What do you think of when you hear the word “lips”? Do you think of kisses, smiles, or expressions? Do you think of lipstick, gloss, or balm? Do you think of celebrities, models, or influencers? Whatever you think of, you probably agree that lips are one of the most important and attractive features of your face. They can make or break your look, your mood, and your confidence. That’s why lip care is an essential part of your beauty routine.
However, lip care is not as simple as it seems. There are many factors that can affect the condition of your lips, such as weather, sun exposure, dehydration, smoking, and ageing. These factors can cause common lip problems such as dryness, cracking, peeling, bleeding, or infection. To prevent and treat these problems, you need to follow some simple do’s and don’ts for lip care. In this blog post, we will share with you some tips to help you achieve soft, smooth, and plump lips.
Do’s for Lip Care
● Do use a lip balm daily. A lip balm is a must-have product for lip care. It moisturises, protects, and heals your lips. Look for a lip balm that contains natural ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, or cocoa butter. These ingredients provide nourishment and hydration to your lips. You can also choose a lip balm that has SPF to protect your lips from sun damage. Apply a lip balm whenever your lips feel dry or before going out.
● Do exfoliate your lips once a week. Exfoliating your lips helps remove dead skin cells and flakiness that can make your lips look dull and rough. It also improves blood circulation and enhances the natural colour of your lips. You can use a gentle lip scrub or a soft toothbrush to exfoliate your lips. Make sure to be gentle and not overdo it. After exfoliating, apply a lip balm to moisturise and soothe your lips.
● Do drink enough water. Hydration is key for healthy lips. Drinking enough water helps keep your lips and skin hydrated from within. It also flushes out toxins and impurities that can affect your lip health. Aim for at least eight glasses of water a day. You can also drink herbal teas, fruit juices, or coconut water to boost your hydration levels.
● Do eat a healthy diet. Your diet plays a vital role in your lip health. Eating foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats can nourish and protect your lips. Some of the best foods for lip care are fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, eggs, and dairy products. These foods provide essential nutrients that help maintain the collagen and elasticity of your lips. They also prevent inflammation and infection that can cause lip problems.
● Do use a lip mask or serum at night. A lip mask or serum is a great way to pamper your lips at night. It provides intensive hydration and nourishment to your lips while you sleep. It also repairs any damage and restores the natural moisture barrier of your lips. You can use a store-bought or homemade lip mask or serum that suits your needs. Some of the best ingredients for lip masks or serums are honey, aloe vera, turmeric, rose water, almond oil, or olive oil.
Don’ts for Lip Care
● Don’t lick or bite your lips. Licking or biting your lips is one of the worst habits for lip care. It may seem like a way to moisten your lips, but it actually does more harm than good. Saliva contains enzymes that can dry out and irritate your lips. Biting your lips can cause bleeding, swelling, and infection. It can also damage the delicate skin of your lips and make them prone to cracking and peeling. Instead of licking or biting your lips, apply a lip balm whenever you feel the urge.
● Don’t use harsh or expired products on your lips. The products you use on your lips can affect their condition and appearance. Avoid using products that contain harsh chemicals, artificial colours, fragrances, or alcohol on your lips. These ingredients can strip away the natural oils and moisture from your lips and cause allergic reactions or irritation. Also, make sure to check the expiry date of your lip products and discard them if they are past their shelf life.
● Don’t smoke or drink excessively. Smoking and drinking are bad for your overall health as well as your lip health. Smoking reduces the oxygen supply to your lips and causes them to lose their natural colour and glow. It also increases the risk of wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots on your lips. Drinking alcohol dehydrates your body and makes your lips dry and chapped. It also dilates the blood vessels in your lips and causes them to swell or bleed.
● Don’t skip sunscreen on your lips. Your lips are exposed to the sun’s harmful rays every day, which can cause sunburns, pigmentation, premature ageing, and even skin cancer on your lips. Therefore, you need to protect them with sunscreen just like you do with the rest of your skin. Use a lip balm that has at least SPF 15 or higher and reapply it every two hours or after eating or drinking. You can also wear a hat, scarf, or mask to cover your lips when you are outdoors.
● Don’t neglect your lips. Your lips are an important part of your face and deserve your attention and care. Don’t ignore any signs of lip problems such as dryness, cracking, peeling, bleeding, or infection. Treat them as soon as possible with the appropriate remedies and products. Also, don’t forget to pamper your lips with some extra love and care once in a while. You can use a lip mask, a lip massage, or a lip plumping product to give your lips a boost of beauty and health.
Conclusion
Lip care doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It only requires some simple do’s and don’ts that you can easily follow in your daily routine. Follow these tips and keep your lips soft, smooth, plump, and ready to be the star of your makeup!
