Dry lips are a problem for many people, especially in colder areas. The skin on the lips is much thinner. It dries out the lips ten times faster due to lack of sweat glands. But, it is not only those people living in cold weather experiencing dry, chapped lips.
People living in tropical countries experience dry lips due to dehydration. Do not let your lips dry out without doing anything. Keep its hydration by applying lip balm for dry lips.
Causes of chapped lips
Chapped lips happen for different reasons. There are common causes of chapped lips that you will understand here.
Cold weather
Cold weather is a common cause of chapped and dry lips. It dries out keratin. You can find keratin in:
- hair
- nails
- skin
Keratin works to:
- protects the skin from irritants
- locks in moisture
Lips have more keratin than the rest of the body. Thus, the lips are prone to:
- Dryness
- Cracking
Dry lips are painful when they start to get cracked. It will not be as good as before when applying lipstick as the crack gets noticeable. Thanks to this lip balm that encourages protein production to help the skin moisturize again.
Dry wind and air
Dry wind and air damage keratin. It makes the lips dry and cracked until it turns peeling. The keratin separates from the top layer of the lip. The lips are more prone to dryness when exposed to:
- dry air
- wind
- cold air
Chapped lips are commonly experienced after outdoor activities, such as:
- water sports
- skiing
Lip licking
Licking the lips is natural when they feel dry. But licking too much can cause chapped and dry lips. Licking them too much makes it constantly in a wet dry cycle. The skin barrier disrupts, which causes inflammation.
Allergic reaction
Some people feel their lips are dry despite constantly applying lip balm. ISome lip balms contain ingredients causing an allergic reaction. A skin allergic to lip balm can cause:
- peeling
- irritation
- itching
Over much sun exposure
Sunlight exposure boosts:
- mood
- health
Unprotected sunburn can cause sunburn, even on the lips. This can lead to:
- inflamed
- dry
- painful
Over sun exposure without applying a sun protection product can lead to precancerous spots called actinic cheilitis. Lips are more vulnerable to UV damage. They are thinner skin and less pigmented than the surrounding skin. The pigment has natural sun protection. Being less pigmented makes it vulnerable.
Sun-damaged spots cause skin cancer when left untreated.
Tobacco
People who smoke develop glandular cheilitis. It is a lip condition that causes:
- dryness
- swelling
- uneven bumps
Glandular cheilitis increases the risk of:
- lip infections
- lip cancer
Infections
A lip infection called angular cheilitis develops when the lips are infected with:
- bacteria
- yeast
- fungus
These can lead to painful cracks in the lip corners and peeling. People with cold sores can develop dry lips.
FAQs
Can lip balms treat chapped lips?
Lip balms can treat chapped lips. It has an instant relief by creating a protective layer on the lips. It traps the moisture on the lips to prevent it from chapping.
How to know if it is the best lip balm?
Pick a lip balm that cannot worsen inflammation. It must be free from:
The best lip moisturizer contains:
Can dry lips be treated in just days?
The treatment duration depends on the severity of lip dryness. Expect to take some time to hydrate the lip to regain its moisture. A lip balm heals dry lips with consistent use. Do not expect to treat super dry lips in just 2 days of application.