prevent dry, chapped lips while you sleep. Aim for a humidity level between 40–60%.”

5. Look for nourishing lip balm ingredients 

“Not all lip balms are created equal. Steer clear of products with fragrances or menthol, which can irritate sensitive lips. Opt for balms with hydrating ingredients like shea butter and beeswax. If your lips are severely dry, ointment-based products offer deeper protection.  Burts Bee’s Beeswax lip balm is a staple product for anyone who suffers from chapped lips.”

6. Resist Lip Licking

“Though tempting, licking your lips only worsens the dryness. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving your lips even drier. Instead, apply a hydrating, flavour-free lip balm throughout the day to keep them soft and moisturised.”

7. Avoid hot and spicy food

“Spicy and acidic foods can irritate your lips, causing dryness and making them more prone to chapping. Stick to milder dishes and incorporate hydrating foods like yoghurt and cucumber to keep your lips feeling nourished.”

8. Apply a lip treatment at night 

“Nighttime is the perfect opportunity to treat your lips to extra hydration. Use a rich lip balm or overnight treatment like a lip mask to lock in moisture while you sleep, so you wake up with softer, smoother lips. Choose a nourishing product such as Tocobo Vita Glazed Lip Mask enriched with hydrating ingredients like Vitamin E, and Olive Oil, which can deeply hydrate and rejuvenate your lips overnight.”

5 Affordable chapped lip treatments 

Gentle Exfoliation

“ Exfoliating your lips removes dead skin and helps moisturising products absorb better. Use a gentle scrub like Essence’s Lip Care Sugar Scrub once or twice a week, but avoid exfoliating if your lips are cracked or bleeding. Essence’s Lip Care Sugar Scrub is a gentle scrub that effectively nourishes and restores the lips. Use this once or twice a week, depending on how dry your lips are.”

Hydrating Lip Mask

“A rich, hydrating lip mask applied overnight works wonders for restoring moisture and softness. It’s a simple yet effective way to repair your lips while you sleep.”

Moisturising Lip Balms

“The right lip balm is key. Look for ingredients like petroleum jelly, beeswax, lanolin, and shea butter, which create a barrier to lock in moisture. Vaseline is a classic, budget-friendly option for chapped lips.

Cucumber Therapy

“Cucumber’s natural hydrating properties soothe dry, irritated lips. Place cool cucumber slices on your lips for 10–15 minutes for instant relief and moisture restoration.”

Aloe Vera Gel

“Known for its soothing and healing effects, aloe vera is excellent for cracked lips. Apply fresh aloe gel to your lips, let it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse off for softer, hydrated lips.”

Protect your lips and skin this Autumn with Justmylook’s wide range of skincare products, available to view here.