How to Fix Chapped Lips in Winter Naturally
Winter has a special kind of beauty—crisp air, bright mornings, soft snow—but it also brings one of the most frustrating seasonal struggles: chapped lips. If you find yourself constantly reapplying lip products, battling cracks, or wincing every time the icy air hits your face, you’re definitely not alone.
Even after more than 30 years of creating natural body products, we still feel the effects of winter on our own lips.
The silver lining? Chapped lips don’t have to be “just a winter thing.” With the right understanding and a few natural habits, you can prevent dryness before it starts—and actually heal lips that are already chapped.
❄️ Why Winter Makes Your Lips So Dry
The skin on your lips is incredibly delicate. It has no oil glands, very little protection, and is exposed year-round. When winter arrives, the combination of cold winds, dry indoor heat, and lower water intake creates the perfect recipe for dryness. Many people don’t realize how much dehydration contributes to chapped lips. We drink less water in winter simply because we don’t feel as thirsty, and our lips are often the first place to show it.
Habits play a role too. You may catch yourself licking your lips more often when they feel dry, thinking it’s adding moisture. In reality, the moment that saliva evaporates, your lips become even drier than they were before. It’s a cycle you don’t even notice happening until things get uncomfortable.
- Weather: Cold air, harsh winds, and indoor heating all pull moisture from the delicate skin on your lips.
- Dehydration: We often drink less water in winter without realizing it, so our lips dry out from the inside.
- Habits: Licking your lips, breathing through your mouth, or using flavored lip products can make dryness worse.
💡 Let’s Clear Up a Few Lip-Care Myths
Myth #1: “You can get addicted to lip balm.”
One of the most common myths we hear is that people can get “addicted” to lip balm. The truth is, you’re not addicted—your lips are just not being nourished. Many conventional lip balms contain petroleum, artificial flavors, or sweeteners that encourage you to lick your lips more often or simply sit on the surface without doing anything helpful.
Myth #2: “You can get addicted to lip balm.”
Another myth worth touching on is the belief that licking your lips hydrates them. It’s such an understandable instinct, but it backfires every time. Once that thin layer of moisture evaporates, you’re left with even drier skin.
When you clear away these misunderstandings, it becomes much easier to choose products and habits that truly support your lips.
🌿 What Actually Works to Fix Chapped Lips
After decades of working with natural ingredients—and after helping countless customers deal with winter dryness—we’ve seen what genuinely works: nourishing your lips instead of just coating them.
The most important step starts with a high-quality, natural lip balm. Petroleum-based products create a barrier, but they don’t feed the skin underneath. Artificial flavors, essential oils, and sweeteners can actually make dryness worse because you’re tempted to lick your lips more often. Natural plant oils and butters, on the other hand, sink in, replenish moisture, and help build a soft protective layer that your lips truly need.
We have carefully formulated our lip balm ingredients to act as a protector and softener for your lips. These are:
- Beeswax has soothing and softening properties and helps the skin retain moisture.
- Shea Butter is hailed for its protecting and emollient properties. Rich in cinnamon acid, it also protects the skin from UV rays.
- Coconut oil has fatty acids that create a protective barrier to prevent water loss. Can also help soothe irritation.
- Hemp Oil is rich in omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids, it has a full amino acid spectrum meaning that it provides complete protein and it has a high mineral content.
- Meadowfoam oil revitalizes dry and chapped lips. Known to retain the skin’s moisture.
- Jojoba Oil is a liquid wax. It closely resembles the sebum of the skin, and is rich in vitamin E. This promotes a glowing complexion
- Castor Oil offers anti-inflammatory properties and helps treat eczema, psoriasis, chapped lips and burns.
- Vitamin E helps to protect and soothe the skin from UV damage
Our own Mountain Sky Soap lip balms were created for this exact reason. For us personally, they were the turning point—what finally stopped the annual cycle of cracked winter lips. Customers tell us the same thing all the time: that the balms feel creamy, soothing, and protective, and help prevent chapping before it begins. Each flavour is designed to protect even the most sensitive lips.
- Unflavoured
- Mint
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Blackberry
- Peach
Use Gentle Home Remedies That Can Help Fix Chapped Lips
Of course, product alone isn’t the full solution.
Hydrate From the Inside
Hydration plays an equally important role. In winter, a warm cup of tea or a refillable water bottle can do more for your lips than you might imagine. Moisturized lips start from within, and you’ll often see a noticeable improvement simply by drinking a bit more water throughout the day.
Stop Licking Your Lips
It’s also helpful to be mindful of unconscious habits. Try catching yourself if you start licking your lips. Instead, apply balm before you head outdoors, after meals, and before bed—these moments help break the dryness cycle.
Use a Humidifier at Home
Adding a humidifier to your home can also make a surprisingly big difference. Indoor heating systems pull moisture from the air, and a bit of extra humidity helps your lips (and your skin overall) stay much more comfortable.
Other Remedies to Try
- A dab of honey left on the lips for a few minutes can provide calming, natural hydration.
- A warm compress can soften dry skin without the need for scrubbing, making your balm absorb even better afterward.
🌬️ A Note for Winter Outdoor Lovers
If your winters are filled with skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, or simply spending a lot of time outdoors, protecting your lips proactively is key.
- Applying a natural balm 10–15 minutes before exposure.
- Reapplying throughout the day helps keep the wind from stripping away moisture.
- Many outdoor enthusiasts find our unflavoured balm ideal, since there’s no temptation to lick your lips during intense activity.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Winter Lips Can Be Soft Again
Chapped lips might be common in winter, but they are absolutely fixable. With the right natural balm, a few mindful habits, and a holistic approach to moisture, you can fix chapped lips. Your lips can stay soft, comfortable, and healthy all winter long.
If you’re looking for a nourishing, natural solution that actually works, try our Mountain Sky Soap lip balms today and get ahead of the coming winter. Your lips will thank you.
