7 Expert Dermatologists' Secrets To Healing Dry, Cracked Lips

Dry, chapped lips are a common and often uncomfortable issue, particularly during colder months or in dry climates. The delicate skin on your lips lacks oil glands, making it more susceptible to drying out and becoming chapped. Fortunately, with the right care and attention, you can heal and prevent chapped lips. In this article, we’ll explore seven expert tips from dermatologists on how to restore moisture and softness to your lips.

1. Stay Hydrated: The Foundation Of Healthy Lips

One of the most important steps in preventing and healing dry, chapped lips is staying hydrated. When your body is dehydrated, it can affect the moisture levels in your skin, including your lips.

Why Hydration Matters

Water is crucial for maintaining healthy skin cells and ensuring that your lips stay soft and supple. When you’re dehydrated, your lips can become dry and more prone to cracking.

Tips For Staying Hydrated

Drink Plenty of Water: Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. If you’re in a dry or cold environment, consider increasing your water intake.
Incorporate Hydrating Foods: Foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges have lots of water and can help keep you hydrated.
Avoid Excessive Caffeine and Alcohol: Both caffeine and alcohol can be dehydrating. If you consume these beverages, make sure to balance them with plenty of water.

2. Use a Humidifier: Combat Dry Indoor Air

Indoor heating can make the air in your home dry, which can make chapped lips worse. A humidifier can help add moisture to the air and make it more comfortable.

How a Humidifier Helps?

A humidifier increases the moisture level in the air, which helps prevent your lips from drying out. It’s especially useful during winter when indoor heating is at its peak.

Tips For Using a Humidifier

Place a Humidifier in Your Bedroom: Running a humidifier while you sleep can help maintain moisture in your skin and lips throughout the night.
Keep the Humidity Level Around 30-50%: This range is ideal for preventing dry air without making the environment too damp.
Clean Your Humidifier Regularly: To prevent mold and bacteria from growing, be sure to clean your humidifier as directed by the manufacturer.

3. Choose The Right Lip Balm: Ingredients Matter

Not all lip balms are created equal. Some may actually contribute to dryness, especially if they contain certain ingredients that can be irritating or drying. Dermatologists recommend choosing a lip balm with nourishing, protective ingredients.

Key Ingredients To Look For

Petrolatum or Petroleum Jelly: This is a classic, dermatologist-recommended ingredient that acts as an occlusive, sealing in moisture and protecting your lips from the elements.
Beeswax: A natural moisturizer that keeps skin hydrated and protected.
Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter: These contain healthy fats and help to deeply hydrate and soften the lips.
Lanolin: A natural emollient that helps to repair and protect dry, chapped skin.

Ingredients To Avoid

Menthol, Camphor, and Phenol: These ingredients can create a cooling sensation, but they can also be drying and irritating to the lips.
Fragrances and Flavors: Added scents and flavors can cause irritation, especially if your lips are already chapped.

4. Exfoliate Gently: Remove Dead Skin Cells

Scrubbing your lips can get rid of old skin and help your lip balm work better. However, it’s important to be gentle, as the skin on your lips is delicate.

How To Exfoliate Your Lips

Use a Gentle Lip Scrub: You can buy a lip scrub from a store or make your own by mixing sugar and honey.Apply the scrub gently in circular motions to avoid irritation.
Don’t Overdo It: Limit exfoliation to once or twice a week. Over-exfoliating can damage the delicate skin on your lips and make them more prone to dryness and cracking.
Follow Up with Moisture: After scrubbing, quickly put on a moisturizing lip balm to keep your lips from getting dry.

5. Avoid Licking Your Lips: It’s a Bad Habit

Licking your lips might seem like a natural way to keep them moist, but it actually does more harm than good.The enzymes in spit can break down the skin’s protective layer, causing more dryness and irritation.

Why Licking Your Lips is Harmful

Evaporation of Moisture: When you lick your lips, the saliva quickly evaporates, taking any natural moisture from your lips with it.
Irritation from Enzymes: Saliva contains digestive enzymes that can irritate and weaken the skin on your lips.

Tips To Break the Habit

Keep Lip Balm Handy: Instead of licking your lips, apply a hydrating lip balm whenever they feel dry.
Identify Triggers: Pay attention to situations where you’re more likely to lick your lips and find alternative ways to cope, such as drinking water or using a lip balm.

6. Protect Your Lips From The Elements: Sun, Wind, And Cold

Just like your skin, your lips need protection from the elements, especially the sun, wind, and cold weather. These environmental factors can contribute to dryness and chapping.

Sun Protection For Lips

Use a Lip Balm with SPF: Choose a lip balm that contains SPF 30 or higher to protect your lips from UV rays. Sun damage can lead to dryness, cracking, and even long-term issues like sunburned lips or skin cancer.
Reapply Frequently: Just like sunscreen, lip balm with SPF should be put on again during the day, especially after eating or drinking.

Protection from Wind And Cold

Wear a Scarf: When it’s cold and windy outside, use a scarf to cover your mouth and protect your lips.
Use a Rich Lip Balm: Apply a thick, protective lip balm before heading outside to create a barrier against the wind and cold.

7. Consider a Night Treatment: Overnight Hydration For Lips

Your skin, including your lips, does most of its repair and regeneration while you sleep. Applying a nourishing lip treatment before bed can help heal dry, chapped lips overnight.

How To Use a Night Lip Treatment

Apply a Thick Lip Balm or Ointment: Before going to bed, apply a generous layer of a thick, occlusive lip balm or ointment, such as petrolatum or a lanolin-based product. This helps to keep moisture in and make a protective cover while you sleep.
Look for Overnight Masks: Some brands offer lip masks specifically designed for overnight use. These products are usually thicker and full of good ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and natural oils.
Avoid Lip Licking During the Night: If you tend to lick your lips in your sleep, consider using a flavored lip balm that you’re less tempted to lick off, or a balm with a slightly sticky texture to discourage the habit.

Bonus Tips For Healthy, Hydrated Lips All Year Round

In addition to the seven dermatologist-recommended tips above, here are a few more strategies to keep your lips healthy and hydrated throughout the year.

1. Be Mindful Of Your Diet

The food you eat can change how healthy your lips are. Not getting enough vitamins like B vitamins, iron, and zinc can make your lips dry and cracked. Make sure your diet includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

2. Avoid Irritants

Certain foods and beverages, like spicy foods or citrus fruits, can irritate already chapped lips. If you notice that your lips feel worse after consuming these, consider reducing your intake or avoiding them altogether until your lips heal.

3. Be Gentle With Your Lips

YYour lips are sensitive, so be gentle with them. Don’t bite, pick, or peel your lips, as this can make them worse and take longer to heal.

4. Consider Lip Balm Addiction

While it’s essential to keep your lips moisturized, it’s also important to be mindful of overusing lip balm. Some people develop a dependency on lip balm, applying it excessively throughout the day. If you keep needing lip balm all the time, try using less and drink more water instead.

Conclusion

Healing dry, chapped lips requires a combination of good habits, the right products, and a bit of patience. By staying hydrated, using a humidifier, choosing lip balms with nourishing ingredients, exfoliating gently, avoiding lip licking, protecting your lips from the elements, and applying an overnight treatment, you can restore moisture and softness to your lips. With these dermatologist-approved tips, your lips can stay healthy, hydrated, and comfortable all year round.

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