Youโve probably heard that if you feel thirsty, youโre already dehydrated. By the time your throat feels parched, the delicate skin on your lips is in jeopardy of cracking and flakingโnot to mention looking wrinkled and less plump. Thatโs because when the body is dehydrated, it prioritizes the distribution of fluids to your vital organs, leaving less moisture available for your lips. How do you prevent dehydrated or chapped lips?Itโs a two-part approach that helps maintain moisture inside and ou
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Understanding Dehydration and Dry Lips
Letโs dive deeper into the connection between dehydration and dry, cracked lips, starting with how you might become dehydrated in the first place.
Even if youโre drinking enough water, you (and your lips) can still become dehydrated. Here are some common reasons why:
Dry lips are extremely common because of the delicate nature of lip skin. And not just during dry seasons or months with cold weather either. Unlike the rest of your skin, the lips have a thinner outer layer (epidermis) and lack oil-producing glands. This makes the skin barrier extra delicate and water retention more difficult
.3 Without the right protection, lips can easily lose their moisture and become more susceptible to environmental factors that cause them to flake and crack
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Dehydration
- Excessive sweating: Whether it's due to intense exercise, hot weather, or a fever, your body loses a significant amount of fluids through sweat.
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Diarrhea and vomiting:ย Illnesses that cause vomiting, diarrhea, or both result in a rapid loss of fluids and electrolytes.
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Alcohol consumption:ย Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and fluid loss. Drinking too much alcohol, especially in combination with sweating or vomiting, can severely dehydrate you. That's why hangovers often leave you feeling so parched.
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Insufficient minerals:ย If you're drinking water but still feel dehydrated, try electrolyte drinks, which contain the right balance of calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. Cells require electrolytes to maintain the water balance inside and outside the cells. Without them, your cells can be dehydrated and unable to maintain their hydration, even if youโre diligently drinking water. Electrolyte-rich fluids like sports drinks or coconut water can help address electrolyte imbalance and ensure the hydration reaches your cells.2
Dry Lips
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Tips for Preventing and Treating Dry Lips Due to Dehydration
If you're interested in learning how to fix dehydrated skin, start by addressing the root cause. In other words, make sure youโre staying hydrated and avoiding lifestyle habits that make the problem worse. Here are some tips to keep your lips hydrated and protected.
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Drink enough water every day
: The recommendations fluctuate from at least 8 glasses of water5 to half your bodyweight in ounces. Still not staying hydrated? Consider adding electrolytes.
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Manage room humidity:
As mentioned, dry air can exacerbate dry lips. Try using a humidifier to add moisture to the air if you live in a dry climate.2
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Use lip balm regularly:
Lip balms create a layer that protects the lip's thin skin barrier from environmental stressors. Apply a lip product liberally throughout the day and look for an option with SPF protection.6
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Stop Licking Your Lips:
While it may seem counterintuitive, lip licking actually makes them drier in the long run. As the saliva strips any oils off the skin, your skin barrier erodes, making your lips vulnerable and dehydrated.3
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Key Ingredients for Lip Care to Improve Hydration
The ingredients in your lip care product are just as important as how often you use them. After all, why look for just protection when you can improve your lipsโ overall health? Here are a few of our favorites.
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Antioxidants:
Ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea extract are great for protecting the lips from environmental stressors and free radical damage, which can contribute to dryness and premature aging.7
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Sun protection:
It's essential to use lip products with SPF protection, as the lips lack melanin and sebum (a natural source of antioxidants), making them extra susceptible to sun damage. This can exacerbate the effects of dehydration, discoloration, and even skin cancer. Look for mineral-based sunscreen options with zinc oxide as they are nontoxic and less likely to irritate the skin.7
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Occlusives:
Ingredients like beeswax and mineral oil create a protective barrier on the lips, preventing moisture loss and keeping them hydrated for longer periods.7
Key Takeaways:
- Dehydrated skin cells, including those on the lips, can impact skin texture and overall health, making hydration essential.
- Lips have a thinner outer layer and lack oil-producing glands, making them more susceptible to dryness and dehydration.
- When the body is dehydrated, it prioritizes fluids for vital organs, leaving less moisture for the skin and lips, making them appear less plump and contributing to lip wrinkles.
- Look for a hydrating lip balm or lip product with SPF, antioxidants, and occlusives to protect and improve lip health.
By Felip Gerdes: Felip is an aspiring lawyer studying political science at the UC San Diego. For more on Felip, check out his LinkedIn.
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