If you’d have asked me 2 years ago to describe my skin type, I’d have said it was combination — a little oily, a little normal. Now? I’m dry. No if’s, and’s, or but’s. And it sucks. My lips have especially taken the brunt of the moisture surge, and I often struggle with dry, cracked, and chapped lips. However, because I enjoy a good smooch (quite) often, I need my lips to soft & smooth. So today we’re talking about 6 ways you can keep your lips soft & smooth all winter (and anytime, really).
With no oil glands to produce moisture, continual exposure to the elements, and a minimal protective skin barrier, our lips are kind of screwed. The above factors contribute to dry, cracked, and generally uncomfortable lips. But there are also aggravating ingredients and internal struggles that result in irritation, peeling, and dry lips. So here’s what you can do:
1 | Exfoliate
Maybe the easiest thing you can do to keep your lips soft and smooth is exfoliate. I hate using physical exfoliates on my skin, but my lips can handle it. A physical exfoliate will slough away rough patches while a chemical exfoliate will work into the skin or lips to treat the problem, instead of a quick fix.
One of my favorite lip exfoliates is the Bite Beauty Agave+ Weekly Lip Scrub. It’s a sugar based scrub (the scrubby bits to get rid of roughness) that is infused with papaya enzymes (enzymatic to melt away flakes) and squalane, which is super moisturizing. And it smells like vanilla.
As for treatment exfoliation, I love the Sugar Wonder Drops Lip Primer from Fresh. It’s a very gentle, AHA, leave-on exfoliant that smooths dry lips. I use it before makeup application, so my lips are plump and ready for color!
2 | Hydrate
Hydrating is another no brainer, but not all lip balms are created equal. You guys, I’m picky AF when it comes to lip balms.
Most balms soothe and comfort lips in the short term, but for a lasting change, you need something more occlusive, like a salve. This creates a protective layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out while your lips repair.
At night, I like to use something thick, that I won’t want to lick off, like the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, and in the mornings I like to use something lightweight like Bite Beauty’s Agave+ Daytime Vegan Lip Balm.
Honestly, I don’t like drugstore lip balms. I find they do more harm than good. They’re great in the short term, but after continual use, I find they dry my lips out even more! Watch our for these drying ingredients in your lip products: menthol, salicylic acid, and camphor.
3 | Opt for hydrating lipsticks
Lip service doesn’t only apply to skincare routines or putting on a balm before bed. If you’re like me and constantly struggle with dry, irritated lips, don’t wear drying lip products through the day. It’s pretty simple.
I love a good matte lippie as much as the next girl, but if I wear them too many days in a row, I’m in for trouble. Instead, reach for moisturizing and hydrating formulas.
Some of my fave hydrating lipsticks: YSL Shine Oil-In-Stick Lipstick, L’Oreal Plump and Shine Sheer Lipstick, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks
4 | Sun protection
That’s right, your lips need a good SPF, too. Think about it, your lips are always exposed to the elements, and that includes harmful rays from the sun!
Here a few great lip products with SPF: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment (SPF15), Supergoop AcaiFusion Lip Balm (SPF30), Sol De Janeiro My Sol Stick (SPF50)
5 | Hydrate from the inside
I can always tell when I’m not drinking enough water. My skin freaks out, I get a little moody, and my lips are dry AF. Sometimes all you need to do to get smooth and soft, kissable lips is drink a glass of water!
6 | Maybe get a humidfier
And if none of that works, you might want to invest in a humidifier. What this beautiful contraption does is add moisture back into the air, stopping the problem before it even starts! I usually break out a humidifier in the fall and winter months.
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Alright, babes, pucker up with your softest lips ever.
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