Are you wondering why your lips get chapped and cracked even if you have oily skin? Lips require a very different care routine than the rest of the skin. The lips are softer and more supple than other areas of the skin; hence they need special care. For a long time, most people’s lip care routine at home included using petroleum jelly during winter. However, now that the skincare industry has progressed beyond measure, people realize that their lips need a different care regimen.
Seasonal changes and hormonal fluctuations can affect your personal care regimen, which is why it is important to view skincare with a more holistic lens. Let us break down these lip care aspects and learn how to get softer lips at home.
How can you Take Better Care of Your Lips?
The skin in our body has sebaceous glands, which secrete natural fat. The lips, however, do not have these glands. Understanding this is the first step to getting a lip care routine at home. The skin on our body has numerous sweat glands which secrete oils to keep it nourished and moisturized throughout the day.
Lips need extra care and moisturization since they do not contain sebaceous glands. We occasionally lick our lips, but this is not a reliable way of moisturizing them. Did you know that licking your lips could make them drier? Moreover, very frequent lip licking can lead to yeast infections such as angular cheilitis (characterized by painful swelling at the corners of the lips). The right lip care routine at home will not only keep your lips youthful, but it will also shield you from such infections.
So, is there anything you can do to keep your lips moisturized? Surprisingly enough, you cannot moisturize your lips properly unless you exfoliate them well. This is why it is advised to use an exfoliating lip mask once a week and twice if you have very flaky lips. Exfoliation is the key to lip hydration, which can be achieved with the help of numerous cosmetic products.
Step-By-Step Lip Care Routine at Home
Dry lips need a special kind of lip care. While there are numerous lip care routine products, the routine is a simple two-step method that keeps your lips healthy and supple. These lip care routine steps will give you the lips you have always dreamed of.
1. Hydration
Hydrating or moisturizing your lips is the first step towards getting naturally healthy lips. At any point in time, in case you feel your lips are feeling dry and chapped, apply some lip balm right away. This alone can save you many troubles. Dermatologists generally advise using a lip balm at least 4 times a day.
- Always try to use an applicator to apply lip balm generously all over your lips, including the corners. Otherwise, you may also use a finger to apply it.
- If you are going out, make sure you are using an SPF 30+ lip balm. This is because, like your skin, your lips can get dark due to sun exposure. Lips can also be a common spot for precancerous lesions. Hence, use the correct lip balm.
The right lip care routine at home can help make your lips look softer and supple.
2. Exfoliation
It is essential to exfoliate your lips from time to time. This is because dry and dead skin can accumulate and make your lips look darker than they are. Exfoliating your lips ensures you eliminate this debris and get softer and brighter lips.
It is advised to exfoliate your lips as a nighttime routine, no more than twice a week. Follow these steps to exfoliate your lips correctly:
- Use a small amount of exfoliating scrub
- Rub over the lips in a circular motion for about 30 seconds
- Let the oils soak in by leaving the mixture on your lips for about 10 minutes
- Rinse your lips with lukewarm water
- Dry your lips with a soft towel
- Apply some lip balm to hydrate your lips
Lip Care Routine at Home to Reduce Dark Lips
Are you looking for a lip care routine for dark lips? Read on to know more!
Lips can get dark for several reasons, but mostly due to the accumulation of dry and dead cells and exposure to the sun. Moreover, dark like can sometimes result from a low-protein diet, which can point to an unhealthy diet. Here are some tips to add to your lip care routine for pink lips.
1. Do not Lick or Touch Your Lips Very Frequently
Even though many of us do this unconsciously, this can damage your lips. Since the lips do not have any protective layer, they can get infected by the germs on your fingers. Moreover, once your saliva dries up from the lips, it becomes even more chapped and dry. This is also why you are advised to use an applicator to apply lip balm instead of fingers, as we have indicated.
2. Drink Enough Water and Stay Hydrated
One of the best things to do for your lip care routine at home is to drink enough water. Water naturally flushes out toxins in the body, leading to glowing skin, healthier lips, and luscious hair.
3. Make Sure to Have a Healthy Diet
As mentioned, a low-protein diet can often result in darker lips. If you eat a nutritional imbalance diet, it will affect every function of your body. Eating healthy will not only contribute to good overall health, but it will also make your lips lighter and brighter. This will also include the health of your lips. Healthy minerals and vitamins are essential for making your skin and lips look softer and supple and are just as important to your lip care routine at home as a lip balm.
4. Always Carry Lip Balm With You
Always have your lip balm on you. It is essential to reapply your lip balm every 3 hours or so, especially when you are out. There is no downside to moisturizing your lips frequently.
5. Always remove Your Lipstick Before Going to Bed
Just as you remove your makeup before bedtime, it is important to wipe any other cosmetics (such as lip gloss or lipstick) you have applied to your lips before bed. This is a priority rule of lip care routine at home. Not removing your lipstick can cause your lips to become chapped and dry, not to mention the chemicals in cosmetics should never rest on the lips overnight.
6. Remember to Hydrate Your Lips Before Going to Bed
During the day, you can moisturize your lips at any time. However, what about when we are asleep? The average person sleeps for at least 6-7 hours, so what happens to your lips during this time? This is why you have to hydrate and nourish your lips before you go to bed. Share some love to your lips as well.
7. Keep a Lookout on Your Lips and Consult a Dermatologist if Needed
If you ever notice any deformity on your lips, an abrupt change in color, or inflammation, consult a doctor immediately.
Why Should You Include Lip Care Routine Products in Your Everyday Regime?
The following are the benefits you will notice over some time if you add natural products to your lip care routine at home:
- Lip balm moisturizes the lips, which is essential for rejuvenating skin cells.
- It forms a layer over the lips, which acts as a natural barrier against many environmental conditions.
- Routine exfoliation and hydration slow the aging process and make you appear more youthful.
- An all-natural routine helps in getting rid of dead skin cells.
Conclusion
As we have mentioned, the lips do not have sebaceous glands. This is why they must be hydrated and moisturized with a thorough lip care routine at home. Otherwise, numerous environmental effects may make your lips chapped and dry. You can also try lip contouring tips if you are tired of your dark lips. A regular lip care routine will keep your lips soft, healthy, and supple, preserving your beauty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What to apply on lips before sleeping?
Ans: Before you go to bed, apply lip balm generously on your lips. This will prevent them from getting dry during the night when you are sleeping.
Q2. What is applied first, lip scrub or lip mask?
Ans: Using a lip scrub before using a lip mask is recommended.
Q3. Can lip balm be used too much?
Ans: it is safe to use lip balm in moderation. However, overusing it can lead to extreme sensitivity. It can lead to itching and irritation.
