What Your Dry Lips Say About Your Lifestyle Habits

Dry lips can be a pain and we don’t mean just physically. If you’ve ever tried applying lipstick on chapped lips, you know how frustrating it can be. The pigment never goes on smoothly and before you know it, the product settles between the cracks. Sleeping with dry lips can also be an unpleasant experience. You wake up in the middle of the night with your lips feeling parched and crepey. If it seems like your lips are permanently thirsty, check your habits. A few adjustments to your lip-care routine can help minimize chapping and irritation. 

Contrary to popular belief, drinking a lot of water won’t solve all your problems, but it will solve this. Dehydration makes you more prone to chapped lips, according to the National Institutes of Health. If your dry lips come with extreme thirst, fatigue, headaches, and an upset stomach, you need to drink more water.

Some of us get into the habit of licking our lips when we first notice that they're dry, which only worsens the issue. Other people lick and bite their lips to give them color on the fly — also problematic. When you lick your lips, the saliva evaporates with your lips' natural moisture, making them even dryer. Applying a lip balm is easy and won’t harm your lips the way licking and biting can.

The NIH states that mouth breathing can lead to different oral issues, including dry mouth and lips. If you snore, have chronic fatigue, experience hoarseness, and have bad breath, you may be breathing through your mouth while sleeping. To stop mouth breathing, prop your head on pillows so you’re not lying flat on your back. We also tend to breathe through the mouth when we’re stressed out. To reduce this, practice mindful breathing during the day: in through the nose and out through the mouth. 

It seems inevitable, but not unavoidable. When you’re doing your skincare routine, try to avoid getting product on your lips. Certain ingredients, such as acids, oils, fragrances, and sunscreen, could be drying or irritating on the delicate lip area. Apply them carefully to prevent dryness.

Vaseline is good for the lips. Protect them with Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Original. This hypoallergenic jelly is clinically proven to heal dry skin. Using Vaseline for dry lips will keep them moisturized and comfortable during the day and while you sleep. 

Acidic, salty, and spicy foods can irritate your lips and make them itchy, painful, and dry. Oranges and pineapples can sometimes have this effect, so do salty chips and spicy nuts. Tannins in tea and red wine can also make your mouth feel dry and your lips pucker. If you’re prone to dry lips, you could avoid these foods or simply consume them in moderation. Wash your lips with water right after to avoid further irritation. 

Always protect your dry lips with a lip balm and avoid exposing them to extreme heat or cold. If your lips get chapped, avoid picking to prevent wounds and infection. Finally, don’t forget to apply lip jelly before bedtime. It will moisturize them overnight and you’ll wake up to soft and smooth lips.