• Question: Why do lips get dry and chapped in cold conditions?

    Asked by lauren777 to David, Helen, Ian, rhysphillips on 24 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Helen Fletcher

      Helen Fletcher answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      When it’s cold, the air is dry, and so it absorbs moisture from your lips, drying them out. If this happens quickly/frequently, it can lead to them cracking and becoming ‘chapped’. Licking won’t help, as that can remove the natural oils that help to retain moisture.

    • Photo: Rhys Phillips

      Rhys Phillips answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      The air removes the moisture from them – it is very annoying for people like me who play the trumpet!

    • Photo: Ian van der Linde

      Ian van der Linde answered on 24 Jun 2011:

      The moisture evaporates because of the dry air and wind! Providing it’s not raining, those conditions are good for hanging the laundry out to dry for the same reason!

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