From the Guidelines
Dry chapped lips are primarily caused by a combination of environmental factors, dehydration, and certain medications or nutritional deficiencies, which can be addressed by applying lip balms, staying hydrated, and avoiding irritants. The most significant factors contributing to dry chapped lips include environmental factors like cold weather, wind, and low humidity, which strip moisture from the skin, as well as dehydration, which affects skin hydration throughout the body, including the lips 1. Frequent licking of lips can worsen the condition as saliva evaporates quickly, taking more moisture with it. Certain medications, such as retinoids, antihistamines, and some blood pressure medications, can contribute to lip dryness as a side effect, while vitamin deficiencies, especially B vitamins and iron, may also lead to chapped lips 1. Sun exposure damages lip tissue through UV radiation, and allergic reactions to lip products containing fragrances or dyes can trigger irritation. To address this condition, it is recommended to apply petroleum jelly or beeswax-based lip balms regularly, especially before bed and when going outdoors, and to stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily 1. Using a humidifier in dry environments and avoiding licking your lips can also help prevent dry chapped lips. The lips lack oil glands found elsewhere on the skin, making them particularly vulnerable to drying out and requiring special care to maintain moisture. In terms of specific products, lubricating lips with sterile vaseline/white paraffin (petrolatum), lip balm, or lip cream is recommended, although it is noted that vaseline/white paraffin (petrolatum) should not be used chronically on the lips due to the risk of promoting mucosal cell dehydration and secondary infection 1. Overall, a combination of environmental, lifestyle, and product-related factors contribute to dry chapped lips, and addressing these factors through preventative measures and proper care can help alleviate the condition. Key recommendations include:
- Applying lip balms regularly
- Staying hydrated
- Avoiding irritants like licking your lips or using products with fragrances or dyes
- Using a humidifier in dry environments
- Being mindful of medications and nutritional deficiencies that may contribute to lip dryness.
From the Research
Causes of Dry Chapped Lips
- Dry chapped lips can be caused by the natural characteristics of the skin on the lips, which has a lower water content in the stratum corneum (SC) and a higher transepidermal water loss (TEWL) value than skin on other areas of the face 2.
- The lips are generally very dry and rough areas due to these characteristics, making them more prone to dryness and chapping 2.
- Factors such as low humidity, cold weather, and wind can further exacerbate dryness and chapping of the lips.
- The use of a highly occlusive formulation, such as a lip balm, can help to reduce water loss and improve the condition of dry chapped lips by increasing the occlusivity of the lips 2.
- A study found that a highly occlusive formulation consisting of a combination of common oil and wax was effective in improving the roughness of the lips, with significant improvements seen in appearance roughness score, wrinkle score, and capacitance of the SC after 2 and 4 weeks of continuous use 2.