How to Treat Dry, Chapped Lips so They Stay Soft by Yahoo! Here are common causes of dry, peeling lips, along with a few dermatologist-approved tips for treating and preventing them, to keep on your radar. Temperatures are dropping and there's less moisture in the air, so we know what the means — lips start to get dry, itchy, and cracked. Yet while you obviously know what chapped lips feel like (a hint: they're super tight and uncomfortable), you might not know exactly what causes lips to get so...chapped. Turns out, there are a number of reasons for chapped lips, but once you know those triggers, you can look to a few lifestyle habits that'll keep them soft and hydrated — even when the weather isn't cooperating. Here are common causes of chapped lips, along with a few dermatologist-approved tips for treating and preventing them, to keep on your radar. Chapped lips, also known as cheilitis, can have many triggers, says Erum Ilyas, a dermatologist in Pennsylv...