The ointment that healed my cracked mouth corners (angular cheilitis)
My mouth corners sometimes crack with a sharp sting—thought it was winter dryness, but it even happened in summer. Lip balm alone was slow, so I borrowed this ointment from my wife. It is for lip inflammation/angular cheilitis and worked fast.
Morishita Jintan Medicaire series
The same company behind Jintan mints also makes medicine (founded 1893). The tube only lists two actives (space-saving): one anti-inflammatory and one antibacterial. When I washed my hands after applying, it would not rinse off easily—very tacky so it stays on the mouth. After 2-3 days of use, the cracks healed.
How I started getting angular cheilitis
Never had it as a kid; maybe started past 30 as skin dried out. Quick reading (JP, medical images in the first link):
- https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jibi/56/3/56_3_101/_pdf
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8F%A3%E8%A7%92%E7%82%8E
- https://www.daiichisankyo-hc.co.jp/health/symptom/12_kounaien/
Key points:
- Mouth corners are structurally easy to tear (even a big yawn can do it; worse when skin is dry/rough).
- Skin and mouth host lots of resident microbes.
- When healthy they behave.
- When immunity drops, the “seal” weakens and they can inflame cracks.
- Candida-driven cases show up more in older adults (per the paper above).
So: poor sleep/diet/stress lowers immunity, a tiny crack forms on a dry corner, resident microbes inflame it. Prevention = eat and sleep well; once cracked, moisturize and still eat/sleep well. Vitamin shortage can come from low intake or poor absorption (gut issues), hence some treatments add vitamins plus probiotics. Stress also upsets the gut—vicious cycle. Eat something good and sleep early.
Ointments for angular cheilitis
For prevention, a normal lip balm is fine. Once it cracks, a medicated ointment helps. Popular ones on Amazon (JP):
Shiseido Moilip (clean packaging):
Mentholatum Hibipro (similar ingredients):
Another Mentholatum variant with a portable design:
An Amazon-only private label:
Most list something like “petrolatum + anti-inflammatory + antibacterial + vitamins,” so any should work. My tube is only 5 g but each use is tiny—might last 20 years. If you buy one, pick a design you like; our Jintan tube is a bit plain.
