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Last updated on September 27th, 2024 at 07:17 am
Dry, cracked lips can be both uncomfortable and unsightly. Whether it’s the dead of winter or the height of summer, many factors can contribute to chapped lips. There are lots of reasons for dry cracked lips. It could mean that you are dehydrated, vitamin deficient, or have too much vitamin. Whatever the reasons are, dry and cracked lips are a pain and are very uncomfortable.
When you look at the skin on the lips, you would notice they are quite different from the rest of the face. Unlike the rest of the face, the skin on the lips lacks sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are responsible for producing oils and moisturizing the face. Due to the lack of sebaceous glands on the lips, they are bound to become dry, rough, and lose water easily.
Understanding the causes and knowing how to heal them quickly can make all the difference. Here are 10 common reasons your lips may be dry and cracked, along with effective solutions to restore them to a smooth, healthy state.
1. Licking Your Lips: A Bad Habit
This is the most common form of dry lips which many people have the habit of doing. When you lick your lips, the digestive enzymes in the saliva irritate the lips. It removes the thin oily protective film from the lips leading to moisture loss and ultimately dry, cracked lips. This is mostly seen on the lower lips.
How to Heal It: Break the habit by keeping a hydrating lip balm handy. Look for one that contains natural oils like coconut oil or almond oil to help seal in moisture.
2. Harsh Weather Conditions
Both cold, dry winter air and hot, sunny weather can wreak havoc on your lips. Cold air strips moisture from the skin, while sun exposure can lead to sunburned, peeling lips.
How to Heal It: In cold weather, protect your lips by applying a thick, moisturizing lip balm that contains ingredients like shea butter or beeswax. In hot weather, use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to shield your lips from UV rays.
3. Allergies: Reactions to Lip Products or Foods
Some ingredients found in lipsticks can cause skin allergies and irritate the lips. It manifests as dry, scaly, and red lips. Studies have found that lipsticks that contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, and preservatives cause skin allergies so it is best to do a patch test before fully using them.
How to Heal It: If you suspect an allergy, switch to hypoallergenic lip products that are free from fragrances and dyes. Also, keep track of your diet and note any foods that might be causing the reaction.
4. Toothpaste
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) found in most toothpaste can lead to dry and chapped lips. Another is the Green Mint in some toothpaste. Green mint in toothpaste may cause irritation and dryness so if you have sensitive skin, you might want to do a patch test first.
5. Skin Conditions: Eczema or Psoriasis
Certain skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis can also affect the lips, leading to dryness, scaling, and cracking. This condition is known as lip dermatitis which is usually caused by allergies to cosmetic or dental products.
How to Heal It: If you have a skin condition that affects your lips, it’s important to use a medicated lip balm or ointment prescribed by your dermatologist. These products are specially formulated to address the underlying condition and provide relief.
6. Dehydration: Not Drinking Enough Water
One of the most common causes of dry, cracked lips is dehydration. When your body is low on fluids, your lips are one of the first areas to show signs of dryness because they don’t have oil glands like the rest of your skin.
How to Heal It: Increase your water intake. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep your body—and your lips—hydrated. You can also incorporate water-rich foods like cucumbers and watermelon into your diet.
7. Sun Exposure: UV Damage
Just like your skin, your lips are vulnerable to sun damage. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause your lips to dry out, crack, and even develop sunburn. This affects the lower lips more than the upper lips because it is poorly protected by melanin and oils. If left untreated the lips may turn out scaly and bleed out.
How to Heal It: Always apply a lip balm with SPF before heading outdoors, even on cloudy days. Reapply every two hours, especially after eating or drinking.
8. Medication Side Effects: Drying Drugs
Some medications, including those for acne, high blood pressure, and certain antidepressants, can cause dry lips as a side effect.
How to Heal It: Consult with your healthcare provider if you suspect your medication is causing dry lips. They may suggest an alternative treatment or recommend a suitable lip balm to counteract the dryness.
9. Overuse of Lip Products: Too Much of a Good Thing
A lot of these lip products usually contain camphor, menthol, or phenol that irritates the lips. The tingly sensations make us believe it’s working but they are mostly drying out the lips.
How to Heal It: Simplify your lip care routine. Stick to a gentle, hydrating lip balm with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, or ceramides. Avoid products with alcohol or menthol, which can be drying.
