How to manage dry lips?

Cracked and chapped lips can be a pain- both literally and figuratively. As we slowly enter the colder months of the year there are higher chances that you may have to deal with this. They interfere with speaking and smiling by cracking open and bleeding and can even restrict you from eating some of your favourite foods! As dentists we get to see chapped lips on the regular and honestly they look painful !


Knowing how to prevent and manage dry lips will help them stay healthy and plump the entire year. But what are some of the common causes of cracked lips-

  • Cold windy weather

  • Smoking

  • Exposure to harsh UV rays

  • Excessive licking of your lips with your tongue

  • Certain allergies

  • Mouth breathing

  • Dehydration

  • Hormonal imbalance

  • Too much caffeine (oh no!)

  So what can you do? 

  • Protect your lips against harsh weather by using protective clothing like a scarf. Indoor heat can also dry out your lips- use a humidifier at home to keep moisture in the air. Always use a good sunscreen with sufficient SPF to prevent sunburn and eventual peeling of your lips.

  • Having a good balanced diet- Any food which contains Omega-3 fatty acids are known to keep skin hydrated and restore its natural oils. A diet rich in nuts and fish or even fish oil supplements will help keep your skin and lips plump and healthy.

  • Some people jus have a habit of licking their lips- maybe its a nervous habit or an emergency effort to moisturise your lips? Well don’t! Because licking them will make them dry out faster.

  • If you have noticed chapped lips after having tried out a new lip or facial product, chances are you are allergic. Stop the product immediately and take necessary precautions to keep your lips hydrated.

  • Mouth breathing can be due to a number of reasons- deviated septum, ear, nose , throat issue or temporarily even due to a cold. Consult with your ENT specialist to find a treatment since dry lips due to mouth breathing is the least of your worries.

  • Avoid smoking ! I don’t think we need to stress on the ill effects of smoking on your health in general. Smoking dries out not only your lips but also your mouth leading to increased incidence of dental decay and gum disease.


What else can help?

We know everyone follows a pretty detailed and long skin care routine and you should show your lips the same kind of love. The first step is exfoliate exfoliate exfoliate! Removing dead skin cells from your lips will bring out the new healthier layers. We do not claim to be the specialists in skin care but probably even using DIY home lip scrubs should help you. After exfoliating, always follow up with a moisturiser which can be coconut oil, petroleum jelly, cocoa butter, Shea butter etc. Apply it multiple times a day and heavier at night.


shivani venkatesh