Chapped Lips: Why They Happen & How to Heal Them
Winter weather can be tough on the skin, and your lips are no exception. The combination of cold air outside and dry indoor heating can strip moisture from your lips, leaving them cracked, peeling, and irritated. Unlike the rest of your skin, lips lack oil glands, making them more vulnerable to dehydration and environmental damage.
If you’ve ever experienced chronic dry lips, you’re not alone. While many people reach for lip balm as a quick fix, understanding the root causes of chapped lips and how to properly treat them can help you achieve long-term relief.
What Are Chapped Lips?
Chapped lips, also known as cheilitis, refer to lips that are dry, cracked, or peeling due to moisture loss. This condition is especially common in colder months but can also occur due to dehydration, sun exposure, or irritating lip products.
Because the skin on your lips is thinner and more delicate than other areas, it is more prone to environmental damage. Unlike other parts of your body, lips do not contain sebaceous (oil) glands, meaning they cannot produce their own moisture. This is why external hydration and protection are crucial for maintaining smooth, healthy lips.
Symptoms of Chapped Lips:
Dryness or tightness
Visible cracks or fissures
Flaking or peeling skin
Tenderness or irritation
In severe cases, bleeding or sores
If left untreated, chapped lips can worsen, leading to painful cracks that may even increase the risk of infection.
What Causes Chapped Lips?
Chapped lips can develop for several reasons, often due to a combination of environmental, lifestyle, and health-related factors. Understanding the root causes can help you prevent and effectively treat this common winter skin concern.
1. Cold Weather & Dry Air
During winter, the humidity levels drop both outdoors and indoors due to heating systems. This lack of moisture in the air leads to increased evaporation from the skin, including the lips, making them dry, flaky, and more prone to cracking.
2. Frequent Lip Licking
It’s common to lick your lips when they feel dry, but this habit actually worsens the problem. Saliva evaporates quickly, leaving lips drier than before. Additionally, the digestive enzymes in saliva can break down the delicate skin on the lips, leading to irritation and peeling.
3. Dehydration
If your body is not getting enough water, your lips are often one of the first places to show signs of dehydration. Lack of adequate hydration reduces the body’s ability to maintain moisture, leading to persistent dryness.
4. Sun Exposure
Many people associate sunburn with summer, but UV rays can damage your lips even in winter. Lips lack melanin (the pigment that protects the skin from sun damage), making them more vulnerable to sunburn, which can cause peeling, inflammation, and long-term dryness.
5. Irritating Lip Products
Certain lip balms, lipsticks, or matte liquid lip products may contain drying ingredients like:
Menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus – These may feel soothing initially but can irritate the skin over time.
Fragrances and artificial flavors – Some scented lip products can cause an allergic reaction or further dryness.
Matte lipsticks – These often have a drying formula that pulls moisture away from the lips.
6. Vitamin Deficiencies
Lack of certain vitamins, particularly B vitamins (B2, B6, B12) and iron, can lead to dry, cracked lips. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) deficiency is especially linked to cheilitis, a condition where lips become inflamed and cracked at the corners.
7. Breathing Through Your Mouth
Chronic mouth breathing, often due to nasal congestion, allergies, or sleep apnea, can dry out the lips quickly. This is especially common at night when airflow continuously passes over the lips, leading to morning dryness and peeling.
8. Certain Medications
Some medications contribute to dryness as a side effect, including:
Accutane (Isotretinoin) – A common acne medication that severely reduces oil production.
Antihistamines – Used for allergies, but they dry out mucous membranes, including the lips.
Diuretics – Prescribed for high blood pressure, these medications reduce water retention and can contribute to dehydration.
The Best Treatments for Chapped Lips
Treating chapped lips is important, but prevention is the key to keeping them soft, smooth, and hydrated year-round. By making simple adjustments to your daily routine, you can protect your lips from common irritants and avoid the discomfort of dryness and cracking.
1. Apply a Protective Lip Balm Daily
Using a moisturizing, ointment-based lip balm throughout the day helps create a barrier against environmental damage. Look for formulas containing petrolatum, shea butter, and ceramides to keep moisture locked in.
