Constant chapped lips? We've all been there. That uncomfortable feeling of dry, cracked lips can be painful and make us self-conscious but understanding how to prevent and cure chapped lips can make constant chapped lips a thing of the past.
While chapped lips are pretty common, they don’t have to be. There are several easy, simple ways to prevent, cure, and treat chapped lips. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the best tips and tricks for keeping your lips soft, smooth, and healthy all year round.
Why Do My Lips Get Chapped?
Your lips are one of the most sensitive areas on your face so it’s no wonder your lips get dried out more often than not. Chapped lips occur when your lips become dry, cracked, and sometimes even painful. There are several reasons why your lips feel dry and can become chapped.
Weather
Exposure to elements like cold, dry air or hot, windy weather can cause your lips to dry out and become chapped. When the air is dry, it can cause your lips to lose moisture, leaving them dry and chapped. Cold weather especially during winter can also strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to chapped and dry lips in winter.
Dehydration
If you're not drinking enough water or fluids, your body can become dehydrated making your lips feel dry. And since your body prioritizes hydration to its essential organs first, such as your heart and brain, this means your skin and lips are hydrated last.
Your body does have mechanisms in place to maintain some hydration for your skin through oil glands. But this makes your lips particularly susceptible because there is no other mechanism to keep them hydrated like the rest of your body.
Licking Your Lips
If you have chapped lips all the time, it may be because you’re licking your lips too often. Licking your lips may seem like a no-brainer to give your dry lips some temporary relief but the saliva can actually make it worse. The saliva on your lips evaporates quickly, taking away any moisture that was on your lips.
Additionally, saliva contains enzymes that can break down the thin layer of protective skin on your lips, making them more susceptible to further dryness and cracking. So if you frequently lick your lips, you’re only helping to make your lips drier faster.
Allergies or Skin Conditions
Some people may have allergies or skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, that can cause them to have constant chapped lips. For example, if you have eczema, a chronic skin condition that causes itchy and inflamed patches, this can affect your lips and cause them to become dry and cracked.
Allergies to certain foods or environmental factors, such as pollen or cold weather, can also trigger inflammation and dryness in the lips. Unfortunately, some of the medications used to treat these conditions, such as antihistamines or steroids, can cause dryness as a side effect. If you’re not sure if you have an underlying skin condition or allergies, check with your doctor.
Nutritional Deficiencies
A lack of certain vitamins and minerals can contribute to chapped lips because they play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin. For instance, vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, helps to maintain healthy skin by promoting the growth of new cells. A deficiency in this vitamin can result in chapped lips all the time.
Similarly, a lack of vitamin E can cause dryness and inflammation of the skin. Minerals such as zinc and iron are also essential for healthy skin and a deficiency can lead to dryness and chapping of the lips.
How Do I Prevent Chapped Lips?
The best way to deal with constant chapped lips is to prevent them from happening in the first place, especially during harsh conditions. Winter can be a particularly challenging time for people who struggle with constant chapped lips.
The cold, dry air can quickly strip your lips of their natural oils resulting in dry lips in winter. Here are some tips for keeping your lips healthy and hydrated during any time of the year:
Use Lip Balm
Whether or not your lips feel dry, lip balm is an essential tool to prevent chapped lips. Choose a product that contains natural, nourishing ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil for skin, or any other essential oils for skin. Avoid lip products that contain harsh chemicals or ingredients that can dry out your lips. Look for products that are specifically formulated for dry or sensitive lips.
Apply lip balm liberally throughout the day, especially before going outside or in dry environments. And don’t forget about your lips before bedtime when you’re prepping the rest of your skin. Give your lips overnight protection by applying a lip mask like our Lip Trick Lip Treatment.
Stay Hydrated
As stated up above, drinking enough water or fluid is crucial to keep your whole body, including your lips, hydrated. Additionally, water helps to flush out toxins from your body, keeping your skin healthy and reducing the likelihood of inflammation or irritation that can lead to chapped lips.
Aim for at least eight glasses of water per day, and consider carrying a reusable water bottle with you so you can sip throughout the day.
Use a Humidifier
If you live in a dry climate or your indoor environment is dry, using a humidifier can help prevent dry and chapped lips by adding moisture to the air. Dry indoor air can cause your skin, including your lips, to become dehydrated and cracked.
A humidifier helps to combat this by increasing the humidity level in the room, helping to keep your lips and skin moisturized. This is especially important during the winter months when indoor heating systems can dry out the air causing dry lips in winter.
By following these tips, you can prevent chapped lips and keep your lips soft, smooth, and healthy all year round.
How Do I Cure Chapped Lips?
Sometimes chapped lips happen even with the best prevention. Although chapped lips can be uncomfortable and unsightly, the good news is there are quick steps you can take to stop your lips from drying out and heal them. Here are some tips for curing constant chapped lips:
Exfoliate
Exfoliating your lips is an effective way to cure chapped lips by removing the dead skin cells and promoting the growth of new, healthy skin. To exfoliate your lips, you can use a gentle lip scrub made from sugar and coconut oil. Apply the scrub to your lips and gently massage in circular motions for a few minutes then rinse with warm water.
Apply a healing lip treatment with antibacterial agents to protect and moisturize your lips like our Lip Trick Lip Treatment . Exfoliating your lips once a week can help keep them soft, smooth, and free from chapped skin.
Use a Healing Lip Balm
Keeping your lips moisturized is crucial for healing chapped lips. Using a healing lip balm is an essential part of curing chapped lips. Look for a lip balm that contains nourishing all-natural ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin E, or tea tree oil. These ingredients can help soothe irritated skin and promote healing. Avoid using products that contain harsh chemicals or fragrances.
Apply lip balm generously to your lips throughout the day, especially before going to bed. Even after your lips heal, it's important to continue using a healing lip balm to prevent chapped lips from reoccurring.
When Should I Seek Medical Advice?
In most cases, chapped lips can be treated at home through exfoliation and keeping your lips moisturized with a healing lip balm or treatment. But, in some cases, you may need to see a medical professional especially if:
- Your lips are bleeding or have deep cracks or fissures.
- Your lips are swollen, red, or painful.
- You have a fever or other signs of infection.
- You have other symptoms, such as a rash or itching.
- Your chapped lips do not improve with home remedies, persisting for more than a few days.
You may need medical treatment to address any underlying causes especially if you have chapped lips all the time, such as a bacterial or fungal infection, or a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis.
The Bottom Line
Dealing with chapped lips can be a frustrating experience, but it's a common issue that can be prevented and treated with the right habits; drink plenty of water, protect exposure to harsh weather, avoid certain triggers, use the right products, and don’t lick your lips too much. By taking these simple steps, you can prevent constant chapped lips and keep your lips soft, supple, and pain-free.
And if you do find yourself with chapped lips, not to worry - there are many effective remedies you can use to soothe and heal them. With a little bit of care and attention, you can say goodbye to chapped lips and hello to a healthier, happier smile.