Chapped lips: causes, mistakes to avoid, and effective solutions

Chapped lips: causes, mistakes to avoid, and effective solutions

Published on February 04, 2026

In winter, lips quickly become uncomfortable: they feel tight, crack, develop small flakes of skin, and sometimes even burn with the slightest smile. chapped lips are very common, but they are not only related to the cold.
What is less well known is that the health of the lips also depends on their microbiotathat is to say the natural balance of protective microorganisms present on their surface.

Today, I'm helping you understand the causes of chapped lips, the mistakes that worsen the situation, and the truly effective solutions to regain soft and protected lips.

1. Chapped lips: why this happens so often in winter

Lips are naturally more fragile than the rest of the face. Their skin is thin, has few sebaceous glands, and is therefore less able to defend itself. As a result, cold, wind, and dry air from heating systems lead to rapid moisture loss.

Other factors often worsen chapped lips: breathing through the mouth, fatigue, decreased salivation, and acidic or very salty foods. The more the protective barrier is weakened, the more easily the lips crack.

2. Chapped lips and the microbiota: when bacteria weaken the barrier

The lips are protected by a skin microbiota, made up of “friendly” bacteria that support the natural barrier.
When this balance is disrupted, certain opportunistic bacteria become more active and maintain a cycle: dryness, irritation, micro-fissures, then worsening.

This is often the reason why chapped lips come back regularly, even when applying a classic balm: you protect in the moment, but you do not rebalance the barrier in the long term.

3. Chapped lips: mistakes to avoid and the most effective solution

The first mistake is to licking one's lipsSaliva provides relief for a few seconds, but then it dries out the skin further and weakens the surface even more.
Another common mistake: using products that are too perfumed or irritating, or picking off small pieces of skin, which creates micro-lesions.

The most effective solution relies on a treatment that protects, soothes, and also supports the natural balance. The Smilist Micro-Balm Lip Balm, enriched with prebioticsThis helps to nourish the good protective bacteria, which are essential for a healthy barrier. 

The result: lips that are more comfortable, better protected, and more resistant to the cold.

In summary: how to effectively treat chapped lips?

  • Chapped lips are aggravated by cold weather, dry air, and a naturally fragile lip barrier.
  • The lip microbiota plays a key role in protection and repair.
  • Licking your lips and using harsh products perpetuates dryness.
  • A balm enriched with prebiotics, such as the The Smilist Micro-Balm Lip Balm, is a sustainable solution for restoring comfort and softness.

Christiane
Dentist & Co-founder of The Smilist