[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen we talk about skin care routines, we’ll often hear about the importance of removing our make-up thoroughly and the need for cleansers and moisturisers.
But what about our lips?
Every day, our lips are exposed to sunlight, cold air, wind, hot drinks and goodness knows what else – so why aren’t we taking more care of them?
As we get older, our lips, like the rest of our bodies, start to age. Yet, the muscles around our lips can change the overall appearance of our lips dramatically. As these muscles start to weaken our lips can start to droop, sag and develop wrinkles, and we’ll also notice a loss of collagen and fat which leads to deflated lips that start to turn inward. Sounds hideous, doesn’t it? Thankfully, there are some simple ways we can keep this ageing process at bay and our lips perfectly pouted.
Here’s how:
The Importance of Looking After Your Lips
1. Remove Make-Up Thoroughly
Just like your eye make-up and foundation, your lipstick or gloss needs removing thoroughly at the end of the day or night. Use your gentle make-up wipe to do this rather than using a towel or other harsh materials.
The thought of exfoliating your lips may sound a little alien but it’s the key to getting supple, smooth and soft lips. You can get specialist lip exfoliation products that are designed to remove the dead skin cells from your lips but without being too harsh. Or you could simply use some sugar.
When using these products, apply them in a circular motion until you feel as though your lips are fully exfoliated. Then, if you’re using sugar, simply lick it off your lips and enjoy!
2. Exfoliate Regularly
3. Use a Lip Balm Frequently
Apply a lip balm to moisturise your lips as frequently as possible. The aforementioned step may leave your lips feeling dry, too, so a lip balm will help reverse this and keep your lips beautifully hydrated.
The best lip balms will contain almond or sunflower oil bases – and, as with most products, organic lip balms from places like Neal’s Yard Remedies are best!
Using these regularly will help get rid of any burning or itchy sensations and will keep your lips smooth and provide them with those much-needed nutrients.
Your lips are incredibly vulnerable to weather conditions, including the sun and wind. That’s why you should opt for a lip balm that has an SPF of at least 15 so you can ward off those harmful UV rays. These types of balms will also help create a protective barrier against the wind.
Finally, remember not to lick or pick your lips and always drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. These tips and those above will make sure you’re puckering up to perfection for many years to come!
