You know how you look at a lady when they’re talking and your eyes unwittingly get drawn to their lips? Maybe it was the bold, red lipstick they were wearing that caught your attention or it might be because of their shiny lip gloss. Whatever the case may be, we all can agree that their lips wouldn’t be the source of admiration for you if it were chapped.
Our environment and the fickle temperatures is one contributing factor to the “chapped lip” look. The other factor can be attributed to the fact that the skin on our lips do not possess sweat glands, hence they tend to dry out much quicker because oils and moisture are not absorbed properly.
In case you haven’t realized, the skin on our lips is different from the rest of our face as it is much thinner and delicate, even more so for the upper lip. Another reason is that our lips don’t contain a lot of melanin cells, making the blood vessels behind it more visible, which in turn gives it a pink hue. However, this rosy tint won’t stay visible if you don’t take proper care of your lips.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can incorporate into your daily routine, to help give you smooth and luscious lips.
Simple Lip Care Routine
Caring for your lips is a very easy task and involves only three steps, so you have no excuses about walking around with chapped lips. The three step routine involves hydrating, moisturizing and exfoliating.
Hydrating
Chapped lips are a dead giveaway that you’re dehydrated. Keep hydrated by drinking water, your lips will thank you for this. For optimum lip health, avoid picking your lip.
Moisturising
Your lips can get sunburnt. Yes, you read that correctly. To avoid this, always moisturise your lips when they start feeling dry. If possible, purchase and use lip balms with an SPF of 30 or more for protection against sun damage. The glossier your lip balm is on your lips, the better.
Exfoliating
Exfoliating helps to remove dead, flaky skin cells from your lips. It is recommended for you to exfoliate your lips about twice a week for optimum lip health. You can do this with the help of a toothbrush and an exfoliating scrub. Over-exfoliating can lead to irritation and extra sensitivity to take caution while doing this.
Be sure to apply a lip balm afterwards.
Top Tips For Maintaining Healthy Lips
- Avoid salty, spicy foods and alcohol. If you must consume them, make sure to stay hydrated right after.
- Avoid smoking. It not only dehydrates your lips, it darkens your lips too.
- Always use lip balm with an SPF of 30+.
- Having a diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps to give you healthy lips.
- Make sure to exfoliate your lips at least once weekly.
- Purchase lip balms containing shea butter, hyaluronic oil or petroleum jelly.
Takeaway: Always remember that keeping a consistent routine in caring for your lips will ensure that your lips stay soft and smooth.
