Dry lips happen to everyone at some point. It’s totally normal. But if your lips are constantly flaking, cracking, peeling, or feeling tight no matter how much lip balm you apply? Dehydration could be the culprit.
For a lot of people, dry lips are more than an inconvenience. They’re your body’s way of telling you that something is up.
Because, honestly, chronically dry lips aren’t normal. But don’t stress. There are plenty of ways to fix this.
Whether you need to drink more water or make a few small lifestyle changes, we’re here to guide you in the right direction. In this post, we’ll break down what actually causes dry lips and what you can do to keep your pout smooth, comfortable, and hydrated.
Think of this as getting to the root cause instead of just putting a glossy bandage on the problem.
Dry Lips and Dehydration: What Your Body Is Telling You
Most people assume dry lips are caused only by external factors. Things like sunburns, dry air, and spicy margaritas. But dry lips can also happen because of problems on the inside.
Of course, a crusty pout can be caused by a combination of factors, making it hard to pinpoint exactly what to change.
But hydration is the best place to start. Why? Because if your body doesn’t have enough water, your lips are one of the first places to show it.
Let us explain a little more:
Are Dry Lips a Sign of Dehydration?
Yes! Dry lips are definitely a sign of dehydration. Just like your skin and hair dry out without adequate hydration, your lips get flaky, cracked, and tight when your body doesn’t have enough water, too.
Why Do Your Lips Get Dry When You’re Dehydrated?
Lips Don’t Have Oil Glands
Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips don’t have oil glands. That means they don’t produce sebum to naturally moisturize the area. So, your pout needs as much help from internal hydration as possible.
Dehydration Reduces Skin Moisture
As we mentioned, dehydration can dry out your hair, skin, nails, and lips. And because the skin on your lips is much thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, it’s especially vulnerable to moisture loss.
Your Body Prioritizes Vital Organs
When your body doesn’t have enough water, it uses the moisture it does have to keep all the important stuff working. Your organs get first dibs on hydration, and your lips end up pretty low on the priority list.
Water Loss Causes Cracking and Sensitivity
Your lips have a moisture barrier just like the rest of your skin. But when your body is low on water, that barrier can’t stay strong and healthy. The result? Cracking, flaking, sensitivity.
Dry Air Can Make Lips Worse
Cold weather, indoor heating, sun exposure, and dry airplane air can all suck the moisture right out of your lips. And if you’re already dehydrated, those environmental stressors can leave your lips extra dry.
Lip Licking Strips Away Moisture
Licking your lips may feel helpful for a second, but it actually makes dryness way worse. Saliva evaporates quickly, taking moisture with it. As a result, your lips are stuck in a dehydrated, flaky little cycle.
What Causes Dry Lips Other Than Dehydration?
Dehydration isn’t the only thing that can make your lips dry. Of course, it’s a good first step to fixing the problem. However, if you’re still dealing with peeling, flaking, and irritation even after doubling down on hydration, you may be facing a combination of factors.
Some other common causes of chapped lips include:
Wind and cold weather
Sun exposure
Dry indoor air
Mouth breathing
Lip licking
Smoking or vaping
Certain medications
Vitamin deficiencies
Eating and drinking anything salty, spicy, or acidic
Allergic reactions to lip products
Irritating ingredients in lip cosmetics
How to Treat Dry Lips From Dehydration
Drink more water (and add hydration boosters).
As we said, staying hydrated is the best first step to treating chapped lips. To encourage yourself to drink more water, treat yourself to a new water bottle and keep sipping all day. For proper, balanced hydration, mix The Skinny Confidential Beauty Salt into the first drink of the day.
Don’t lick or pick at your lips.
If you have a habit of picking at your lips or licking them, STOP. That’ll just continually dehydrate your skin and break down that moisture barrier. Instead, keep a hydrating lip balm nearby and reapply before your pout gets dry enough to crack, peel, or tempt you to lick it again.
Use a humidifier and mouth tape at night.
Sleep with your mouth open? That could be why you’re constantly dealing with dry lips. Use The Skinny Confidential Mouth Tape to keep those lips sealed and moisturized. (Plus, you get all the other benefits of mouth taping, too.)
And for added hydration for your hair, skin, and lips, always keep a humidifier in your bedroom.
Exfoliate and use a lip mask once a week.
You have a skincare routine, a haircare routine, and a bodycare routine. But what about your lips? To help prevent dryness, gently exfoliate your lips once or twice a week to buff away dead, flaky skin. Then apply a lip mask right after to lock in moisture. This will help keep your lips soft, smooth, and perfectly plump.
Here’s our full guide on how to exfoliate your lips.
Apply lip balm throughout the day.
If your lips are constantly dry, one swipe of balm in the morning isn’t going to cut it. Keep a hydrating lip balm with you throughout the day and reapply consistently to help protect that moisture barrier.
Don’t forget your lips need SPF.
Your lips can get sunburned. Very easily in fact. The skin on your lips is so thin, it burns really easily. Your chapped lips could be a sign of sun damage, so make sure whatever lip balm you’re using has SPF.
Be strategic about your lip products.
Not all lip products are created equal. Some ingredients, like menthol, camphor, and heavy fragrance, can make dry lips worse over time by further irritating the skin.
Instead, look for nourishing, moisture-sealing ingredients, like shea butter, ceramides, squalane, lanolin, hyaluronic acid, and mineral oil. These help support your moisture barrier and keep your lips soft and hydrated throughout the day.
Here are some of Lauryn’s (and TSC team’s) favorite products:
x, The Skinny Confidential team
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