One of the most underrated skin parts to take care of is the lips. Most people recognize that they need to care for their faces, nails and feet. But they forget that the lips also need as much attention as the rest. Most people do not see the effect of neglecting their lips till it is time for dry weather or winter seasons. Lip care requires intentionality, so you do not have chapped and cracked dry lips.

This is due to its inability to produce melanin. It also does not have oil glands. Also, the skin on the lips is very thin. The lips are one of the most sensitive body parts, so it easily gets dehydrated, dry or chapped. And it does not matter the hue of lipstick you wear. If you do not take care of your lips, your lips will look unattractive.

So, if you can create that lipstick pout, you first need to care for your lips. Here are some ways you can care for your lips.

1.    Do Not Lick Your Lips

As mentioned earlier, the lips have no oil glands. Oil glands or sebaceous glands produce oil that moisturizes the skin. These glands are present on the scalp, so they moisturize the hair from the roots. But the lips do not have these. This usually means the lips are not moisturized. And the intuitive thing to do is lick them to keep some moisture on the lips.

 But licking the lips is not as much help as we think. Instead, it leads to more dryness. The enzymes in the saliva are not very suitable for your soft lips. They are too harsh and have their purpose. Licking the lips also enables yeast buildup, leading to painful inflammation at the ends of the mouth. Also, some people breathe through their mouths.

This also strips moisture from the lips. Use a moisturizing product every time to prevent your lips from drying out and possible infection risk. A good suggestion is natural shea butter or a recommended lip balm from a certified dermatologist.

2.    Stay Hydrated

A common skincare advice that cuts across all areas is hydration. It comes as no surprise since the human body is mostly made up of water. This means that dehydration comes at a great cost to the body. Make sure to drink your eight glasses of water each day to avoid dehydration to your lips. This is one of the most underrated advice you can get for your lips.

But, choosing between drinking eight to ten glasses of water and going for an expensive lip treatment, the former is a very good idea. Another external tip you can incorporate to aid with hydration is to have a humidifier in your home. It helps because it increases the moisture content in your atmosphere, so your lips stand a reduced chance of being dried.

You can also hydrate your lips by rubbing a cucumber on them daily for about five minutes. You can also mix almond and coconut oil in equal quantities and rub them on your lips before bed. These will seal moisture in your lips and prevent them from escaping. The result is supple lips.

3.    Remove Makeup Before Bed

It is all fun going for that casual outing, office setting, or even an event where you apply makeup. Then you return, but you are too tired to take it off. This hurts your lips. Your lips need to breathe free of products. So when you return from that event, take a few minutes to wipe all lipstick traces from your lips before you go to bed.

Removing makeup not only helps your skin, but also your lips. And if you happen to unknowingly use those lipsticks made with cheap ingredients and dyes, the long term effects on your lips stand a reduced chance.

4.    Exfoliation Helps

If you have dry and flaky skin on your lips, one way to restore your soft and healthy lips is to exfoliate. Most experts recommend that exfoliation of the lips should be done once or twice weekly. You could do this routine at night or during the weekend. So, to exfoliate, you can get an exfoliating scrub. Some exfoliating scrubs are available on the market.

There are also some home exfoliation remedies you can apply. So with whichever you have handy, gently rub over the lips in circular motions for less than a minute. Then, leave the scrub on your lips for a while. Afterwards, rinse your lips with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel or tissue. When you are done, apply a lip balm or cream recommended by a certified dermatologist to seal the moisture.

Some home remedy methods for exfoliating the lips include gently using a wet, soft toothbrush or washcloth to remove dry and dead flakes on the lips. However, ensure not to overdo it, as it will lead to irritation. So do this procedure once a week, and treat your lips gently as it is sensitive. Another home remedy for exfoliation is to mix two tablespoons of brown sugar, coconut oil, jojoba oil or avocado oil (any of them), natural honey and half a tablespoon of warm water.

Mix these ingredients and gently rub them on your lips in circular patterns. Do this for about two minutes, then rinse with warm water. You will realize the result immediately after this procedure. Your lips become soft and supple. Then apply a lip care product to maintain the softness.

5.    Apply Sunscreen To Your Lips

Whenever you are out during a sunny day, your lips receive a lot of that exposure, especially the bottom lip, And that is an ideal recipe for skin cancer since there is almost no oil gland on the lip to offer any form of protection. This is why sunscreen is a must in your lip care routine. Your daytime lip care product must have an SPF of 15 or higher.

You cannot compromise on this advice, even wearing a mask. Many lip balms on the market contain an SPF of 15 and above. So you can make this investment to protect your lips against the sun, provide moisturization to your lips, and at the same time, prevent dry and chapped lips. Some others, also, choose to apply only sunscreen on their lips when they are applying sunscreen as their normal skincare routine.

