10 Reasons Your Lips Are Always Dry and Chapped (Even After Lip Balm)
Riya Kumari | Dec 27, 2024, 23:56 IST
Dry, chapped lips. You’ve tried everything—lip balm, oils, the occasional desperate lick—and still, they’re cracked and uncomfortable. It’s like your lips have some personal vendetta against hydration. You know the lip balm ritual: swipe, wait, hope. But somehow, it’s like your lips are just shrugging and saying, “Nah, not today.” It’s the kind of betrayal that makes you question your life choices, or at least your lip care routine.
Maybe it’s not the lip balm’s fault. Maybe it’s just that there are a few sneaky habits you’ve got that are keeping your lips locked in their dry, cracked state. It’s the little things, the ones you don't really think twice about—until, suddenly, your lips feel more like sandpaper than soft, smooth skin. It's like your lips are trying to send you a message, but you’re just not getting it... yet.
1. Constant Lip-Licking
Sure, it feels like you’re hydrating your lips, but licking them is the ultimate betrayal. Your saliva contains enzymes (like amylase) that break down food—and, unfortunately, your delicate lip skin. Every time you lick, it’s like sending your lips into battle without armor. Reach for a hydrating lip mask or balm when you feel the urge. Or chew gum to distract yourself.
2. Breathing Through Your Mouth
Mouth breathers, unite—and take a moment to consider what you’re doing to your lips. Constant airflow over your lips dries them out faster than a blow-dryer on high. It’s especially bad at night, when you’re blissfully unaware and your lips are suffering. If congestion is to blame, try a humidifier or nasal strips to encourage nose breathing. Bonus: your skin and sinuses will love the extra moisture.
3. Eating Too Many Salty or Spicy Snacks
You love chips and salsa—your lips, not so much. Salty snacks pull moisture out of your skin (hello, osmosis), while spicy foods can irritate already sensitive lips. The result? Cracks, dryness, and regret. Wipe your lips after snacking and follow up with a little hydration. A gentle dab of lip balm post-snack will keep things in balance.
4. Using Harsh Toothpaste
That minty-fresh toothpaste might be hiding an irritant: sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This common ingredient makes your toothpaste foam, but it’s also super drying and can cause chapped lips or even irritation around your mouth. Look for SLS-free toothpaste. Your lips (and possibly your gums) will feel a whole lot better.
5. Drinking Too Much Coffee or Alcohol
Before you clutch your latte in horror, hear me out. Both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, meaning they pull water from your body and leave you dehydrated. Less hydration equals drier lips. Balance your coffee or cocktail habits with plenty of water. And maybe cut down on that third cup of espresso—your lips (and your sleep schedule) will benefit.
6. Skipping SPF for Your Lips
You’d never skip sunscreen for your face, right? But your lips? Totally exposed. UV rays don’t care if it’s summer or winter—they’re out here drying and damaging your lips all year long. Use a lip balm with SPF. Think of it as your lips’ invisible shield against dryness, sunburn, and premature aging.
7. Using Mattifying or Long-Lasting Lipstick
Matte lipsticks may be a lewk, but they’re also notorious for sucking the moisture out of your lips. The same goes for long-lasting formulas—they stay put because they create a moisture barrier that leaves your lips parched. Prep your lips with a hydrating balm or mask before applying. And maybe give your lips a day off with a nourishing tinted balm instead.
8. Biting or Picking at Your Lips
It’s the ultimate bad habit—biting or peeling at chapped skin. Not only does it make things worse, but it can lead to infections or sores (and nobody wants that). Keep your lips exfoliated and hydrated so there’s no dead skin tempting you. If it’s a nervous habit, keep a stress ball or fidget toy handy to redirect the urge.
9. Overusing Certain Lip Balms
Yes, overusing. Some lip balms contain ingredients like menthol, camphor, or phenol that give a cooling sensation but can actually dry out your lips over time. It’s a vicious cycle—apply, feel dry, reapply, repeat. Switch to a balm with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or beeswax. Avoid anything with "tingly" additives unless you’re into the self-sabotage vibe.
