It’s safe to say that there is nothing pretty about dry, cracked lips, which can occur at any time of year and at any age. The skin on our lips is much thinner than the skin on the other parts of our body, and lips have a lesser amount of oil glands and no ability to create their own sun-filtering natural melanin. This means that they have virtually no protection of their own, so showing them a little extra love is essential if you want them to look and feel comfortable all year round.

Exfoliate Regularly

Before you even think about slicking on any type of serum or balm, it’s important to first remove dry, dead skin. While exfoliating your lips may seem like just another annoying step in your daily routine, it’s actually pretty important. It removes the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing any applied moisture to properly absorb into your lips later on. 

There are many different ways to exfoliate the delicate skin on your lips, with lots of great beauty brands creating designated lip scrubs to do exactly that. In order to avoid subjecting your delicate smackers to anything too abrasive, choose a product that boasts a gentle, natural exfoliant like sugar or finely milled sea salt.

You can also exfoliate your lips with a baby toothbrush, muslin cloth or flannel just before or just after you jump out of the shower. Because the water has already softened your lips for an extended period of time, this process should be quick and easy – no product required. Just be careful not to rub too hard, as you don’t want to cause any tears in the skin. 

There are also plenty of DIY lip exfoliating recipes online, if you want to get a bit creative in the kitchen.

Use An Overnight Mask

Once again, you may think this is just an extra step – but it’s one that seriously delivers if you’re looking for lush lips. Similar to face, feet, and even butt masks, an overnight lip mask will give you the boost of hydration needed to last throughout the day. 

Why overnight? Because that’s when your body is hard at work repairing itself. Cell turnover is at its peak during the night, so a treatment only enhances this natural process. You can definitely mask at any time of day, but the results are even better when your body is in full restorative mode.

Henné Organics offer a beautiful rejuvenating Lip Mask that we love. A lip treatment that is both luxurious and indispensable, it includes ingredients like sea buckthorn oil and evening primrose to help restore and soothe your lips. Apply a thick layer and leave it on for 15-30 minutes (or better still, overnight), then gently remove the residue with a tissue. Laura Xiao, the creator of Henné recommends following the mask with the brand’s Organic Lip Serum and Luxury Lip Balm to really lock in moisture and nutrients.

Everyday Care

This is where the aforementioned Henné Lip Serum is a must-have. The formula is a blend of time-defying oils like ultra-rare arctic cloudberry seed oil and lingonberry seed oil. As well as nourishing and smoothing lips, it helps promote collagen production and bolster the lips’ protective barrier. Encased in a chic glass bottle with a 24k gold plated rollerball, the Lip Serum is as effective as it is exquisite.

Nuori Lip Treat is another clean beauty pick that is a must in every handbag. Available tinted and untinted, it has a beautiful lightweight feel but works hard softening dry, dehydrated lips and keeping lips protected.

Choose Colour with Care

We’ve all heard horror stories about some of the more suspicious-sounding ingredients to be found in many big brand lipstick formulas, so be sure to choose your lipsticks and glosses with care. Look for lip products that have moisturising ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil near the top of their ingredient deck, and avoid anything that makes your lips feel super dry after a few hours’ wear.

With Aleph’s Cheek/Lip Tints you have nothing to worry about, with cocoa seed butter playing a major role in their comfort factor along with clean, natural ingredients chosen for their ability to protect against environmental toxins and regenerate cellular energy. Cocoa butter is a healthy source of fatty acids and very protective on skin exposed to very cold, or very hot temperatures, particularly from indoor heating or sun damage, so a lip-loving treat. And with Aleph you don’t have to compromise on colour payoff either – their newest shade, Sangha, is stunning vintage red designed to suit most skin tones that lasts and lasts.