Flaky, dry lips can be a common nuisance during the winter season. While the National Library of Medicine’s Web site recommends treating lips with Beeswax and phenol (such as Carmex), some say conventional over-the-counter remedies, though not necessarily the best method for preventing chapped lips in the long run, can be a quick fix for lip comfort. Leanne Liming, with the Beauty Expert, says she frequently encounters clients with similar dry lip problems, and more often than not it is due to the kinds of products they use.

When looking for chapsticks, Liming recommends brands that do not use mineral oil (oil derived from petroleum) or petrolatum. She instructs clients to read the chapstick labels to see whether or not they contain either ingredient or their by-products, because her philosophy is that these chemicals ultimately dry out lips. “Even though [the products] feel really nice, eventually they are going to cause more dryness,” she says.

Though there is little factual evidence to substantiate whether or not these particular chemicals actually do more harm than good, there are many anti-mineral oil lip balms on the market that contain neither ingredient. For example, both Burt’s Bee’s Wax and Oral Tabs Essential Lip Moisture are completely devoid of mineral oil or petrolatum. Liming even recommends one product that she uses personally — Arbonne International — because it contains no animal products.

According to Liming, an important part of eliminating chapped lips is treating the dryness and flakiness correctly. “People often just put chapstick over already dry lips,” she says. “That keeps gluing [the flakes] down rather than moisturizing the living tissue.” A good way of getting rid of the dryness is by exfoliating gently with a toothbrush.

If you want to add color along with a little lip balm, Liming recommends mixing your favorite chapstick with some lipstick in the palm of your hand and then applying.

No matter how much lip balm you apply, it is just as important to rehydrate. Replenish your lips throughout the winter months by drinking plenty of additional fluids. If you make sure to treat yourself from the inside out, you’ll have soothing lips in no time.