Why do we get chapped lips?
Quick Answer
Lips have very thin skin with no oil glands, so they dry out faster than the rest of the face, especially in cold, dry or windy weather.
The Full Story
The skin on the lips is only about 3 to 5 cell layers thick, compared with around 16 layers on the face. Lips also lack sebaceous (oil) glands and sweat glands, which normally help keep skin moisturised. In cold, dry or windy conditions, moisture evaporates from the lips quickly. Licking your lips makes it worse because saliva evaporates and takes even more moisture with it, and digestive enzymes in saliva can irritate the delicate skin. Breathing through the mouth, dehydration, sun exposure and some medications can also contribute. Lip balm with beeswax or petroleum jelly helps seal in moisture.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"No oil glands, no protection — why lips dry out"