How to Get Dead Skin Off Your Lips + Keep It Away for Good

When the skin on your face gets dry, oil glands produce more sebum to help the skin stay moisturized. Unfortunately, the skin on your lips doesn’t have oil glands. This makes them much more prone to dryness, flakiness and peeling.

From the dry, cold air of winter to the intense sun and wind of summer, dry, chapped lips can happen any time of year. Before you know it, the dead skin is flaking and peeling off. It’s definitely not a look any of us are going for, and it can even be painful.

Thankfully, there are several things you can do to remove dead skin from your lips and prevent it from coming back. Here’s everything you need to know! 

How to Get Dead Skin Off Lips: Step-by-Step

Follow these steps to get your lips kissably soft in no time!

Step 1: Exfoliate Your Lips

Gentle exfoliation is the best way to remove dead skin from your lips. Exfoliating the lips will make them soft and smooth and allow your lip care products to penetrate the lip better.

The lips can be exfoliated with a lip scrub as needed, but most people find that two or three times a week is enough. You can purchase a commercial lip scrub, or make your own by combining a teaspoon of sugar with equal amounts of honey and coconut oil.

Simply apply the scrub to your lips and massage gently using a circular motion until the dead skin has been loosened. Let the scrub sit on your lips for a minute or two to soften the skin further, and then wipe it away gently with a soft washcloth.

If you still have some flaky skin on your lips after exfoliating, you can follow up by rubbing gently with a clean, soft toothbrush or a washcloth to remove stubborn, dead skin. Be gentle, and don’t use this method too often to avoid causing unnecessary irritation.

Step 2: Apply a Lip Oil

Once your lips are free of dead skin, applying lip oil will add essential moisture and protect the delicate skin from harsh elements. It will also keep the lips softer and smoother, too. We recommend applying lip oil before bed and leaving it on overnight every time you exfoliate.

Lip oils tend to be more effective than balms because they’re made from natural oils that penetrate the skin more deeply. They also offer healing properties that support the health and appearance of your lips over time when used regularly.

For example, Gisou’s Lip Oil is formulated with Mirsalehi Honey, which is rich in natural amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that moisturize and nourish to heal dry chapped lips. It also contains our proprietary oil blend, which is rich in omega fatty acids for deeper hydration and moisture. Hyaluronic acid further enhances the hydrating effects while smoothing, and plumping the lips.

Step 3: Establish a Lip Care Routine

Now that your lips are smooth and soft again, here’s how to keep them that way.

• Hydrate from the Inside Out: Lips can get chapped and dry as a result of dehydration, so staying hydrated is essential all year round. Drinking plenty of water is key, but eating fruits and vegetables with a high water content will also be helpful.

• Exfoliate Weekly: Exfoliating to remove dead skin from your lips is important, but exfoliating weekly is essential for keeping the lips free of dry, flaky skin over time. It will help your lipstick go on more smoothly, too.

• Protect and Moisturize Your Lips: Cold air, extreme heat, sun, and wind can all contribute to dry, chapped lips. Applying lip oil regularly throughout the day will keep the lips soft and supple and protect the delicate skin from harsh elements.

Gisou’s Honey Infused Lip Oil is a multitasking product that’s great for everyday use. Use it as an overnight lip treatment or wear it during the day as a lip gloss to keep your lips plump and juicy. Or, layer it with your favorite lip color for added protection, hydration, and shine. 

Tips to Avoid Dead Skin on the Lips

• Don’t Lick Your Lips: Licking your lips is a major contributor to dry, cracked lips. Saliva contains powerful enzymes that can damage the delicate skin on your lips.
• Apply SPF When You’ll Be Outdoors: The skin on your lips is very delicate and vulnerable to sunburn. Be sure to apply SPF to your lips any time you’ll be out in the sun.
• Avoid Smoking: Smoking can irritate the sensitive skin on your lips, contributing to dryness and cracking.
• Avoid Lip Products That Contain Irritating Ingredients: Lip balms and other lip products that contain things like menthol, camphor, and salicylic acid, which can be very drying and irritating to the lips.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes dead skin on the lips?

The leading cause of dead skin cells on the lips is a lack of moisture, either internally when you're dehydrated or externally when the skin dries out. When the skin dries out it becomes chapped and starts to peel, leading to the flakey, dead skin we see on the surface of the lips.

Should I pick or peel the dead skin off my lips?

No, you should never pick or peel the dead skin off your lips because you could accidentally peel off too much and cause damage that will take a long time to heal. Careful exfoliation is a much safer way to remove dead skin from the lips.

How do you heal chapped or cracked lips fast?

Applying honey to the lips is an effective way to heal chapped or cracked lips fast. Honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties. It can help to prevent infection while promoting healing and adding much-needed moisture.

Wrapping up

In closing, your lips have very little natural protection from the environment and very little moisture of their own. Incorporating Gisou’s Honey Infused Lip Oil into your routine is an effective way to give your lips the extra love and care they need to look their best!