Skin Care
There’s nothing worse than breaking out into a smile and suddenly feeling that tight pain in your lip. Did it split? Is it bleeding?
October 3, 2024
What about trying to apply lipstick to a rocky, flaky surface?
There’s no way this will last all day.
Or wondering if people are noticing the cactus condition of your lips.
Do they see it?
Chapped lips are no one’s idea of a good time. So what causes them? And, more importantly, how do we get rid of them?
First things first - to care for your lips, you need to know about your lips. If this headline caught your eye, chances are you’re prone to chapped lips. They’re primarily caused by environmental stressors, like wind or sun, which strip them of moisture and cause them to dry out and crack.
Because lips don’t have oil glands like your skin[1], they can’t produce or replace moisture on their own. Your lips’ skin is also thinner than regular skin, making it sensitive to sun damage, dryness, and other stressors. Often, the instinctual reaction toward dry lips is to lick them, but this can actually make the problem worse, as the enzymes in your saliva can irritate your lips further[2].
To bring back plump, smooth, healthy lips, the big thing you’re looking for is hydration and retaining moisture. There’s a myriad of lip treatments out there, and often it’s a matter of finding what works for you.
Lip balms are great on the go because they’ll fit in the tiniest purse or pocket, but make sure you get one with occlusive ingredients like beeswax or types of butters. These moisturise your lips and also create a barrier that will maintain that moisture level. It’s also worth looking for balm containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide[3], as these help protect against sun damage.
These are your pamper option, and there are a few different kinds. There are sheet masks for a 30-min refresh, and overnight lotion masks for a deeper, more intensive treatment. These are a great reset for your lips, which can get you back on the right track. Great ones often contain hyaluronic acid (for hydration), shea butter (to help nourish) and/or peptides (to lock in the good stuff).
Lip scrubs are a once-or-twice-per-week deal. While they can be great exfoliators on flaky lips, you want to make sure you apply them gently, not rubbing your lips raw. Sugar is often used in lip scrubs because it is great for exfoliation.
One thing that’s also worth noting is that hydration starts on the inside. If you’re wanting to boost hydration in your lips and skin, consider boosting your water intake!
So what ingredients should you look for in a lip product? Remember, the key thing we’re looking for is to boost moisture! Here is a list of some gorgeous ingredients that lock and load hydration:
Now that you know what the mission is and what to look for, the only things left to do are shop and slather!
Unless you’re looking to create your own line of lip-loving products. If the formulation is your game, Health Focus Manufacturers is the name. They work with world-leading brands to produce unique formulations and product lines that take the world by storm. If you’d like to team up with their expert team of cosmetic chemists, contact them today.
