Extra thin skin
The pink or red part of your lips is covered with skin that's much thinner than the skin on your cheeks.
Because it's so thin, and has less melanin, the blood in tiny vessels underneath shows through. That's what gives lips their rosy color.
Lips come in lots of shades, from light pink to deep brown, and all of them are just right.
Lips also have no hair at all.
Why lips get dry
Most of your skin has oil glands that keep it soft and sweat glands that keep it a little moist.
Lips have no sweat glands and almost no oil glands. So in cold, windy or dry weather, they can dry out and crack.
Licking your lips feels like it helps, but it makes them drier. Spit dries fast and takes moisture with it.
Lip balm makes a thin coat that holds moisture in.
Super feelers
Lips are packed with nerve endings, many more than most of your skin. They're one of the most sensitive spots on your whole body.
That's why babies put toys in their mouths. Their lips and tongue help them learn about shapes and textures.
Sensitive lips also warn you when food or a drink is too hot, before it goes into your mouth.
Lips at work
Lips help you eat. They close around a spoon, sip from a straw and keep food in while you chew.
They help you talk. Try saying b, p or m without moving your lips. You can't!
A ring-shaped muscle circles your mouth, and other face muscles pull on your lips to make smiles, frowns, pouts and surprised O shapes.
And lips can whistle, blow bubbles and blow out birthday candles!