My flute playing is a whole lot smoother when my lips stay moist. Does this affect other folks? I’m not fond of vaseline type things on my lips to keep them moist. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
I use Neutrogena Norwegian formula lip balm, not particularly greasy and lasts for a while.
first, stay hydrated
Yer Right Denny! 
Yup I play so much better after a pint or two moistens my lips… Unfortunately I have it on good authority that the improvement in my playing happens only in my own head.
Clark
I find that what counts for me is keeping the inner surfaces of the lips moist. If my mouth is dry, the inner surface sticks to the teeth, and playing’s difficult.
Since the outer surfaces are normally dry, it’s not a factor to me. I’ll lick the inner surfaces when I need to. Licking the outer surfaces - for me - doesn’t do anything but eventually give me chapping.
I have a friend that uses chocolate.
A chocolate Lab!
Get a humidifier fer yer house.
It will also help keep things like guitars happy.
An old flute player’s trick is to put a clean silver dime in the mouth, under the tongue.
Strange, but true! The silver gets the saliva going, which in turn keeps the lips moist.
Edit: Another thing is to completely avoid things like coffee, tea, soda, milk and dairy products. If you’re thirsty, go for fruit juice, instead.
Yeah, that’s a problem for me in the winters here–the same low humidity that is unkind to flutes is not good for the lips either. Blistex or Chapstick is certainly better than nothing, but I would agree with Denny–hydration is best. In addition to the pints, a pitcher of water and some glasses on the table helps quite a bit!
Rob