5 Ways to Make Your Lips Softer and Smoother

Your lips are one of the most sensitive and delicate parts of your body. They don’t have any sebaceous or sweat glands so they require additional hydration and special care on a daily bases. The main causes of dry and chapped lips include dehydration, harmful external factors (cold temperatures, harsh wind, sun radiation), using low-quality lip products or not using any lip products at all, licking or biting your lips, excessive caffeine intake, smoking, lack of vitamins and other nutrients, and stress. To keep your lips soft and smooth, make sure to follow these tips.

Drink Lots of Water

Lip balms help prevent dehydration to come extent but your lips will never stay well-hydrated if you don’t drink enough water. Water helps hydrate our skin from the inside and keep it soft and smooth. There are many different opinions on how much water we should drink each day, but the most common recommendation is eight glasses, which equals about half a gallon or 2 liters. If you drink enough but still suffer from dry skin and lips, think about investing in a humidifier.

Exfoliate

Lots of women exfoliate their face and body but they have no idea that lips need exfoliation too. Exfoliating your lips about once a week is a great way to get rid of dead cells and expose the healthy skin underneath, making your lips soft and smooth. You can buy a commercial lip scrub, use a mixture of sugar and honey or edible oil, or simply rub your lips with a soft toothbrush. However, if your lips are super chapped, you should wait until they heal before exfoliating.

Choose a Good Lip Balm

A good lip balm moisturizes your lips, protects them from harmful external factors, soothes irritation, and speeds up the healing of flaky or chapped lips. If you are looking for a high-quality lip balm, look for ones that contain natural ingredients such as beeswax or vegetable oils (shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil). They help to seal in moisture and make the lips softer.

Natural lip balms may also contain essential oils that have an antiseptic, antibacterial, and soothing effect. Other common lip balm ingredients include camphor and menthol. They speed up the healing process and have a pleasant cooling effect, but you should avoid them if you have overly sensitive lips. Some brands produce medicated lip balms with enhanced healing properties.

Opt for Quality Lipsticks and Lip Glosses

Choosing a good lipstick or lip gloss is just as important as choosing a good lip balm. Cheap makeup products often dry the lips out, while high-quality ones protect them and keep them hydrated. Opt for lipsticks that contain vitamin E and have at least SPF 15 and avoid products that contain too many different chemicals.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle and Get Rid of Bad Habits

The state of your lips is a reflection of the health of your entire body. If you want your lips to be soft and healthy, you should:

• Quit smoking.
• Get 7 to 8 hours of beauty sleep every night.
• Avoid stress when it is possible and manage it when you can’t avoid it.
• Eat a balanced diet with enough nutrients, including vitamin E and unsaturated fats.
• Drink enough water (yes, we know we’ve already mentioned it but hydration is that important).
• Refrain from licking or biting your lips.