When it comes to skincare, lips sometimes go overlooked. But the skin on your lips is different from other areas of the body: it’s thinner and absent of protective hydrolipidic film, meaning it needs ever more attention than the rest of your body.
Fortunately, a lip care routine doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Whether you’re new to lip care entirely or you’re just looking to refine your routine, here are some simple steps you can take to nourish your lips.
4 Steps for Gorgeous Lips
1. Exfoliate Gently
As with the rest of your skin, dead skin cells can build up on your lips. The key to unlocking smoothness and preventing buildup is exfoliation. But since the skin is more fragile on your lips, you’ll want to exfoliate gently and sparingly.
Add lip exfoliation to your regular skincare routine once or twice a week, or as needed. Start by applying a lip scrub and then gently slough away dead skin by using small circular motions.
There are dozens of homemade lip scrub formulas you can try, but here’s a beginner-friendly mixture you can blend together with some pantry staples:
- 1 part brown sugar
- 1 part coconut oil
Try a teaspoon of each ingredient, and add more if needed. The sugar in this formula acts as a physical exfoliant, while the coconut oil adds moisture. To allow the moisturizing properties to sink in, leave the scrub on for ten minutes after applying, then rinse gently.
2. Nourish Dry Lips
A lip care routine for dry lips comes with one extra step: adding extra nourishment to eliminate rough, dry skin. Chapped lips can develop from a number of causes, including exposure to cool or dry air, sun exposure, or licking your lips frequently. Your lips also tend to be exposed to the elements more than other parts of your body.
After exfoliating your lips or washing your face in the morning, apply a layer of coconut oil for nourishment. Coconut oil can be used as a natural lip balm for soft lips.
3. Protect with SPF
Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips lack melanin, the pigment that protects against sun damage. As a result, your lips can develop hyperpigmentation, as well as show signs of aging, so protecting them against UV rays is beneficial not only from a wellness perspective but from a cosmetic one, too. A lip balm with an SPF of at least 30 is the gold standard for protection, and as with your regular sunscreen, you should be wearing it daily.
4. Nourish with Hyaluronic Acid
A final but important step for well-rounded lip care is to apply hyaluronic acid for a boost of nourishment. Since hyaluronic acid has water-absorbent properties, it helps the skin and lips retain moisture for a plump appearance.
For an all-in-one product that helps your lips look and feel their best, try our Hyaluronic Lip Booster. This restorative formula contains nutrient-rich seaweed and meadowfoam seed oil to condition the lips for a softer, more supple look. The ultra-plush applicator gently delivers a sheer, juicy lip oil with a high-shine finish. To use it, simply glide it over your lips as often as needed, and apply it alone or over a lip color of your choice.
