The skin on our lips is very different from the skin that covers the rest of our body. Our lip skin is very thin and delicate. Our lips don’t have any hair or sebaceous glands (glands that produce oil), which help to keep skin lubricated and protected from environmental forces. The skin on our lips also doesn't produce natural sun-filtering melanin. For these reasons, our lips are very vulnerable to damage caused by the sun, the wind, and cold temperatures. Unprotected lips are also at a higher risk of developing skin cancer than other parts of the body.
While our lips are susceptible to chapping and cracking, repairing and protecting them is easy. Our lips deserve the same, if not more, attention than the skin on the rest of our body. Your lips take center stage on your face and deserve star treatment! To obtain and maintain soft, supple, and smooth lips following this simple lip-care regiment.
1. Exfoliate: Exfoliation is vital. Exfoliating once a week will help remove the dead skin on your lips and unveil the fresh skin the has rejuvenated beneath. Mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of sugar to make an at-home lip exfoliator. Simply apply the honey and sugar mixture to your lips and then leave on for ten minutes. Gently remove from your lips with cold water and a washcloth.
2. Moisturize daily: Your lips are like a sponge. When they are dehydrated, they dry out and shrink. Keeping them moisturize by applying a balm or lipstick with hydrating ingredients will improve the appearance and volume of your kissers. Avocado oil, coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, lanolin, and shea butter are all highly effective and natural moisture-providing ingredients.
YES to Coconut Lip Oil, Kiehl's Butterstick Lip Treatment, Carmex Lip Balm, and Vaseline Lip Therapy are all great options.
Speaking of lanolin, we carry a line of lip products up at our front desk that all contain lanolin! Ask Honi or Ivonne to show you our variety of tinted balms next time you are visiting us.
3. Protect: You should never leave your house without sun protection on your face and your lips! Make sure your lip balm or lipstick has at least 15 SPF. Keeping something protective and moisturizing on your lips will also help prevent windburn and chapping due to cold temperatures and dry conditions.
4. Treat your lips to a mask: Treating your lips to an ultra-hydrating lip mask once a week is an easy and luxurious way to repair and rejuvenate your lips. Burt’s Bees makes a fantastic lip mask that will make your lips feel instantly silky and youthful.
5. Hydrate: When your body is dehydrated, your skin shows it. You’ll be surprised how much fuller and smoother your lips appear when you are sufficiently hydrated. Make sure you are drinking at least two liters of water a day.
If you follow these five steps, your lips will thank you!