Dry or chapped lips are mainly caused by overexposure to weather conditions such as cold, wind and sun. Other reasons could also be dehydration, allergies or irritation from cosmetic products or food, infections, vitamin deficiencies, medications, and smoking. Our lips have a thin covering of skin, and do not have oil glands to keep them lubricated at all times. Therefore even constant biting or licking will make the lips flaky and dry.




There are several ways to cure dry lips and get back your original shine and color...

You should start with drinking lots of water to keep your lips hydrated at all times. If after drinking water, your lips still continuously feel dry, then apply a cool wet cloth to directly hydrate your lips. You can apply this treatment every few hours.

You could also moisturize your lips using a lip balm every couple of hours. The balm should provide protection from sunlight, with a minimum of 15 SPF to save your lips from the sun. Avoid licking your lips as this only causes further chapping. Licking does not help in moisturizing your lips. Another thing to remember is that you should never peel the dead skin from your lips, no matter how dry they may feel.

Applying butter or milk cream several times a day helps to remove the dry, dead skin and also makes your lips smooth. A very effective method is by applying a paste of rose petals and milk. Soak a few rose petals in raw milk for a few hours. Take this paste and apply it to make lips pink and smooth.

Dryness could also be due to vitamin deficiencies in your body. Make sure that your diet includes all foods that are rich in Vitamin A and B. You could also be allergic to the toothpaste you are using, as they often contain flavoring agents that may not suit your lips. Using an old or a harsh toothbrush could also cause further harm. You should also be careful of what you’re eating as your lips could be sensitive to certain kind of food. A few food items that could irritate your lips are mustard, pepper, barbeque sauce, and alcoholic beverages. You should also avoid using cosmetic lip products till your lips heal as they might interfere with the healing process or cause further irritation. Finally, avoid smoking, because it absorbs the moisture from your lips and makes them dark.