Moisturising
Shea Butter
Natural Moisturiser
Deeply moisturizing, helping to lock in moisture and prevent dryness. Contains fatty acids and vitamins that restore the skin's protective barrier.
Why are my lips so dry?
🛻 Lucy Dunnet
Have you found yourself thinking “why are my lips so dry”? Or panicking that you’ll never be able to fix your dry lips because you’re stuck in the vicious licking and lip balm loop? Well, that thinking and panicking can stop today. Read on to learn all about the common causes of dry lips and easy ways to heal, hydrate and protect them with Wild.
Four main reasons for dry lips
1. Extreme weather One of the many nuisances of cold, dry, windy or sunny weather is that it can strip away the existing moisture on your lips’ surface and lead to dryness and cracking. Sun exposure and UV rays can be particularly damaging, as lips have very little melanin (the pigment that protects skin from the sun) and can increase the chances of long-term dryness. Much like the British, your lips will complain about the weather, whatever the weather.
2. Dehydration Not drinking enough water, especially in hotter temperatures when you’re sweating more, is a big cause of dry and dehydrated lips. Because lips don’t have oil glands, they are one of the first areas of skin to become dry when your body is dehydrated.
3. Your behaviour Mouth breathing or biting, picking and licking your lips can sap your lips of their natural moisture leaving them dry and prone to cracking – or even open to infection and delayed healing. Other habits that lead to dry lips are frequently eating salty or spicy food, or holding metal, plastic or wooden objects (like pens or jewellery) between your lips, as it can physically irritate the delicate lip tissue.
4. Medical factors Certain medications or vitamin deficiencies can cause dry lips, and should be managed with a medical professional. Low levels of B-complex vitamins or iron can cause dry, chapped lips, or even angular cheilitis (painful cracks in the corner of the mouth), while medications such as Isotretinoin (formerly branded Accutane) are notorious for causing dry and cracked lips. There are also many medications that cause dry mouth which inevitably leads to dry lips as the saliva moisture barrier is lost.
The dos and don’ts of happy lips
Do apply lip balm regularly. The NHS recommends using a lip balm at least 3 to 4 times a day or whenever your lips start to feel sore and tight. If outdoors, you should use a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or more and apply every 2 hours.
Do use early protection. Even if you don’t currently have dry lips, you should still use lip balm to keep the thin skin on your lips hydrated and make them less likely to dry out later on.
Do hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drink up or dry up; don’t let dehydration be the reason you get dry lips. The NHS guidance for the average adult is to drink 6 to 8 cups of fluid a day, but more if you’re physically active, ill, pregnant or in a hot environment.
Don’t bite your lips. You’re not a vampire. If you bite at the peeling skin, you risk making your lips bleed and exposing your skin to germs and bacteria, which will in turn lead to longer healing times for your dry lips.
Don’t touch your lips. Unless you’re applying a lip balm, resist the temptation to touch your lips – you’ll only be making a dry situation worse by bringing germs and bacteria into the mix.
Don’t lick your lips. Save the licking for the ice lollies. The instant relief you might feel from coating your lips in a layer of saliva isn’t worth it, as when the saliva evaporates, it draws moisture out of your lips making them dryer than they were before.
What's in our lip balm?
We've carefully combined premium ingredients that will deeply nourish and condition your lips to maintain soft and supple skin.
Protective
Rice Bran Wax
100% Natural Protectant
Locks in moisture, preventing dryness and skin damage.
Hydrating
Coconut oil
100% Natural
Deeply hydrating oil that softens the lips and protects against dryness.
Nourishing
Mango seed butter
100% Natural
Packed with natural fatty acids which deeply nourish and condition your lips to maintain soft and supple skin.
Vitamin rich
Sunflower seed oil
100% Natural
Hydrates skin, and promotes skin barrier repair -- rich in vitamins, anti-inflammatories and reduce dryness.
Moisturising
Shea Butter
Natural Moisturiser
Deeply moisturizing, helping to lock in moisture and prevent dryness. Contains fatty acids and vitamins that restore the skin's protective barrier.
Protective
Rice Bran Wax
100% Natural Protectant
Locks in moisture, preventing dryness and skin damage.
Hydrating
Coconut oil
100% Natural
Deeply hydrating oil that softens the lips and protects against dryness.
Nourishing
Mango seed butter
100% Natural
Packed with natural fatty acids which deeply nourish and condition your lips to maintain soft and supple skin.
Vitamin rich
Sunflower seed oil
100% Natural
Hydrates skin, and promotes skin barrier repair -- rich in vitamins, anti-inflammatories and reduce dryness.
Dry lips are out, Wild lips are in.
FAQs
Apply a hydrating lip balm three to four times a day or at any sign of soreness or tightness, and make sure to use a balm of SPF 15 or higher balm every two hours when outdoors. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and avoid licking, picking or biting your lips, no matter how good the instant gratification may feel! Shop hydrating lip balm now
Wild lip balm is both certified vegan by the Vegan Society and cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, meaning it contains no animal-derived ingredients and has not been tested on animals. Check out our blog about our vegan status.
Our non-SPF lip balm does not contain beeswax and is made with 99% natural ingredients. You can find a full list of ingredients HERE.
Our vegan SPF lip balm is made with 87% ingredients of natural origin and the remaining 13% consists of fragrance and SPF, to prioritise comfort, performance and sustainable practices. Shop now
