_{By Kate Elliot, Esthetician}

Chapped, dry, flaky lips: A chronic issue for some and a cold weather conundrum for others. No matter how it has shown up for you, we all have dealt with the annoyance that is dry lips. The discomfort and pain can be unbearable, and the flakiness can make even your favorite lipstick look unsightly. The skin on our lips is thinner and more delicate than other parts of our bodies. With no oil glands of their own, the lips are prone to becoming dry when exposed to the elements such as the sun, wind and cold air. But with a little extra care, your pout will be plump in no time.

EXFOLIATE

The first rule of lip care: exfoliate! When the flakes start to appear, it means that you have dry, dead skin building up on the surface. This layer prevents moisturizing ingredients from penetrating, rendering your lip balms and masks not as useful. To help your moisturizing products absorb better, we want to remove that barrier of dead skin, and exfoliating with a lip scrub or washcloth is the way to go. In gentle, circular motions, take your lip scrub of choice and massage for 1-2 minutes before removing it with water. Using a washcloth to exfoliate is also a great option for a more gentle approach. Do this once a week and always follow with a moisturizing balm or mask. Your lips will be as smooth and you’ll be getting the full benefits of your lip products. Try this before putting lipstick on for a super smooth application. 

LIP MASKS

Chapstick and Lip Smackers may have been our go-to’s as kids, but lip products have come a long way since then. Products like the U Beauty Plasma Lip Compound and the MBR Perfect Lip ID are great examples of how far these products have come to treat and prevent any and all lip area troubles. Not only will they hydrate, but they are packed with ingredients to help regenerate, firm, plump, and reduce fine lines. Lip masks are the perfect way to get plump, full, smooth lips and unlike regular skin care masks, you can use them daily to sustain those effects. Use them after your favorite lip scrub and you will have the perfect pout. 

HYDRATE

Last but certainly not least, stay hydrated. Not only are topical ingredients important but hydrating from the inside is too. A big culprit of dry lips is often dehydration. Many of us may not realize when we are dehydrated, but the skin is a great indicator of whether you are getting enough fluids. Our skin is very sensitive to water deficiencies as it is comprised of nearly 64% water. When the body is not getting enough fluids, it will pull water from other areas of the body to make up for this lack, resulting in dry skin, fine lines and chapped lips. To prevent this, drink plenty of water throughout the day and avoid drinking too many caffeinated beverages. Also, hydrating topicals like hyaluronic acid help keep the skin plump as this ingredient can hold 1000 times its weight in water. Lips will appear less tight and flaky and dry lips will be nothing but a distant memory. 

With these 3 steps, you’ll have perfectly plump lips all year round. Be consistent with exfoliating regularly and hydrating from the inside and out, and dry lips will be a thing of the past. 

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