If, like ours, your lips seem to have started Dry January early, it’s worth knowing there are a few key causes of dry lips – as well as a couple of bad habits that exacerbate them, which the majority of us are guilty of doing on a daily basis. As temperatures plummet, it’s worth cutting out these bad habits to try and salvage chapped and dry lips, as well as taking precautions to prevent them from getting worse. But why are our lips so much more prone to dryness int he first place?
“One of the main differences between the skin on our lips and the rest of the body is that it is much thinner, typically consisting of 3-5 layers in total compared to as many as 16 on the face,” explains consultant dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk. “Our lips also lack the upper layer of epidermis, known as the stratum corneum, which serves a protective function, prevents dehydration and combats UV radiation.
“Another key difference is that our lips do not contain the glands found elsewhere on our skin,” she continues. “They are thus more likely to get dry and chapped as they don’t have the same natural oils to keep them soft and smooth. Cold, harsh temperatures, reduction in humidity due to central heating and repeated licking to moisten our lips can all contribute to drying them out.”
As well as eliminating the most common causes of dry lips, you’ll need to invest in one of the best lip balms that’s packed with nourishing, reparative and protective ingredients to see your lips through to summer. Keep scrolling to discover how to avoid dry lips, as well as some of the very best products to treat them…
1. Vitamin deficiency
Vitamin B2 is essential for cell function and in turn, healthy lips. Eat plenty of vitamin B2 rich foods like eggs and lean meat to keep yours in check all year round. Zinc and iron deficiency have also been linked to dry lips, so load up on your greens to help keep things balanced.
2. Licking your lips
It seems counter-intuitive, but licking your lips will actually make things a whole lot worse. “Avoid licking your lips; when the moisture evaporates off the lip surface, it dries them out further,” says Dr Kluk. Message received: when you catch yourself licking your lips, stop!
3. Fragranced lip balm
If you are applying lip balm and still finding yourself with dry lips then check the ingredients of you chosen balm. Some contain fragrances that some lips are sensitive to and can cause them to dry out. “If your lips are very sore or sensitive, avoid heavily flavoured or fragranced products as this may sometimes aggravate things further,” Dr Kluk confirms. You may even have an allergy to the lip products you’re using, like shea butter, beeswax or castor oil. Our doctor also notes that using scrubs, soaps, or foaming cleansers could also be behind excessive dryness on the lips, so take careful note of the products you are using and adjust your regime accordingly.