If your lips feel tight, look dull, or have started peeling with the change in the season, you’re not alone. Chapped lips are one of the most common winter grooming problems for men. The good news? With a few smart habits, some quick home remedies, and the right lip balm, you can keep them smooth and healthy all season long.

Why Your Lips Get Wrecked in Winter

Lips don’t have oil glands like the rest of your skin. That means they can’t naturally stay moisturised or protected. Add cold winds, low humidity, and indoor heating to that and your lips lose moisture fast. Also, many of us unconsciously lick our lips to moisturise them, but saliva actually makes things worse. It evaporates quickly and takes even more hydration with it. Certain toothpaste ingredients (like menthol or peppermint) and lip balms with fragrance can also cause irritation. The result: cracked, flaky, sometimes painful lips that make eating, kissing, or even smiling uncomfortable.

How to Prevent (and Treat) Chapped Lips

1. Hydrate from the inside

It sounds obvious, but dehydration shows on your lips first. Keep your water intake consistent through the day. If you’re drinking more coffee or alcohol in winter, balance it out with water or electrolyte drinks.

2. Protect and reapply

A lip balm isn’t just about shine, it’s a protective shield. Apply a balm before stepping out in the cold or sun, and reapply every few hours, especially after eating or washing your face. Look for ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, glycerin, or petroleum jelly, which lock in moisture.

3. Ditch the bad habits

Stop licking, biting, or peeling your lips. These habits damage the thin skin barrier and slow healing. If you’re prone to licking your lips out of habit, keep a balm in your pocket or on your desk so you can reach for that instead.

4. Use a humidifier

If you sleep with the heater on, your room air gets dry. A small humidifier on your nightstand can prevent your lips and skin from drying out overnight.

5. Night repair

Before bed, go heavier. Apply a thick layer of an ointment-style balm or plain petroleum jelly. It acts like an overnight lip mask, locking in moisture while you sleep.

Two Easy Home Remedies That Actually Work

1. Jaggery and Mustard Oil

• Mix a pinch of jaggery with a drop of mustard oil.

• Apply the mix on clean lips and scrub gently.

• Wipe off with a damp cloth. It takes off the dead skin while nourishing the lips.

2. Aloe Vera + Ghee

• Apply a thin layer of fresh aloe vera gel on your lips.

• Let it dry, then top it with ghee to lock in hydration.

The Best Lip Balms for Men

Skip the tinted glosses and fancy fragrances—these are practical, effective, and easy to find online or at your local store.

1. Bioderma Atoderm Lèvres Moisturising Stick (₹699)

A classic, has shea butter and avocado oil for hydration, and is suitable for sensitive, irritated and dry lips.

2. Uriage Xemose Lip Balm (₹830)

For very dry and sensitive lips, this lip balm has hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and shea butter, it protects against environmental aggressors. 

3. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (₹600)

Keep it on for the night and let it do its work while you sleep. It gently exfoliates while nourishing and softening your lips.

4. Sebamed Lip Defense Triple Protection SPF 30 (₹520)

The no-fuss, dermat-approved option. Widely available and works well as an everyday balm while also protecting against sun.

5. inde wild Dewy Lip Treatment (₹799)

With peptides, squalene, and shea butter, this is one of the widely popular lip products that is very hydrating and nourishing, perfect for the season.