Causes of Chapped Lips
Chapped lips are primarily caused by environmental factors that lead to dryness, including exposure to dry air, sun, wind, and cold temperatures, as well as behavioral factors like lip licking, which further exacerbates the condition by removing natural oils and moisture. 1
Primary Causes
Environmental Factors
- Exposure to dry, cold, or windy weather conditions that strip moisture from the lips 2
- Excessive sun exposure, which can damage the sensitive skin of the lips 1
- Low humidity environments, both outdoors in arid climates and indoors with heating systems 3
- Harsh weather conditions without proper protection 1
Behavioral Factors
- Lip licking, which initially provides temporary moisture but ultimately worsens dryness as saliva evaporates and removes natural oils 1
- Habitual lip licking can lead to a cycle of worsening dryness and development of lip-licking dermatitis 1
- Inadequate hydration, contributing to overall skin dryness including the lips 1
- Use of irritating oral hygiene products or cosmetics 4
Physiological Factors
Unique Lip Anatomy
- Lips have thinner epithelium compared to regular skin, making them more vulnerable to environmental damage 5
- Lips lack sebaceous glands that produce protective oils found elsewhere on the skin 3
- Lower water-holding capacity and weaker skin barrier function compared to other facial skin 3
- Limited melanin protection against UV radiation 1
Biochemical Factors
- Imbalanced activity of proteases involved in skin desquamation processes 3
- Higher bleomycin hydrolase activity and lower cathepsin D activity in subjects with dry, chapped lips 3
- Corneocyte unevenness ratio (CUR) correlates with severity of lip scaling and dryness 3
Risk Factors
- Very fair or fair complexion (3.23 and 1.58 times higher risk, respectively) 2
- History of recurrent herpes labialis (2.88 times higher risk) 2
- Certain systemic conditions like atopic dermatitis that predispose to skin dryness 4
- Medications that can cause dryness as a side effect, particularly retinoids which commonly cause cheilitis 6
Prevention and Management
- Regular application of bland lip balms with UV protection 1, 7
- Avoiding irritants such as spicy foods, hot foods/drinks, and citrus fruits 7
- Maintaining adequate hydration 1
- Using soft toothbrushes and mild fluoride toothpaste for oral hygiene 7
- Protecting lips from harsh weather conditions with appropriate coverings 1
Common Pitfalls
- Overuse of lip balms containing potential irritants or allergens can worsen the condition 1
- Continued lip licking despite worsening symptoms creates a vicious cycle of dryness 1
- Confusing chapped lips with other conditions like contact dermatitis, herpes labialis, or angular cheilitis 4
- Underestimating the importance of UV protection for lips, which are particularly vulnerable to sun damage 1
Understanding the multifactorial nature of chapped lips is essential for effective prevention and treatment, focusing on both environmental protection and breaking behavioral cycles that perpetuate the condition.