Why Do Lips Get Dry and Chapped?

Dry lips are annoying. You drink water, apply balm, yet they stay rough or peel. That’s because dry lips are not just about hydration or dehydration — they are linked to how the skin works, daily habits you don’t notice, and your environment.

Quick Answer

Lips get dry because they do not have oil glands and lose moisture faster than normal skin. Weather changes, daily habits, and the products you use affect them quickly. Dryness improves when lips are protected and moisture is sealed in consistently.

Reasons Why Lips Lose Moisture and Get Dry

The Cleveland Clinic explains that exposure to weather, lip licking, and wrong lip products are common reasons lips lose moisture and become chapped.

1. Lips Have Thin, Oil-Free Skin

Unlike the rest of your face, lips don’t have oil glands. Hence, lips cannot produce natural oil, making them more sensitive to the weather and habits. That means once moisture escapes, nothing naturally brings it back. This is the core reason lips dry faster than other parts of the body.

2. Cold, Heat, Wind and Sun Pull Moisture Away

Harsh weather — cold winds, dry air, harsh sun — pulls water out of lips very quickly. Outdoor exposure without protection dries lips even if you drink plenty of water.

3. Licking Lips Backfires

Saliva feels like moisture, but saliva evaporates very fast and removes the natural moisture already present on your lips. This is a common habit people do unconsciously.

4. Some Products Irritate Instead of Healing

Lip balms with strong flavor, fragrance, or certain additives (like menthol) can irritate sensitive lips. These give temporary relief but dry lips more over time.

5. Mouth Breathing While Sleeping

Dry lips are often due to habits like mouth breathing and oral care routines. Similar habits can also affect tooth color and enamel health, which is why people sometimes notice yellow teeth even after brushing daily.

If you breathe through your mouth at night, your lips stay open and dry for hours.

This is common with:

Blocked nose
Snoring
Sinus issues

6. Diet and Nutrient Deficiency

Not just water Dry, dark, or cracked lips can be linked to low levels of:

Vitamin B
Iron
Zinc

Note: In some cases, dry lips are not because of weather or habits at all. Changes inside the body—such as pregnancy, digestion problems, or poor absorption of vitamins like B—can affect how lips hold moisture. Hormonal changes and gut health issues often show early signs on the lips before other symptoms appear. If lip balm helps only briefly and dryness keeps returning, the reason may be internal and not just a surface issue.

Things You Should Know About Dry Lips

Drinking more water alone may not fix dry lips: Often, external moisture loss causes dryness more than inside water levels.
Weather Effect: Dry heat in summer removes moisture and makes lips dry, and the same goes for cold wind in winter removes moisture.
Lip skin is thinner than facial skin
Matte lipsticks dry lips more than glossy ones
SPF on lips matters, just like sunscreen on skin

When Dry Lips Are Normal

Dry lips are common when:

Weather changes suddenly
You travel to colder or drier places
You recently had fever or cold

In these cases, dryness improves in a few days.

When You Should Consult Medical Expert

Talk to a healthcare provider if:

Lips crack deeply or bleed
Pain or burning lasts beyond a few weeks
Frequent dryness returns even after daily care

These may point to infection or deficiency.

What You Can Do to Prevent Dry Lips: Home Remedies

✔ Choose the Right Lip Protection

Use a balm that:

Locks in moisture with protective ingredients (cocoa butter, shea, petrolatum)
Is fragrance-free and gentle
Avoid menthol, eucalyptus, and strong flavor additives.

✔ Apply Lip Care Often

Re-apply:

Upon waking
Before going outside
After meals
Before bed

This creates a protective barrier at all times.

✔ Add Air Moisture at Home

Dry indoor air dries lips just as fast as outside wind. A humidifier keeps air moist and helps lips stay hydrated.

✔ Gently Remove Dead Skin

Once or twice a week, use a soft scrub to remove flaky skin. This lets lip care products absorb better.

✔ Cover Lips in Harsh Conditions

In strong sun or winter wind, wear a light scarf or face shield to protect lips from direct exposure.

Final Thought

Dry and chapped lips are common, but they usually have a clear reason.

Once you figure out what’s causing the dryness and stop irritating your lips, healing becomes much easier. Small changes in daily habits can make a noticeable difference within a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dehydration cause dry lips?

Yes, dehydration can cause dry lips, but it is only one reason. In most cases, lips dry out due to external factors like weather, habits such as lip licking, or lack of protection.

Can drinking more water fix dry lips?

Drinking water helps overall hydration, but it may not fully fix dry lips. Lips often lose moisture from the outside, so hydration must be combined with proper lip protection.

Why do lips crack even with balm?

Some lip balms contain ingredients that irritate sensitive lips. These may give short-term relief but can cause peeling or cracking once the effect wears off.

Does sun cause chapped lips?

Yes. Lips can get sunburned just like skin. Sun exposure dries lips and damages the surface, which is why lip balm with SPF is important.