It’s that time of year when passion and romance are in the air. And, one of the sexiest body parts that you can flaunt is healthy, luscious lips. Unfortunately, harsh winter effects could be taking a toll on your lips. Colder temps and lower humidity can cause dry, chapped, even painful lips.
So, before you pucker up, here are four quick ways to make your lips kissably soft just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Exfoliate
If you aren’t currently using a lip scrub as part of your face care routine, you are missing an important step. People tend to look at eyes and lips when having a conversation. So flaky, chapped lips are a total turn off. Find a lip scrub with a very fine grit so that it has just enough power to scrub away dead skin cells without damaging your delicate lips. At Naples Soap, we use a finely ground sugar in our lip scrub. It is soft to the touch and is a natural humectant. All it takes is just a small dab of product on the end of your finger. Apply directly to the lip and rub in a circular fashion. For best results, we suggest exfoliating your lips every 2-3 days. Additionally, a lip scrub is a great primer when used before you apply lipstick or a lip pencil.
Cleanse at Night Time
We’ve all gone to bed without washing our face. And we all know better. Cleaning away sunscreen, make-up and dirt is crucial for maintaining a healthy face, including your lips. Some lipsticks, especially those with intense pigmentation, can cause your lips to become even more dry. Before bedtime, dab a cotton swab with make-up remover and wipe upwards towards the corners of your mouth versus downwards. The upwards direction will help prevent sagging over the years.
Pay Attention to What You Put On Your Lips
Many commonly sold lip products including lipsticks, glosses and balms are made with petroleum jelly. While scientists debate over the potential harmful effects of this chemical creation, why not avoid it all together? After all, we’re talking about something that goes on your lips that has the potential to be ingested. The safer route is to moisturize with a high-quality lip balm made with natural moisturizers like sunflower oil, shea butter, aloe vera, cocoa butter and beeswax. We recommend applying our lip balm before bed time and throughout the day if possible.
Stay Hydrated
This recommendation isn’t just for your lips, it’s for the overall health of your skin. Your skin is your largest organ and moisture escapes through the pores of your skin. Stick with clear, non-alcoholic liquids and drink throughout the day, even when you are not thirsty. Not only will this will help prevent chapped lips and dry skin, but it can also improve your mood and mental clarity.
Pucker up and get ready for romance. It’s always worth the extra effort to keep your lips kissably soft.