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Dermatology

How to Pick a Lip Balm to Heal Dry, Chapped Lips

Can lip balms actually make your lips more chapped? Well, it depends on the ingredients.

Sophia KellerSanjai Sinha, MD
Written by Sophia Keller | Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD
Updated on November 8, 2025
Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD | November 8, 2025

Many people have claimed that chapstick makes lips feel more dry, but is that actually true? Well, kind of: There are certain ingredients in lip balms that may actually make your lips drier. 

There are many types of lip balm on the market, but not all of them are helpful for healing chapped lips. In this video, learn what to look for when shopping for lip balm, and what to avoid.

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Sophia Keller
Written by:
Sophia Keller
Sophia Keller was an editorial intern on the GoodRx Health team. She has a bachelor’s degree in justice studies from Arizona State University.
Sanjai Sinha, MD
Reviewed by:
Sanjai Sinha, MD
Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in internal medicine.

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