Dry lips

What causes dry lips?

Got dry flaking lips? Wondering what you can do to help? Read on as The Mix explains what causes dry lips and how to fix them. The path to lush lips begins here.

What causes dry lips?

Cold weather is a common cause, as well as hot, dry weather and prolonged sun exposure (which can also cause a whole load of other problems).

In hot weather, vital moisture evaporates from the surface of your lips, drying them out and sometimes leading to peeling and bleeding. Licking dry lips actually dries them out even more.

Best way to prevent dry lips

It’s best to get yourself a lip balm if you want to heal chapped lips. Many balms contain cocoa butter, which some people have an allergic reaction to – so if your lips are still scaly after patient use of balm, try a brand that doesn’t contain it, or try something like coconut oil. Regularly applying a lip balm is one of the best ways to keep your mush looking magnificent.

Making sure you stay hydrated can also help, but chronic chapped lips might be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, particularly in folate (vitamin B9), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and vitamins B6 and B12. Getting a balanced diet can help fix that.

What should I do if I have dry, cracked lips?

• Rest a wet, warm flannel over your lips to soften up the skin.
• Remove after 30 seconds, and apply a layer of petroleum jelly onto your lips. Leave to sink in for three to four minutes.
• Using your warm flannel once more, gently rub away the excess petroleum jelly. This will also serve to peel away any loose skin.
• Finish with an application of lip balm, and check out the results.

Congratulations. You may have started with lips like a polar explorer, but now you can pucker up with passion and panache.

Could something else be making my lips dry?

Dry, swollen, or cracked lips can also be caused by allergies, infections, drugs, and a number of medical problems. If simple methods to help the situation have failed, it’s always best to contact your GP. 

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