Environmental Irritants
The environment nowadays is more polluted when compared to many years ago. Then, the surroundings were still filled with trees and plants to help reduce pollution, and there were yet a few inventions and factories releasing harmful substances. However, today, harmful substances are already carried by air, which has polluted the atmosphere. Apart from other body parts it damages (especially the lungs), it also adds dryness and irritation to the lips, making them lose their plumpness and tenderness and exchange it with a scale-like outer layer with cracks around it.
The skin on the lips is too thin that when it comes in contact with environmental irritants and harmful substances, it easily dries out, peels off, and gets irritated. Some environmental irritants that could result in chapped lips are dust (especially when outside an open area), smoke from vehicle exhaust, tobacco, pollens (from trees and plants), sting carried by insects, or chemicals exposed to the environment. Therefore, it is best to moisturize the lips with balms or ointments and wear protective masks to ensure safety.
