[Part 1] The Don’ts & Dos of Lip Care
The Don’ts: Get the following threats out of your life!
Avoid Irritants
If you have dry skin, you may need to sacrifice the feeling of coolness. Ingredients such as menthol and cinnamon, which are commonly found in lip balm, toothpaste, mouth rinse and even your favourite gum, may irritate your skin and make it dryer.
Do not peel the dead skin with your hands
This is the most harmful way to remove dead lip skin, it can lead to bacterial and fungal infections. If you have dead skin on your lips, you can use a lip exfoliator. Or you can make your own lip exfoliator at home, rock sugar is a good choice.
Apply less or use no lipstick
Lipsticks often contain chemicals that are harmful to our skin. If you don’t remove the lip makeup in time, the pigment in lipstick will begin to absorb into our lips. This is one of the main causes of lip darkening. What’s worse, is that the accumulated makeup residue can cause allergic reactions.
Dos: Put these tips into practice to make your lips more kissable!
Drink plenty of water
The benefits of drinking water to the human body are well known. Drinking water not only helps maintain moisture, but also helps your body excrete waste and toxins. Especially when the weather is dry, the “non-dominant” water loss of the body increases and it is even more important to replenish your bodies water reserves in time. In addition, humidifiers can also be used to increase the humidity in your environment.
Lip Protection
It is a good idea to carry a lip balm with you. This helps ensure that you’re able to protect your lips all the time. After dinner, or before bedtime, applying a thin layer of lip balm will moisturize and help repair your lips. when you will be going outside, choose a lipstick, or lip balm with a high-quality sunscreen of at least SPF 15, or higher and apply it at least once every two hours.
Exfoliation
Dead skin easily generates and accumulates on our lips, resulting in pigmentation. In this case, you can use a lip scrub to remove the dead skin and restore smoothness and elasticity. However, the stratum corneum of our lips is very thin and sensitive. It is easily irritated and can become red and swollen due to the back and forth friction between the lips and the exfoliator. This may deepen the color and the lines of your lips. To avoid less desirable results, only scrub your lips once a week.
Throw away expired lip products
Many people prefer to buy natural and chemical-free lip care products, which are safer and more reliable to use. However, due to the lack of parabens, the shelf life of these products tends to be very short. They easily oxidize and spoil after opening. Generally speaking, one lip balm can be used up in 1-2 months. If not used frequently, it is best to throw out chemical-free lip products within 6 months of opening them. Lipstick should also be replaced at least once a year, whether it is used up, or not.
Lip care before bedtime
After a day of tiring work, heavy makeup and air pollution, delicate lips need to be taken care of. Products containing VC, VD, or other repairing and anti-oxidative ingredients can be used before bedtime to nourish lips while sleeping.
Keep a healthy diet
Eat foods that are rich in dietary fiber and vitamins. You should also supplement essential fatty acids, which are good for skin and lip health.
[Part 2] Correct lip care steps
Step 1: sunblock
It is said that sunscreen is the most important step in skin care. However, many people only apply this care regimen to their facial skin and ignore their lips. Lack of hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands mean that our lips can not secrete oils like other parts of skin. They are unable to adjust their state in order to counteract the effects of the environment. When our lips are exposed to UV radiation for a long time, photoaging, dryness, roughness and dark lips and even an increase in the risk of skin cancer is likely to occur.
Here are some tips for you to protect your lips:
- Wear protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves during outdoor activities.
- Apply lipstick or lip balm with a high-quality sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or higher, half an hour before you go out and reapply it at least once every two hours.
Step 2: Cleaning
Lip makeup should be removed with specially designed lip makeup remover. Allowing lipstick residue to remain on your lips for a long time will cause pigmentation and inflammation.
Here are the correct removal steps
- Remove all traces of oil on the lip with tissue.
- Slightly moisten a cotton pad or tissue with the remover.
- Gently press and hold for several seconds against your lips.
- Gently wipe off.
- Rinse lip area with water.
- Wipe with tissue and apply moisturizing lip balm.
