What Causes Chapped Lips + Remedies & Prevention

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Chapped lips, also known as cheilitis, are an uncomfortable and sometimes painful condition characterized by dry and cracked skin on the lips.

The symptoms can range from mild irritation to severe cracking and bleeding. In more severe cases, the lips may become swollen, bleed, or be accompanied by a burning sensation.

Chapped lips may be caused by environmental factors, lifestyle habits, or underlying medical conditions. Fortunately, in most cases, they can be prevented and treated with simple lifestyle changes.

Before diving into the remedies and prevention, it helps to understand what causes chapped lips.

6 Main Chapped Lips Causes

Chapped lips can be caused by a variety of factors from weather and lifestyle to nutrition, allergies, and skin conditions. Some medications can also cause chapped lips. Here’s a more detailed look at each of the chapped lips causes.

Weather

Lips are more likely to get dry and chapped when it’s cold and dry or from prolonged exposure to the sun and wind.
Cold, dry air can cause the lips to become dry and cracked, while wind and sun exposure can cause further irritation and damage.

To prevent chapped lips due to weather, it is important to keep the lips hydrated and protected from the elements. Wearing a lip balm with SPF is recommended, as well as avoiding prolonged sun exposure when possible.

Nutrition

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, dehydration, and certain foods can also cause chapped lips. A lack of certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B, can cause the lips to become dry and cracked.

When you’re dehydrated, your skin feels dry to the touch. If you already have dry skin, it can start to flake. Dehydration can cause dry, cracked lips as well.

To prevent chapped lips due to nutrition-related causes, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids and to eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.

Skin Conditions

Certain skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis are known to cause chapped lips.

Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become dry and itchy, while psoriasis is a condition that causes the skin to become scaly and inflamed. Contact dermatitis is a condition that is caused by an allergic reaction to certain substances. All three conditions can affect the skin on any part of the body, including the lips.

Treating the symptoms of the skin condition is key to preventing them from causing chapped lips.

Lifestyle Habits

Did you know that licking your lips constantly can use them to get chapped This is because licking the lips strips them of natural oils, resulting in dryness and eventually chapped lips.

Lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking are another two little-known chapped lips causes, primarily because they are dehydrating.

To prevent chapped lips due to lifestyle habits, it is important to quit smoking, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid licking the lips.

Allergies

Allergies can cause inflammation and dryness, leading to chapped lips. The most common allergens that cause chapped lips include pollen, pet dander, and certain foods.

To prevent chapped lips due to allergies, it is important to take steps to prevent known allergens. Using a lip balm with anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties can be very useful.

Medications

Some types of antibiotics, chemotherapy medications, and birth control pills can cause chapped lips, such.

To prevent chapped lips due to medications, it is important to talk to your doctor about any potential side effects and to use a lip balm with moisturizing properties.

7 Natural Remedies to Heal Chapped Lips Quickly

1. Honey

Honey is one of the best natural remedies for chapped lips. This is because it is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and locks in moisture. Honey is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce inflammation and protect your lips from infection.

To use honey as a remedy for chapped lips, simply apply a thin layer of honey to your lips and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.

2. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another excellent chapped lips remedy. It is naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce inflammation and protect your lips from infection. Coconut oil also has hydrating properties that can help keep your lips moisturized.

To use coconut oil as a remedy for chapped lips, rub a thin layer gently into the skin of your lips. Leave it on for as long as possible. Dab with a clean, dry tissue when you want to take it off.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is another great remedy for chapped lips. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, which can help reduce inflammation and protect your lips from infection. It also has hydrating properties that can help keep your lips moisturized.

To use aloe vera as a remedy for chapped lips, simply apply a thin layer of aloe vera to your lips and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.

4. Shea Butter

Shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E, which act as natural moisturizers. They help reduce inflammation and, prevent lip infection and also accelerate healing.

To use shea butter as a remedy for chapped lips, simply apply a thin layer of shea butter to your lips and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.

You can even make your own lip balm with shea butter.

5. Hydration

Hydration is key to healing chapped lips. Drinking plenty of water can help keep your lips hydrated and help them heal more quickly. It’s also important to avoid drinks that can be dehydrating, such as coffee and alcoholic beverages.

6. Petroleum Jelly

The lack of oil glands in the lips makes the lips more susceptible to drying out. In winter, the cold, dry air draws out whatever little moisture there is in the lips, often causing them to get severely cracked.

One way to stop this from happening is by sealing the moisture in to prevent it from escaping. Petroleum jelly does just that and is perfect for this purpose.

Petroleum jelly has occlusive properties, which means it is capable of locking in moisture. Applying petroleum jelly on your lips can help to seal the moisture and stave off dryness and chapped lips.

If your lips are already chapped, you will need to apply petroleum jelly regularly to treat the dryness and get your lips looking and feeling softer and smoother.

Vaseline makes the best petroleum jelly product for lips. I have been using lip balm from both of these brands for years and I can vouch for the fact that they are very effective at preventing chapped lips.

7. Olive Oil

If you don’t like the thick, heavy texture of petroleum jelly on your lips, virgin olive oil is a good alternative.

Any carrier oil works as a home remedy for chapped lips but olive oil is the most effective for this purpose. This is because olive oil is heavier than other carrier oils and does not get absorbed into the skin as easily. While this makes it unsuitable as a face oil, it’s perfect for chapped lips.

Olive oil coats the lips like a film, sealing the moisture within and preventing the lips from drying out. Rubbing olive oil into your lips regularly is an effective natural remedy for chapped lips.

How To Prevent Chapped Lips

Why wait to use chapped lips remedies Learning how to prevent chapped lips is so much better. It will save you from unnecessary discomfort and pain.

Once you read through the many ways to prevent chapped lips, you’ll see how easy it can be. Keep in mind though, the prevention tips are not one-and-done. You have to commit and be consistent with implementing these tips to prevent chapped lips.

Avoid licking your lips Licking your lips can make them even drier and can cause further irritation.

Use a lip balm Lip balms contain natural ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil. Together, these ingredients act as emollients that form a barrier against the elements and help soothe and moisturize the lips.

Use sunscreen Sunscreen can help protect your lips from sun damage and can help keep them hydrated. Use a lip balm with SPF when spending the day in the sun and avoid prolonged sun exposure when possible

Use a humidifier A humidifier can help keep the air in your home or office moist, which can help prevent chapped lips.

Stay hydrated Drink plenty of fluids, eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals

Avoid irritants If your lips feel dry and irritated after using certain chemicals or fragrances, it’s best to avoid them.

If these natural remedies and tips don’t help, it’s best to see a doctor. They can recommend a specific treatment plan for your chapped lips and help you determine the underlying cause.