Is biting your lips bad for your skin? Derma weighs

Lip biting is a hard habit to break, but for the sake of your skin, it's worth a try. Practice can cause irritation and inflammation in the lip areaand long-term skin damage. Ahead we spoke to Rachel Nazarian, MD, Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York about how lip biting affects the skin, how to get rid of this habit and what lip products can help deal with irritation and dryness.

Why is biting your lips bad for your skin?

According to Dr. Nazarian, biting lips is bad for one important reason: “Biting your lips causes saliva to come into contact with them, and saliva is a digestive enzyme that breaks down everything it comes into contact with, including the skin,” she says. This means that the more you bite your lips, the more likely you are to damage the delicate tissue in the lip area, which can lead to cracking and cracking of the skin.

How to treat bitten lips

The first way to deal with lip biting is to stop biting completely (easier said than done, we know). Dr. Nazarian also suggests using a lip balm containing lanolin or petroleum jelly to prevent moisture from evaporating from the lips. We recommend CeraVe Healing Ointment for this, which contains ceramides, petroleum jelly and hyaluronic acid. If you're looking for an SPF option, try CeraVe Repairing Lip Balm with SPF 30.

How not to bite your lips

Once you've treated your lips, there are a few ingredients that should be avoided to prevent further irritation. “Avoid using balms that contain fragrances, alcohol, or ingredients like menthol or mint because they can irritate and dry out your lips over time,” says Dr. Nazarian. 

In addition, using a weekly lip scrub will help get rid of excess dead skin that will cause you to bite your lips. Choose a day of the week after you cleanse your face to exfoliate your lips with a sugar scrub, such as Sara Happ Lip Scrub Vanilla Bean. Simply rub the scrub into your lips in small circular motions to reveal softer, more radiant skin underneath. 

Lip biting is a habit you'll definitely get rid of, but Dr. Nazarian encourages you to be patient. "Keep a strong-smelling balm on your lips at all times so that if you end up biting, you end up tasting those ingredients and foods, and the bitter taste in your mouth is a reminder that you're still biting."