Whether it’s summer or winter, you may be dealing with a case of chapped lips, cracked lips, or dry lips — and maybe all three. (Ouchie!) It turns out there are a number of reasons for chapped lips. Keep reading to learn more about dry lips causes and which dry lips remedy options can soothe your parched pout.

Causes of dry lips

Chapped lips can be a total nuisance. Between the cracking and peeling, your lips may sometimes be as dry as the Sahara Desert, making them downright uncomfortable and maybe even a little bit painful at times.

Some of the most common reasons for chapped lips, cracked lips, and dry lips can be due to things like dehydration, sun exposure (yes, your chapstick should have SPF in it, people!), and habits like lip picking and licking.

Heck, even some cheap chapsticks and lip balms could be the cause of your dry lips. The good news is, there are a variety of ways to hydrate your lips naturally.

Dry lips remedy: here’s what works

1. Apply SPF

It may be second nature to apply SPF to every square inch of your skin when you’re going outside to catch some sun rays and vitamin D, but many of us forget to protect our lips. The sun can easily burn and dry out our lips if not properly protected. Avoid chapped lips from sun exposure by using a chapstick or lip balm that includes SPF protection.

Just be sure to skip products that contain synthetic SPFs like avobenzone, shares Danielle Gronich, clinical esthetician/acne specialist, owner of San Diego Acne Clinic, and the co-founder and CEO of CLEARSTEM Skincare. “[This ingredient] creates a yucky aftertaste and is regarded as toxic, which is especially important for a lip product as it will inevitably get ingested in small amounts.”

2. Ditch low-quality lip balms

This may seem counterintuitive, but certain cheap chapsticks and low-quality lip balms could be a dry lips cause.

“Cheap products are not good and good products are not cheap,” says Gronich. “There are exceptions of course, but cheap chapsticks are usually just wax and this does not actually hydrate.”

The right dry lips remedy to try? Rely on quality ingredients and reach for items that include botanicals or beeswax, butter like shea butter, and plant-based oils like raspberry seed oil. As Gronich says, “You are not cheap and you only get one set of lips, so take care of them!”

Need a great product recommendation? Try LIPS&CUTES by ClearStem Skincare.

3. Hydrate

If you have chapped lips or dry lips, chances are you may be dehydrated. According to Harvard Health, water assists in a variety of key bodily functions including maintaining healthy skin — and the same can be said for healthy, plump lips.

“Lots of creasing in the lips and dry skin can be the first signal you need more hydration and/or more healthy fats in your diet,” explains Gronich. “It is also important to note that having deeply hydrated lips will help them be more naturally resilient to the sun and UV exposure. The same goes for our skin.”

To keep your skin glowing and to avoid thin lips that look less than kissably soft, make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. Whether you use an emotional support water bottle or need some additional hydration tips, stay hydrated, my friends. Your lips will thank you.

4. Look for possible irritants

Irritation from products you’re using can occur on your lips, which is why one dry lips remedy is to review which products you’re using that come into direct contact with your lips. Think of things like chapstick, lip balms, and toothpaste. Certain foods may even be the culprit of irritation that causes chapped lips.

If you think you may be using a food or product that’s a dry lips cause, stop using it until you can make an appointment with your allergist or doctor to get down to the bottom of your case of chapped lips.

5. Stop picking and licking your lips

Once we have chapped lips or dry lips, we may be prone to activating habits like lip licking and picking the little bits of dry skin off of our lips — but this can exacerbate the problem even further. The skin on our lips is far too delicate to handle that type of abuse, so be kind to your lips. Ditch the lip licking and picking and keep the lips lubricated with products that retain the lips’ natural oils.

Gronich also suggests replacing this habit with a new one. “Picking is detrimental, so replace that habit with something else like ice-rolling,” she says. “Minimize or replace the damaging habits while you uncover the root causes of the issue.”

6. Take minerals and vitamins

Deficiencies in B vitamins and zinc may lead to chapped lips or dry lips. (Who knew?) Deficiencies in vitamin B2 (riboflavin), B9 (folate), B12 (cyanocobalamin), and zinc can lead to chapped lips and dry lips. In some cases, even the ever-painful angular cheilitis may develop. (Yikes!)

B vitamins and zinc aren’t naturally produced by the body, which means you’ll need to obtain them through food, supplements, or vitamins. Gronich also loves l-lysine and vitamin C for collagen health and immunity support.

Say so long to chapped lips

There are a number of reasons why chapped lips, cracked lips, and dry lips can occur — but the good news is, there are a lot of simple solutions that can help heal your chapped lips naturally.