Dry Lips: What Are the Causes?
Unlike other areas of skin, lips do not have a protective hydrolipidic film, which makes them particularly vulnerable to external aggressors. Cold and UV rays are among the two most aggressive daily factors for our lips. These dry them out, which can lead to chapping or cracks if the problem isn't addressed in time.
Other causes can also be behind dry lips, such as:
- Insufficient hydration;
- Diabetes;
- Fever;
- Moistening your lips too often;
- A reaction to a lipstick or cosmetic product;
- Certain medications, notably acne treatments (such as isotretinoin), some antihypertensives, or diuretics, known to promote dryness of the skin and therefore the lips;
- Smoking;
- An unbalanced diet, which can also lead to deficiencies and dry lips.
Other habits make the situation worse still, such as biting your lips or moistening them constantly.
Why Protect Your Lips from Drying Out?
Lips are particularly sensitive to external aggressors such as cold, wind or sun. Unlike other areas of skin, they do not produce sebum and are therefore naturally more vulnerable to drying out. When they become dry and chapped, lips are more fragile and can crack easily.
Protecting your lips with moisturising treatments helps maintain their suppleness and limit the risk of irritation. It also helps to create a protective barrier against daily aggressors and prevent chapping and cracks from appearing.
A simple gesture that can make all the difference to your daily comfort!
How Can You Protect Yourself from Dry Lips?
You can take action every day to prevent dry or chapped lips.
To do this, you can start by drinking plenty of water: hydration is a key factor in preventing dryness.
Also follow a balanced diet including fresh fruit and vegetables that are rich in water.
Finally, you can regularly moisturise your lips using a protective balm to protect them effectively from external aggressors.
These good habits shouldn't be undermined by bad ones. For example, avoid moistening your lips too often with your saliva, as this encourages dryness. Don't go outside in cold weather without protecting your lips with a suitable balm, and always wash your hands before bringing them to your mouth to avoid infections.
What Solutions Exist for Dryness?
If your lips are already chapped, you can act quickly to stop the problem getting worse.
Start by identifying the cause of the dryness (UV rays, cold, prolonged moistening, reaction to a cosmetic product, etc).
You can then apply a protective balm to your lips to moisturise and nourish them. This will form a protective barrier and soothe chapping. Also drink plenty of water, and protect your lips from cold or UV rays when you go outside.
For specific care of damaged lips, you can use URGO Damaged Lips – Ultra-Rich Balm. This comforting balm intensely nourishes damaged lips and forms an insulating protective film to protect the lips from dehydration and external aggressors (cold and wind). Its rich, creamy texture with a delicious honey scent makes it a daily ally for regaining comfort and suppleness.
The URGO Product You Need: URGO Damaged Lips Ultra-Rich Balm
Which Ingredients Should You Look For to Care for Your Lips?
To soothe dry lips and restore comfort, certain ingredients are particularly well suited. They help nourish and protect the lips, while providing a pleasant daily sensation.
Among these:
- Shea butter: known for its nourishing properties, it helps maintain the lips' natural hydration;
- Beeswax: it forms a protective film that limits dehydration;
- Vegetable oils (sweet almond, coconut, jojoba, etc.): they bring softness and suppleness to the lips thanks to their pleasant texture and richness in fatty acids;
- Vitamin E: often used for its antioxidant properties, it contributes to protecting the skin from external aggressors.
To care for dry lips, it's best to choose specific treatments with a gentle, suitable formula. It's preferable to avoid products containing alcohol, harsh fragrances or drying ingredients, which can increase discomfort.
