If I don't use lip balm every day, my lips get chapped and dry. Is there a way to break this addiction?

Like the skin on the other body parts lips do not produce natural oils to protect them against low humidity and cold winds. As the weather or the environment changes, lips could be affected. They can chap, dry or crack.

The reasons for what causes dry lips are many. Cracked, chapped and dry lips occur because the moisture level in the skin on and around the lips reduces. The dermal layer of the lip surface becomes dehydrated and prone to breaking and cracking.

There are various reasons for this. People who tend to lick their lips excessively may also suffer from dry and chapped lips. An allergic reaction may also be the cause of this condition.

Dryness, cracking and discomfort is likely to occur in individuals with chapped lips. There may also be redness around the mouth. Chapped lips may occur due to exposure to the sun in summer.

One can prevent this by using a lip balm or applying a sunscreen when going outdoors. In the winter months, chapped lips may occur due to dryness and coldness of the air. Following are the symptoms of dried, chapped or cracked lips Loss of moisture from the lips, Bleeding, Slight pain, Frequent licking of lips, Lips looking dried, rough and red, Peeling, Tenderness of lips, Sensitivity on lips.

Dry lips symptoms in fact include chapping and cracked and peeling lips, particularly around the corners of the mouth. It is a natural tendency to lick the lips to alleviate the dryness. However, this could aggravate the condition.

Chapped lips are a relatively common condition and treatment for this is quite simple. There are plenty of home remedies for chapped lips and you can use any home remedy for chapped lips. One must keep the lips well moisturized by using a good quality lip balm in winter as well as summer.

Normally petroleum jelly works wonderfully as a lip balm. Cold sores which are caused by the herpes virus can also lead to irritation and dryness on the lips and areas around the lips and in some cases may be one of the possible dry lips causes. Some people are prone to allergies to mouthwash or toothpaste.

Exposure to these substances may lead to redness and rough skin. It is advisable to consider switching brands if such a condition arises. One must also rinse properly after brushing.

Swollen and dry lips in winter can be quite problematic. Following are the causes of chapped, cracked or dry lips Over exposure to the cold or windy conditions, Over exposure to the sun, Allergies to cosmetic products, Infections, Drugs, Dehydration, Kawasaki disease, Macrocytosis, Riboflavin deficiency, Sjogren's syndrome, Frequent use of soaps and other chemicals, Deficiency of vitamin A, B and C, Smoking, History of skin disorder When the lips are chapped or dry do not attempt to lick them, this will make you feel better only for short time. Once the saliva evaporates the condition will worsen.

Your lips could be in problem because of your ill-fitting dentures, in such case consult your dentist. In severe cases, where there is excessive cracking, dryness and redness, one can use a medicated lip balm. It is best to avoid using flavored chap sticks and balms as this could induce frequent licking.

One can also protect the lips from sun exposure and cold, dry winds by covering the mouth with a scarf when going outdoors. Increasing the humidity in the house can also alleviate chapped lips. It helps to wash the mouth frequently and then follow it up with an application of lip balm.

In some cases, the condition may worsen so much that bleeding may also occur. In such cases, one must consult a doctor. Prescription lip balms may then be used to treat the condition.

There are different methods one could use when considering ways on how to cure dry lips. Following are the remedies for dry, chapped or cracked lips. Apply glossy lipstick on you lips, Use unflavored lip balm on your lips, Avoid flavored tooth paste, Use a humidifier to humidify your lips, Increase intake of water and other non alcoholic liquids, Rub cucumber slice on your lips, Apply margosa leaf extract on your lips, Put some aloe vera gel on your lips, Take a saline bath.

One of the most effective chapped and dry lips remedies involves a routine of exfoliating and moisturizing the lips. Exfoliation must be done by gently rubbing the lips. One can also make use of a soft toothbrush or cloth.

It is important not to pick the dry and dead skin from the surface of the lips as this can cause bleeding. After exfoliation, the lips must be moisturized using a moisturizer or balm. This can be done at night before going to bed.

This regimen must be followed especially during the winter months as the lips are affected the most at this time. Those who apply makeup will benefit from applying a coat of lip balm before putting on lipstick. This will prevent dryness and chapping.

It will also help to protect the lips from the chemical content of the lipstick. It is also beneficial to use lipsticks with a moisturizer base. One should also not use too much of lipstick as this can block the pores.

There are a variety of simple natural treatments for a chapped and dry lips cure. These are home remedies for dry lips which make use of natural ingredients. Massaging the lips with a mixture of milk cream, lime juice and rose water helps to keep the lips nourished and moisturized.

The lips may be kept soft during the day by applying some cocoa butter. Honey is a nourishing natural substance that prevents drying of the lips. Protecting the lips with a coat of glycerin and wheat germ oil helps to prevent moisture loss.

Vitamin E oil may also be added. One can also apply a paste of mashed papaya to the lips and surrounding areas. Allow the papaya to remain on for about ten minutes and then rinse.

Papaya is known to contain certain exfoliating enzymes which help to keep the lips soft and help as an effective cure for dry lips. In order to keep the lips hydrated, it is also necessary to drink plenty of water. Low water levels in the body can also be one of the causes of dry lips because of dehydration.

Dehydration can be one of the causes of dry lips and mouths in adults and children as well. There are plenty of home remedies for dry and cracked lips and one such remedy that you can use even during pregnancy to treat the problem whether the causes are a fungus or bacterial or viral, or simply because of a skin condition like dryness or because of the weather. Dryness of the lips can also be treated by applying a mixture of rose petals and milk.

This also helps the lips to retain their pinkness. To reduce dryness and ease pain and discomfort, one can also gently rub a slice of cucumber over the lips. The juice of margosa leaves is known to be effective in healing chapped and dry lips.

The juice can be extracted by grinding some margosa leaves. Another beneficial natural remedy for chapped lips is aloe vera. The gel of aloe vera leaves can be extracted and applied to the lips and surrounding skin.

Vitamin A deficiencies can lead to dry skin. It is essential to consume foods rich in vitamin A such as tomatoes, legumes, carrots, green leafy vegetables and whole grains. Iron and B complex vitamin deficiencies can also lead to dry lips.

One can consume foods rich in these nutrients or consult a doctor regarding the intake of nutritional supplements. Some people tend to drool while sleeping and this can dry out the lips and worsen the problem. Applying a coat of zinc oxide ointment before sleeping will work as a protective barrier for the lips.

Vitamin A is very important for the growth and repair of the skin. See to it that your diet provides you with sufficient quantity of vitamin A. Carrots, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables are the good sources of vitamin A.

Make a vitamin rich juice by adding 1 tbsp. Of water cress, carrot and spinach juice, 2 tbsp. Wheat germ oil, one glass of tomato juice, and 1 tbsp.

Of nutritional yeast. Eat whole grains, legumes and nutritional yeast. If home remedies do not work than it is advisable to see a dermatologist as soon as possible.