We explore what are the most common causes of dry lips and how you can naturally take care of them every season.
Dry or chapped lips are a common issue that both men and women can deal with at any time in their lives. It’s a daily problem for some but a rare occurrence for others and is primarily benign and easily resolvable.
Several factors contribute to dry lips, including lifestyle, health, and environmental factors. Learning about the common causes of dry lips enables you to identify the root cause of the issue as soon as it arises.
Dehydration
One of the most common causes of chapped lips is inadequate fluid intake. When you’re dehydrated, the body pulls water away from the less important areas of the body, such as the lips, to preserve this fluid for vital organs that need water to function optimally.
As a result, you can end up with chapped lips that become sore and cracked. Drinking enough water throughout the day is essential for staying hydrated and avoiding dryness in your lips.
Licking Your Lips
Although licking your lips provides some temporary relief from dryness, it causes your lips to become drier in the long run. Saliva contains enzymes that can break down the top layer of the skin on the lips, causing them to become dry and potentially chapped.
As tempting as it is to lick your lips when they’re dry, avoid doing so and use some nourishing lip balm instead.
Winter Weather
Many people find that their lips become especially dry and chapped during the winter months. When the weather is cold and dry in winter, it can cause your lips to become the same by stripping the natural oils and moisture from them.
Many people spend most of their time indoors with the heating on high during the cold months of the year. This can reduce humidity and dry the lips out further.
Staying hydrated and using moisturising lip balm are helpful ways to reduce the drying effects of the winter weather.
Medications
Certain medications, such as acne treatments and chemotherapy drugs, can cause dehydration and dry out the lips and skin. If you suspect your current medications are causing your lips to become dry, consult your doctor about switching to new medications that don’t dehydrate your skin and lips.
Sun Exposure
Just as the cold weather can dry your lips in winter, the hot summer months can also wreak havoc on your skin and lips. Prolonged exposure to the ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage the delicate skin on your lips and cause them to become dry, chapped, and cracked.
Wearing lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) will reduce the run of dryness caused by sun exposure during summer.
Skin Care Product Reactions
Being allergic to the ingredients found in skin care products like cleansers or serums can cause adverse reactions on the lips. These products can strip the natural oils from the lips, causing dryness and irritation.
Choosing sustainable makeup and skin care products that are designed for those with sensitive skin will reduce any negative side effects and enable you to establish a natural skincare routine.
A Guide on Natural Carrier Oils for Your DIY Beauty Products
