Why do our lips get chapped?

Outside the Body

	Tweet	Pin It

0

by Kate Simmons >> more about the author

Your lips feel dry, and soon they start to sting and crack… They’re chapped! You may lick your lips to make them feel better, but this only makes them drier when your saliva evaporates! So how do lips get chapped in the first place?

For one thing, the chilly wind and dry air of winter can chap lips, which have thinner skin than the rest of your face. An allergy to an ingredient (like perfume in a soap or face wash) can also cause chapped lips. Do you breathe through your mouth for long periods of time? This dries out the skin on your lips too!

But just as there are many causes of chapped lips, there are plenty of things you can do to keep them moist, even in the cold weather! Wearing lip balm can add an extra coat of protection, which is very helpful for cold and windy days. Breathing through your nose can also help. Drinking plenty of water and using a humidifier also helps keep lips moist!