Derm DMs: Why Do I Have Dry Skin Around My Mouth?

If you’re dealing with dry skin around your mouth but don’t know why, don’t worry — we’ve all been there. To get to the bottom of this annoying, yet all-too-common skin-care concern, we consulted with board-certified dermatologist Karen Sra, MD, to discover what causes dry skin around the mouth and how to find relief. 

What Causes Dry Skin Around the Mouth?

Most people will begin to notice more-than-usual facial and body dryness during the harsh winter months when moisture from the air is zapped. These dry patches or flakes can also appear on the lips and around the mouth. This can also occur in the summer due to air conditioning or sun damage. Additional factors to blame include lifestyle habits (more on that later) and product use. While this dryness is usually temporary and not anything serious, it can definitely be frustrating. “The skin around the mouth is more sensitive than other areas on the face,” says Dr. Sra. Because of this, it’s important to take proper care to not aggravate the area. Ahead, find some bad skin-care habits to avoid to help prevent dry skin around the mouth.

Bad Habit #1: Licking Your Lips

Licking your lips only provides temporary relief to dryness and can even make matters worse. Once your saliva evaporates off the surface of your lips, it can leave them even drier than before. Instead, hydrate your lips with a moisturizing lip salve or balm.

Bad Habit #2: Taking Extremely Hot Showers

It’s tempting to want to relax in a long, hot shower. We urge you, however, to resist that temptation as hot, steamy showers can strip the skin of natural oils — especially if exposed for a long period of time. This can leave your skin feeling dry from head to toe. Stick to a short shower routine with lukewarm water, instead.

Bad Habit #3: Using Products Containing Alcohol or Fragrances

Try to eliminate products in your skin-care routine that contain skin-drying alcohol or fragrances. These ingredients have a track record of irritating sensitive skin. Specifically, take a look at your lip balms, toothpaste and facial moisturizers.

How Do I Get Rid of Dry Skin Around My Mouth?

Once you start to notice flaky, dry skin around your mouth, the last thing you want to do is make it worse. Here’s what you can do to help address the problem:

TIP #1: Exfoliate

The build-up of dead cells on the skin’s surface can cause a dull appearance and rough texture. To help slough them away, incorporate a gentle exfoliator into your routine. We like the L’Oréal Paris range of Pure-Sugar Scrubs from our parent company, as they are formulated for use on both the face and lips.

TIP #2: Moisturize

Applying a layer of moisturizer to the skin is one of the best things you can do to promote a healthy, hydrated complexion. Moisturizers formulated with ceramides — like the L’Oréal-owned CeraVe Moisturizing Cream — are a good choice because they can help reinforce the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

TIP #3: Wear Sunscreen

Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher like the La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk (also from our parent company) should be a staple in your routine, regardless of whether you have dry skin around your mouth. Just as the sun can cause damage to the skin on your body, it can also burn your delicate lips and the area around it.

TIP #4: Drink Water

Hydration from within is incredibly important for your overall health, including the health of your skin. Be sure to drink the recommended amount of H2O every day.

TIP #5: Apply a Gentle Lip Balm

If the corners of your mouth are dry, your lips are probably parched, too. Applying a lip balm that contains SPF like the Coola Suncare Liplux Sport Lip Treatment can protect your lips from environmental aggressors, such as harmful UV rays and moisturize-zapping winds.

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