As the weather gets colder, you may find that your lips are feeling a little tight or dry, so you reach for a lip balm. You religiously apply your balm, but do you get the feeling that you are starting to apply it more frequently, and could it be that your lips are actually feeling drier?
What causes dry lips?
Although there are lots of reasons why lips can get dry and chapped (constantly licking them, eating salty foods, cold and windy weather, central heating, the list is endless), one main reason for suffering constantly dry lips is because you are using lips products that contain mineral oil.
Mineral oil is in many lip products as it is used for moisturising and lubricating. Upon the initial application of the product the lips will feel really smooth and moisturised, and you will feel near instant relief in any dry or cracked areas. The problem is that the mineral oil is sealing the lips, a bit like cling film, and long-term use can cause the skin on the lips to stop functioning correctly. One of the worst things you can do for your lips if they feel dry is use a mineral oil containing product on them. Over time you may well find yourself re-applying the product more frequently and feeling like your lips are really dry without it. So just how do you keep your lips soft and hydrated?
How to get naturally plump and soft lips
The solution to beautifully moist and flexible lips is just to ditch main stream lip products which contain mineral oil and switch to natural products. Many people think that natural products just aren’t as good a big brand ones, but nothing could be further from the truth. Natural lip products contain butters, waxes and oils and do a fabulous job in moisturising and protecting the lips without interfering with the natural skin function. There are many natural brands out there doing absolutely brilliant lip balms, serums, lipsticks, lip crayons and liners, and many are vegan friendly too. Also, think about how much of what you put on your lips is ingested or absorbed by your body.
What natural lip balm products do you recommend?
One of my go to products is a probiotic lip balm from Aurelia London. Packaged in a small glass brown and gold pot and tinted a very subtle peachy colour, it’s packed full of shea butter, melon seed and mongongo oils as well as Aurelia’s unique PROTIDA™ complex, helping boost collagen production for soft and plump lips. With the gorgeous scent of orange and geranium this is one of my absolute favourite lip balms. It applies well, is not sticky, looks great and has excellent staying power. It also keeps your lips wonderfully soft and hydrated. £18 for a 15g pot (not suitable for vegans).
If you prefer a more lipstick style lip balm, then try Inika Organic lip balm in a classy black and gold wind-up slim case. It has plenty of waxes and butters to keep lips soft and smooth as well as a hint of peppermint. It also makes a perfect base for lipsticks, helping fill in any uneven or dry spots. I use this as a base for a lip crayon and it performs really well. £19 for 3.5g tube and suitable for vegans.
If you prefer to use a wand to apply your lip balm and like a lovely natural shine, or have some seriously dry and cracked lips, then Inika Organic lip serum treatment is for you. This lip treatment packs a punch when it comes to healing and repairing dry and cracked lips. It contains seabuckthorn extract and rosehip, known for their regenerative properties, as well as shea butter and jojoba oil. It glides on beautifully, is not thick or tacky and last well. I use this product over the top of a lip crayon for extra shine and protection. Extract of mandarin orange and orange essential oil make this a product you’ll love using. £23 for 5ml.
It can take a few weeks for your lips to adjust and get back to normal if you have been using a lot of products containing minerals oils, but it’s worth it to have normal functioning lips again! Why not try some natural lip products this winter and see just how beautiful and healthy your lips can be?
Sally Moores, aka The Happy Sage, is a skincare, natural health and well-being expert who has been testing and researching natural therapies, remedies, products and healing for over forty years. She has been a qualified 2nd degree Reiki practitioner for over 18 years and also survived an aggressive stage iv blood cancer, which only enhanced her passion for learning more about healing the mind, body and spirit.
Sally previously researched, developed and produced a range of organic skincare products, winning four industry awards. She now runs a website, thehappysage.co.uk, helping others set up and run their own natural skincare business.