8 Sneaky Reasons for Dry, Chapped Lips According To Top Derms + How To Hydrate Them Naturally

Luckily, there are also a variety of ways to prevent and solve this skin care concern. Though we must admit, a lot of the issues can be resolved with the help of a good clean lip balm. Keep scrolling to check out all the different causes for dry lips and how to fix them!

There are many things that could be making your lips chapped and parched. Here, the most common.

Possibly the most common cause of dry lips is dehydration. Proper hydration is key to healthy, glowing skin, and the same goes for plump, healthy lips. But unlike other areas of your face, the skin on your lips is so thin that it's actually one of the first areas to show signs of dehydration.

To avoid this, maintain your 64-ounce daily intake of water, give or take some ounces depending on activity, height, and sex.

Beyond this, though, Henry also points out, "Lips are also quite prone to burning because they often have less UV protection in the form of melanin. They are also an area that we often forget to apply SPF." Read more about sunburned lips here.

So the solution is simple: Don't forget to apply SPF to your lips on a regular basis. Check out our favorite lip balms infused with SPF here.

Both zinc and B vitamins have been shown to promote healthy skin and support wound healing, and as essential vitamins to a healthy system, a lack of these vitamins can lead to dry lips. "Vitamin B 12 deficiency specifically can lead to a condition that leads to dry, cracked lips with difficulty healing," Henry says.

Check out zinc-rich foods here, as well as vitamin B foods.

Lip eczema doesn't result in just your average chapped lips. Instead, it mimics common eczema symptoms such as red patches, cracked skin, flaking, and general dryness. This can lead to painful breaks in the lips.

Since eczema is a skin disease, we recommend consulting with your medical practitioner to find a lip balm product that works for you. The National Eczema Association also has a seal of approval for their list of eczema-safe products; look for their recommendations as a good place to start. 

Beyond dehydration, Henry says the most common cause of dry lips is irritation from products like toothpaste that can lead to contact dermatitis. Also referred to as allergic contact cheilitis (or ACC), this reaction can occur when an allergen or irritant comes into contact with the lips. Beyond toothpaste, general irritants include fragrances, metals, or certain foods like cinnamon.

You can treat the dryness with lip balm, but to avoid flare-ups, steer clear of any possible triggers. If you're experiencing contact dermatitis, stop use of any topicals until you can locate the irritant. 

Plus, it can lead to long-term effects like scarring or discoloration. Zalka also points out that licking the lips can cause a loss of natural oils, especially during cold weather months.

Breathwork is a great option, as it's simple, free, and anyone can do it! Try the simple box breathing method in stressful situations.

As if that wasn't bad enough, Henry notes face masks made out of cotton or paper can absorb the moisture from the lips and dry them out.

Before putting on your mask, simply coat your lips with a layer of moisture. "Therefore, it's very important that we're using lip balm as a protective covering and to reduce friction," she explains.  

Or the most likely culprit is that the lip balm contains mineral oil. You see, mineral oil actually has a very large molecular size, making it difficult to impossible to actually penetrate the skin—meaning moisture can't wiggle its way down into the epidermis. 

The key to a good lip balm is to make sure it has a balance of humectants, occlusives, and emollients. Zalka recommends looking for ingredients like botanical waxes or beeswax, plant-based oils (like moringa seed oil), and butters (such as shea butter), and humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

It may seem obvious, but some symptoms of dehydrated skin are a bit sneaker.

We went over solutions and treatment options in the list above, but for ease, here's how you can prevent and treat chapped lips.

Dry, chapped lips are not only a nuisance, it can be a sign of something more serious, such as a vitamin deficiency or underlying stress. Be sure to evaluate why you might be experiencing dry lips so you can find the appropriate solution. Want more tips on keeping the skin hydrated, from head-to-toe? Check our guide to properly moisturizing skin.