Step 3: Scrubbing
Scrubbing your lips is important, in order to ensure that they stay healthy and soft. Removing dead skin cells is important, so that your lips don’t succumb to any infections.
- Use any mild scrub that is available on the market for lips.
- Alternatively, you can make your own lip scrub at home, with some rock sugar.
Step 4: Moisturizing
As we mentioned above, for the natural moisture content of our lips is low we can hydrate the skin by drinking water, or applying lip balm.
When it comes to lip care products, there are lip balms, lip oils, lip masks and so on. The wide variety can confuse consumers and lead to poor choices when buying lip products. In fact, the main purpose of all these products is to provide moisture and nourishment for lips. You can choose the right product by consulting a beauty adviser, or researching on the internet. What should be noted is that, like facial masks, lip masks can not be applied every day, just 1-2 times a week is plenty.
Besides these products, you can also care for your lips with the following natural options.
Honey When your lips are dry, you can apply a thin layer of honey to your lips and keep it on for 20 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
Olive Oil Apply olive oil on your lips and cover them with plastic wrap and a hot towel; wait for 20 minutes and then gently wipe the oil off with a towel or a tissue.
Vaseline Apply vaseline to your lips and massage gently before bedtime, your lips will be hydrated and plump in the morning.
[Part 3] Selection of lip care products
The wide range of lip care products can be confusing. This section of our article will introduce them in detail and we will recommend some useful products for you.
(1)Common ingredients
Vaseline: moisturizing, with poor permeability.
Wax: wax is used to strengthen lip balm. Natural beeswax, extracted from the hive has a good moisturizing effect.
Plant extracts: generally extracted from mint, calendula and other plants, which serve as anti-inflammatories, moisturizers and so on. Other plant based ingredients like rose, chamomile, althaea, and aloe vera have repairing, soothing and moisturizing abilities.
Oil: there are plant-derived (jojoba oil), animal-derived (lanolin), mineral-derived (mineral white oil, etc.), as well as synthetic oil.
Vitamin E: vitamin E can increase the density of keratinocytes, alleviate dryness and restore the moisture.
(2)Outer packaging
Tubular Design: the tubular type is easy to use due to its rotary design. However, the wax content is very high and results in a lack of repairing effects.
Squeezing Design: squeezing types, like toothpaste packing can be used as a lip mask for its high moisture content. The common packing materials are plastic and aluminum. Aluminum packaging is better for its tighter seal.
Canned, or Jar Design: it is not so convenient to use, but it has a great hydrating effect.
(3)Must-buy
According to their different functions, there are lip makeup removers, lip scrubs, lip balms, lip oils and lip masks. From the working effects, there is cleaning, exfoliating, moisturizing, repairing and sunscreen. The products listed below are popular and worth a try:
Lip makeup removers
Lip makeup should be removed with specially designed remover for lips.
1. Bifesta Mandom Eye Makeup Remover 145ml
- Mild formula especially for delicate skin around eyes and lips
- Useful for waterproof mascara and lipsticks
- No irritation
- No need for secondary rinsing
2. Ebanel Makeup Remover Cleansing Balm Sherbet Cleanser
- Safe and perfect for eye makeup and lip makeup
- Cool texture
- No irritation
- Fresh smell
3. e.l.f. Studio Kiss It Goodbye Lip Color Remover
- Clean and clear
- Contains safflower oil, jojoba oil, and aloe
- Soothes, hydrates and relieves lips
4. Maybelline New York SuperStay Eraser Lip Color Remover
- Effective for long lasting lipstick
- Gentle formula
- No need for water cleaning
Notes: remove makeup gently, do not rub the lips roughly.
Lip scrub
Don’t let chapped lips steal your smile! Care your lips by scrubbing once or twice a week.
