How to Keep Your Lips Hydrated

I’ve been asked several times how I keep my lips hydrated, healthy and smooth. I figured I’d create a post all about my tips for healthy, hydrated lips and a few of my favorite nontoxic lip products. Temperatures are dropping here in the northern hemisphere, autumn in full swing, and the nip of winter already in the air. Actually, I woke up to my world under a thin blanket of snow a few days ago. Not ready for that yet! Winter can be an especially tough time for our skin and that includes the delicate lip area. Read on for tips!

1. Drink Enough Water – I know this may be obvious, yet so many of us just don’t drink enough most of the time. Myself included! Whenever I proactively drink more water my lips are always in better shape because they are being hydrated from the inside out. This goes for overall skin and hair health too.
2. Use Natural, Nontoxic Lip Balm – Choose a lip balm free of parabens (this includes propylparabens, methylparabens etc.), patrolatum, artificial fragrance, and dyes. I grew up using ChapStick and Lip Smackers like many of us did in the 90’s, but the ingredients found in Chapstick, can actually be harmful not to mention they might create a barrier on the lips but don’t actually moisturize. If you’ve ever found yourself reapplying a lip balm a dozen times in a day, this is why. If you experience irritation from using a lip balm you may also be allergic to one or more of the ingredients in it.
3. Exfoliate, Gently – Even if you drink enough water and use the best natural lip balm out there, you should still exfoliate once in a while. Cell turnover happens to everyone. My favorite so far is the eco-lips Organic Lip Scrub (it comes in mint, vanilla bean, and brown sugar). And the key here is to exfoliate gently. Don’t rub too hard, especially if you’re lips are super dry and peeling. And don’t pick at peeling lips! A warm, damp washcloth can also work if you don’t have any sugar scrub.
4. Don’t lick your lips. This drys them out and causes more chapping and discomfort.
5. Apply a rich balm before you go to sleep. Your lips can dry out over night from breathing with your mouth open and/or being in a room that is hot/dry from space heaters etc. in the winter.

Here are some of my personal favorite lip products that work for me. I hope they work for you too!

Kari Gran Lip Whips

Avalon Organics Lip Balm

Eco Lips Organic Lip Scrub

I am not suggesting a huge list of items here. These are my favorites narrowed down. If you buy any two things get a Kari Gran Lip Whip and the lip scrub. You’ll be amazed! The Kari Gran Lip Whips are mostly tinted, but they also offer it in clear. I love the ‘Radiant’ one for just a hint of pink. I also really like the EVER Skin Smooth Anti-Aging Lip Treatment, but I couldn’t find it on they’re site anymore! Looks like they now have something called the All Over Beauty Balm which is similar.

Another quick tip – more of a preventative measure, is that if you’re wearing a bold lip, especially a matte lip, avoid tugging and dragging a tissue / paper towel etc across your mouth to remove the color. Instead use a lipstick remover wipe (I LOVE the Bite Beauty Lush Lip Wipes for this) or a cotton round with a bit of coconut oil on it.

I hope you find this somewhat useful! Let me know in the comments below some of your tips and tricks for keeping your lips healthy, hydrated, and smooth. xo – Naomi

P.S. I’m wearing the new 100% Pure Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick in Blood Orange above. More swatches and review coming soon!  😉