Lip Care

Moderate degrees of dehydration will also cause lip dryness. Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol can often be responsible. The solution when this is the case is to remember to drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquid throughout the day. Eight glasses of water each day is the recommended minimum. This needs to be increased during hot weather.

One of the things that many people do when their lips feel dry is to keep licking them in an effort to moisturise the lips. In most cases, however, this doesn't solve the problem but makes matters worse. So try not to do this.

Sometimes it's irritation from saliva, lipstick or food causing a minor allergic reaction that's responsible for these symptoms. Contact eczema is another cause.

Overworking, stress, tiredness and recent infection all lower the immune system, which makes minor infections around the mouth and lips more likely. These can dry the lips out and the corners of mouth are usually affected. Eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins C, E and B, and also zinc, iron and beta-carotene, together with plenty of rest and regular exercise will help to keep the immunity fighting fit.