Come winter… and the one thing that we complain of most of the times is chapped lips. The lips are one part of the body that does not have their own self-protecting system and is the most exposed part getting badly affected, as they do not contain oil glands. So, it is important to keep them moist so as to prevent them from getting cracked.

When we talk of chapped lips, the term itself refers to dry, cracking, and painful skin on the lips and mouth area. It is one of the most common problems that most of us suffer from. Though it is not a serious one but a person suffering from it, may find difficulty in our day-to-day activities such as eating, talking, smiling, kissing or drinking.

However, a good lip balm comes to our rescue at this juncture. But ‘WAIT’, have you ever thought of the causes, which is responsible for the dryness and cracks. One of the major causes that we all know of, which is responsible for chapped lips, is the habit of licking them. Usually, chapped lips occurs very frequently during winters because of the exposure to cold weather, dry air and wind, nonetheless, it can also occur in summer when exposed to the sun.

There are other causes such as:

1) Lack of proper diet, Vitamin A, B, C and essential fatty acids.

2) Dehydration

3) Infections

4) Smoking

5) Drugs

6) Fruit juice ( as it contains citric acid which may irritate your lips)

7) Flavoring Agents

8) Allergies to cosmetic Agents

9) Allergic reaction to dyes in Lipstick

In some people, the chapping occurs in the corner of their mouths. The shape of their lips is such that saliva may collect in the corners and resulting in the chapping of the outside of their lips. They tend to suffer from Cheilitis all year round.

Cheilitis is generally referred to severe chapped lips and it includes infection along with deep cracking in the region of your mouth and is known as Angular Cheilitis. However, the main cause of this infection is not known. A number of studies have been conducted in an attempt to establish a relation between the cause and malnutrition.

Some people in order to relieve the discomfort of chapped lips compulsively lick them which on the contrary, worsens the problem. Knowing the cause of your chapped lips may be helpful in getting rid of it forever. Some people are also allergic to certain lip balms which may cause their lips to chap. And for them it is best to go for home remedies instead of opting for cosmetic products.