How to Prevent Dry, Chapped Lips

Dry lips can crack and become painful. This issue may arise from various causes, including dry weather, licking your lips, and using certain medications. It can be especially troublesome in winter. Fortunately, you can prevent it by following a few simple habits.

Apply lip balm regularly. Lip balm promotes healing and helps prevent dry lips. You can also use it to maintain moisture and protect your lips from environmental irritants.

• Reapply lip balm every one to two hours to treat dry lips and keep them healthy.
• Use a lip balm with at least SPF 16 to protect your lips from sun damage.
• Apply lip balm after using a moisturizer.
• Look for lip balms that contain beeswax, petroleum jelly, or dimethicone.

Apply petroleum jelly to your lips. Similar to lip balm, petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) helps lock in moisture and protect the lips. It can even protect you from the sun, which can dry and crack your lips.

• Apply sunscreen designed specifically for lips under the petroleum jelly layer.

Use a moisturizing product. Moisturizers help maintain hydration for your lips and make it easier for them to absorb the moisture. A moisturizer is a key part of keeping your lips properly hydrated. Look for moisturizing products with ingredients like:

• Shea Butter
• Emu Butter
• Vitamin E Oil
• Coconut Oil

Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. If you live in a dry climate, a humidifier can help prevent dry lips. You can find these devices in most supermarkets or electronics stores.

• Maintain indoor humidity levels around 30-50%.
• Keep the humidifier clean by following the manufacturer's instructions. Otherwise, mold or bacteria may grow, leading to potential health risks.
• Apply less lipstick. Lipstick can dry out your lips, so opt for lip gloss or, ideally, skip lipstick altogether. If you must wear it, avoid matte formulas as they tend to dry out your lips.

Avoid going outside in extreme weather without protecting your lips. Exposure to the sun, wind, and cold temperatures can dry out your lips. Always apply lip balm or cover your lips with a scarf before heading outside.

• Keep your lips moisturized with lip balm or sunscreen-infused lip care to prevent sunburn (yes, lips can get sunburned too!).
• Apply lip balm 30 minutes before heading out.
• If you're swimming, remember to reapply lip balm regularly.

Check the necessary vitamins and nutrients you're consuming. A deficiency in any vitamin can lead to dry, cracked lips. You must ensure that you're providing enough of the following vitamins and minerals to your body, and consult a doctor if you're unsure about whether you're getting the required amounts:

• Vitamin B Complex
• Iron
• Essential Fatty Acids
• Multivitamins
• Mineral Supplements

Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can cause your lips to become dry and cracked. Make sure to drink enough water to keep your lips hydrated.

• In winter, the air tends to be drier, so you need to increase your water intake.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.

Eliminate allergens. Your lips can react to certain chemicals. Fragrances and dyes are common culprits. If your lips are often dry or cracked, choose fragrance- and dye-free products.

• Toothpaste can also be a major trigger. If your lips itch, feel dry, sore, or blister after brushing your teeth, you might be allergic to the ingredients in your toothpaste. Try switching to a natural, preservative-free, fragrance-free toothpaste.
• For women, lipstick is a common cause of lip inflammation (contact dermatitis), while for men, toothpaste is often the culprit.

Don’t lick your lips. Licking your lips can make them even drier. While it may seem like you're moisturizing them, in reality, it only dries them out. “Lip-licking dermatitis” commonly happens to people who lick their lips frequently, leading to rashes around the lips. Instead, use a moisturizing product for your lips.

• Avoid flavored lip glosses, as they can make you lick your lips more often.
• Don’t apply products too frequently, as it might make you lick your lips.

Avoid biting or picking at your lips. Biting your lips removes the protective layer around them, making them drier. Instead of biting or picking, give your lips time to heal and perform their natural function.

• Be mindful of when you bite or pick at your lips, as you might not even realize you're doing it.
• Ask friends to remind you not to bite or pick at your lips when they see you doing it.

Avoid certain foods. Spicy and acidic foods can irritate your lips. Observe your lips after eating and watch for signs of irritation. Try eliminating these foods from your diet for a couple of weeks to see if your lip condition improves.

• Avoid foods with heavy chili or hot sauces.
• Stay away from foods high in acid like tomatoes.
• Some foods, like mango peels, contain irritants you should avoid.

Breathe through your nose. Breathing through your mouth can lead to dry, cracked lips. Instead, make a conscious effort to breathe through your nose.

• If you have trouble breathing through your nose, consult a doctor. You may have allergies or another condition that causes nasal congestion.

Check the medications you're taking. Some medications may cause dry lips as a side effect. Consult with your doctor to find out if any of your current medications might be the cause. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs commonly linked to dry lips include:

• Antidepressants
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Pain relievers
• Severe acne treatments (like Accutane)
• Decongestants, allergy medications, and other respiratory treatments
• Never stop taking medication without your doctor's approval.
• Talk to your doctor about alternative medications or ways to manage these side effects.

Know when to see a doctor. In some cases, dry, cracked lips could be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires professional diagnosis. Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Your lips remain dry and cracked despite trying various treatments.
• Severe pain from dry, cracked lips.
• Swelling or discharge from your lips.
• Cuts at the corners of your lips.
• Sores near or on your lips.
• A non-healing lesion on your lips.