Lip Care | Why are My Lips so Dry?
Lips are unique—they sit at the intersection of facial skin and oral tissue, featuring a delicate structure similar to mucous membranes but with an added protective skin layer. Unlike the rest of your skin, lips lack hair follicles and glands that produce sweat, saliva, and oils. This makes them prone to dryness since they have a limited ability to retain moisture.
If you struggle with chapped lips, certain habits could be making things worse. Let’s explore the common mistakes to avoid and the best ways to keep your lips soft, smooth, and hydrated.
💋 What Are Dry Lips?
Dry lips occur when the skin on your lips becomes dehydrated, leading to discomfort, roughness, and sometimes cracking or peeling. This common issue can make your lips feel tight, irritated, or sensitive, especially when speaking, smiling, or eating. If untreated, dry lips may worsen, causing painful fissures or even bleeding.
🚫 5 Habits to Avoid for Healthy Lips
1. Dehydration
Drinking enough water is essential for preventing chapped lips. When your body is dehydrated, your lips are one of the first areas to show dryness. Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily to maintain moisture levels and reduce the chances of cracked, flaky lips. Keeping a water bottle with you can be a simple way to stay hydrated throughout the day.
2. Licking Your Lips
Many people instinctively lick their lips when they feel dry, but this actually makes the problem worse. Saliva evaporates quickly, stripping away the natural protective barrier and leaving lips drier than before. Instead of licking, reach for a hydrating lip balm to lock in moisture.
3. Picking or Biting Your Lips
It can be tempting to pick off flaky skin, but this habit can cause further irritation and damage. Biting or peeling the skin from chapped lips prevents proper healing, creating a cycle of dryness, discomfort, and even small wounds that take longer to recover.
4. Breathing Through Your Mouth
Mouth breathing—especially while sleeping—accelerates moisture loss and leads to excessive dryness. It also increases the urge to lick your lips, making chapping even worse. If you often wake up with dry lips, try using a humidifier in your bedroom and focus on nasal breathing during the day.
5. Using Irritating Lip Products
Not all lip balms are created equal. Some contain harsh ingredients that can worsen chapped lips instead of healing them. Avoid lip products with:
❌ Fragrances & Flavors – Can contain chemicals that cause irritation.
❌ Mint, Citrus, Vanilla, or Cinnamon – These flavors may trigger sensitivity.
❌ Shiny Glosses Without SPF – Can attract UV rays, leading to sun damage.
❌ Artificial Colors & Dyes – May cause irritation without any real benefits.
❌ Menthol, Phenol, or Salicylic Acid – Known for their cooling/exfoliating properties but can strip natural moisture, worsening dryness.
❌ Camphor, Lanolin, Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, or Propyl Gallate – May act as irritants, delaying the healing process.
✅ Best Ingredients for Healing Chapped Lips
When choosing a lip balm, look for these soothing and protective ingredients recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology Association:
✔️ Shea Butter – Deeply hydrates and nourishes.
✔️ Ceramides – Helps restore the skin’s natural barrier.
✔️ Castor Seed Oil – Moisturizes and softens lips.
✔️ Dimethicone – Seals in moisture and prevents water loss.
✔️ Hemp Seed Oil – Packed with omega fatty acids for nourishment.
✔️ Mineral Oil & Petrolatum – Forms a protective shield against dryness.
✔️ White Petroleum Jelly – Locks in moisture and protects from external irritants.
✔️ Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide – Provides essential sun protection for delicate lips.
🏡 Moisturize Chapped Lips with Natural Remedies
If your lips are feeling extra dry, natural home remedies can provide relief. Try these simple and effective treatments:
🌿 Petroleum Jelly – Apply a thin layer of Vaseline to seal in moisture and protect lips from external factors.
🍯 Honey – With antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, honey soothes chapped lips and prevents infection. (Avoid if allergic to bee products.)
🌱 Aloe Vera – Extract fresh aloe vera gel and apply it a few times daily for hydration and healing.
🥥 Coconut Oil – Contains natural anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. Apply throughout the day as needed.
🥑 Avocado Butter – Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, this natural butter deeply moisturizes and nourishes dry lips.
🍬 Sugar Exfoliation – A gentle sugar scrub can help remove dead skin cells, allowing your lips to better absorb moisture.
🌦️ How to Prevent Dry Lips in Different Seasons
Your lips are exposed to the elements all year round, and just like your skin, they need special care during different seasons. Whether it's the harsh cold of winter or the scorching sun of summer, your lips can become dry and chapped if not properly protected. Here’s how to adjust your lip care routine to each season:
❄️ Winter Lip Care: Shield Against Cold & Dry Air
Winter weather can be brutal on your lips, with cold temperatures and dry air stripping away moisture. To keep your lips soft and hydrated, try these tips:
- Use a Rich Lip Balm: Choose a nourishing lip balm with ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, or petroleum jelly to form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
- Avoid Lip Licking: In cold weather, licking your lips can make them even drier. Instead, apply a moisturizing lip balm regularly to keep your lips hydrated.
- Use a Humidifier: Indoor heating can dry out the air in your home. Using a humidifier can help restore moisture to the air, preventing your lips from drying out.
- Cover Your Lips: If you’re heading outdoors, protect your lips by wearing a scarf or mask to shield them from harsh winds and cold temperatures.
🌞 Summer Lip Care: Protect from the Sun & Heat
In the summer, your lips are at risk from the sun’s harmful UV rays and excessive heat. Without protection, they can become sunburned, dry, and cracked. Here’s how to keep your lips safe during the warmer months:
- SPF Lip Balm: Look for lip balms with SPF 15 or higher to shield your lips from UV damage. Just like your skin, your lips need sun protection to prevent burns and premature aging.
- Stay Hydrated: Hot weather can lead to dehydration, which affects your lips. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body and lips hydrated.
- Avoid Drying Products: Avoid lip glosses that don’t contain SPF, as they can attract UV rays and cause damage. Opt for matte, SPF-infused lip balms instead.
- Moisturize Regularly: The summer heat can dry out your lips, so apply a hydrating lip balm throughout the day to maintain softness and suppleness.
By adjusting your lip care routine for the changing seasons, you can keep your lips healthy, soft, and protected all year long. Whether it’s the dry cold of winter or the sun-drenched days of summer, your lips will thank you for the extra care!
💜 Discover Lavender Backyard Garden’s Lavender Lip Balm
At Lavender Backyard Garden, a New Zealand-based herb farm, we grow lavender and rosemary and use steam distillation to produce our own essential oils.
One of our all-time favorite products? Our Lavender Lip Balm! Made with natural oils and shea butter, it provides deep hydration while infusing your lips with a soothing lavender scent.
💜 Ready to experience soft, nourished lips?
Explore our Lavender Lip Balm and bring nature’s healing touch to your lip care routine.
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