Lip care is important because your lips are exposed to the elements every day. They’re also one of the first things people notice about you, so it’s important that they look healthy and well-kept. Lip care routines can help prevent dryness and chapping, which can lead to cracks or sores on your lips that can be painful and embarrassing. Neglecting a good lip care routine can also cause wrinkles around your mouth as well as uneven coloration in some cases.
Step 1: Cleanse
How to cleanse your lips:
- Use a gentle lip scrub or toothbrush to help remove dead skin and build-up on the surface of the lips. This will allow for better absorption of products that follow.
- What products to use:
- For dry, chapped lips, try using an oil-based cleanser such as coconut oil or olive oil before bedtime (or whenever you have time). These will help moisturize and soothe any irritation while they’re working their magic overnight!
- How often should Ise my lips? There’s no hard rule here–but if you find yourself having problems with dryness or flaking after cleansing with just water alone (which can happen), then consider adding an extra step into your routine where necessary!
Step 2: Exfoliate
The next step in your lip care routine is to exfoliate.
- Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, which can make lips look dull and dry.
- You can use a lip scrub or a lip balm with added exfoliating ingredients like jojoba beads or sugar crystals.
- If you’re using a scrub, apply it to clean lips and gently rub them together for about 30 seconds before rinsing off with warm water.
- If you’re using an exfoliating balm or treatment product, apply it directly onto the lips and let sit for two minutes before wiping off with tissue paper or cotton swabs (make sure they’re clean!).
- Exfoliation should only be done once every two weeks at most–if done too frequently, it can cause irritation!
Step 3: Hydrate
Step 3 is to hydrate your lips.
- This step is important because it helps prevent dryness, which can lead to cracking and bleeding of the skin.
- The best way to do this is with a balm or oil that contains shea butter or cocoa butter, which are both great moisturizers.
- You can also a lip gloss that contains some sort of emollient (such as jojoba oil).
- You should apply this product at least once per day, but you may want to apply it more often if you’re experiencing particularly dry skin on your lips.
Step 4: Protect
- Protect your lips by applying a lip balm with SPF.
- Use a moisturizing chapstick or lip gloss, like Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick or Carmex Classic Lip Balm, to keep your lips hydrated and protected from the elements.
- Apply sunscreen every day before going outside to prevent sun damage that can lead to wrinkles and discoloration of the skin (and therefore, your lips).
Step 5: Avoid Bad Habits
In addition to the above steps, there are a few habits you should avoid if you want to keep your lips healthy.
- Smoking: Smoking can cause dryness and irritation on the lips, so if you’re a smoker it’s best to quit as soon as possible. If you need help quitting smoking, talk with your doctor or find support groups online (like this one).
- Excessive sun exposure: The sun can damage the skin around your mouth over time–especially if it’s exposed while wearing lipstick or lip gloss. If possible, avoid spending too much time outdoors during peak hours of UV exposure (between 10 am and 4 pm) when wearing makeup or sunscreen underneath those products won’t protect against harmful rays as it would without them on top of them!
Bottom Line
You’ve learned the importance of a good lip care routine, how to maintain healthy lips, and the benefits of a healthy lip care routine.
Here are some tips for keeping your pout in tip-top shape:
- Use an SPF-rated moisturizer with an SPF30 or higher every day. This will help prevent sun damage that leads to wrinkles and discoloration.
- Drink lots of water! It’s important for overall health, but it also helps keep your lips hydrated by helping them retain moisture better than if they were dry (which can lead to cracking).
