X Ways to Help
Soothe Dry Lips
Dry lips are a common problem, especially during the cold winter months. Having to contend with lips that are dry, cracked and flaking can be uncomfortable, but there are several things you can do to help your lips feel smoother, softer, and more hydrated.
Dry lips causes
As one might expect, dehydration is one of the main dry lips causes. However, there are several other reasons as to why your lips may be looking and feeling dry:
• The environment: exposure to hot and cold weather can dry out your lips, and low humidity levels often make your lips prone to dryness and getting chapped1.
• Diet: dry lips can be caused by vitamin deficiencies. Making sure that you receive the nutrients that your body needs is great for your lips and overall general health1.
• Licking your lips: habitual licking has the effect of drying out your lips. When saliva evaporates, it leaves your lips in an even drier state than they were before you licked them. As counter-intuitive as this might all sound, and as difficult as it might be, it’s best if you break the habit and resist the urge to lick your lips2.
• Breathing through the mouth: consistently breathing through your mouth throughout the day or while sleeping can cause lips to become dry3.
• Cosmetics: some lipstick formulations have a drying effect or cause reactions in the skin that can lead to dryness4.
• Health conditions: Certain health conditions may contribute to dry mouth or dry lips. Consult your doctor if your dry lips are uncomfortable or if you suspect they may have a medical underlying cause.
Now that we’ve covered the various dry lips causes, let’s take a look at how to help soothe dry lips and keep your lips feeling soft and smooth.
• Drink lots of water: if you have dry lips, the first step is also the easiest: drink plenty of water. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day will help keep you hydrated from the inside out.
• Exfoliate the lips: NIVEA Lip 2 in 1 Lip Balm and Scrub with Vitamin E and Rosehip Oil contains plant-based particles that make your lips feel exfoliated, soft and moisturized. Here's the best part: the plant-based particles dissolve after rubbing your lips together. No need to wipe it off! The formula is enriched with Vitamin E and lips are left feeling soft, smooth, and well-cared for. The NIVEA 2 in 1 Lip Balm & Scrub and 2 in 1 Lip Balm and Scrub Aloe Vera are suitable for dry lips and for daily use. You can even use our 2 in 1 lip balm and scrubs before applying lipstick.
• Apply lip balm: lip balms provide an occlusive layer on the surface of the lips. This helps seal in moisture in your lips, helping to protect them from the effects of external exposure. NIVEA offers several different nourishing lip balms in our NIVEA Lip Care line to help promote softer, smoother-feeling lips.
• Protect your lips from the sun. NIVEA Smoothness Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen Lip Care helps protect your lips from UVA and UVB rays when used as directed. Protecting skin from the sun, on your lips or otherwise, is an important component of skincare and helps prevent dryness and other negative effects from sun exposure.
Caring for dry lips with
NIVEA Lip Care
Whether you’re braving cold winter winds, spending time in the hot summer sun, or just want your lips to feel nourished year-round, NIVEA Lip Care products help provide your lips with much-needed moisture and help soothe dry lips with formulas containing nourishing ingredients like Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acid, when combined with glycerin, is a highly effective moisturizing complex. NIVEA Dewy Lip Care with Hyaluronic Acid and glycerin gives lips a noticeable moisture boost, leaving them feeling soft and smooth with a dewy lip look. This moisturizing lip balm provides an immediate and noticeable moisture boost with an ultra-light texture that leaves lips moisturized all day long! With a light, non-sticky feel, this formula glides on smooth, and leaves lips looking dewy with visibly less noticeable lip lines.
Try our tinted lip care products in delicious flavors like blackberry, watermelon, or sweet vanilla buttercream, among others. Our tinted lip care formulas are mineral oil-free and enriched with ingredients like Shea Butter to keep lips beautiful with a touch of color. Lips feel instantly hydrated and protected from dryness with all-day nourishing moisture.
1. Cleveland Clinic. Chapped Lips (Cheilitis): Causes, Treatment & Prevention. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22005-chapped-lips.
2. 7 dermatologists’ tips for healing dry, chapped lips. www.aad.org. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/heal-dry-chapped-lips.
3. Cafasso, J. What to Know About Mouth Breathing. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mouth-breathing#symptoms3 (accessed 2026-03-01).
4. Bhutta, B. S.; Hafsi, W. Cheilitis. PubMed. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470592/.