Why lips dry out so easily
Lips are different from the rest of your face. The outer layer of skin on the lips is very thin, and lips do not have oil glands the way most facial skin does. That means they have little natural protection against losing water, so they dry out faster than other skin. They are also constantly exposed, since they sit at the edge of the face, face the wind and sun, and are in contact with food, drinks and saliva all day.
Chapped lips usually show up as dryness, tightness, peeling or small cracks, and sometimes soreness or a little bleeding. For most people this is a short-term nuisance rather than a medical problem.
Common causes
Several everyday factors often combine.
- Cold, windy weather. Cold air holds little moisture and wind speeds up evaporation, so lips tend to suffer in winter. The same dryness can appear in other seasons, too, which ties into broader winter skin care habits.
- Dry indoor air. Heating and air conditioning can lower humidity. The effect of indoor air on skin and lips is a quiet but frequent factor.
- Licking the lips. Saliva feels soothing for a moment, but as it evaporates it tends to leave lips drier than before. This creates a cycle of licking and drying. Lip balms and that cycle are closely linked, so it deserves its own discussion.
- Mouth breathing. Breathing through the mouth, often during a cold, with a blocked nose, or during sleep, dries the lips.
- Sun exposure. Lips can get sunburned, and sun can leave them dry and rough.
- Picking or biting. Pulling at flakes can tear the skin and delay healing.
- Irritating products. Some toothpastes, lipsticks, flavored products or fragrances can irritate lips in people who are sensitive to them. If lips become red, itchy or swollen after a product, the reaction may be an irritation or an allergy, and the difference between skin allergies and irritation is worth knowing.
- Dehydration and general health. Not drinking enough fluids can contribute, though the effect of drinking water on skin is more modest than people often assume. Some medications and medical conditions also cause dry lips.
Simple habits that help
Gentle, consistent care usually works better than anything complicated.
Keep a plain, protective balm on hand. A simple balm that forms a barrier over the lips slows water loss. Apply it when lips start to feel dry, and before going outside in cold or windy weather. Applying it before bed is a common habit, since lips are not moisturized by eating or drinking overnight.
Resist licking and picking. This is the hardest part. If you notice yourself licking your lips, reach for the balm instead. Let flakes come off by themselves, or soften them with balm and wipe very gently with a soft damp cloth. Pulling them off can make things worse.
Use sun protection. A lip product with sun protection helps, particularly outdoors. Understanding SPF numbers can help you choose one, and reapplying matters because lips are wiped off by eating and drinking.
Add humidity if the air is dry. In a very dry bedroom, room humidifiers can make things more comfortable for some people, as long as they are cleaned as directed.
Drink fluids and breathe through the nose if you can. If a stuffy nose is forcing mouth breathing, treating the cause of the congestion may help the lips too.
Be careful with exfoliating. Light scrubs are sometimes suggested for flaky lips, but thin lip skin can be irritated by them. Many people do fine with no scrub at all, and if you try one, a gentle approach once in a while is the more cautious route.
Choosing what goes on your lips
If your lips are sore or peeling, simpler is typically better. Strongly flavored, minty, tingling or heavily fragranced products can feel nice but may irritate sensitive lips, and fragrance sensitivity is a common reason for reactions. Pay attention to how your lips respond: if a product seems to make them worse, stop using it.
If you wear lipstick, a hydrating balm underneath and gentle removal at night helps. Rubbing hard to remove color is likely to dry the skin further, so soften first with a balm and wipe gently.
When to see a professional
Chapped lips usually improve within days to a couple of weeks with gentle care. See a doctor, dentist or dermatologist if:
- the cracking is persistent, deep or painful, especially at the corners of the mouth
- lips are swollen, blistered or have sores that do not heal
- you notice a patch that is white, red, crusted or rough and does not go away
- dryness appears alongside other symptoms, or after starting a new medication
Persistent changes on the lips, particularly on the lower lip that gets the most sun, are worth having examined. This article is general information and not medical advice, and individual results vary.