When the cold wind starts, lips easily get chapped, cracked and sore. The UK National Health Service (NHS) calls dry or sore lips a common problem, especially during hot or cold weather, and says there are things you can try yourself. The essentials: a lip balm containing petroleum jelly or beeswax, outdoors a balm with SPF 15 or more every 2 hours, and no licking or picking. If your lips are hot, painful and swollen it could be an infection, so see a GP. Here is the NHS “Sore or dry lips” page as written, with our notes in the right-hand column.
1. Petroleum jelly or beeswax balm, clean hands, SPF 15+ every 2 hours outdoors, a scarf over your lips in the cold, plenty of water.
2. Don’t pick or bite flaky skin, keep licking, or share balms.
3. Hot, painful, swollen lips: see a GP (possible infection). A small blister may be a cold sore.
Things to try — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a balm | A balm containing petroleum jelly or beeswax — from a pharmacy or supermarket | Check the label for petrolatum or beeswax (ours) |
| If it isn’t working | Try a few different balms — some people are sensitive to fragrances, dyes or cosmetic ingredients | If a new one stings more, suspect it |
| Before applying | Wash your hands | Especially with pot balms you dip into |
| Outdoors | A balm with SPF 15 or more every 2 hours | 6 hours outside means 6 ÷ 2 = 3 reapplications (our sum) |
| Cold weather | Cover your lips with a scarf outside | Keeps the wind off |
| Water | Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration | Heated rooms dry you out too |
Things to avoid — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Picking | Don’t pick or bite flaky skin — it can slow healing | — |
| Licking | Don’t keep licking dry or cracked lips — it can make them sore | The page gives only “can make them sore” as the reason |
| Sharing | Don’t share lip balms — it can spread germs | Even within the family |
A pharmacist can help — NHS
A pharmacist can advise on the best treatments for dry or sore lips and whether you need to see a GP, says the NHS. In Korea a local pharmacy gives the same kind of advice (ours).
When to see a GP — NHS
| Situation | NHS advice | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Lips are hot, painful and swollen | See a GP (non-urgent) — could be a sign of infection | In Korea, a dermatologist or local clinic |
| GP thinks the lip is infected | May prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal cream | Depends on bacteria or fungus |
Common causes — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | Cold weather, dry air or wind | Winter wind plus heated rooms (ours) |
| Sun | Sun damage | SPF balm on winter slopes and hikes too |
| Dehydration | Dehydration | — |
| Injury | A lip injury | — |
| Allergies | Allergies | Suspect a new balm, lipstick or toothpaste (ours) |
| Nutrition | Sometimes a lack of vitamins and minerals | The page doesn’t say which |
If it’s a blister — cold sores
A small, fluid-filled blister on your lip may be a cold sore, says the NHS. Most people get a tingling, burning or itching feeling before the blister appears. More in cold sores.
Checklist
- ☐ Petroleum jelly or beeswax balm, clean hands
- ☐ Outdoors SPF 15+ every 2 hours; scarf in the cold
- ☐ Plenty of water — indoors with heating too
- ☐ No picking, licking or sharing
- ☐ Hot, painful, swollen: see a GP; a small blister: check for a cold sore
Questions that remain
Can I use lipstick or tint?
The page doesn’t cover lipstick. It does say some people are sensitive to fragrances, dyes or cosmetic ingredients and that allergies can be a cause, so our reading is to pause a product if it stings more.
My fingers and toes go red and itchy too — same thing?
Red, swollen, itchy fingers or toes in the cold may be chilblains, covered on a separate page.
Sources
- NHS — Sore or dry lips — source (page shows: reviewed 13 February 2025, next review due 13 February 2028; checked 2 November 2026). 6 things to try, 3 to avoid, pharmacist advice, GP criteria (hot, painful, swollen) and prescriptions, 6 common causes, telling a cold sore apart.
- Not read. Lip balm product comparisons, Korean cheilitis guidance.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean care gloss.
Where to check further
- A local pharmacy — balms and creams.
- A dermatologist — swelling, pain or if it lasts.
Written on 2 November 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.
