Cracked corners of the mouth, also known as angular cheilitis, can be caused by a variety of factors, including dry weather, excessive saliva, and nutritional deficiencies. To treat cracked corners of the mouth, it is important to avoid skin and lip products containing ingredients that can cause irritation. Instead, look for products that contain ingredients that can help heal chapped lips, such as ceramides, dimethicone, hemp seed oil, mineral oil, petrolatum, shea butter, and sun-protective ingredients like titanium oxide or zinc oxide. Applying a non-irritating lip balm or lip moisturizer several times a day and before bed can also help. If your lips are very dry and cracked, try a thick ointment like white petroleum jelly, which seals in water longer than waxes or oils.
Here are some positive and negative aspects of some of the ingredients mentioned above:
Positive:
- Ceramides: help to restore the skins natural barrier and retain moisture.
- Dimethicone: a silicone-based ingredient that forms a protective barrier on the skin to prevent moisture loss.
- Hemp seed oil: contains fatty acids that help to nourish and moisturize the skin.
- Mineral oil: a lightweight, non-greasy ingredient that helps to lock in moisture.
- Petrolatum: forms a protective barrier on the skin to prevent moisture loss.
- Shea butter: contains fatty acids and vitamins that help to nourish and moisturize the skin.
- Titanium oxide or zinc oxide: sun-protective ingredients that help to prevent sun damage.
Negative:
- Cinnamon, citrus, mint, and peppermint flavors: can be especially irritating to dry, chapped lips.
- Fragrance: can be irritating to sensitive skin.
- Lanolin: can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
- Octinoxate or oxybenzone: can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
- Phenol (or phenyl): can be irritating to sensitive skin.
- Propyl gallate: can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
- Salicylic acid: can be irritating to sensitive skin[[4]](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday...
