August 21, 2012 | Skin Care
2 minute read
What you can do to keep your lips healthy and beautiful
You would be hard-pressed to find someone who wouldn’t love better looking lips. But between all the products and treatments that exist exclusively to attain that goal, it can be difficult to navigate through and know what works and what doesn’t. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your kissers.
Examine the Label
If you apply lip balm or similar topical lip treatments, make sure the ingredients within rejuvenate your lips, and avoid ingredients that dry them out. Lip balm with fragrances or paragons (a type of cosmetic preservative) should be avoided, because they can irritate the skin and cause them to dry out. Ingredients like menthol and camphor should be avoided. Ingredients such as glycerin, aloe, lactic acid, and mineral oil should be sought out because they help retain moisture, and beeswax and Lanolin as they soften lips instantly.
No Smoking
Smoking has been linked to premature skin aging by various studies. It accelerates skin cell damage and collagen loss. So if you want to keep your lips looking fantastic, don’t put a cigarette between them.
Exfoliate
Much like the skin on your face and body, your lips can benefit from exfoliation. Sloughing away the old, dead cells promotes the growth of new collagen, which keeps your lips looking younger. A simple way to do this at home is to gently rub a dab of sugar and honey on your lips, then wipe it off with a damp cloth. Finish by applying some lip balm.
Volume
Right now, the full lips look is in, and there are ways you can give your lips a little more volume. Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane can be applied by a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. Combination therapy with Botox is also popular, for a more natural look. Of course, if you’re not one for needles, there are always topical treatments, like lip-plumping gloss. Look for natural ingredients like cinnamon and ginger, as they encourage better circulation.
Follow these simple tips, and your lips could be pouting and smooching with the best of them.