Dry, chapped lips are common during winter due to cold weather, low humidity, and dehydration. To prevent this, stay well hydrated, use a lip balm with SPF, and avoid licking your lips, which worsens dryness. In India, winter dryness can also increase due to indoor heating and pollution. Gentle exfoliation, nourishing lip balms, and maintaining overall oral hydration help keep lips soft and healthy throughout the season.
Best Ways to Prevent Dry, Chapped Lips This Winter
- Published on :
- Last updated: December 23, 2025
Winter can be harsh on your skin, and your lips often suffer the most. Dryness, cracking, peeling, and even painful splits are common during colder months. Many people rely on lip balms only after their lips start hurting, but by then, the damage has already begun.
At Summit Dental Clinic, we often see patients who ignore lip dryness until it becomes uncomfortable or infected. The good news is that chapped lips are preventable with the right habits and care.
This guide explains why lips dry out in winter, what makes the problem worse, and the best ways to keep your lips soft, healthy, and protected throughout the season.
Why Do Lips Get Dry and Chapped in Winter?
Unlike the rest of your skin, lips:
Do not have oil glands
Have thinner skin
Lose moisture faster
During winter, several factors combine to dry out lips:
Cold air and low humidity
Hot showers and indoor heaters
Dehydration
Frequent lip licking
Sun exposure (yes, even in winter)
Why Do People Use Charcoal Toothpaste?
The popularity of charcoal toothpaste comes from a few strong perceptions:
Many users report that their teeth feel cleaner after use, but that feeling alone doesn’t always mean it’s improving dental health.
Common Signs of Dry or Chapped Lips
Tight or rough feeling
Flaking or peeling skin
Cracks at the corners of the mouth
Burning or stinging sensation
Bleeding in severe cases
Ignoring these signs can lead to infections like angular cheilitis (painful cracks at the lip corners).
Best Ways to Prevent Dry, Chapped Lips
Stay Well Hydrated
Dry lips often reflect dehydration.
Drink enough water throughout the day
Limit excess caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate the body
Include water-rich fruits like oranges, cucumbers, and watermelons
Hydration from the inside is just as important as external care.
Use the Right Lip Balm (Not Just Any One)
Choose a lip balm that:
Locks in moisture
Repairs the lip barrier
Protects from environmental damage
Look for these ingredients:
Beeswax
Shea butter
Cocoa butter
Petroleum jelly
Vitamin E
Avoid balms with:
Camphor
Menthol
Artificial fragrances
Alcohol
These can worsen dryness over time.
Stop Licking Your Lips
Licking your lips may feel soothing temporarily, but it actually:
Removes natural moisture
Causes faster evaporation
Makes lips drier than before
Saliva also contains enzymes that irritate delicate lip skin.
Protect Your Lips From the Sun
Many people don’t realise that lips can get sunburned even in winter.
Use a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher
Reapply if you’re outdoors for long hours
Sun damage can worsen dryness and increase pigmentation over time.
Exfoliate Gently (Once a Week)
Removing dead skin helps lip balms work better.
Safe ways to exfoliate lips:
Use a soft toothbrush gently
Rub a mixture of sugar + honey lightly
Use a lip scrub once a week
Never exfoliate cracked or bleeding lips.
Avoid Mouth Breathing
Breathing through the mouth, especially during sleep, dries lips quickly.
Treat nasal congestion
Use a humidifier in dry rooms
Keep lips moisturised before bedtime
Use a Humidifier Indoors
Indoor heaters remove moisture from the air.
A humidifier:
Adds moisture back into the environment
Helps prevent dryness of lips, skin, and throat
It is especially useful at night
Be Careful With Lipsticks and Matte Products
Some long-lasting or matte lipsticks:
Dry lips further
Emphasise cracks and peeling
If you use lipstick:
Apply lip balm underneath
Remove makeup gently before bed
Lip Care Do’s and Don’ts
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
|
Drink enough water
|
Lick your lips
|
|
Use SPF lip balm
|
Peel dry skin
|
|
Moisturise before bed
|
Use fragranced balms
|
|
Exfoliate gently
|
Ignore bleeding cracks |
When Dry Lips Signal a Bigger Problem
Sometimes, chapped lips may be linked to:
Vitamin deficiencies (B-complex, iron)
Allergic reactions to toothpaste or cosmetics
Fungal or bacterial infections
Chronic mouth breathing
If dryness:
Persists despite care
Is painful or bleeding
Occurs repeatedly at the corners
It’s best to get evaluated.
How Dental Health Affects Lip Health
Cracked lips at the corners can be linked to:
Ill-fitting dentures
Bite problems
Excess saliva pooling
Final Thoughts
Dry, chapped lips are common in winter, but they don’t have to be inevitable. With the right hydration, protective lip care, and simple habit changes, you can keep your lips soft, healthy, and pain-free throughout the season.
If dryness keeps returning or becomes painful, it may be a sign that something more is going on. At Summit Dental Clinic, we believe preventive care and early guidance make all the difference in maintaining overall oral comfort. Taking a little extra care now can help you avoid discomfort later.
