The most often overlooked component of a beauty regimen is lip care. It is far too common to see people with dry lips without a single balm or liquid lipstick clinging to dry skin. In spite of the importance of properly caring for your lips for your overall skin health, not everyone knows how to do it.
As a child and teenager, I was constantly getting cracked and peeling lips. In addition to being annoying, it was also extremely painful, causing frequent tears in my skin and even bleeding. I have sought out the perfect lip care routine over the years due to my naturally large lips.
Throughout my quest for lip enlightenment, I found that moisture is the key to combating dry lips. A combination of internal moisture within your body, external moisture in the air, and the products you use all contribute to your moisture levels, which help with a smooth cell turnover without flakes or chapped lips. Taking care of your lips doesn’t have to take all of your time, and with a little effort, you can say goodbye to dry lips.
Exfoliate Regularly
Dry, dead skin must first be removed before hydrating your lips. It may seem unnecessary to exfoliate your lips, but it is actually the most important step. By removing the top layer of dead skin cells, this process allows applied moisture to be absorbed properly. Make sure you prepare your lips before applying your products.
The delicate skin on your lips can be exfoliated in many ways, but my personal favorite requires no products and very little effort, so it’s perfect for anyone who has a low-maintenance beauty regimen. My experience has been that it’s best to exfoliate in the shower after you’re finished washing up and just before you exit.
You’ve been in the shower for at least 10 minutes by this point, and your lips are soft from the running water and steam. Use a wet washcloth to gently rub your lips until the dead skin begins to fall off. As the water has already softened your lips, this process should be simple and quick. Just be careful not to rub too hard, as you don’t want to cause any skin tears. If you’re massaging your lips with the washcloth, apply light pressure and wipe away any excess dead skin when you’re done.
Similarly, you can mix honey with brown sugar in a small jar and apply it to your lips to exfoliate. Honey hydrates while the grainy texture of the sugar acts as a natural exfoliant. If you are looking for an easy and tasty concoction, then this one is it. It’s worth the pain, no matter which method you choose to prepare your lips.
Overnight Mask
It is time to hydrate your lips now that they are smooth. A lip treatment that works overnight is the most effective way to do this. Overnight lip masks provide the same boost of hydration needed to get through the day as face, feet, and even butt masks.
You should also leave your mask on overnight so your body can repair itself. The body’s natural process of cell turnover and healing is at its peak during this time, so treatment can only enhance it. No matter what time of day you mask, you may not see the same results because your body is not in the same restorative state.
When it comes to choosing the right mask, there are so many options. I adore Aquaphor for moisturizing my lips. Despite being gentle enough to use on babies, this household staple is also great for adults with dry skin. Plus, the jar holds at least a year’s worth of fragrance-free, paraben-free product. This is the best there is. If you exfoliate your lips immediately after applying the ointment, it is best to leave it on overnight.
Routine Care
With your dead skin gone and the lip mask wiped away in the morning, you can choose what you want to do next. Those who are low-maintenance and no-fuss are all set. To take your makeup a level further, you’ll need some lip products.
Choose lipsticks and glosses with care. Look for moisturizing ingredients in the ingredients list like shea butter or coconut oil. Avoid drying products that cause your lips to feel dehydrated after they have been removed. You should never undo all of your hard work just because you found a lip product that offers a beautiful color. You should always read the ingredient list on the product you choose if your goal is to avoid dry lips.
Adapting your lip care is also important. Even though this routine may be sufficient during the summer, you may want to use a heavier balm during the winter months when the air is drier. You may find that your lips, and the rest of your skin, are more dry than usual if you haven’t been meeting your daily water consumption goals. Simply listen to what your body is telling you, and this routine will be foolproof.