1. e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator, Brown Sugar
- Gently removes dead skin
- Contains vitamin E, shea butter, avocado, grape and jojoba oil
2. Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Conditioning Lip Scrub with Exfoliating Honey Crystals
- Available during the sleeping
- Moisturizes and regulates dry lips
3. Cake Batter Lip Scrubbie by Diva Stuff
- Removes dead skin
- Nourishes and moisturizes to combat dryness and lay a strong barrier for your lips
Notes: Apply a small, pea sized amount on your lips. Scrub the lips in a circular motion to remove dead skin, for about 30 seconds. Then rinse off with clean water. Apply moisturizing lip balm to soothe and moisturize your lips afterwards.
Sunscreen
The importance of sunscreen is not limited to face. There are a varieties of lip balms with SPF.
1. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25
- Provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection
- Contains antioxidants and superior moisturizers to provide lasting treatment benefits
2. Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 50
- Water-proof
- Long lasting
- Sweat-resistant
- Easy to carry
3. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15
- Nourishes, plumps and protects lips
- A fresh scent of citrus
- Free of petroleum, mineral oil and lanolin
4. The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care SPF 15
- Contains Vitamin E
- Soothes and moisturizes dry, chapped lips
- Effective for dark lips after long-term use
Notes: Apply generously and evenly on lips 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Remember to remove it before bedtime.
Moisturizers
As the rate of moisture evaporation of lips is fast and the moisture content is very low so the necessity of moisturizing is prominent.
1. Herbal Ultra Moisturizing Lip Balm by Hempz
- Rich in 100% Pure Natural Hemp Seed Oil
- Regulates lips for a healthier look
2. La Mer The Lip Balm for Men and Women
- A luxurious and intensely reparative formula that works on roughness.
- Relieves discomfort and helps to rejuvenate seriously dry lips
- Contains mint
3. Clarins Eclat Minute Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil
- A panacea for the lips
- Refreshing without a sticky residue
- Contains rich natural ingredients
4. Botanicus Pure Oil Lip Protection with Grapefruit 10ML
- Grapefruit scent
- Small glass bottle; mini-roller for easy application
- Contains sweet almond oil, peach kernel oil, grapeseed oil and other natural ingredients
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines
- Apply on lips throughout the day or use as a lipstick primer
Repairing
Repairing products focus on the damaged lips and enhance the ability to resist the outer aggressors.
1. Matcha Moisturizing Lip Mask
- provides moisture and protection
- Repairs chapped lips
- No strong smell
- Leave-on lip mask
2. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy
- An efficacious anti-aging lip treatment
- Lifts and firms lip skin
- Antioxidant-rich orange extracts for lightening effects
3. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
- Revitalizes and repairs lips
- Sweet berry fragrance
4. Gold Collagen Lip Mask
- Reduces fine lines
- Hydrates and softens
- Firms and lifts lips
- Anti-aging
- Rejuvenates plump and luscious lips
Whitening
There are also whitening products for dark lips
1. Biotique Bio Fruit Whitening Lip Balm lightens & Evens-out Lip Tones
- 100% organic
- SPF 30
- Lightens and moisturizes
- Faint tinting
2. Pineapple Lightening Lip treatment for Dark Lips
- Lightens dark lips
- Yummy pineapple flavor
- Premium ingredients
- Travel friendly size
Q&A
1. Is it okay to remove the dead skin with AHA?
Lip skin is very vulnerable, scrubs with a low concentration of AHA are useful for removing dead skin. Please pay attention to the ingredient list when purchasing products and choose those with an AHA content below 3%. Use moisturizing products immediately after exfoliating your lips.
2. Is it okay to lighten dark lips by using whitening products?
As long as you choose a mild formula whitening product, it will not cause lip allergies. Vitamin C, chamomile and licorice are common active ingredients in whitening products. You should consult a beauty advisor for a gentle and hypo-allergenic whitening exfoliator.
3. Where can I buy the A-class goods?
Visit a shopping mall like e-commerce platform such as, Sephora, Macys, or Skinstore. Don’t buy cheap lipstick, because cheap lipstick generally contains too much wax, which affect metabolism. If you really don’t know how to choose, go online to see other customers reviews, or go to the brand counter for a beauty advisor’s advice.
