It’s very important to understand the different jobs our lips have and why this means they need special care in order to maintain its beauty.
How is the lips structure different from normal skin?
It’s obvious that the skin on your lips is different from the rest of your skin in your body.
Firstly, the outer layer of its skin is much thinner and more delicate with just 3-4 layers of skin, compared to the 15-16 layers on the rest of your face. Also, the reason why our lips have a rosy tint is because it doesn’t contain many melanin cells, therefore the underlying blood vessels become visible.
Secondly, it doesn’t contain any sweat glands or hair follicles resulting to a lesser supply of moisture or oils causing the lips to dry out much more quickly.
Why are our lips so sensitive?
Our lips have the highest number of touch receptors in the entire body just like our fingertips. These touch receptors are densely concentrated which heightens your sense of touch, that is why lips can be so sensitive.
Furthermore, the skin on the lips is much thinner and more delicate causing it to be exposed to such elements, including hot and cold weather and dry air. Also, they lack oil glands and so cannot produce their own moisture making it prone to dryness, cracking, peeling and flaking.
What are the causes of dry chapped lips?
There are several causes that could be to blame for dealing with a dry pout.
- Constant licking makes the lips become dehydrated and feel much drier. This happens when saliva evaporates and more moisture escapes from the lips, leaving us with a rough and dry external layer of skin.
- Colder weather demand our lips for more TLC and protect its natural barrier from the harsh cold, dry air.
- Certain medications such as antihistamines, chemotherapies, and diuretics can cause dehydration as a side effect. In addition, topical acne medications may also contain ingredients, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, that can dry out the lips.
- Drying ingredients in lip products including allergens and humectants, such as glycerin, camphor, menthol, phenol, which are substances that prevent water loss.
- Prolonged sun exposure and its ultraviolet rays can result to a condition called actinic keratoses, which causes crusty bumps forming on the lips. These bumps are not life-threatening, but they can become cancerous, so people should get them removed as soon as possible.
Let’s take a look of some top tips for beautiful lips that we can all follow to protect, plump and show off that perfect-looking lips.
How to maintain beautiful perfect-looking lips all year round?
1. Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated inside and out applies to all parts of our skin, but the skin on our lips is so unique making it the most important.
However, people may not notice when they are dehydrated. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than what it takes in, as a result, our body pulls water from certain areas to ensure that other cells stay hydrated. This can cause dryness in the skin, including that of the lips.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- feeling thirsty
- having dry mouth
- having a headache
- experiencing dizziness
The recommended daily water intake varies, depending on many factors, including a person’s age, gender, and level of physical activity. Anything we drink to hydrate ourselves must pass through the lips first. Therefore, drinking lots of water will help moisturize our lips from the inside and keep them looking smooth in the outside.
2. Eat healthy
Eating healthy foods can help your lips to be at their best by meeting your body’s nutritional needs. Some of the best foods for your skin include:
- Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale
- Carrots, apricots and other fruits and veggies with orange flesh
- Nuts, like almonds, walnuts, and cashews
- Salmon, mackerel, and other fatty fish
- Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and other types of berries
- Lentils, peas, and beans
- Tomatoes
Moreover, avoid eating too much salty or spicy foods which can dry your lips out, so it’s essential to watch out what you eat.
3. Try natural lip remedies for dry lips
There are numerous natural remedies for dry lips.You may even have it available in your kitchen such as:
- Green tea is rich in antioxidants and minerals. It also contains polyphenols which reduce inflammation. Soak a bag of green tea in warm water and gently rub it over the lips to soften and remove excess dry skin. This technique is more gentle than traditional exfoliation. Check out other benefits of green tea.
- Honey is highly moisturizing, which makes it a good treatment for dry lips. It also contains antioxidants and antibacterial properties that help prevent infections on the lips.
- Cucumber gently moisturizes the lips and may contain vitamins and minerals that could improve the lips’ appearance.
- Aloe vera gel extracted from the leaves of aloe vera plants contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories that soothe and rehydrate damaged skin.
- Coconut oil which is made from the flesh of coconuts, combats inflammation and is an emollient, which means that it can soothe and soften the skin.
Most supermarkets sell a variety of these products, but you may obtain it easily through online, including aloe vera gel and coconut oil.
