Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to pucker up and show some love to your lips! Lips are not just for smooching, they’re also a vital part of our daily lives. From speaking to sipping on your favourite beverage, lips are constantly in motion. Hence, there is no reason for us to pay more attention to it and keep it healthy!
Have you ever wondered how we should be taking care of them? Well, wonder no more, because in this article, we’re going to spill the beans on the ins and outs of lip care.
We’ll cover everything from moisturising to exfoliating, so you can keep your smackers healthy. So, grab your lip balm and get ready to pout your way to perfect lips!
Table of Contents
Why should we keep our lips healthy?
We all know that the perfect pout is the ultimate confidence booster, right? Having healthy, soft lips can make all the difference in your overall look and leave you feeling like a total goddess!
Keeping your lips healthy is not just about looking good, it’s also about feeling good. Nobody wants to deal with painful, dry, or cracked lips. Trust us, it’s not a good look. So, by keeping your lips moisturized and healthy, you can avoid any discomfort and focus on feeling your best self! Plus, healthy lips are essential for clear communication and keeping harmful bacteria at bay, which means a healthier you overall.
Lip Balm
Lip balms are typically made with ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, or lanolin, which work to hydrate and protect the delicate skin of our lips.
When we expose our lips to cold or dry air, our skin loses moisture and can become chapped or cracked. This is where lip balm comes in! By applying a thin layer of lip balm to our lips, we can lock in moisture and prevent our lips from becoming dry and chapped. Not only does this make our lips feel more comfortable, but it also helps to keep them looking smooth and healthy.
A good rule of thumb is to apply lip balm whenever your lips feel dry or uncomfortable. You can also make lip balm a part of your daily routine by applying it in the morning and before bed to keep your lips moisturised throughout the day and night.
Exfoliate lips
Just like the rest of our skin, the lips can accumulate dead skin cells that can cause dryness, flakiness, and a dull appearance. By exfoliating, we can remove these dead skin cells and reveal softer, smoother lips.
It is easier than you think. To exfoliate your lips, you can either use a lip scrub or make your own at home using natural ingredients such as sugar, honey, and coconut oil. Gently massage in a circular motion for 30 seconds to a minute. Then, rinse off with warm water and apply a moisturising lip balm.
If your lips are prone to dryness or flakiness, you may benefit from exfoliating once a week. However, if your lips are naturally well-hydrated, you may only need to exfoliate every couple of weeks.
Avoid licking lips
While it may seem like licking your lips is a quick fix for dryness or discomfort, it can actually do more harm than good to your lip health. When we lick our lips, the saliva on our tongues evaporates quickly, taking away any natural moisture that may be present on the lips. This can leave the lips feeling even drier than before.
More interestingly, saliva contains digestive enzymes that can break down the delicate skin on the lips, causing them to become irritated, inflamed, and more prone to cracking or infection. Constant licking can also disrupt the natural barrier of the lips, which is important for protecting against environmental stressors and preventing moisture loss.
Protect lips from the sun
Like the skin on our body, our lips are also prone to damage from UV radiation. The only difference is that the skin on our lips are thinner hence more delicate. With high exposure to UV radiation, our lips can become dry, chapped, and even develop sunburn or sun blisters.
UV radiation can also contribute to premature aging of the skin, including the lips. Over time, this can lead to the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of ageing.
It is highly recommended to wear a lip balm with SPF protection whenever you are outdoors, especially during peak sun hours. Look for a lip balm with at least SPF 15 and apply it generously to your lips before sun exposure. Reapply the lip balm every two hours or more often if you are swimming or sweating.
Avoid smoking
Smoking can cause discolouration of the lips where they may turn dark or brownish in color due to the nicotine and tar. This discoloration can be difficult to remove and can be a cosmetic concern.
Smoking can contribute to premature ageing of the skin, including the lips. And may cause dry and cracked lips, making them more vulnerable to infection and other problems.
Summary: Yes to healthy lips!
Keeping our lips healthy is important for both cosmetic and health reasons. To maintain healthy lips, it’s important to use a moisturising lip balm, avoid licking your lips, protect your lips from the sun with SPF lip balm, exfoliate your lips gently when needed, and quit smoking. These simple steps can help keep your lips looking and feeling healthy, while reducing the risk of lip damage and other health problems.
Post Image: Rodolfo Clix