Lipcare Page 3
The skin on your lips is more delicate than the rest of your face as it’s thinner and prone to drying out. This makes it vulnerable to damage from UV rays, extreme temperatures, harsh winds, and even central heating. Consistently using a lip treatment, like the nourishing offerings from La Mer, and Summer Fridays, and the cult overnight lip mask from Laneige helps to maintain healthy, plump, and smooth lips.
Check out which products are best suited to your skin.
Lip balms and treatments are your first line of defence against dehydration and damage. If you’ve ever felt that uncomfortable dryness that plagues your lips after a day spent outdoors, you will appreciate how quickly the skin can deteriorate. With the help of nourishing ingredients like shea butter, a lip treatment such as a lip balm, lip oil or a lip mask will quickly replenish moisture and help to restore comfort and balance.
Lip balms and oils restore lost moisture and help to soothe dry, cracked lips and strengthen your skin barrier. Excessive UV exposure not only causes dryness, but for some it results in cold sores too. Therefore, using a lip balm with SPF during day and reapplying it often can help prevent cold sores. Want smooth and hydrated lips by morning? Apply a thick layer of Glossier Balm Dotcom or Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask before sleep.
The most common ingredients you’ll find in lip products include butters like shea and murumuru, coconut oil and other plant oils and hydrating hyaluronic acid. Some formulas boost antioxidant protection with ingredients such as vitamin C. Unlike face masks, lip masks rarely need removing and as they have a thicker consistency, they remain on lips for longer than balms.
Lips are susceptible to time and will thin and accrue more lines with age. A hydrating lip treatment can help counter that. Most of us experience dry lips from time to time, but for some, that dehydration is chronic, leading to flaky skin and discomfort. This skin type may also develop cold sores. Sound familiar? Use a nourishing treatment with butters and oils and reapply, reapply, reapply.
Unlike the rest of your skincare routine, lip balms and treatments do not occupy a specific step. Instead, apply your treatment throughout the day, as often as you can. You’ll likely need to top up after eating and drinking. Night time is a dry spell for lips, so layer on a thick and nourishing overnight lip mask or lip treatment to prevent excessive moisture loss while you sleep.