Chapped Lips: Causes, Treatment & Prevention Tips
Dry, chapped lips are one of the most common concerns anyone may have. This may be caused by sudden changes in the weather, dehydration, excessive sun exposure, or even the use of harsh makeup products that are not suited to your skin type. Unlike the other parts of your body, your lip skin is probably very sensitive, which makes it more prone to dryness and moisture loss.
Let’s understand what chapped lips are, what causes chapped lips, and how they can be treated.
What are chapped lips?
Lips are covered with a thinner layer of more sensitive skin. Since they do not contain oil glands, there is a high chance that your lips will dry out easily. And as a result, it gets cracked or becomes chapped.
What are the causes of dry and chapped lips?
From environmental factors to other factors, there can be many reasons to blame for chapped lips, but here are some of the most common causes of chapped lips:
1. Dehydration:
When the body is dehydrated, there is a high chance of getting chapped lips. This can occur when the body deprives the moisture, creating dehydration and chapped lips at the same time.
2. Sun Exposure or Sunburn:
Directly facing the sunlight can be the reason for chapped lips. This occurs when the lips are often exposed to the sun. The more severe the burn is, the higher the chances of feeling dry or chapped lips. A lip balm such as Chemist At Play Lip Balm for Chapped & Pigmented Lips combines moisturization, sun protection, and pigmentation care in a single step, making it suitable for everyday use.
3. Cold Weather:
Cold weather and chilled waves can often be the reason for chapped lips. As the skin of the lips is slightly thinner than other parts of the body, there is a high chance that your lips will get dried out during cold weather.
4. Allergies:
Coming into contact with any form of allergies on the lips can also be the cause of your lips feeling dried out or chapped.
How to get rid of chapped lips?
To heal your chapped lips, you need to follow a basic routine such as locking in the moisture with the right lip balm, using a petroleum jelly lip balm for hydration and moisture.
1. Use a Nourishing Lip Balm
A moisturizing lip balm helps restore hydration and protect the lips from further moisture loss.
Look for ingredients such as:
- Shea Butter
- Kojic Acid
- Ceramides
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Vitamin E
Apply throughout the day and reapply whenever your lips feel dry.
2. Stay hydrated
Drinking adequate water supports overall skin hydration and helps prevent recurring dryness.
3. Apply lip balm before sleeping
Just like it is said that moisturizing your skin before bedtime, on the other hand, keeping your lips nourished is also important. This process helps repair dry lips overnight.
4. Gently exfoliate
If you are feeling excessive flaky skin on your lips, try a gentle exfoliation once or twice a week. This may help remove dead skin cells.
Lifestyle changes for chapped lips
Here are some key lifestyle changes to adopt to prevent chapped lips:
1. Stop licking your lips:
Saliva can actually dehydrate your lips, as it evaporates, accelerating the chapping process.
2. Use a humidifier:
Use a humidifier in your home, especially when you are sleeping in an air-conditioned room. This process restores ambient moisture to dry air in water and strips away the air from air conditioned space.
3. Limit eating dry foods:
As a form of dry lip remedy, avoid consuming extremely spicy food or any citrus food till your lips heal, as such types of food can cause painful irritation.
4. Take a note on your diet:
Ensure you are getting enough water and vitamin B, iron, and zinc.
Note: Chemist at Play offers a wide range of lip balms for different lip conditions. For chapped to pigmented lips, the brand offers different shades, whether it be cherry-based, vanilla, or peach. Every lip balm holds a different lip concern along with SPF protection.
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