We all want healthy lips, not chapped lips .... so tell us how you do it!

Another thread in the Foods forum made me want to post this spin-off thread ...

Since I was on accutane many moons ago, my lips have suffered. I always had lip insecurities but it got so much worse after the Accutane. I went from a regular lipstick user to not owning a lipstick in 10 years.

I only wear gloss now and barely ever at that, only if I am going out or have a work appointment or something and I never ever reapply. In the winter my lips are so chapped, I don't think they look it from an outsider's perspective (my boyfriend and family says they are fine), but they feel crappy to me and are red sometimes.

So tell me, how do you keep your lips supple and soft? Tell me your deepest, darkest, lip health secrets!

every night before I go to bed I put on carmex. During the day if i'm not wearing lipstick ( I only put on when i'm going somewhere) then I wear flavored chapstick like grape so that it doesnt' interfere with what i'm eating. I keep it in the bathroom, bedroom, makeup bag inside purse and living room so it's accesible at all times. I have also been known to put vitamen E oil on my lips and around the corners of my eyes after washing my face before I go to bed at night. It use to be a nightly ritual of mine but i've gotten away from it through the last 6 years.

I use nothing never have never will and havnt had a problem... 

I use Carmex too.  It always helps with my chapped lips instantly. 

If my lips are chapped, when I'm brushing my teeth I will brush my lips a little too. It helps take off some of that extra skin, like exfoliating. And then I use Burt's Bees Lip Balm like it's my job.

My lips are rarely chapped.  I usually use a chapstick (either Natural Ice or Burt's Bee's original) all the time and I usually apply it under lipstick or lipgloss, too.  Boscia has a lip treatment that I like as well.

Burt's Bees, it's cured everyone's lips I've ever recommended it to.  (including my b/f, when he remembers to use it >>)

I use it everynight before bed, while I don't have dryness from accutane, I can tell you that I've never had chapped lips since I started using it.  Even after breathing through my mouth for a week because my nose is stuffed up from a cold.

carmex @ night does wonders. I only wear it at night because I think it smells way too medicated. Anyways, during the day, some sort of spf chapstick. I like Kiss My Face in strawberry. smells greatttt!! reapply throughout the day.

Are you eating enough healthy fats? Fat keeps your skin smooth and healthy.

There's nothing like the original bag balm!!! LOVE IT!

Petroleum jelly with aloe vera keeps them moist and heals too :)

I drink extra water. For me dry lips is the first sign I am starting to become dehydrated. It usually goes away within an hour.

Extra water definitely does help revive dried lips.  Too help with dry skin on your lips, apply vaseline to both lips and then scrub them with a moist toothbrush, preferably one you no longer use on your teeth if you have one.  I rarely have to do this, but a weekly exfoliating session couldn't hurt.

EDIT---Sorry, the cat made me doublepost by jumping on my lap when I clicked.

I try not to use chapstick or lip gloss with any regularity because it seems almost like my lips get dependent on it and get very chapped as soon as I stop using it.

 

I drink a *ton* of water, though...

 

When I desperately need a chapstick, I use Lush's Honey Trap balm.  It smells almost sickeningly fake-sweet in the tin, but as soon as it's on your mouth it's like honey and white chocolate. Yum. I catch myself scrunching up my face like I'm underwater to smell my lips when I wear it. XD

Here's a secret (worked for me like a charm!): put some honey on your lips every night before bed. Works wonders! Lips are soft, luscious, and inviting

How's your fluid intake???  I know you said you were on Accutane (which is a form of Vitamin A that decreases oil secretions), and can dry out your lips as well as your face.  However, chapped lips is one of the earliest signs/symptoms of dehydration.  If your oil glands are deficient due to meds you took years ago, you need to replace the oil with another form of moisture.  If chap sticks , glosses, etc aren't working on the outside, try increasing your water intake and see if that helps from the inside.  My tried and true method for peeling yucky lips (to get rid of the crusty stuff- :
1.  Mix 2 parts sugar to 1 part vasoline and use this to exfoliate lips gently
2.   Apply pure cocoa butter to lips nightly (Palmer's makes a convenient stick that works well).

Good luck!

While suffering from a sever sinus infection the past few weeks, little cold sores began popping up around my already dry, chapped lips. Someone gave me a sample of Neosporin Lip Treatment...and Yippee! Healed, smoothed, kissable lips again!

Great suggestions everyone, keep em coming!!

omg I was on accutane for a while and my lips peeled off too, it was really bad.  I used Neutrogena lip gloss, I really liked it

I use Cocoa Butter religiously.  Walgreens carries one by Cococare which is only 99 cents a tube.  It's sweet without being overly so like flavored balms. 

Also, for dry skin and if my lips are bad after a shower I use Udder Balm.  Sounds crazy but it will work on the worst dryness!