Dry and chapped lips are not only annoying but also prevent one from having a picture-perfect smile. They irritate the lips and cause cracking, exposing one to infections. So, one must properly care for their lips and adhere to a good lip-care routine. Likewise, one must avoid certain habits and mistakes that make the lips even more dry and damaged. Let’s look at a few such mistakes to steer clear of.

Licking the lips
Many individuals have a habit of constantly licking their lips and moistening them with saliva. They tend to do this even more when the lips feel chapped and dry. However, even though it may seem harmless, this small and simple habit makes the lips even more dry. This is because saliva has certain enzymes that dry the lips and irritate the skin layer. So, licking the lips when dry can worsen the situation. Instead, it is better always to keep a moisturizing lip balm handy so one can apply it when one’s lips feel dry.

Not drinking enough water
Adequate hydration can do wonders for the body. One of its many benefits is keeping the skin and lips hydrated and moisturized. If one experiences one’s lips drying out or cracking too often, it could be a sign that one is not drinking enough water. So to avoid such issues, drinking plenty of water—at least 2 to 3 liters in a day is crucial.

Not wiping off lipstick properly
If left on for a long time, lipstick can dry out and spoil the texture of the lips. That is why it is imperative to use a makeup remover on the lips to avoid damage. It is also equally important to wipe the lipstick off properly at the end of the day. Even if tiny remnants or particles of lipstick are left on the lips, they can cause dryness and damage. A good way to wipe the lipstick off properly is using micellar water, coconut oil, or almond oil.

Picking lips
Those who experience lip chapping habitually pick their lips to remove the layer of dry skin. This is a poor habit, as picking lips can cause bleeding and worsen the damage. Moreover, once the lips start bleeding, they become vulnerable to infections. As mentioned before, if the lips feel too dry and chappy, it is better to moisturize them with lip balm. This will keep one from picking the dry skin off the lips.

Skipping exfoliation
A great way to keep the lips from getting dried or chapped is by exfoliating them occasionally. And for this, one can use a good quality lip scrub or invest in one. One can even make a simple exfoliating solution by mixing a teaspoon of sugar in some parts of olive oil or honey. However, it is also important to not over-exfoliate lips. If one exfoliates their lips too often, the abrasive nature of the scrub can damage the skin of the lips and lead them to dry out more often. Therefore, the best way to exfoliate the lips is to do it once a week.

Using a bad lip balm
Lip balms are wonderful products that moisturize the lips and prevent them from drying out. However, to ensure the lips remain healthy and not get damaged, one must choose/invest in a good quality lip balm.
Besides, one must completely avoid using lip balms that have harsh chemicals added to them. When choosing a lip balm, it’s essential to read the ingredients list to ensure that it won’t worsen the dryness of the lips. Avoid lip balms that contain camphor, eucalyptus, or menthol, as they can dry the lips. It’s also advisable to avoid lip balms with added fragrances and artificial flavors, as they can harm the lips.
Instead, opt for lip balms that contain moisturizing and soothing ingredients such as lanolin, beeswax, cocoa butter, colloidal oatmeal, and ceramides. These ingredients are known to have a moisturizing effect on the lips, keeping them healthy and hydrated.

Taking hot showers frequently
Taking hot showers can indeed feel extremely therapeutic. However, taking them too often is not the best for the skin and the lips’ health. This is because the hot water washes away the skin’s protective oils, leaving it dry, tight, and itchy. Similarly, it also applies to the lips. So, to avoid the skin and lips from drying out and getting damaged, it is better to switch to lukewarm showers instead.

Not using sun protection
It is widely known that the Sun’s UV rays can cause significant harm to the skin. As a result, many people take great care in applying sunscreen to protect their skin from these harmful rays. However, it is not common knowledge that the lips can also be negatively affected by the Sun’s rays, leading to dryness, chapping, or even serious health issues. Therefore, it is also crucial to protect the lips from sun exposure. A reliable way to achieve this is using a high-quality lip balm with a minimum SPF of 20. This will keep the lips moisturized and shield them from the harmful effects of UV rays.