You’re a veritable lip balm squad: You put it on morning, noon and night. But no matter how hard you try, your lips are still cracked and flaky year-round. Why?

Lips get chapped because they don’t contain oil glands and they can’t hydrate themselves which makes them more vulnerable and prone to dryness.

Give chapped lips the kiss-off with a few easy tweaks to prevent chapped lips:

CONSIDER YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE

Your lips may be coming into contact with more beauty product residue than you realize. Toothpaste, face lotion, foundation — even errant hairspray —  could contain irritants or allergens, such as fragrances, dyes or color additives, that bother your lips. Avoid contact when possible, and try applying  Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly on your lips before you get ready in the morning to create a barrier.

WATCH YOUR MOUTH

Your diet may be one of the sneaky culprits behind your chronically chapped lips. Some research suggests dry lips may be caused by a lack of B vitamin or iron, so up your intake of foods rich in these nutrients. Spinach, lean red meats, nuts and whole grains are some great sources of iron; B vitamins can also be found in whole grains, as well as meats and tuna and many other sources. Or talk to your doctor about whether or not supplements are appropriate for you.

Whatever you do, resist the urge to lick your lips. It makes them feel good for a second, but it only dries them out more.

LAYER IT ON

Before bed, exfoliate lips with a soft toothbrush or nubby washcloth and warm water to help your balm really penetrate. At night apply a layer of  Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly on your mouth as it is a good way to prevent licking your lips. Cover the areas around your mouth—not just lips— to ward off irritation.