Guide to Keeping Lips Incredibly Soft and Moisturized

It’s winter. That means it’s time to break out the coats, gloves, scarves, and hats. But, those do nothing to keep your lips from drying out and cracking. So, you might be wondering, what is the best way to take care of the lips? Keep reading to find out. Lip balm is my number one must-have product to keep lips moisturized and soft.

Simple Lip Care Tips

The truth is you do not need expensive products or a complicated regimen. Remember to exfoliate to remove any dead skin and put on a lip balm right after. You can use a warm washcloth or soft bristle toothbrush for gentle exfoliation. I will share my favorite tried and true lip balm. I adore that it is all natural and affordable. Also, I have included an all-natural DIY lip balm recipe. It can be made in under 20 minutes with only a few ingredients.

Hydrating the lips is crucial, especially in the winter. Skin on the lips is very fragile. Due to this, lips are susceptible to damage and moisture loss when exposed to cold, dry air. Unlike skin everywhere else, the lips lack a stratum corneum, or a durable outer layer. Lips do not have sweat or have oil glands either which would provide added protection.

One tip to lock in hydration is to drink plenty of water (1.5-2 liters per day). Also, sleep with a humidifier on. It is a good idea to avoid licking your lips. This is because saliva contains enzymes that can be damaging to delicate lip tissue. Lips also have little melanin for natural skin protection. SPF products are helpful to prevent sun damage. One such SPF lip balm under five dollars is Kiss My Face Sunscreen Lip Balm with SPF 30.

Lip balms: what to look out for and avoid

Lip balms are essential because they sit on the surface of the lips. So, they work as a shield to prevent the lips from drying out in the cold. But, there are so many different chapsticks and lip products available. This can make it difficult to know which one to choose. Menthol may be irritating if reapplied often, although it may soothe the lips. Other ingredients to watch out for are phenol and carmol. Lip “plumpers” can cause the lips to swell in size. They can make the lips look fuller, but can also be irritating.

Many cosmetic and personal care products contain parabens and phthalates. These are preservatives and help to prevent bacterial growth. While the FDA considers these chemicals to be safe, they are synthetic and may mimic estrogen. New research has found parabens in human breast tumors. So, it is a good idea to read ingredient labels and limit exposure if possible. For more information, check out this FAQ from WebMd here.

Burt’s Bees Lip Balm

Burt’s Bees is one of my favorite brands. I love that their lip balm contains natural ingredients that are nourishing. These include coconut oil, beeswax, and sweet almond oil. It also has comfrey root extract which contains allantoin to help new skin cells grow. Even better, the balm does not hold onto water due to including oil and wax. This makes it much less likely that bacteria will grow. As a general rule, I recommend washing your hands before applying cosmetics. You can even apply the product with a Q-tip if possible. It is generally recommended to get rid of the balm after about a year to prevent any contamination.

Click here for an in-depth look at how Burt’s Bees lip balm is made at the company’s factory.

DIY Lip Balm Recipe

You can also make your own lip balm at home for yourself or to give as gifts. All you need is beeswax for emulsification and a carrier oil. Different carrier oils may include rice bran oil, castor oil, sweet almond oil, and olive oil. Shea butter also works as a soothing moisturizer and skin smoother. A good ratio to remember is about 3 parts oil and one part beeswax. A simple recipe is 3 tablespoons of the carrier oil of your choice and about 1.5 tablespoon beeswax beads.

You can also mix and match 3 carrier oils, including shea butter. In that case, only use 1 tablespoon of each oil/shea butter to maintain the ratio. You can adjust the recipe ratio to achieve your preferred consistency. To add a reddish or pink tint, alkanet root powder can help to achieve your desired color.

There are 6 steps in the lip balm recipe

1. Fill a pot with enough water to submerge the sides of a measuring cup in it.
2. Measure the ingredients. Combine them into a measuring cup for easy pouring later on.
3. Place the measuring cup into the pot of water on the stove. Be careful so that the water does not overflow.
4. Heat the ingredients on low heat for 5-10 minutes or until everything melts.
5. Remove the measuring cup from the pot, let it cool off, and add more ingredients 1/4 tsp at a time. You can choose to make it thicker or more spreadable if preferred.
6. Pour the mixture into tins. Let them cool until the balm hardens.

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