#LIFESTYLE TOWER: Preparing Lips for the Winter Season

Perhaps after eyes, the lips are the secondary organ of attraction, fascination and imagination. Lips encourage expression through both communication and aesthetics. As the winter months set in, many women are searching for the best way to keep lips looking vibrant and fresh.

It’s best to think of the lips as a sponge; when exposed to moisture, they absorb water and plump up, and when dehydrated, they dry out and shrink. Because lips are always exposed, they are prone to dehydration, particularly during the windy winter months.

Here are seven quick tips to get your lips prepped for the winter or back to normal after the changing 

season:

 

Hydrate. Drinking water is vital to keep the skin and lips hydrated. It’s best to drink around nine cups of water per day. Keep a water bottle to keep a healthy hydration option prepared.

 

 

Use a Humidifier. It will add moisture to dry indoor air, keeping the lips (and skin) hydrated. It’s also popular to add some essential oils to the water, which will add fragrance to the room. A personal favorite is lavender for a calm night sleep.

 

Protect. Apply a layer of a sun-protective product daily. Often, the lips are forgotten when applying sunscreen. Sun damage is hard to reverse, so it is always better to be proactive with protection.

 

Expand Beyond Matte Lipstick. Matte lipsticks can be extremely drying (which helps these lipsticks stay put for so long), so use them sparingly when the lips are extremely chapped. Another option is to rotate a matte with a hydrating lipstick or add lipgloss on top of the lipstick to add some moisture. If you do choose to use a matte lipstick regularly, make sure to follow the above steps to keep the lips healthy and vibrant.

 

Lip Balm. Look for hydrating ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, vitamin E and almond, jojoba or coconut oils. If working with sensitive skin, use camphor-based medicated lip balms sparingly. With the recent awareness of coconut oil, many women choose to use a little on their lips before bed each night. It’s cost efficient and effective!

 

Curb Bad Habits.  Licking lips to maintain hydration is a common habit, especially in the winter months when everything feels dry. However, licking lips damages the protective barrier, which contributes to the dryness. Instead, regularly apply lip balm to keep hydrated. Research to ensure the lip balm is healthy and hydrating.

 

Exfoliate when Necessary. Lip exfoliators slough off dead skin, much like the exfoliators used on the face. This is a great way to make sure the lips stay fresh and no dead skin builds up. Dead skin can prevent products from working effectively. However, if managing sensitive skin or severely chapped or cracked lips, use these products wisely to avoid further irritation.