Hydrating, protection, and moisturizing will help heal cracked lip corners.
Smiling for selfies should be fun, not painful! If cracked lip corners or angular cheilitis make it hard to smile, eat, or kiss, don’t worry. Check out these tips to heal those cracks quickly. With some care and good habits, you’ll have pain-free, makeout-ready lips in no time. Say goodbye to angular cheilitis and hello to a happier smile!
Barrier repair
The first step to healing your cracked lip corners quickly is to lock in any moisture. Reach for a product dermatologists call an occlusive, which creates a protective barrier that prevents your lip corners from getting drier. Vaseline, Aquafor, or CeraVe ointment are common occlusives that will help reduce cracking.
Moisturize
Dab a little coconut oil, olive oil, or fragrance-free moisturizer on the corners of your lips daily after you shower. Make it a daily habit, but don’t go overboard. A little dab will do. Allow your skin’s natural oils to build back up as the cracking fades. Bonus tip: Add the occlusive lip barrier after moisturizing.
Stay hydrated
Locking in moisture only works if you have enough moisture, so staying hydrated is key! Keep a refillable water bottle with you as your trusty sidekick. Sip on plain water throughout the day, or jazz it up with a splash of cucumber or another non-acidic flavor. Pro tip: Avoid lemon juice, which can irritate and sting sensitive skin.
Bonus: Staying hydrated will help your raw lip corners heal quicker and improve your skin’s overall health.
Get a humidifier
Have you noticed that moisture is a common theme here? Lend your lips a humid hand by sleeping with a humidifier beside your bed. Adding moisture to the air is especially helpful for your cracked lips during the winter or in hot, dry climates. Think about popping a small humidifier in your workspace or wherever you spend the most time.
Don’t lick your lips
It might seem like a quick fix to lick your lips to keep them moist, but that can make things worse. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving a sticky residue that can attract bacteria and lead to infection. So, keep your tongue away from your lips and remember this: “Licking your lips will cause them to lickety-split.”
Avoid extreme temperatures
Whether from frigid cold or dry heat, your skin can lose water rapidly, causing cracking, flaking, discoloration, or swelling. So avoid jumping from a sweltering afternoon at the beach into a freezing cold movie theater.
Also, skip the hot showers or cold plunges for a bit. These types of rapid temperature changes will quickly dry out your lip corners. Bonus tip: Your lips can take a beating from the sun, so find a lip balm with SPF protection.
If your cracked lip corners don’t improve or become especially painful or swollen in a few days, it’s time to visit a board-certified dermatologist. If left untreated, angular cheilitis can last for years, leaving your lips discolored or scarred.
FYI: Angular cheilitis might not appear as clearly in people with darker skin. Instead of turning red, the affected skin may look pale and have a darker border.
Remember that lickety-split mantra? It’s for real. Saliva can get deposited in the corners of your lips for many reasons, like drooling, smoking, or sleeping with your mouth open due to some sniffles. Bacteria grows in those little saliva pools, triggering an inflammatory response that causes your lip corners to get irritated and crack.
How long do cracked lip corners take to heal?
Following these tips will make your lips feel better in about a week. Really bad cases of angular cheilitis can take a few weeks. Avoid smoking and eat a balanced diet to get faster results.
Does Vaseline help cracked lip corners?
As mentioned above, Vaseline and other occlusives help create a protective barrier over the cracked lip corners, which helps the healing process.
How do I get rid of angular cheilitis overnight?
You might have woken up with cracked lip corners, but you won’t be able to get rid of them overnight. Be patient and follow the tips above!
Say goodbye to painful cracked lip corners in about a week with these easy tips:
- Apply a skin barrier like Aquaphor or Vaseline.
- Use a fragrance-free moisturizer daily.
- Stay hydrated and use a humidifier where you spend most of your time.
- Avoid licking your lips or exposing them to extreme temperatures.
Talk to a dermatologist for customized care if your lip corners become red, swollen, or more painful after a few days.
