Dave has a huge problem with his lips cracking and splitting when we’re out in the sun and wind. This past winter, it got to the point where he wouldn’t eat anything spicy or vinegary (think pickles, salads) because it just hurt his lips too much. Hmm, Dave loves anything spicy and dill pickles are a favorite. I knew this was serious!
Blistex cream has always worked to heal my lips, but it didn’t do a thing for Dave. Plus you can only use it when you’re out of the sun — it is somewhat oily and causes lips to burn faster than usual if you wear it in the sun.
We started at the local drugstore and none of their miracle cures for lips made an ounce of difference for Dave. Carmex, Blistex, Tiger Balm, ChapStick and some others . . . nope.
Then it was on to Amazon, where I bought three different tubes of stuff to try.
Hands down, the best was Dermatone, both for initial protection and for helping Dave’s lips to heal. I began using it too and find it better than anything else I’ve tried, particularly as it lasts longer (I don’t have nearly the problems with my lips as Dave does, but still need some protection).
Dermatone comes both in little tubs and in tubes. On the advice of Jan at CommuterCruiser (our good friend and my cookbook co-author), we got the stubby tube — she says the tubs do not contain the same product.
The Dermatone in a tube totally healed Dave’s lips — which had been a cracked and bleeding mess for a month — in less than a week (he was back to eating pickles in three days . . . ). It’s SPF 23 (others that we tried had higher SPF ratings) but the better part is how moisturizing/healing it is. So much better than any of the others that we tried — and a tube lasted far longer than the others did too (one — the most expensive of our trials — lasted for only two days!). Dave also really liked that he didn’t have to constantly reapply it.
The only thing that’s a little strange about the stubby tube is that instead of twisting the tube to raise/lower the stick, you just push it up from the bottom. That means that to put the cap back on, you have to push it down with the cap. Oh well, I can live with that.
Dave’s been using Dermatone for over two months now and since his initial split lips healed, hasn’t had a single problem — not even a bit of chapping, he says. I’m thrilled to finally find something that just works. We threw away at least a dozen tubes of stuff that hadn’t!
Dermatone has now begun offering a conventional twist tube but I haven’t tried it yet (the company website says it’s the same product). The listing on Amazon is somewhat confusing: the title says it’s the 0.3 ounce stubby stick and some of the pictures show the stubby stick, but other pictures and the description show the new 0.15 ounce twist stick. This is the listing that I ordered from and I got the stubby sticks (they may be switching over to the twist tubes; I don’t know):
Or use this listing to get a 2-pack of the twist tubes:
Note that Dermatone also makes a number of “skin” sunscreen products, some in stick form. Don’t get one by mistake.
Highly recommended!
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Susie Marshall says
Do you know if this lip balm is sold at any stores? I’d love to try it. I’ve always had a bad time with my lips too.
The Boat Galley says
I’ve never seen it in a store. Jan found it once in a ski shop, so apparently it is out there.
Jane Gammons says
I read your whole piece. Please have your readers be aware that there is a condition called sailors/farmers lip. Yes, those of us who are out in the wind and sun. This is a precancerous condition and there is medication available from your dermatologist. This happened to me on our last trip in Florida by boat. I called my dermatologist and he called in a RX. You could also see one of the nurses at CVS or an urgent care center. As a retired dental hygienist I can’t stress this enough.
The Boat Galley says
I’ve never heard of it. What are the symptoms? How is it different from just normal chapped/sunburned lips (that is, how did you know you needed medical help)?
Janine Belling says
Another great product for lips is Lucas Paw Paw Ointment. Its an Australian product and is used for minor burns, wounds etc but is brilliant on dry lips. I use it all the time – when snow skiing or in the middle to summer.
Jane Gammons says
Symptoms of “Sailors Lip” https://skinsight.com/skin-conditions/actinic-cheilitis/
Jim Shell says
Cracking of the lips can be caused by a number of causes: fungal infections, vitamin B deficiencies, sun poisoning, wind dehydration are some. If the previous remedies do not work, addressing these causes might help. Preparation H and A&D Ointment work well too. Preparation H is particularly good for burns and minor cuts and abrasions. (From Hints to Heloise)
Susie Marshall says
Thanks for all the info. I have always had trouble with my lips…since I was a child. We moved to the desert of Oregon and my lips never got use to the dry conditions. My mom said I had chapped lips the while two years we lived there. This winter they were tender the whole time we were in Marathon and the Bahamas. I will look into both products. Thanks again.
Doreen says
I too have had long bouts of cracked lips. Mostly in drier winter air as a snow skier. Now, at the first sign of a lip issue, I apply a thin coat of neosporin to my lips before I go to sleep. My lips heal very quickly, and I usually notice a huge difference by the next morning. Otherwise, I would potentially keep splitting open the same spot on my lip… Love your articles Carolyn, keep ’em coming. Thanks!
Bill Wakefield says
I couldn’t agree more. This is a great product and very prevalent here in Alaska. [When the sun doesn’t set in the summer you really need UV protection… works great when the sun doesn’t shine too…]
I’ve been using for many years [10+] and typically loose [or launder…] a tube before finishing it…
It helps heal cracks and minor skin infections on other parts of the body too… [hands, feet, etc…] Stock-up. We have tubes in various kits that are 4+ years old and they are just like new…
Dermatone SPF23 is so popular here that the chap-stick style dispensers are often offered in bulk at the check-out stands of our sporting goods stores.
Jane Gammons says
Another comment, don’t forget the lip balm with SPF as high as possible for wind and sun. I like Panama Jack and Burts Bees.
Kathy Belanger-Barber says
Thanks I burn my lips continuously
Paula Richard says
Thanks for this tip. Just ordered some.
Nicholas Carter says
No one else thinks that’s a creepy pictures lol
Eva Persson says
I can recommend these too for sure! https://www.etsy.com/se-en/listing/17586346/skin-sweden-lip-balm
Sonjashootingstar Wells says
Hehe, love that “one-click” thing!
Ed Robinson says
I wish I had seen this before we left for the Bahamas! My lips are a mess.
Confetti McGahee says
This is an awesome product. Been using it for years. And it doesn’t melt in the heat!
Anonymous says
Carolyn Krebs I got us some. Hoping it works for Collin n me.
Anonymous says
Paw paw cream can be great. Lucas is the brand I use but has no SPF.
The Boat Galley says
We’ve found that living the tropics, anything that doesn’t have SPF can only be used at night. During the daylight hours, SPF is essential for not making the problem worse.
Anonymous says
That makes sense. You can use the Paw Paw as a base and then put other stuff on top but I’m glad you found something that works for you.
Anonymous says
I got it and it works
Anonymous says
Be careful- as per my dermatologist’s advice- don’t play around with any issues involving lips.
Anonymous says
Looks like it now comes in a regular chapstick tube.
Kitty says
Hello. Aquaphor brand makes both lip repair & sunscreen for lips, spf30 products in a little squeeze tube. The large Aquaphor healing ointment for hands also works for my cracked fingers & lips but only use in the evening, its a bit oily but works well. ( I am in Miami if you need a recommendation for a dermatologist😁)