For added protection, choose a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to shield against UV rays, which can cause sunburn and long-term dryness. Even in winter, sun exposure can contribute to chapped lips.
2. Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day
Drinking enough water is essential for skin hydration, including your lips. When the body is dehydrated, the lips are often one of the first areas to show signs of dryness. Aim for at least eight glasses of water per day, and include hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and oranges in your diet.
3. Avoid Lip Products with Irritating Ingredients
Certain lip balms and lipsticks contain ingredients that can actually make chapped lips worse. Avoid:
Menthol, eucalyptus, and camphor – Often included for a cooling sensation but can dry out lips over time.
Artificial fragrances and flavors – May cause irritation or allergic reactions.
Matte lipsticks – These formulas tend to be drying. If wearing lipstick, apply a hydrating balm underneath.
4. Protect Your Lips in Harsh Weather
Cold wind and dry indoor heating can strip moisture from the lips. To minimize exposure:
Wear a scarf or mask in cold weather to cover your lips.
Use a humidifier indoors to add moisture back into the air.
Apply a thick lip ointment before going outdoors to prevent moisture loss.
5. Apply Lip Balm Before Bed
Overnight moisture loss is common, especially for those who breathe through their mouths while sleeping. Applying a thick layer of lip balm or petroleum jelly before bed helps keep lips hydrated and prevents them from drying out overnight.
6. Exfoliate Occasionally, But Gently
Gentle exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and improve moisture absorption. However, only exfoliate when lips are mildly dry, never when they are cracked or bleeding. Use a sugar and honey scrub or a soft toothbrush to buff away flakes, then follow up with a nourishing lip balm.
5 Best Home Remedies for Chapped Lips
If you're looking for natural ways to heal and prevent dry, cracked lips, these five home remedies are among the most effective. They work by locking in moisture, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing without the need for artificial ingredients.
1. Honey
Honey is a powerful humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin while also providing antibacterial properties to prevent infection. It helps soften dry lips and speeds up healing.
How to Use: Apply a thin layer of raw honey to your lips and let it sit for 10–15 minutes before rinsing or gently dabbing it off.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids that deeply nourish dry lips and reduce inflammation. It acts as a natural emollient, sealing in moisture to prevent further dryness.
How to Use: Dab a small amount onto your lips several times a day, especially before bed.
3. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is known for its cooling and soothing properties, making it an excellent remedy for irritated or cracked lips. It helps heal minor wounds and reduces redness.
How to Use: Extract fresh aloe vera gel from a leaf and apply a thin layer to your lips. Let it absorb naturally.
4. Shea Butter
Shea butter acts as a moisture barrier, keeping lips soft while also providing anti-inflammatory benefits. It is particularly useful in cold weather, protecting lips from environmental damage.
How to Use: Apply a small amount before going outside or before bed for overnight hydration.
5. Green Tea Bag Compress
Green tea contains antioxidants and polyphenols that help reduce inflammation and promote healing. This remedy is especially beneficial if your lips feel sore or irritated.
How to Use: Steep a green tea bag in warm water, let it cool slightly, then press it gently against your lips for a few minutes.
The Key to Healthy, Hydrated Lips Year-Round
Chapped lips can be uncomfortable and even painful, but with the right care and preventative steps, you can keep them soft, smooth, and hydrated all year long. The key to healthy lips lies in consistent moisture, protection from environmental factors, and avoiding bad habits that contribute to dryness.
By using an ointment-based lip balm, staying hydrated, and applying natural remedies like honey, coconut oil, or shea butter, you can effectively treat and prevent chapped lips. Additionally, protecting your lips from harsh weather, avoiding irritants, and applying SPF daily will help maintain long-term lip health.
If dryness persists despite proper care, it may be a sign of an underlying issue such as nutrient deficiencies, allergies, or medication side effects. In such cases, consulting a healthcare provider can help identify the cause and recommend the best treatment.
With simple daily habits and the right lip care routine, you can enjoy healthy, hydrated lips no matter the season.
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