Dry, chapped, itchy lips that are caused by seasonal shifts in the weather or allergies can be uncomfortable. The good news? You can typically relieve lip irritation with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies. Let’s dive into what can cause lip irritation, which ingredients to avoid, which lip balms to use, and if or when you should see a healthcare provider. 

What can cause irritated lips?

Itchy or inflamed lips, or cheilitis, is often the result of things like weather changes or seasonal allergies. But sometimes, irritated lips can be a symptom of an underlying health concern (more on that in a bit). Here are some of the typical causes of lip irritation: 

1. Irritant or allergic contact cheilitis is one of the most common culprits of itchy lips.¹ It results from exposure or contact with an allergen or irritating ingredients found in products such as cosmetics, fragrances, sunscreens, toothpaste, mouthwash, and medications. Food allergies can also cause an allergic reaction on the lips. You can experience lower lip irritation, upper lip irritation, or both.

2. Prescription medications can have side effects that cause cheilitis. Isotretinoin, an oral retinoid and popular treatment for severe acne, has shown to have this side effect in some people.²

3. Extreme weather exposure to hot, cold, windy, or dry conditions for a prolonged time can also cause lip irritation. Weather-induced cheilitis is common in people who live in extreme climates or work outside frequently. Cracked or bleeding lips may be associated with weather-induced lip irritation. (Check out some of our favorite lip balm recommendations for winter here.)

4. Frequent lip-licking can over exfoliate the sensitive skin on your lips and can lead to lip inflammation.³

5. Medical conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, fungal infections, diabetes, and nutrient deficiencies (such as some B vitamins and iron) can also create lip irritation.⁴ 

Lip irritation treatment options

Most of the time, you can treat irritated lips at home. But how long it takes for your lips to heal can depend on the underlying cause behind their irritation. You can do some things to relieve irritated lips, including protecting them, limiting irritants, and using an over-the-counter lip balm. As tempting as it might be, one of the best things you can do to treat irritated lips is to avoid licking them (it may feel good at the time, but it can lead to even more dryness). If your lips feel dry, use a lip balm. Not only will it moisten your lips, but it can protect them too! 

How to help prevent lip irritation

At Curology, we’re big believers in prevention. So, here are a few tips the American Academy of Dermatology recommends for preventing irritated lips.⁵ 

• Use non-irritating ingredients on lips. Lip balms containing petroleum jelly, castor seed oil, ceramides, dimethicone, or mineral oil help to protect your lips. 

• Use lip balm in dry weather. The climate affects your lips and can cause irritation. Protect them from dry weather—wind, extreme heat, and cold—by wearing an emollient lip balm. 

• Use lip balm with SPF. The sun is another culprit to sore and irritated lips. A little-known fact? Your lips can get sunburned just as easily as your skin. So, lather at least SPF 30 on your lips to protect them from sun damage. 

• Avoid frequent lip licking. This one can be hard, but hold off on licking your lips when they feel dry. Reach for lip balm instead.

• Drink up! Stay well hydrated. When you’re dehydrated, your skin feels it! 

What are some of the best lip balms for irritated lips?

Not all products are created equal. And we’d like to help you take the guesswork out of which products are best. So, here are a few expert-approved lip balms to help soothe your irritated lips... 

• The lip balm by Curology. We only add the good stuff! This lip balm was formulated to protect against chapped, irritated lips using jojoba oil, shea butter, and carnauba wax as its key ingredients. Bonus: if you find yourself outdoors most days or heading to a tropical destination, you can opt for the lip balm with SPF 30 protection! 

• EltaMD UV lip balm is a broad-spectrum SPF 36 lip balm that provides long-lasting, soothing relief to chapped and sun-exposed lips. 

• Akar Pure Lip Restoration is a bit on the pricier side, but it helps lock in hydration to heal chapped lips, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and protect from harsh environments.  

• Vaseline Lip Therapy provides advanced healing for chapped lips. It also seals in moisture, so lips feel better longer.

What ingredients should you avoid when treating irritated lips?

When you have chapped or irritated lips, there are certain ingredients you may want to avoid. 

• Synthetic pigments are used to tint lipsticks and lip balms. But some synthetic dyes may be irritating. 

• Added fragrance is typically smart to avoid if you’re prone to irritation. 

• Denatured alcohol can dry your skin, which is why we often recommend avoiding it in your skincare products. 

• Menthol, eucalyptus, and lanolin can also dry or irritate your lips.⁶ They’re common ingredients in lip balm, so check the ingredients list before purchasing lip balm.

What ingredients should you use when treating irritated lips?

When treating irritated or itchy lips, stick to ingredients that have been shown to protect and moisturize your lips. 

• Petroleum jelly provides a protective barrier to prevent water loss. 

• Shea butter is an emollient that seals in moisture and soothes dry lips. 

• Jojoba seed oil is non-comedogenic and deeply moisturizes lips.  

• Carnauba wax hydrates and helps lengthen the staying power of lip balms.

When to see a doctor

Most often, you can manage lip irritation treatment yourself. But there are times when you’ll need to see a healthcare professional for medical advice and further treatment. If you experience any of the following, you should make an appointment to see a professional:

• Lip rash that doesn’t heal or continues to get worse. 

• Irritation that causes significant pain or itching. 

• Rash that’s recurring.

• Rash that extends to other parts of your face. 

• Rash that may have been caused by an infectious disease. 

• Systemic symptoms, such as fever or fatigue.

Still left wondering how to best treat dry, irritated lips? Here are responses to some of our most frequently asked questions:

We’re more than lip service

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If Curology is right for you, we’ll send you a 30-day supply of your personal prescription formula with a mix of active ingredients chosen for your unique skin concerns, plus any of our recommended products, for free*—just pay $4.95 (plus tax) to cover shipping and handling on your first box. After that, you can cancel at any time or choose the subscription plan that works for you. Go ahead, start your skincare journey here! 

P.S. We did the homework so you don’t have to:

1. Lugović-Mihić, L., et al. Differential Diagnosis of Cheilitis – How to Classify Cheiliits. Acta Clinica Croatica. (June 2018).

2. Rademaker, M. Adverse effects of isotretinoin: A retrospective review of 1743 patients started on isotretinoin.Australasian Journal of Dermatology. (November 2010).

3. Fonseca A., et al. Art of Prevention: Practical Interventions in Lip-licking Dermatitis. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. (2020, June 5).

4. Lugović-Mihić, et al. Differential diagnosis of cheilitis - how to classify cheilitis. Ibid. 

5. American Academy of Dermatology. How to Prevent and Treat Dry, Chapped Lips. (n.d.).

6. American Academy of Dermatology. 7 dermatologist tips for healing dry, chapped lips.(n.d.)

7. Rderico, J.R., et al. Angular Cheilitis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasurer Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. (December 2022). 

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Written by

Curology Team

Medically reviewed by

Kristen Jokela, NP-C