Technically, winter doesn’t begin here in the UK until 22nd December, but with the temperature dropping rapidly, it’s starting to feel decidedly less autumnal. This is a prime time of year for chapped lips, with central heating and cold winds drying them out. With this in mind, we thought we’d curate a list of tips to help your lips to stay in great condition so that by the time the mistletoe is hanging, you’ll still have a perfectly kissable pout:
Avoid Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum Jelly has been used in lip products for decades, so you might be surprised to learn that it can actually have a drying effect on your skin. It’s a by-product from refining oil and doesn’t do anything to nourish the skin, but rather seals the lips so moisture does not escape. And as moisture can’t get out, air and moisture can’t get in, meaning it can dry your lips. Opt instead for something containing natural oils, like Elemis Ultra-Conditioning Lip Balm, which contains mango butter oil to nourish and protect.
Remove Your Make Up
Now, perhaps more than ever, lip-specific cosmetics can be damaging to your lips, thanks in no small part to the trend for very matte products, which will dry the lips out. It’s really important to properly cleanse your lips after wearing any make-up products, and we’d recommend Elemis White Flowers Eye and Lip Make-Up Remover, which is designed specifically for removing stubborn lip and eye cosmetics.
Exfoliate Regularly
When your lips are dry,m layers of dead skin can build up and leave your mouth looking rough and scaly. Not only will this feel uncomfortable but it will also make it pretty much impossible to wear lipstick. Just as you exfoliate the rest of your body, your lips need exfoliation, too. Opt for Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator as a facial exfoliator and pay special attention to your lips.
Moisturise
This about your lips as though they need a mini version of the routine you use elsewhere. As well as being cleansed and exfoliated, they also need moisture to keep them in good condition. Elemis Pro-Definition Eye and Lip Contour Cream will defend against environmental damage and lifestyle influences to ensure your lips stay plumped and hydrated.
Night Time Care
When looking after your lips, the caring should stop when you go to bed. In fact, night time is ideal for using rich products which wouldn’t sit well with make-up. Dermalogica Nightly Lip Treatment not only provides the lips with a deep layer of conditioning moisture, but it also helps restore skin volume, hydrate and improve elasticity while reducing the appearance of ageing on and around the lips.