Extended data:
Licking your lips is a bad habit that can easily lead to chapped lips. When the lips are dry, many people will lick them subconsciously. But licking your lips will not only make your lips moist, but also aggravate the degree of chapping and may even cause cheilitis.
In fact, the stratum corneum of human lips is very fragile, only one-third of the facial skin, and cannot automatically secrete water and oil, so it is extremely sensitive and easily affected by the surrounding environment and becomes dry. Once the saliva on the tongue touches the mouth, it will also take away the original moisture on the lips during evaporation. At the same time, digestive enzymes in saliva can also make lips dry, wrinkle and even cause cheilitis.
Popular Science China —— Lips: A Health Alarm.