Why are my lips so dry

Why are my lips so dry

Do you find yourself constantly re-applying your chapstick only to find your lips feeling extremely dry and chapped every few hours? 


Do your chapped and flaky lips make you feel super insecure about wearing bright lip colors that make them more obvious?


Or have you made peace (reluctantly, at least) with the possibility that you might never have the soft, luscious and smooth lips that all celebrities seem to sport?


If any of the above questions hit a chord then you’ve come to the right place. Because let me tell you something; soft, smooth and silky lips are not an unachievable feat. In fact, once you find out what the reason behind your dry and flaky lips is (because there most likely is a sneaky culprit out there), you can easily fix the situation and get nothing short of a delectable pout. 


So keep on reading to find out what could possibly be the bane of your life (read: lips) and what you can do to get soft, silky and beautiful lips in no time!


Our lips are one of the most fragile parts of our body and being extremely thin-layered, the most prone to drying out. Also, they contain no oil glands to keep them lubricated naturally and hence require us to be extra conscious about moisturizing them using nourishing and hydrating ingredients. They are also packed with many nerve endings which is why chapped (and sometimes even bloody) lips can often be downright painful!


So what are some causes of dry lips?


  • Changing seasons

While one may experience dry and chapped lips at any time of the year, the condition becomes more pronounced during the dry, windy and cold months. The harsh and dry winds can deplete and rob the lips of any moisture they may have, leaving them feeling cracked and flaky. Your safest bet during these months to keep them soft and supple is to shrink plenty of fluids and to keep them nourished using a toxin-free lip balm containing ingredients such as jojoba oil and hyaluronic acid, like the Leovard Lip Luster, to lock in moisture. 


  • Sun exposure

While many of us are aware of the importance of wearing sunscreen at all times to prevent getting a sunburn, we often forget our lips which require just as much protection, if not more, from the harmful UV rays. Known as actinic cheilitis, sunburn on the lips is more than just painful—it can potentially develop into skin cancer. The heat from the sun can dry out the lips, leading to chapping and flakiness, hence sunscreen for them is an absolute must! The Leovard Lip Luster, containing titanium oxide provides wonderful sun protection for the lips, helping them stay soft and luscious at all times. 


  • Dehydration

It goes without saying that amongst the first signs of dehydration are shrunken, shriveled and dry lips. While it’s a lot easier to have the recommended daily water intake during the summer time, it becomes a tad bit difficult during the colder months as you don’t feel thirsty often. However, it’s important to keep your body hydrated and have a minimum of eight glasses of water each day. 


  • Licking your lips

We sometimes do it out of habit and sometimes out of nervousness. Either way, it’s mostly unconsciously done and hence a bit difficult to stop. Licking your lips causes them to get covered in saliva which contains digestive enzymes that eliminate the small amount of natural moisture in them. Keep a lip balm handy at all times to cut down on lip licking as much as possible! 


  • Toxins in your lip balm

Ever thought that the same lip balm you use to remedy the problem of chapped and dry lips might just be the culprit? Yes, it’s very likely, given the large probability of lip products containing harmful toxins in them. Not only are these toxic ingredients extremely drying, they can also cause irritation to the lips making you constantly reach for the product and in turn cause more drying. It’s really a vicious cycle. So instead of using just any product on your lips, have a look at the list of ingredients to see whether it contains any artificial flavors and fragrances because if it does, it’s time to make a switch. 


What can you do to fix dry and chapped lips?

  • Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated
  • Wear sunscreen on lips at all times
  • Try to avoid licking your lips
  • Look for nourishing and hydrating lip products 
  • Opt for a toxin free lip balm

Takeaway 

If you’re someone who suffers from dry and chapped lips for a good portion of the year, you might think you’ll never have soft and smooth lips. However, as mentioned above, that’s not true. There’s most likely a reason behind your dry lips, and once you know the reason, you can easily eliminate it and enjoy the most dreamiest lips!


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