Why are My Lips So Dry Even When I Drink Water?

Have you ever said to yourself, ‘I drink a lot of water but my lips are still dry,” or “why are my lips so dry even with chapstick?’  If you’re worried about your lips being dry when you’re taking all the steps you should to keep them hydrated and moisturized, you’re not alone.  Many others also face problems with dry lips and wonder if something is wrong or if there is something else they can do to prevent their lips from being so dry all the time.  We’ve put together this post to help you understand more about why your lips may dry and what you can do to keep them from getting chapped.

Why are my lips so dry even though I drink a lot of water?

Why won’t my chapped lips heal?

If you’ve been struggling with chapped lips, you know what an annoyance it can be.  If you’re wondering, “why are my lips always dry and peeling” or “why do my lips get dry when I drink water,” it could be an indication of an underlying cause.

Do chapped lips mean dehydration?  Yes, some people face chapped and dry lips because they are dehydrated.

So, before worrying about a more serious condition, start by upping your daily water intake.  Aim to drink eight or more glasses of water each day.  Be consistent with this routine and try using a hydrating lip balm with shea butter or jojoba oil, such as Burt’s Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm or Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lip Balm.

If you’ve increased your water intake and added a moisturizing lip balm to your routine, and are still wondering, “why are my lips always dry and peeling,” it is likely time to explore some other possible causes of dry lips.  Continue reading, and we’ll outline some conditions that dry lips may be a sign of.

What is dry lips a sign of?

Worried with questions like “What deficiency causes dry lips,” or “is dry lips a sign of diabetes?”  Below are some conditions that could lead to dry lips.  Be careful not to jump to conclusions and diagnose yourself; always check with a medical professional if you are concerned about a possible health condition.

• Yeast infections:  Dry lips, especially when there are cracks at the corners of the lips, can indicate a yeast infection.  Yeast infections can be caused by licking your lips too much as the wet saliva can cause yeast to grow.  Drink more water and try not to lick your lips if you think this is the cause of your chapped lips.
• Allergic reactions:  Allergies to come foods or the cinnamon or cayenne powder in lip plumpers may also result in chapped lips.
• Vitamin deficiencies:  Dry lips vitamin deficiency is another cause for chapped lips.  If you’re not getting enough vitamin B, it can lead to dry lips and skin.  Add foods rich in vitamin B to your diet.  Some good options include lean meats, eggs, whole grains, seeds, nuts, citrus fruits and dark leafy vegetables,
• Too much vitamin A:  Consuming too much vitamin A can also lead to dry lips.  Avoid supplements that contain vitamin A, and aim to get the right amount of vitamin A from your diet.  When the body gets too much vitamin A, the excess quantities are stored in the liver.  Over time, the amount in the liver will become too much and can lead to dry or peeling lips.
• Sun damage:  Damage from the sun can cause lips to chap.  Take care to use chapsticks, lipsticks, and lip balms that offer SPF protection.
• Actinic cheilitis:  Actinic cheilitis can be a more serious concern.  This is an infection that can cause the corners of the lips to crack.  Other symptoms of cheilitis include ulcers developing, white plaques on the lips, or when the lips are dark red or pink in color with a lumpier texture than normal.  If you suspect you have actinic cheilitis, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.

How do you hydrate your lips fast?

Wondering, “is vaseline good for dry lips?”  Looking for ways to hydrate your lips fast?  Try one of our suggestions below to rehydrate your lips.  Then, be sure to take care to keep your water intake up and continue moisturizing your lips to prevent them from getting dry and cracked again.

• Use a moisturizing lip balm:  Choose products that include ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil, coconut oil, hyaluronic acid, glycerine, beeswax, or lanolin.
• Exfoliate your lips:  A natural face scrub can be used to exfoliate lips.  This can help remove dry, dead skin.  Just take care to avoid using scrubs with granules that are too large or ones that contain salicylic acid as these scrubs could actually make your chapped lips worse.
• Set up a humidifier:  Humidifiers are designed to add more moisture into the air, which can prevent lips from getting dried and cracked.  

My Lips Feel Dry But Aren’t Chapped

Catching your lips once they start feeling dry, but haven’t become chapped yet is a good thing.  Don’t wait until they dry out more and begin to crack to take action.

Implement some of the tips we shared above to hydrate them such as choosing a moisturizing lip balm, exfoliating your lips, sleeping with a humidifier in your room, and increasing your water intake.

I Drink a Lot of Water but My Lips are Still Dry

If you’ve been concerned about how dry your lips, hopefully you’ve found some answers in this post.  If drinking more water, moisturizing your lips, and trying some of the other tips we shared doesn’t make a difference for you, it may be time to consult with a medical professional.  They’ll be able to offer additional advice or offer a diagnosis for what may be making your lips so dry.

For more tips on lip care, check out these other articles on our blog:

• How to Make Lips Small
• Best Natural and Organic Lipstick Brands