Dry Lips: A Result of Deficiency?

The link between vitamin deficiencies and dry lips is not yet fully understood, but several studies suggest that a deficiency in certain vitamins, particularly those of the B group, could harm oral health and manifest as dry lips. Researchers thus suggest that a deficiency in vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, could result in skin problems, such as recurrent mouth ulcers and stomatitis, that is, inflammation of the oral mucosa. Similarly, a deficiency in vitamin B2, or riboflavin, could cause angular cheilitis, which are painful cracks at the corners of the lips. Weakened, the lips are then more prone to chapping.

Some scientists have also hypothesised that a deficiency in vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, could lead to skin dryness, including on the lips. Concurrently, insufficient levels of vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, are likely to affect the immune system, which can increase the body's susceptibility to infections, including fungal and bacterial infections in the oral cavity. A perleche may then appear. A deficiency in vitamin B6 is also linked to an impairment of the skin's cellular regeneration, thus affecting the lip skin's ability to repair itself after an assault.

Finally, a deficiency in vitamin B12, a molecule essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system, could also promote lip dryness. Indeed, when the body lacks this vitamin, blood circulation and tissue oxygenation are slowed down. The skin, particularly that of the lips, then becomes more vulnerable to dryness as the impaired blood circulation affects tissue nutrition.

Taking these various factors into account, it would seem that a balanced intake of vitamins could be a key element in preventing dry and chapped lips. However, it is important to emphasise that the scientific evidence remains limited, as no clinical trials have been conducted to date. Furthermore, the underlying biological mechanisms of this relationship have not yet been clearly defined, and the majority of observations are based on hypotheses. Therefore, comprehensive clinical studies are necessary to confirm the various points suggested above and to better understand the specific role of each vitamin in lip health.