Let's fix those recurring cracks!
During the dry autumn and winter months, lips tend to become chapped, and in severe cases, they can crack open. This is because the stratum corneum of the lip skin is thin and does not retain moisture well, and its barrier function is weak.
Because the lips lack sweat glands and sebaceous glands, they have difficulty forming a natural moisturizing film made up of sweat and sebum. In other words, the barrier function that protects the skin from external stimuli and locks in moisture does not work properly.
Therefore, although the lips are exposed to the same elements as the skin, they are more prone to dryness and chapping than the skin.
During the day, be sure to replenish moisture frequently with lip balm. Applying a generous amount of lip balm and massaging it in after a bath, or using a treatment to allow the active ingredients to penetrate while you sleep, are also effective.
Furthermore, in the case of angular cheilitis [a condition in which the corners of the lips become red, swollen, and inflamed], vitamin B2 deficiency and bacterial infection are considered to be among the causes. Therefore, it is important to actively consume foods containing vitamin B2, such as yogurt, milk, eel, eggs, and spinach, and to keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth and gargling.