Your lip care product containing sunscreen should contain ingredients like titanium or zinc oxide. Also, if you do not live in a sunny atmosphere, you still need to protect your lips from the weather elements because cold or windy environments can be equally damaging. So, get a lip care product to protect your lips. Fortunately lip care products are not expensive.

6.    Massage Your Lips

One lip care which will leave this incomplete is massaging the lips. Give your lips some massage every day for about two to three minutes. It encourages blood circulation that makes your lips soft. You have to be gentle with your lips when massaging. Before you massage your lips, ensure that your hands and face are clean so that you do not cause any infection by using dirty hands on your lips.

Of course, you need to apply your lips with a good lip moisturizer or lip balm. Another option is to use nourishing oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, almond oil or shea butter for the lip massage for about five minutes each day. Massaged lips give the illusion of being fuller, though for a short while.

7.    Develop A Nighttime Lip Care Routine

Lip Care requires intentionality, which can easily be achieved during the day. This is not easily the case at night. During the day, you can notice when your lips are dry and dab on some chapsticks or lip balm to protect your lips. But this is not the case at night as you are knocked out in slumber. Also, the air around you dries out your lips whenever you are asleep.

So, before bed, apply a moisturizing lip cream or petroleum jelly before you sleep. It will protect your lips as you enjoy your beauty sleep.

8.    Always Carry A Lip Care Product

You could leave your home with your lips moisturized. Sip some drinks, talk to some people and before you know it, your lips have gotten dry. This is why you must carry a lip care product to reapply when you realize that your lips have gotten dry. So, you could carry lip balms, chapped sticks, lip gloss or even lipsticks made with natural ingredients.

Lipsticks formulated with natural ingredients create a protective barrier around your lips and protect them from weather elements, pollution and the sun. So, wearing lipsticks or lip gloss is not a bad idea at all. It is a creative way to care for your lips. So, carrying your lip care product around is a great idea because you wouldn't want to find yourself with dried and chapped lips.

Also, the advantage of carrying your lip care product with you everywhere you go is that you get to reapply whenever you want. Ideally, you should reapply your lip product every two hours. So, to make this easy on you, leave a lip product on your desk, in your purse, etc. This should always remind you of the need to give some love to your lips.

9.    Seek Professional Help

Sometimes, even though you may adhere to every preventive lip care rule, your lips may still need help. Thus, it is time for you to visit a professional so that they can diagnose the problem and help you out.

10.  Eat Healthily

Good food is good health. Your diet says a lot about your health, and in the long run, this can affect your body parts, including your lips. Avoid junk food and eat a balanced meal daily for healthy lips. For instance, eggs, milk, and carrots carry enough nutrients to help your skin retain moisture and repair damaged skin tissues.

Also, orange juice, strawberries, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and citrus fruits help retain collagen, enabling lips' elasticity and boosting your immune system.

FAQs

1.   Which oil is better for lips?

Several oils are considered nourishing for lips. These oils include coconut oil, almond oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil and olive oil. But the most common that is used for lip care routine is coconut oil. This is mainly because of its moisturizing effects, making it the perfect oil for chapped lips. Coconut oil has microbial qualities and enables quicker healing of sore lips or dried lips.

2.   How do you know if your lips are healthy?

Your lips are healthy if they are smooth and soft. When you feel your lips, there seems to be no dryness or roughness.The pinkness of lips does not necessarily indicate healthiness. The point is, if your lips are supple and smooth along with the natural colour of your lips, it is an indication that your lips are healthy. You must hydrate as much as possible and invest in a lip care product.

3.   Can you brighten your lips?

Yes, you can. There are many natural ways to do that. A common method is to gently rub the juicy part of lemon on your lips before bed. Some other methods include turmeric and milk, aloe vera, coconut oil, pomegranate, olive oil or rosewater. But the most common natural home method for brightening lips is the one with the use of lemon.

4.    How can I moisturize my lips naturally?

Applying shea butter to your lips can seal in moisture, thereby moisturizing your lips. You can also use aloe vera, honey, or coconut oil. You can also use some moisturizing oils like jojoba oil, almond oil, and avocado oil.

5.   Does wearing lipstick darken your lips?

Lipsticks are made with chemical products; over time, they leave their mark on the lips by darkening them. Also, make sure to stay away from lipsticks with cheap ingredients. They are harmful to your lips.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is very unattractive for a lady to have chapped and dry lips. It does not send a good message about you to whosoever may be observing. Lip care is also as important as skincare, so devote as many resources and time as possible to get that pouty, kissy and healthy lips.