Our lips are unique to each of us. They play a special role in eating and expressing how we feel. You can see the shape of lips change when someone laughs, pouts, cries, or smiles. Facial recognition studies show that lips are the first place our brain goes to for identifying gender. While the rest of the face contains up to 16 cellular layers, lips have only three to five layers. Without a tough outer layer and no protective suntan ability our lips are left exposed to the environment in ways other parts of the body are not. Unlike the warm, moist protected environment inside the mouth and nose, lips are exposed to weather conditions and sun. Lip care is essential. Here are some suggestions on how to protect and enhance your lips through proper care.
Con not lick your lips
One of the first things to know when caring for your lips is to not lick them. Don’t lick even when the lips feel dry or before applying a lip balm. Lips are made of proteins and fats. Enzymes in your saliva break these down, and may cause damage to lip skin. If you lick before applying a lip balm you’re sealing the saliva in.
Exfoliate lips
When lips are chapped, exfoliate with a wet washcloth. This removes dry skin and enhances the lips’ natural color. Gently buffing the lips provides a smooth surface for applying lipstick.
Keep lips hydrated
The best way to keep lips hydrated is to drink enough water each day. Add a humidifier if your environment is particularly dry, moisturize and exfoliate.
Protect from the sun
Be aware that heavy oiled balms and lip gloss create a surface that attracts the sun. Lip balms should contain sun block. Too much sun exposure can cause a loss of volume in lips, discoloration and fine lines.
Apply healthy lip balms
Lip balms made with healthy ingredients such as a natural wax and a bit of oil provide a protective shield against weather conditions. Lip balms are not made to absorb into the skin. Balms protect the lips from dry air that’s seeking moisture.
Read the ingredients in your lip balm. Avoid those that contain parabens and known irritants such as phenol and cormol. Experts advise a natural wax such as bees wax to help the balm stick to lips as well as a bit of oil such as almond or coconut oil to moisturize, and a sun block (SPF 15-30) to protect against sun’s rays. Vitamin C and E neutralize free radicals that can damage collagen and elastin.
Apply a balm with a lip brush beyond the lip line to keep lipstick from bleeding into fine lines around the mouth.
Lip enhancement
Experts generally agree that over the counter lip plumpers work by boosting blood flow creating a mild swelling that doesn’t last very long. Ingredients used may irritate the lips and potentially create dryness and scaling. Talk with a dermatologist about thinning lips.
Hyaluronic Acids
We recommend botanical hyaluronic acids the reason, it is ethically derived from a plant called cassia angustifolia, resulting in a clean and cruelty free hyaluronic acid that protects the skin, strongly binds to water, and fills in wrinkles and fine lines maximizing your anti aging skin care efforts allowing you to revel in skin that is softer, plumper, tighter, brighter and healthier.
Our lips are a sensory organ. Stay aware of how you can protect and enhance them with these simple steps.
YASOU Greek-inspired skin care will be launching our new product soon, a vegan lip treatment for women and men we are so excited. Stay tuned!