Relief for Dry, Chapped or Cracked Lips

What are chapped lips?
What causes chapped lips?
How to soothe chapped lips
How to prevent chapped lips
Most people associate chapped lips with the wintertime, but the truth is, you can have dry, chapped lips any time of year. Why? Unlike other parts of your body, your lips don’t have sweat or oil (sebaceous) glands.

This means they don’t produce their own natural layer of oils and moisture to help protect them from the elements. So, whether you’re lounging at the beach or hitting the slopes, it’s a good idea to keep your lips hydrated (or protected from moisture loss). Find out what causes lips to become chapped or cracked, and how to use Aquaphor for chapped lips.

What are chapped lips?
Chapped lips are when your lips feel dry, tight, or really rough, or uncomfortable. Your lips may potentially be flaky or cracked too. While this is more common in the winter due to the cold and dry air, they can occur at any point in the year, especially in the summer from increased sun exposure.

Sides of lips chapped

If you’ve noticed dry patches or uncomfortable cracks where the lips meet, you may be suffering from angular cheilitis. This can develop when saliva collects in the corners of your mouth. Once dried, the sides of the lips can become chapped and cracked.

Chapped sides of the lips can usually be helped with lip balms to moisturize lip skin. However, if the sides of your lips do not improve – or symptoms spread to the rest of your lips – you should seek medical advice. Antifungal creams or medications may be required.

What causes chapped lips?
Compared to the rest of our body, the skin on our lips is more sensitive and thinner, and our lips don’t contain any oil glands. While most areas of our body have hair as an extra level of protection, our lips are one of three areas that don’t (palms and the soles of our feet are the other two).

Here are a few common causes of dry, chapped lips—some might even surprise you! Learn what causes chapped lips:

Dry air: A major irritant to the exposed skin of your lips, you’re likely exposed to dry air both inside and outside. So wherever you go, dry air wicks away moisture, causing chapped lips.
Sun exposure: Soaking up rays is also a culprit of dry, chapped lips (even in cold climates!). Winter or summer, if the sun is out, your lips can be affected.
Licking your lips: This is one of the worst things that you can do when you have dry, chapped lips. While you may think that you’re adding immediate moisture, licking your lips actually makes them drier. Why? When the saliva dries up, the moisture from your lips goes with it.
How to soothe chapped lips
Now that you know what causes dry, chapped lips, let’s talk about how you can take care of them. Here are some simple remedies to help restore your lips to their soft, kissable best!

Apply an ointment: Aquaphor Healing Ointment® protects and helps relieve chapped, dry, cracked or irritated skin and lips
Layer on protection: Remember how lips don’t create their own moisture barrier? Add one! Aquaphor® Lip Repair provides oils and moisture that soothe chapped lips, as well as nourishing vitamins and soothing shea butter to help soften lips.
Drink up: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Thirst isn’t the best indicator of when your body needs water. In fact, many adults may not get thirsty until after they are dehydrated. So, if your mouth starts to feel a little dry, have a drink of water.
Avoid certain flavors: Believe it or not, what you eat can play a role in drying out your lips. Certain flavors, like cinnamon, citrus, mint, and peppermint, can irritate your lips. It’s best to eat these flavors in moderation, and to stay away from them when your lips are chapped already.
Use a humidifier at home: These devices can provide moisture in the air. Using one in the bedroom can be especially useful for those who breathe through their mouth while sleeping.