Health - Wellness
The Unexpected Side Effect Of Going Overboard On Hot Coffee
By ERIN MARIE
Of the many side effects you can experience after having too many cups of coffee — a racing heart, jitters, anxiety — there's one side effect that probably never crossed your mind: chapped lips. Coffee is dehydrating in and of itself, but there’s no need to break up with the drink altogether.
The skin on our lips is much thinner compared to the rest of the body, and this mucosal layer of skin serves to retain moisture. Sipping on one hot coffee after another can cause the protective natural fats on your lips' surface to break down, leading to chapped lips.
While cold beverages can produce the same drying effect, hot drinks will do so more quickly. To prevent chapped lips, use protective lip products made with mineral oil, petroleum, or moringa oil, give your lips a little gentle exfoliation once in a while, and drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.