Healthy lips look good and feel good.
The secret to soft kissable lips is in a lip care ritual. If you find that your lips tend to chap and crack especially when it is dry and cold outside, your pout needs extra maintenance care to remain smooth and supple. Follow these tried-and-tested tips to achieve flawless luscious lips no matter the occasion.
The Anatomy Of Your Lips
"Our lips are a unique and sensitive part of the body because they do not have any sweat glands," says dermatologist Annie Gonzalez. "In addition, the lips are constantly exposed to different environmental elements, whether it's cold air or the hot sun." Unlike skin on the rest of your body, your lips do not have sebaceous glands that produce natural oils to keep them soft and moisturized. As such, they are more vulnerable to dryness and flakiness when you go about your daily routine.
Get Started On A Lip Care Routine
If your lips are more prone to dryness, it makes sense that they have a lip care ritual just like how your skin has its own curated skincare regimen. But don’t you worry, there is no need for a complicated multi-step approach for your lips. The key to lush lips comes down to proper hydration and exfoliation.
Exfoliation
A gentle lip scrub helps to slough off dead skin cells and revive chapped lips. This step gives your lips a smooth and even appearance which makes it a perfect canvas to put on subsequent lip care products or makeup. Simply rub a small amount of scrub over your lips using small circular motions for no more than 30 seconds. Leave the product on for a few minutes to allow any nourishing ingredients to be absorbed before rinsing off thoroughly with water. Pat dry with a clean towel instead of dragging which may cause fine lines to form around your mouth.
When shopping for a lip scrub, look out for those formulated with moisturizing nature-derived ingredients such as Beeswax and Shea Butter which deliver generous doses of nourishment and hydration without irritating your lips. Use a lip scrub 1 – 2 times a week in the evening so that your lips can rest and repair overnight.
Hydration
“Anytime your lips feel dry is an appropriate time to use a lip balm,” says dermatologist Suzanna Friedler.
Well-hydrated lips appear healthy and pillowy with minimal creases and lines. Choose a nutrient-packed lip balm with hydrating ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin. Apply lip balm directly onto your lips if it comes in a tube. If it is developed in a jar, use an applicator or clean fingertips to apply the product liberally on your entire lips including the corners that are hard to reach. Planning to be outdoors most of the time? A lip balm with SPF protection will defend your lips against sun damage. Reapply throughout the day when your lips feel in need of hydration around 2 – 4 times a day. If you have severely chapped lips, an ultra-nourishing lip mask can help to revitalize your lips. Leave it on overnight and wake up to a fresh comfy pout.
Hydrate from the inside out by drinking sufficient water daily. Be sure to replenish water lost after an intense workout or on an especially hot day. If your lips start to flake, avoid picking at the dead skin or licking your lips. Instead, slather on a generous amount of lip balm to soften the top layer of your lips’ skin before wiping off dead skin cells with a soft tissue.
Choose The Right Lip Makeup
The lipstick you use can make or break your lip care ritual. Applying drying lipsticks can cause your lip care routine to be in vain. Instead, use an indulgent moisturizing lipstick like our Luxe Organic Lipstick. This all natural vegan lipstick is infused with nourishing plant-based ingredients including Castor Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Beeswax and Shea Butter, which hydrate and fortify your lip skin barrier. It is free of toxic chemicals, such as Camphor and Synthetic Fragrance, which can aggravate dry lips or trigger allergic reactions.
Your lips are built differently from the rest of your complexion. As they are unable to naturally produce moisturizing oils, a simple yet effective lip care routine completed with an organic lipstick can ensure that they stay youthful and soft all year round.