10. Vitamin Deficiency: Lack of Essential Nutrients
The deficiency of vitamin B, iron, and zinc will cause the lips to become inflamed. The lips start by looking red, then it thicken up and eventually peels. This condition is aggravated when there is continuous lip licking, biting, and sucking. Adding green vegetables, liver, fish, cereal, whole grains, or taking supplements will reduce the appearance of dry lips.
Also, too much Vitamin A will make the lips dry out. This condition may be acute or chronic. You can get enough vitamin A from eating foods such as milk, egg, dark fruits, or any yellow, orange, or red-coloured fruits but avoid taking vitamin A supplements to prevent hypervitaminosis.
How to Heal It: Ensure you’re getting a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and lean meats are excellent sources. You can also consider taking a multivitamin supplement if needed.
Tips For Healing Dry, Cracked Lips
The lips are more vulnerable than any other part of the face. This means that preventing and looking out for what could aggravate your dry lips is the first step.
After that, look for lip balms with emollient properties, this will help hydrate and improve the lips to look soft and smooth. The more emollient a lip balm is, the better. Ingredients that contain lanolin oil, beeswax, shea butter, castor oil, safflower oil, cocoa butter, almond oil, and vegetable oils work well on the lips. Also, consider getting a humidifier, this could help the skin and lips from drying out in low-humid weather conditions.
Exfoliation
The first step to take to healing dry lips is exfoliation, it may seem counter-intuitive to exfoliate dry, irritated lips but this step helps reveal new fresh and soft lips. We all know the good old-fashioned honey scrub, using soft granulated sugar and honey to slough down the rough bits is quite helpful. There are also amazing lip products that exfoliate the lips well
Lip Sleeping Masks
If you have not heard of lip-sleeping masks, then you are missing out. A lip-sleeping mask helps your lips to stay hydrated overnight by providing you with moisturizing ingredients that leave your lips soft and plump.
Lip Balm With SPF
This is your greatest defence during the day. Apply lip balm with SPF with a broad-spectrum SPF to protect against both UVA and UVB light. It also prevents the occurrence of cold sore outbreak
Conclusion
Dry, cracked lips are often a sign that your lips need more care and attention. By identifying the cause and taking the right steps to heal them, you can enjoy smooth, healthy lips year-round. Remember, prevention is key—stay hydrated, protect your lips from the elements, and be mindful of the products you use.
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These are good tips. I keep my lips moisture by applying lip mask when I sleep at night.
Oh that’s great 😃
I didn’t realise some of these could be so bad for your lips 🙂 I agree that lip licking can be bad! Thanks for sharing x
I love how you have included the reasons behind dry lips. There is so much that goes into healthy lips. Thank you for sharing.
Darina from daramiblog
Thank you💜
Thank you so much! The solution for chapped lips is something I needed!!! This is so useful ❤️
So glad you found it helpful ☺️
I often bite my lips, so I guess that’s not good. Thanks for the good tips on how to solve the problem of chapped lips.💜💛💜💛 And also I didn’t know the sun could dry my lips.🙈🙈🙈
I bit my lips too!! I think that might be the reason why my lips are always dry!
It is has been a while since I have seen a new post from you, so I loved reading this, especially since my lips have been feeling dry lately. I use mint toothpaste a lot so I wonder if that has anything to do with it!
I have been drinking plenty of water and using lip balm because it is also so hot where I live, I am sure the sun has something to do with it.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Awwwwnnn… I had to take a break because I was feeling exhausted. I love seeing your comments. Dry lips can be due to different things and it’s good to know you are drinking lots of water. Thank you so much for reading 💜
So glad you are back and feeling rejuvenated! Sometimes a break is just what we need. 🙂
This post is very timely! I have had weird, dry lips this summer for the first time ever! They’re finally getting better with plenty of water and the right lip balm, but I tried one “all natural” kind my hubby brought home and I think I actually had an allergic reaction! I need to make myself an exfoliating scrub!
Oooh I like that you gave all of the different reasons for dry lips. I thought it was just dry weather. It is so important that we keep a chapstick on hand, or anything that will keep our lips healthy. Thanks for sharing!
Nancy ✨ exquisitely.me
I definitely need to remember to exfoliate as that really helps me. I like all the other tips and will keep a look out for some better lip balms to use!
