How To Get Rid of Eczema on the Lips, According to Dermatologists

Call in the Professionals

Rather than try to diagnose yourself and cure your eczema with DIY home remedies, do yourself a favor and see a skincare professional. A dermatologist will best be able to evaluate your skin condition—and recommend a solution.

I set up an appointment to see Granite who confirmed that yes, the dry, red skin around my mouth was exactly what I had suspected—eczema, or perioral dermatitis, as it's also called. Within 10 minutes, she had written down the appropriate course of action (note: not an exfoliator in sight).

"Each person’s treatment is personalized," says Markowitz. "I evaluate their condition based on their symptoms, their health, their skin type, their diet, exercise routines, environmental exposures, and stress."

Purge Your Skincare Routine

Of course, in the business I'm in, it's my job to try as many new beauty products as humanly possible. Up until now, my skin had been able to handle it. But Granite was pretty certain that this recent eczema was triggered by an ingredient my skin just didn't get on with.

She recommended I go completely back to basics with my skincare routine, which honestly, I welcomed. Rather than my fancy cleansers and creams, I switched everything out and plonked a bottle of CeraVe's Hydrating Cleanser and Avène's Tolérance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream by the side of my sink.

"Another great sealant ingredient is ceramides," says Markowitz. "These moisturizers are best used after washing to help restore the skin's barrier function."

Apply Topical Creams

Granite prescribed me a cream to put on the offending area. Having spent my childhood rubbing harsh hydrocortisone over my skin, I knew I didn't want anything that was going to thin my skin, and she (thankfully) suggested it. "It's a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, so it's a little safer to use on the face," she promised.

From the first application, my skin immediately felt more comfortable, although weirdly, it made my lips tingle like a plumping lip gloss. You apply it two to three times a day, and it hydrates the area, so there's no sore flakiness while the internal meds do their thing. Again, you'll need your doctor to prescribe this, so ask if it would be right for you.

Fight Eczema Internally

In addition to applying topical creams to the skin (i.e. treating eczema from the outside), consider treating eczema from the inside too, advises Granite. "The thing I see a lot with eczema patients is that because the skin has become broken, cracked, and inflamed, bacteria can come in. They're not harmful in that they'll cause a systemic issue, but when bacteria sit on eczema, they don't allow it to heal." Her recommendation? A five-day course of antibiotics called Keflex, which comes stocked in most local pharmacies, but you'll need a prescription for it.

Garshick states gut health moderation and the microbiome is also important to focus on when it comes to managing eczema symptoms. "I recommend taking Florajen, which is a daily probiotic with clinical data shown to reduce the severity of eczema and the overall reliance on topical steroids," she says.

Try a New Lip Balm

Lip balm can do wonders for super dry lips—if you're using the right formula. "The lip is especially hard because you're always licking your lips, and it just dries out so much," explained Granite. I always thought I was doing a good job applying lip balm religiously, but perhaps I needed to try out a new product. "Sometimes the wax in firmer formulas just sits on the top of the skin and doesn't let any moisture in," she revealed before recommending Kiehl's Lip Balm #1. It's super greasy, so it feels just like rubbing your lips with face oil. I'm low-key obsessed.

You also don't need anything fancy because good ol' Vaseline also does the trick according to Garshick. "This 100 percent pure petrolatum-based ointment is a great option to help heal very dry skin and can help with dry lips, as it both protects the skin and locks in moisture," she states. "By providing a protective barrier, it helps to protect the skin from external irritants, which can worsen dryness, redness, and flaking in those with eczema."

Invest in a Humidifier

If your eczema is exacerbated by dry, cold weather, consider buying a humidifier. Humidifiers work to counteract the effects of an arid, wintry climate—which negatively impacts skin barrier function, resulting in dry skin—by returning moisture back into the air.

Ask Your Derm About Injectables

Did you know that lip fillers aren't just about giving you a full, plump pout? They can also help to hydrate your lips. Juvéderm, a popular dermal filler, is formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid and will inject your lips with moisture—quite literally. Of course, this shouldn't be your first course of action, but rather, a treatment option to bring up with your doctor in case all else fails.

Get an Allergy Test

While I had a positive outcome with these several steps, should it flare up again, Granite recommends I return for an allergy test called True Patch Allergy Testing. It tests 36 known skin allergens over a few days so maybe, finally, I'd find out what got me into this mess in the first place.

"Certain food may be associated with eczema flare-ups," mentions Markowitz. "So, if there is an association noted, be sure to stay away from the offending ingredients. Common foods include eggs, milk, soy, and dairy products."