I admit that I haven’t always been the most diligent about caring for my lips. I’m a chronic lip-biter, a habit that stems from anxiety. Even when I’m not feeling particularly anxious, I still find myself biting my lips when I’m intensely focused on my tasks. It’s a habit I haven’t been able to break, so my lips always require extra attention.
Our lips, regardless of our habits, require extra care. Unlike the skin on our bodies, our lips lack oil glands, making them particularly susceptible to dryness. Moreover, our lips lack melanin, the pigment that protects our skin from the sun’s rays.
If you’re looking to step up your lip care routine, keep these important tips in mind.
A Simple Routine
Lip care is crucial for maintaining healthy and hydrated lips. An effective lip care routine usually consists of three essential steps: hydration, protection, and exfoliation. To keep your lips soft and healthy, it’s important to consistently hydrate them, protect them from the elements, and gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells.
Hydrate and Moisturize: To keep your lips moisturized, apply a good lip balm anywhere from 2 to 4 times a day. If your lips feel dry, applying balm at any time is also appropriate. In addition, ensure you stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and dryness.
Protect: Protect your lips from the sun by applying a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher. If you plan to be outdoors for a sustained period, make sure to reapply every two hours.
Gently Exfoliate: Incorporating lip exfoliation into your nighttime skincare routine is an excellent way to remove dry, flaky skin and restore vitality and softness to your lips.
To exfoliate your lips, take a small amount of lip-specific exfoliating scrub and gently rub it in circular motions over your lips for about 30 seconds. Let the nourishing oils penetrate your lips for 10 seconds before rinsing with lukewarm water or using a warm, damp washcloth to remove the scrub. Pat your lips dry with a clean towel and apply a generous layer of balm to protect, soothe, and lock in moisture.
As with any exfoliation routine, be cautious not to overdo it. Harsh exfoliation can damage your skin’s barrier and hinder your lips’ ability to retain moisture. Moreover, if your lips are healthy, you may not need to exfoliate at all. Exfoliation should only be done once or twice a week if your lips tend to chafe.
What to Look For and What to Avoid
When searching for lip care products, there are a few key ingredients to look out for. Nourishing ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, glycerin, and ceramides are great for keeping your lips hydrated. Natural oils such as coconut, avocado, almond, and jojoba also offer healthy benefits. Additionally, make sure to protect your lips with SPF 30 during the day.
On the other hand, avoid potentially irritating ingredients like camphor, eucalyptus, peppermint, cinnamon, and menthol. Synthetic fragrances and dyes are also best avoided, as they can cause dryness and irritation. While different colors and scents can be appealing, it’s best to steer clear of them if you’re serious about lip care.
If you suffer from dry lips, try to avoid licking them, as this can lead to angular cheilitis, a buildup of yeast on the lips that causes painful inflammation. Also, be mindful of your toothpaste, as certain ingredients like mint, citrus, and sodium lauryl sulfate can cause or worsen dry lips. To protect your lips after brushing, rinse your mouth thoroughly to remove any residue and then apply a lip balm or moisturizer.
My Favorite Lip Care Products
Given that I’m a chronic lip-biter, I’ve had plenty of experience with various balms, oils, and scrubs. Here are a few time-tested favorites:
Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm: As one of the few lip balms I’m not allergic to, Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm has become a staple in my routine. I keep a stockpile in my bathroom cabinet, so I never have to be without it. It keeps my lips soft and moisturized throughout the day and night, and helps to quickly heal any dryness or irritation. $4
Fresh Sugar Lip Polish: This is the only lip exfoliator I have ever used (or will ever use). Packed with nourishing oils and natural sugar crystals, this moisturizing lip scrub gently buffs away dryness and textural irregularities for smooth, revitalized lips. $21
Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm: This is my go-to balm for whenever I feel like my lips need extra attention. It’s a bit pricey, but I wouldn’t recommend it if I didn’t think it was worth every penny. This silky balm (paired with the sugar scrub) makes for an unbeatable combo. $28
Final Thoughts
Your lips lack the sebaceous oil glands found on other parts of your skin, making them particularly susceptible to dryness and chapping, especially in cold, extremely hot, or windy weather. To keep your lips soft and smooth, make lip care a part of your daily routine. Look for lip balms with ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, and glycerin, and apply them whenever your lips feel dry.
Exfoliate very dry lips once or twice a week. After exfoliating, apply a nourishing balm. Also, don’t forget to apply SPF 30 to your lips whenever you’re outdoors.