HOW TO GET SOFT LIPS

 

Just like your skin and hair, your lips too get affected by the cold and dry weather. They become chapped and flake while a times some cracks also bleed.

Here are 5 absolutely simple and basic lip-care techniques that you can follow to achieve baby soft lips in this cold and dry winter season.

1.     EXFOLIATE + D.I.Y LIP SCRUBS

if your lips are even slightly chapped, make sure you exfoliate them gently. Try to use organic and/or homemade lip exfoliators – you can make one by mixing coarsely ground coffee powder, sugar, honey and little bit of coconut oil/ghee. You can even make and store this lip-scrub for weeks

·         Honey and sugar lip scrub

Sugar makes for a good exfoliator as it gets rid of dead skin while honey is known for its hydrating as well as healing properties that can help treat the problem of dry lips. And let’s be honest, this makes for quite a yummy lip scrub with all that sweetness.

Mix two teaspoons of sugar with one teaspoon of honey to make this scrub.

Rub it on your lips gently and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off.

·         Coffee and olive oil

Olive oil acts as a great moisturizer for the sensitive skin of your lips.

Coffee acts as a great exfoliator that not only clears up the dead skin but also rejuvenates the skin.

Mix two teaspoons of coffee with one teaspoon of olive oil, when used as a lip scrub, can give you moisturized lips.

·         Lemon, sea salt and coconut oil

Lemon is full of vitamin C which lends a glow to the skin; while coconut oil’s antioxidant properties contribute to an even skin tone and sea salt makes for a powerful exfoliator that gets rid of dead, dry skin.

 Mix the juice of one lemon with half a teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of coconut oil. Scrub this on your lips very gently and wash. This will leave your lips smooth and moisturized.

 

·         Cinnamon and honey

Cinnamon, has properties that bring about better blood circulation that can contribute to healthier skin as well as an even skin tone. Honey has properties that help moisturize as well as heal.

Mix half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before washing. When applied to dry and discolored lips, this can be extremely helpful.

·         Orange peel and almond oil

The high content of vitamin C in orange peels makes it not just a good exfoliator but also the perfect remedy for dark and discolored lips. Almond oil, too, has properties that brighten the skin and contribute to an even skin tone.

Grind dried out orange peel and add a couple of drops of almond oil to it to make the perfect lip scrub.

 

2.     APPLY A LIP MASK

Lip masks will leave your lips feeling and looking incredibly soft, they have long-term healing effects for your lips. Here are some amazing DIY lip masks that you can prepare at home

·         Glycerin and lemon mask:

 Mix one teaspoon of glycerin with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply it on to your lips 2-3 times a week for super soft and pink lips.

 

·         Lemon and honey mask:

Mix one teaspoon of honey with half a teaspoon of lemon juice to make this lip mask. The honey will heal and soften your lips, while the lemon juice will get rid of excessive pigmentation.

·         Rose lip mask:

 Soak a few rose petals in a bowl of cold milk overnight. Take out the rose petals in the morning, crush them to form a paste, and add a few drops of the milk to the paste. Apply this on to your lips for incredible results.

 

·         Aloe vera lip mask:

For this, you will need a little bit of fresh aloe vera gel mixed with some coconut oil or olive oil. This ultra-nourishing mixture can be used both as a lip balm and as a lip mask.

 

3.   LIPGLOSS OR LIP CREAM

It’s important to choose a lip balm that suits your lips. Certain lip balms can cause a reaction and may not heal your lips in the long run. Therefore, it’s a good idea to try out a variety of lip balms and then invest in one that really works for you.

For the daytime, it’s essential to use a lip balm that contains SPF. This will protect your lips from the drying and damaging effects of the sun and keep them soft in the long run.

4.   LIP-CARE HABITS

This one is very important since your habits determine how you treat your body. In winters, no matter how dry you feel your lips are becoming, DO NOT lick them. Saliva makes your lips’ skin even drier, making you want to lick them again and again. Also, if you feel your oral commissure (the triangular corner parts where your lips meet) is too dry, make sure you DO NOT stretch them. Apply a generous coating of lip balm or ghee (if at home) and wait for sometime until the commissures are moisturized. Otherwise, they will tear and, needless to say, you will feel a lot of irritation and urge to keep licking. This will also make the skin there even drier.

5.    DRINK WATER

Truth be told, the smoothness of your delicate lips has a lot to do with how hydrated you are. Drinking lots of water, and avoiding excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol, will ensure your lips are always ready for shimmers and smooches.

xoxo