10. Forgetting to Hydrate Inside Out
It’s not just what you put on your lips—it’s also what’s happening inside. If you’re not drinking enough water, your body pulls moisture from less essential areas (sorry, lips) to keep vital organs happy. Keep a water bottle nearby and sip throughout the day. Herbal teas or water-rich foods like cucumbers and watermelon can help too.
1. Constant Lip-Licking
Dry lips
Sure, it feels like you’re hydrating your lips, but licking them is the ultimate betrayal. Your saliva contains enzymes (like amylase) that break down food—and, unfortunately, your delicate lip skin. Every time you lick, it’s like sending your lips into battle without armor. Reach for a hydrating lip mask or balm when you feel the urge. Or chew gum to distract yourself.
2. Breathing Through Your Mouth
Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathers, unite—and take a moment to consider what you’re doing to your lips. Constant airflow over your lips dries them out faster than a blow-dryer on high. It’s especially bad at night, when you’re blissfully unaware and your lips are suffering. If congestion is to blame, try a humidifier or nasal strips to encourage nose breathing. Bonus: your skin and sinuses will love the extra moisture.
3. Eating Too Many Salty or Spicy Snacks
Ramen
You love chips and salsa—your lips, not so much. Salty snacks pull moisture out of your skin (hello, osmosis), while spicy foods can irritate already sensitive lips. The result? Cracks, dryness, and regret. Wipe your lips after snacking and follow up with a little hydration. A gentle dab of lip balm post-snack will keep things in balance.
4. Using Harsh Toothpaste
Brushing
That minty-fresh toothpaste might be hiding an irritant: sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This common ingredient makes your toothpaste foam, but it’s also super drying and can cause chapped lips or even irritation around your mouth. Look for SLS-free toothpaste. Your lips (and possibly your gums) will feel a whole lot better.
5. Drinking Too Much Coffee or Alcohol
Coffee
Before you clutch your latte in horror, hear me out. Both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, meaning they pull water from your body and leave you dehydrated. Less hydration equals drier lips. Balance your coffee or cocktail habits with plenty of water. And maybe cut down on that third cup of espresso—your lips (and your sleep schedule) will benefit.
6. Skipping SPF for Your Lips
Lips
You’d never skip sunscreen for your face, right? But your lips? Totally exposed. UV rays don’t care if it’s summer or winter—they’re out here drying and damaging your lips all year long. Use a lip balm with SPF. Think of it as your lips’ invisible shield against dryness, sunburn, and premature aging.
7. Using Mattifying or Long-Lasting Lipstick
Red lips
Matte lipsticks may be a lewk, but they’re also notorious for sucking the moisture out of your lips. The same goes for long-lasting formulas—they stay put because they create a moisture barrier that leaves your lips parched. Prep your lips with a hydrating balm or mask before applying. And maybe give your lips a day off with a nourishing tinted balm instead.
8. Biting or Picking at Your Lips
Lip biting
It’s the ultimate bad habit—biting or peeling at chapped skin. Not only does it make things worse, but it can lead to infections or sores (and nobody wants that). Keep your lips exfoliated and hydrated so there’s no dead skin tempting you. If it’s a nervous habit, keep a stress ball or fidget toy handy to redirect the urge.
9. Overusing Certain Lip Balms
Lip balm
Yes, overusing. Some lip balms contain ingredients like menthol, camphor, or phenol that give a cooling sensation but can actually dry out your lips over time. It’s a vicious cycle—apply, feel dry, reapply, repeat. Switch to a balm with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or beeswax. Avoid anything with "tingly" additives unless you’re into the self-sabotage vibe.
10. Forgetting to Hydrate Inside Out
Drink water
It’s not just what you put on your lips—it’s also what’s happening inside. If you’re not drinking enough water, your body pulls moisture from less essential areas (sorry, lips) to keep vital organs happy. Keep a water bottle nearby and sip throughout the day. Herbal teas or water-rich foods like cucumbers and watermelon can help too.