peeling lips

The Body Shop's Vitamin E lip balm (in a pink-coloured stick, the actual balm is a waxy yellow colour) is very good, have you tried that?

Lip care products fall into three categories:

- scuffers (which gently remove the dry and peeling skin)

- repair-ers (applying to the damaged / fragile skin during and after the peeling)

- protectors (applying to the lips in cold or windy weather - these don't repair the skin but create a protective, oily layer over it, which locks in natural moisture

No one product can do more than one of the these things.  If your lips are peeling, you could use a fairly soft, old toothbrush and rub it gently across the peeling areas to remove the old, dry skin (the "lip dandruff").  Alternatively, you can use one of the special lip-scuffing products, there is a popular one made by FCUK and I believe there might be an Origins one too.  These products are like very gentle exfoliators, with little microbeads in to remove the peeling skin.

After "scuffing", your lips will still feel sore and there will be fragile, new skin exposed.  At this point, you must apply a product that repairs and moisturises.  I cannot recommend the Origins Lip Remedy more strongly; it is truly a wunder-product.  I have not come across anything else that works to actually REPAIR sore and dry lips.

When your lips are healed again, always apply a traditional "lip balm" like Carmex, Nivea, Vaseline or the Body Shop Vitamin E stick before you go outdoors or anywhere with central heating or aircon, when you get out of the shower and before you go to sleep.  Keep a couple in your coat pockets, handbags, desk etc. and be sure to re-apply frequently.  This should prevent your lips from getting too dry or damaged again in future.

Lastly, DON'T use lipsticks, liners, glosses or anything like that while your lips are repairing; they will only dry them out.  The only exception to this is the Elizabeth Arden 8-hour cream lipsticks, which have the same effect as applying the 8-hour moisturiser to your lips.  When your lips are repaired, try to stick to moisturising lip products and always apply a protective balm underneath them; this should also help to prevent future dryness and peeling.

Hope this helps.

p.s. don't pick at the peeling skin with your fingers, this won't help and it will also be very painful!  (Use the "scuffing" products or toothbrush method I've mentioned above).

p.p.s. drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine, alcohol and salt to keep your skin well-hydrated.

p.p.s. if you are in a centrally-heated environment, place a bowl of water beside the heater.  This will have the same effect as a humidifier and ensure that the air (and therefore your skin) doesn't get too dry and moisture-less.

I would use a natural balm on my lips. I am always impressed with they way herbs work.  lavender callendula nettle chamomile and comfrey all may help. and make sure the balm has vitamine e in it.  I also add pepermint and lavender to my lipbalm to help sooth the burning. 

p.s. If you can find a good balm I can make you one

ok thanks

i heard vaseline doesn;t work in this case.

I heard honey helps. Apply on lips- leave it 5 minutes (after you can lick  it off 

one more advice: use an old toothbrush and gently scrub your lips...

p.s. do not lick your lips when being outdoor (this way lips are more exposed to chapping)... in such cases use balsam

well my lips havent got any better so my parents set me up with an appointment with the dermatologist. i heard neutrogena lip remedy would help but i cant find that anywhere. does any1 know anything abou this product?

Carmex and Burt's Beeswax are both great products; I use them both frequently.  However, they won't do much for damaged lips; they create a protective, oily layer over the top of the lips to prevent them from drying out (and getting damaged in future), but don't actually repair the lips.  I cannot recommend Origins Lip Remedy more strongly for damaged lips.  Then something like Carmex, Burt's Bees, Vaseline, etc. can be applied over the top or just exclusively when the sore skin has healed.

Good luck. 

In Europe, you can buy Origins from most large department stores.  You can't usually get it from high street chemists.  I have seen it stocked in stores like Barney's in the US.  Hope this helps.

(p.s. You may well be able to order it online too).