Great work,thanks for doing a research on this topic and provided the reasons why lips are dry and what are the solutions for the same.
This is a great article! I use lip balm at night to make sure my lips don’t get dried out. My hubby swears that is why my lips get dried out LOL Now I knew it wasn’t true, but this article has proved it! And the part of about the toothpaste was especially interesting!
Reading this as I bite my lips. No joke! I’m literally gritting them with my teeth as I type 😂
Johnny | Johnny’s Traventures
https://johnnystraventures.com
😂😂😂
This is such a great post. I have had really dry lips here lately due to being out in the sun more, so these tips are very useful!
I have learnt quite a lot from this post! My lips have been drying out latley, but I think it is because I have to wear a mask all day at work so I am breathing differently. A bit of home made lip balm works a treat though!
Thank you for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
I really like that you included tips about exfoliating lips! I experience really dry lips in the winter time and kind of just suffer through it with lip balm. I’ve never tried exfoliating but will definitely give it a shot next time I need it!
My lips are always horribly dry. I use CBD lip balm on them and find that it really helps.
Usually its the weather that makes my lips dry especially in the winter season. And during summer at times it is dry and i use SPF lip balm. Lip masking is something I learn from your post. I will try this! Thanks for sharing! 😉
So glad you found it helpful, thank you for reading 💜
YES! Thank you for this post! My lips are chronically dry. I’m an audiobook narrator, and my soundproof booth is totally sealed and incredibly dry. I have to keep taking breaks to apply lip balm (although reading above, that might be contributing to the overall dryness). Will definitely be trying out some of these products. Thanks!
Yeah staying in soundproof could make your lips dry. You could consider getting a humidifier to help with moisture in the room. Thank you for considering to try out the products and thanks for reading 💜
My lips have been so dry lately, and this really helped me understand why! Thanks for sharing
My lips are dry most of the time, I definitely think for me it could be down to lip licking! Thanks for this post 🙂
Dry lips are the absolute worst. When I was on accutane I had such terribly dry lips so lip masks through out the night and then hydrating lip balms are what I live on now
I love bert’s bees but didn’t know they had a product with sunscreen. Thanks for the info!
I needed this today. My lips are always so chapped in the winter because of the frigid cold climate. I am going to try some of your suggestions out.
Awesome ☺️, thank you for reading
This was a really interesting post. I never knew there could be so many different reasons for dry lips.
I always wear a tinted lip balm, I swear by Burts Bees, they feel sooooo good and I love how natural they are too. But I didn’t know too much Vitamin A could cause lip irritation or dryness, that was interesting to discover! Lisa
Yes, too much vitamin A can cause dry lips and it was interesting when I found out too. Thank you so much for reading 💜
Wow this is such an informative post! Thank you for sharing this a great read and it helped answer some questions!
Amber – https://theunpredictedpage.com
Thank you so much for reading 💜
Thanks for sharing! I am forever applying lip balm and can’t go anywhere without 😂
It’s like you know what I am going through all the time. For some reason today my lips are so chapped. I’m not sure if it’s because I live in FL and it is beyond hot or the lip licking haha thank you for this post though!
I deal with dry lips CONSTANTLY but I never considered that it could be tied into my iron deficiency. I have been taking supplements for that as of late and using lip balm, and they aren’t doing bad. I have to wonder how much of it is actually related to the deficiency… I’m going to have to read into that further!
I didn’t have a problem with dry lips before, but after traveling, I realized that the climate changes would get me. I live by burt’s bees!
Burt bees are great, so glad you are using it
Thanks for these helpful tips! I didn’t realize that the medicated lip balms irritated more than helped! i’m going to have to be more mindful in what I buy now.
I never thought about toothpaste being a cause of dry lips! Mine tend to be worse during winter, so I think that plays a big party for me. I keep trying not to lick my lips too! I’m always searching for the elusive holy grail lip balm.
This is an interesting post. I suffer from chapped lips. I have learnt a few of things that I can do help with it. Thank you for sharing.
I love to use a lip scrub especially in the winter when my lips are incredibly dry, I do find days that I’m not as good at drinking water I do have chapped lips and I’ve been trying to do better with that especially with the dry weather we’ve been having that isn’t helping at all! Thanks for these other awesome tips!
Such an interesting read and so important! I think we are quick to look the other side when it comes to lips|! I found that the night mask from Laneige always works a treat for me x