Here’s why you have dry skin around your mouth—here’s what you can do about it
Dry skin is a common problem that can occur anywhere on your face or body. Dryness can lead to flaking, irritation, and, perhaps most importantly, physical and emotional discomfort. Dry skin around your mouth or lips can be particularly bothersome. After all, it’s front and center on your face and an area that’s often subject to stress. If the skin in this area is drier, it’s not uncommon and can often be explained by environmental factors.
We reached out to board-certified dermatologists Nava Greenfield, MD, and Debra Jaliman, MD, to get the lowdown on the issue. Read on to learn the most common causes of dry skin around your mouth and how to prevent and treat them.
Possible causes
Anatomy: The skin around your mouth is different from the skin on the rest of your face. Structurally, it’s the same thing. However, there are fewer sebaceous glands around the lips and mouth than there are around your nose or midface, explains Dr. Jaliman. This, in turn, makes the area more susceptible to dryness and tenderness.
Sun exposure: Since the lips and area around your mouth are often exposed to the sun, they’re vulnerable to UV damage: “Long-term sun exposure can lead to dry skin,” says Dr. Greenfield. Greenfield.
Cold Weather: Just as cold weather can cause chapped lips or dry hands, it can also cause dry skin around the mouth. Wearing a face mask and applying thicker creams than usual is recommended. 1
Skin Conditions: Canker sores are a dry skin condition that occurs in the corners of the mouth, says Dr. Greenfield. They are most common in people with deep wrinkles around the lips and those who like to lick their lip corners (saliva production can also have a drying effect). 2 Eczema or psoriasis can also occur on the skin around the mouth and dryness can be the cause of this area.
Mouthwash/Toothpaste: Dry skin on the lips and around the mouth can be caused by external factors like mouthwash or toothpaste. Cinnamon is a common ingredient in both of these products and can trigger a true skin allergy or contact dermatitis, notes Dr. Jaliman. This can manifest as dryness, redness, itching and peeling.
Fragrances: Any scent in a lip product can cause and exacerbate dryness, says Dr. Jaliman.
How to Prevent Dry Skin Around the Mouth
As with most conditions, prevention is easier than cure.
Limit contact with drying ingredients, advises Dr. Jaliman. Greenfield. That means products that contain retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, or sulfates. While these ingredients may not cause dryness in other parts of your face, the area around your mouth has fewer sebaceous glands. That’s why these ingredients can cause that area to be particularly dry, notes Dr. Jaliman.
Avoid fragrances and flavorings in your makeup. Dr. Jaliman advises avoiding fragrances and flavorings. It may taste nice, but it makes you more likely to lick your lips (consciously or unconsciously). When you do that, your saliva evaporates quickly, which can dry out your skin.
Use dental care products that are targeted for “sensitive gums.” Products with this designation are less irritating and are generally better suited for sensitive and dry skin, says Dr. Jaliman.
How to Treat Dry Skin Around Your Mouth
If you’re looking for practical solutions to treat dry skin around your mouth, you’ll be happy to know that these methods are similar to those for treating dryness elsewhere on your face—so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Use moisturizers and serums. Both dermatologists stress the importance of stocking up on such products. Dr. Jaliman recommends looking for formulas that contain ceramides (which help repair a damaged skin barrier) as well as hyaluronic acid and glycerin to attract and “lock” moisture in the skin.
Use a gentle cleanser. Try a gentle foam or cleanser that’s free of sulfates. This will prevent further irritation, peeling, and dryness.
Try a humidifier. Sleeping with a humidifier on can keep the air moist all night long. This is especially helpful if you live in a dry climate and rely on air conditioning or space heaters.
Expert Tips
When using serums, creams, or salves, make sure the product is fragrance-free and has very few ingredients. This can reduce the chances of other ingredients irritating the skin, says Dr. Jaliman.
When to see a dermatologist
While dry skin around the mouth can often be prevented and treated at home, there are some situations where you should see a board-certified dermatologist.
Make an appointment if your dry skin is accompanied by the following symptoms:
Painful tearing
Redness
Excessive peeling
In this case, you may need a prescription treatment, says Dr. Greenfield. Your dry skin may be due to a skin condition that requires professional treatment.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
