What helps against dry lips?
Almost everyone knows the problem: dry, chapped lips that hurt and look unpleasant. But why are lips so susceptible to dryness? The reason lies in their special anatomy.
Lips have hardly any skin-protecting sebaceous glands and sweat glands are completely absent. As a result, they react very sensitively to external influences and dry out quickly. In this article, you will find out how you can make your lips supple again.
Simple measures and tried-and-tested home remedies can help to moisturize the lips and strengthen their natural protective barrier. Find out which ingredients in lip care products are particularly effective and how to use them correctly.
Why do lips dry out so quickly?
The skin on your lips is very thin and requires special care. There are three different zones around the mouth opening: the outer skin with hair, sebaceous and sweat glands, the inner oral mucosa with salivary glands and the transition zone, which is known as the red of the lips.
Special features of the lip skin
The skin on the lips differs fundamentally from normal facial skin. It is significantly thinner and allows the blood to shine through. This is because the outermost layer of the skin, the horny layer, is very thin in this area.
Another characteristic of lip skin is that it has hardly any sebaceous glands, which are responsible for natural oil production and skin protection.
Lack of natural protection
The lack of sweat glands in the skin of the lips means that your lips cannot produce their own moisture, which makes them particularly susceptible to dehydration.
In addition, the skin of the lips lacks the natural UV protection provided by pigments, which makes it even more vulnerable.
Common causes of dry and chapped lips
If you suffer from dry lips, there are several possible reasons for this. Dry and chapped lips can be caused by a combination of external influences and internal factors.
External influences: Cold, wind and heating air
Cold, wind and dry heating air can deprive the skin of important moisture. In winter, your lips are particularly at risk as the combination of cold, wind and dry heating air exacerbates the situation.
UV radiation and solar radiation
UV radiation is an often underestimated factor for dry lips, as the skin on the lips contains hardly any melanin and therefore has no natural sun protection. The UV light can roughen the thin layer of skin and lead to dryness.
Vitamin and nutrient deficiency
A lack of important vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B2 and iron, can lead to chapped lips and cracked corners of the mouth. A balanced diet is important to maintain the health of your lips.
| Cause | Description | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Cold and wind | Remove moisture from the skin | Use lip care products |
| UV radiation | Roughens the skin of the lips | Lip balm with UV protection |
| Nutrient deficiency | Leads to chapped lips | Balanced diet |
What helps against dry lips? The best immediate measures
The right care can quickly help dry lips and make them supple again. To care for your lips effectively, you should pay attention to the right products and habits.
Correct humidification and care
Regular lip care is crucial to prevent or treat dry lips. Use a lip balm or a special lip cream that moisturizes and coats the lips with a protective film.
- Apply your lip balm several times a day, especially before going to bed, so that the active ingredients can work intensively overnight.
- Make sure that your lip care products do not contain any irritating ingredients such as menthol, camphor or alcohol.
- For immediate relief from the feeling of tightness, you can apply an intensive lip care mask or gently dab your lips with a damp, warm cloth before applying cream.
Avoidance of harmful habits
There are a few habits that you should avoid in order to prevent further strain on your lips. One of these habits is moistening your lips with your tongue.
- Avoid moistening your lips with your tongue at all costs, as the saliva will make your lips even drier once it has evaporated.
- Do not chew on dry skin flakes on the lips, as this can lead to minor injuries and delay the healing process.
Effective ingredients for lip care
Certain ingredients are particularly important for effective lip care. The right ingredients can help to moisturize and protect dry lips.
Dexpanthenol and bisabolol
Dexpanthenol is a proven active ingredient that not only moisturizes, but also has an anti-inflammatory effect and promotes wound healing. Bisabolol, the main active ingredient in camomile, soothes irritated lip skin and relieves inflammation.
Fats, oils and waxes
Natural fats, oils and waxes such as beeswax, shea butter or cocoa butter form a protective barrier on your lips and prevent further moisture loss. One example of this is olive oil, which you can apply to your lips in the evening before going to bed so that it can work intensively overnight.
When choosing your lip care, you should make sure that it does not contain any drying alcohols or artificial fragrances. Hyaluronic acid can also improve moisture retention and make your lips appear fuller.
Proven home remedies for chapped lips
If you’re looking for natural solutions to chapped lips, you might find just what you need in your kitchen. Many home remedies are not only easy to use, but also rich in natural ingredients that moisturize and protect your lips.
Natural moisturizers
Honey is a great home remedy for chapped lips as it is naturally moisturizing and has antibacterial properties. Simply apply a thin layer of honey to your lips and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before dabbing it off with a dry cloth.
Vegetable oils for lip care
Olive oil and other vegetable oils such as coconut oil or almond oil are rich in fatty acids and vitamins that nourish your lips and protect them from drying out. A simple remedy is to dab your lips with olive oil in the evening before going to bed.
Homemade scrubs for soft lips
For soft lips, you can make a scrub from honey and brown sugar. Mix the two together, apply and massage in gently. Alternatively, you can also use a soft toothbrush to gently exfoliate your lips and stimulate circulation.
| Home remedy | Application | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Honey | Apply a thin layer, leave on for 5-10 minutes, dab off | Moisture, antibacterial |
| Olive oil | Apply to the lips in the evening | Nourishes, protects against dehydration |
| Honey + sugar scrub | Apply, massage in gently | Removes dead skin cells, delicately |
Lip care in summer and winter
The right lip care varies depending on the season to protect your lips from external influences. In both summer and winter, your lips are exposed to different challenges that require appropriate care.
Protection from the sun
In summer, your lips need special protection from UV radiation as they do not produce melanin and therefore have no natural sun protection. “Good sun protection is just as important for the lips as it is for the skin,” emphasizes the importance of a sufficient sun protection filter. Therefore, always use a lip balm with at least SPF 30, especially on a skiing vacation, as the snow reflects and intensifies UV radiation.
Protection from cold and wind
In winter, your lips are particularly stressed by the combination of cold, wind and dry heating air. Rich products with waxes and oils that form a protective film on your lips are particularly suitable for winter care. Apply your lip balm before you leave the house and reapply regularly to protect your lips preventively.
Make sure that your face is protected by a scarf that also covers the lower part of your face to protect your lips from direct exposure to the cold.
Preventive measures in everyday life
To prevent dry lips, there are a few simple measures you can incorporate into your daily routine. These will help to keep your lips healthy and moisturized.
Hydration
Drinking enough fluids is crucial. Drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water or unsweetened drinks every day to provide your body and therefore your lips with sufficient moisture from the inside.
Optimum room air
Optimize the humidity in your living and working spaces by using humidifiers or damp towels on the heating to counteract the drying effect of heating air.
Healthy diet
Make sure you eat a balanced diet rich in vitamin B2, which is found in meat, fish, dairy products and vegetables such as broccoli. This contributes to the health of your skin.
Other tips include:
- the use of iron-rich foods to prevent iron deficiency,
- Regular gentle exfoliation with a soft toothbrush to remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation,
- and the regular use of lip care products before the lips become dry and chapped.
When you should see a doctor for dry lips
The health of your lips is closely linked to your general health, which is why persistent problems should be checked by a doctor.
If your lips remain dry, painful or inflamed despite care and home remedies, you should see a dermatologist. Deep cracks in the red of the lips or torn corners of the mouth can indicate infections or a lack of nutrients.
