Why Are My Lips So Red?

Lips have a special kind of skin that is much thinner than the skin on other parts of your body. This thin skin allows the color of the blood flowing through the vessels underneath to show through, giving your lips their natural red color. In many cases, this redness is completely normal. However, if your lips seem extra red or irritated, it could be due to other factors. For example, chapped lips or a condition called cheilitis (which means inflammation of the lips) can cause the color to intensify and the skin to become sore or dry. External factors like sun exposure, wind, or even certain lip care products might also make them appear more red or irritated. Using a good lip balm that protects from the elements and keeping your lips moisturized may help. If you find that your lips are consistently very red and accompanied by discomfort, you might want to speak with a healthcare provider to make sure there is not an underlying problem.