Taking care of your lips properly is an important part of oral health. Let’s face it, who doesn’t want beautiful lips? You don’t need expensive products or cosmetics. You just need a few minutes and some good tips on how to take proper care of them. Your lips will thank you.
Here are a few suggestions to try to help in giving you a pretty pucker!
Hydration and Nutrition
Lips are like a sponge. When they are dehydrated, they shrink and dry out, but when they absorb water they will plump up. Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water daily as it helps to keep your skin and lips hydrated. A healthy diet rich in foods containing vitamins and minerals (especially vitamin B and D) can also aid in skin and lip renewal. Foods like fish, yogurt and green vegetables contain loads of these vitamins. So drink and eat up!
No Licking or Picking
Digestive enzymes in your saliva can break down the protective barrier on your lips. The skin on your lips is thin and contains no oil glands to keep them moist. So when you lick your lips, they become dry and in some cases very painful and cracked. So avoid licking and picking your lips.
Exfoliation
Just like with the rest of our skin, our lips need exfoliation too. Lip exfoliators remove dead skin, similar to ones we would use on our face and help promote new skin cells to form. Rub the mixture in a circular motion all over your lips and rinse off. Use a lip exfoliator once weekly.
Moisturize and Protect
Our lips do not contain melanin, the pigment which acts as a shield when exposed to the sun. This makes them more susceptible to sun damage. The best thing to apply is a lip moisturizer that contains SPF. Apply your lip moisturizer when your lips are feeling dry and chapped for some relief whether you are indoors or out. This can also help prevent sun damage.
Combine Your Favourite Lipstick with a Hydrating Lip Moisturizer Underneath
Many of us wear long lasting or matte lipstick. These types of lipsticks can be excessively drying to our lips. If your favourite shade is one of these types of lipsticks, you’re best to apply a hydrating lip moisturizer beneath it. But if you can, opt for a lipstick containing vitamin E or glycerin as they will aid in hydration and keep lips soft.
There is nothing you can do to hide dry, sore looking lips. You need to take proper care of them and hopefully these tips are helpful. Healthy lips will help you to smile with confidence!
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Here’s to summer ready lips!
Jana