4. Exfoliate your lips
Lips tend to get dry and flaky, so they need to be exfoliated every few days to stay in good shape by using a gentle scrub or brush to remove the dead skin cells that have built up.
Additionally, lip exfoliators slough off dead skin but if you have sensitive skin or your lips are severely chapped or cracked, use these products cautiously no more than once a week as they contain acids that can irritate that skin.
When looking for a lip scrub, choose products that contain ingredients that will soothe and moisten the lips at the same time. You may be able to find these in drug stores or find a range of natural options online.
5. Moisturize your lips
After exfoliating, apply a gentle moisturizer so that your lips stay smooth and supple. Look for a nourishing lip balm made from natural and organic ingredients like shea butter, almond oil, aloe, tea tree oil, and natural waxes, such as beeswax. These ingredients will help to seal in moisture.
You may want to avoid lip balms that contain alcohol and salicylic acid as it make the skin dry and will cause the skin on your lips to peel and flake. Instead, look for lip balms that contain soothing and moisturizing ingredients, such as:
- Petroleum available in pharmacies, health stores, or online
- Lanolin available in pharmacies, health stores, or online
- Beeswax available in pharmacies, health stores, or online
- Ceramides available in pharmacies, health stores, or online
6. Protect your lips
The skin on you lips is susceptible to sunburn since they lack melanin, the pigment that helps shield skin from the sun.
- Always wear a lip balm with UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection, that contains sunblock with SPF 15, 30 or higher is perfect. SPF is super important for the overall health and appearance of our lips. Apply and reapply throughout the day.
- During winter, protect your lips with a lip balm that contains a thick humectant such as shea butter or coconut oil. This will keep moisture in and protect your lips from harsh cold air.
7. Use a humidifier
You may want to consider using a humidifier to add moisture back into the air, especially during winter when your lips tend to get extremely dry and chapped.
However, if you prefer not to buy one, you can still add moisture to the air by boiling a pot of water on the stove. Let the steam from the boiling water travel throughout the room. Just note down that this is only applicable for small spaces.
8. Treat cold sores
Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, which can be spread by kissing or sharing a drink. People tend to acquire the virus especially when the body is under stress or the immune system is weakened.
To quickly get rid of a cold sore:
- Apply ice or a cold washcloth to help with the pain.
- Don’t wear lipstick over the cold sore. This can slow down the healing process.
- Try an over-the-counter medication ointment or cream containing docosanol to make it go away faster.
9. Choose the right lip products and always read the label
There are a tons of lip products you may find in the market today ranging from lip balms, salves, creams to gels, and you definitely want to spend a minute reading its contents to understand what chemicals you are putting on your lips.
- Avoid products containing alcohols such as menthol and camphor as they can cause dryness and irritation.
- Look for key ingredients known to attract moisture such as Aloe vera, vitamin E, glycerin, Shea butter, coconut and jojoba oils.
- Find products that contain beeswax which can soften up your lips but it won’t penetrate past the surface of your lips.
10. Stop the habit of licking your lips
It’s because our saliva contains digestive enzymes and licking your lips damages its protective barrier. When you have the urge to lick your lips, take a drink of water and apply a swipe of hydrating lip balm instead.
11. Avoid using matte lipsticks
Matte lipsticks contain ingredients that helps them to stay put for so long which are extremely drying. Use them moderately when your lips are extremely chapped. Instead, use hydrating lipsticks with vitamin E or glycerin while adding a layer of moisturizing lip balm firsthand.
12. Quit smoking
Smoking can irritate the sensitive skin around the lips, causing them to dry out, crack and become “smoker’s lips“. It can also cause other mouth problems, such as ulcers and gum pain. It causes the lips to darken in color and form wrinkles, especially on the upper lip. If you smoke cigarettes, stopping as soon as possible can help restore your lips’ beauty.
Conclusion
The first step to having healthy lips is to stay hydrated, eat a healthy diet and keep it moisturized. When your lips are in good condition inside and out, you can make it look even more beautiful by using an enriching lip gloss or lipstick.
Most importantly, people who have failed treating their chapped lips even after trying multiple remedies should consult their healthcare provider to discuss potential underlying causes and treatment options.
