7 Luscious Lip Tips

Looking for Luscious lips this winter? Your lips are like a sponge ~ when exposed to moisture they absorb the water and plump up nice and full and when dehydrated they dry out and look cracked. Unlike other parts of your body that you can put clothes or a hat on they are always exposed so they are more prone to dehydration, particularly during the cold, windy winter months. 

Like the rest of your skin, your lips have all three of these layers -- the difference is that the stratum corneum on your lips is far thinner than it is anywhere else on your body. Your lips also don't have any sebaceous glands -- these glands keep your skin moisturized, but your lips are on their own. Their only source of moisture is your saliva, and that's why they can easily become dry and chapped.

 Another difference between your lips and the rest of your skin is that your lips don't have melanin, the pigment that makes you tan when you're exposed to the sun. Melanin is your body's natural way of protecting your skin from ultraviolet rays, and because your lips don't have any, they're at a higher risk of getting sunburned. Because your lips can't protect themselves from sun damage, it's important to use a lip balm that contains sunscreen -- your lips can develop sunspots and skin cancer just like the rest of your skin.

7 Luscious Lip Tips

HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE  ~ make sure you are drinking plenty of water every day to keep both your body, skin and LIPS properly hydrated .... a rule of thumb suggested in some circles is 1 ounce of water for every two pounds you weigh. So at least 8 oz a day if you are slight and in the 130 pound range but the more you substance you have the more water you need to keep it hydrated! I always carrier a bottle of water with me where ever I am going ~ Love my Contigo it stays cold for hours and does not sweat all over my things and its awesome leak proof lid means I can toss it in my purse and go!

Loose the Lip Licking ~ saliva contains digestive enzymes whose sole purpose are to break down food when it is constantly put in places it does not belong it will do the same thing ~ break down the layers of skin causing dry, cracked and painful lips to occur.

Buy only the Best Balms: When looking for a lip balm look for ones that hydrating ingredients like coconut, almond, vegetable or jojoba oils, shea butter, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and avoid ingredients that will dry you out like alcohol. I personally love the results I get with Aloette Lip Difference as well as the doTERRA Lip Balm

Humidifier heaven: During the winter months the furnace in our home is a humidity sucker taking the much needed water out of the air as it works to turn the cool air into warm for us as a result our skin in general including our lips can become dry ~ run a humidifier during the winter. We had one hooked right up to our furnace that during the winter 'adds' water for us and during the summer months removes it to keep the perfect amount of humidity in the house ~ since doing this I have stopped struggling with bloody noses in the winter and my skin does not feel all dry and itchy when I wake up! 

Exfoliate Exfoliate Exfoliate: Lip exfoliators ~ including products that contain fruit-acid-based alpha or beta hydroxy acids will help to slough off dead skin from your lips much like the ones you'd use on your face. Use them once or twice a week to help get control of already cracked and dry lips and than once a week to maintain luscious lips. Please note if you are sensitive skin fruit based alpha or beta hydroxy acids can be a trigger ~ reduce the frequency of use at signs of irritation: intense stinging and/or persistent redness. The results with Aloette's Soothe and Smooth have been amazing over here ~ it offers both an exfoliation step as well has a hydrating and healing Aloe based treatment to soothe lips. I use this before bed time specially during the winter months to help prevent the 'morning cracked lips'.

Sun Protection for your Lips: Lips are susceptible to sunburn since they lack melanin, the pigment that helps shield skin from the sun. Apply a layer of a sun-protective product daily ~ either in the form of your moisturizer for your skin or SPF specifically for the lips.

Minimize the Matte: Many Matte lipsticks on the market can be extremely drying as this is what helps these lipsticks stay put for so long on your lips. If you already have dry lips this style of lipstick can than be problematic and should be used sparingly and ideally when used accompanied with an awesome hydrating balm used underneath.

Have an amazing day! 

Margaret
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much
Totallyawake4-life