How Can You Treat Dry Skin Around Your Mouth?

Do you have excessively dry, itchy and flaky skin around your mouth? We understand this is making you uncomfortable. However, it is usually not a serious condition and can be treated. Scroll down to find out how.

Highlights:

Causes Of Dry Skin Around The Mouth
Dry Skin Around Your Mouth Treatments
Home Remedies To Treat Dry Skin Around Mouth

Causes Of Dry Skin Around The Mouth

The skin on your face is sensitive and constantly exposed to environmental aggressors. Using makeup and beauty products regularly also contribute to change in your skin type, making it sensitive. These are some of the major factors responsible for the condition:

1. Perioral Dermatitis

A skin condition that usually occurs in young female adults, perioral dermatitis can cause dry, scaly patches around the mouth (1). It can also spread to the nose and under eyes.

Other Symptoms Of Perioral Dermatitis Include:

Red rashes
Inflammatory pustules and papules
Scaly patches

Perioral dermatitis usually occurs due to prolonged use of topical steroid creams or inhalers (2). Skin conditions like rosacea can also contribute to perioral dermatitis. Usually, when you stop using topical steroid creams, the rash worsens before healing. Use mild cleansers and moisturizers to avoid irritation and prevent the rash from getting worse.

2. Lack Of Sebum

Sebum is the oil produced by sebaceous glands that lie beneath your pores. It is an important oil that is essential to maintain good skin health. A lack of sebum can contribute to dry skin. The skin around your mouth and eyes is thinner and more sensitive as compared to the rest of your face. This makes it more prone to skin irritation and dehydration.

3. Allergies

Exposing your skin to harsh beauty products can damage its barrier, contributing to allergies and dry skin around your mouth. A broken skin barrier cannot protect your skin from environmental aggressors, which makes it easier for these products to pull out essential oils from your skin, causing allergies.

4. Climate

Cold, dry climates can contribute to dry and flaky skin. The skin around your mouth is thin, making it more prone to the symptoms with dropping humidity levels.

5. Overexposure To The Sun

UV rays can break down your skin’s protective barrier and dehydrate your skin. This can result in dry skin around your mouth.

6. Eczema And Psoriasis

Other conditions like eczema and psoriasis can lead to a broken skin barrier. Your skin tends to lose its water content when it doesn’t have a protective barrier to lock in moisture. This can result in flaky skin and rashes around your mouth and eyes.

7. Constant Licking Of Lips

Constantly licking your lips to wet them can strip them off essential oils and moisture. Wear a moisturizing lip balm to soothe bleeding lips, especially during dry climates.

Treatments For Dry Skin Around Your Mouth

You first have to understand the cause of dry skin around your mouth. If you notice pimples, inflammation or severe redness and pain, you should consult a dermatologist. In case you notice flaky skin and dry patches, the possibility of an allergic reaction could be higher.

This is how you can get rid of dry skin around your mouth:

1. Use Mild Skincare Products

Most off-the-shelf cleansers have an alkaline base. Get yourself a cleanser that does not contain any harmful chemicals or fragrances. Make sure the pH level of your cleanser is between 4.7-5.7 (weakly acidic). Avoid using cleansers that contain alcohol, fragrances and artificial colors as they can cause allergic reactions and irritate sensitive skin.

Moisturizers soothe the skin and also help keep it hydrated. Moisturize the area around your mouth gently, two times a day. Get yourself a moisturizer that will help repair your broken skin barrier. Look for ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid (3) (4) and colloidal oatmeal (5).

2. Wear Sunscreen

A drop or two of sunscreen can save you from a host of skin issues. Make it a point to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes before you step out of the house during the day. Avoid going out between 10 am - 2 pm if you stay in India. The sun is the strongest during these peak hours.

3. Exfoliate

Dead skin cells may stick to the surface of your skin, leading to clogged pores and dullness. Exfoliating your skin can help you get rid of dry patches around your mouth, revealing new and healthy skin cells.

Exfoliation can be done chemically or manually. Chemical exfoliators speed-up cell turnover and contribute to improving your skin health. Physical exfoliators help remove dry patches from the surface of your skin. Look for exfoliators that contain hydroxy acids (6). They can help remove dryness around your mouth.

4. Use A Humidifier During Winters

Humidifiers add moisture to your surroundings and are a good option to help your skin retain its water content. Investing in a humidifier can help relieve you of dry skin patches.

5. Lifestyle Habits

Eating healthy and staying hydrated is essential to maintain good skin health. Switch to a low-carb diet, rich in fruits and vegetables. Lifestyle habits like smoking and consuming alcohol can also contribute to dehydration, which may be responsible for flaky skin around your mouth.

6. Wear Lip Balm

Wearing lip balm is as important as moisturizing your skin. Your lips need to stay hydrated as much as your skin does. Wear lip balm for soft and supple lips. This will also prevent you from constantly licking your lips to keep them hydrated.

Home Remedies To Treat Dry Skin Around Mouth

1. Honey

Honey not only relieves your skin of dryness but is also a treat to your taste-buds! Honey has moisturizing properties that help soothe dry skin. Take a teaspoon of honey, add a pinch of sugar to it and gently scrub it across your lips to remove dead skin.

Coconut oil H3 Coconut oil can help soothe dry skin and add moisture to the affected area. It also improves skin barrier functions that can help your skin lock in moisture and stay hydrated (7).