Chapped Lips – Causes and Remedies

Many people think of chapped lips as something that plagues them only in the cold and dry weather of the winter season. Those that enjoy skiing, snowboarding and other outdoor winter activities know that the combination of cold and sun can be a killer on the sensitive skin of the lips, but you might be surprised to learn that chapped lips can pop up any time, and in any season. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than dry, stiff lips that burn and crack every time you talk or smile. To avoid this painful beauty issue, here is some information about the causes and what you can do to stop them.

First, you should know that even though it seems like a beauty issue, there is a medical term for chapped lips, cheilitis. The most common cause of chapped lips is exposing them to the elements, like cold and wind, without the proper protection. There is also the issue of overexposure to UV rays from the sun that can essentially burn your lips and leave them dry and cracked. Just like the rest of your body, you want to avoid burning your lips whenever possible, because it could lead to a more severe skin issue. Licking your lips over and over again can also lead to severe chapping.

One way to avoid developing chapped lips is to moisturize them with the same vigor and intensity that you moisturize and protect the other areas of your body. If you make it a habit to apply lotion and sunscreen to your body and face every day when you get out of the shower, you simply need to add one more step: lip balm with sunscreen in it. Also, carry extra lip balm with you in your pocket, briefcase or purse so that you’ll always have a stick with you if you feel like your lips are getting really dry.

Although there are many different medicated varieties out there on the market, it’s safe to say that the ointments and lip balms that are going to work the best will be those that contain all or mostly natural ingredients. Look for coconut oil, vitamin E and peppermint as some of the most effective ingredients in natural lip balms. There are also plenty of recipes available on the internet for making your own lip balm if you’re interested in saving money and experimenting with your own ingredients.