Did you know about a part of your body whose skin lacks oil glands and is incapable of producing natural oils on its own? It’s the same body part you’re using if you voice these words aloud – your lips!
Our lips are one of the first places to show signs of ageing as well as dehydration. Not only that, but the skin on our lips is also thinner and more delicate, making it more susceptible to damage from the environment and extremely vulnerable to drying and chapping.
Such an important part of our body deserves special, consistent care and incorporating lip oil into your daily lip care routine can keep your lips hydrated, smooth, and soft.
But what is a lip oil, how does it benefit your skin, and how is it different from other lip care products? Read on to discover the secrets of lip oils, a formulation that is revolutionising lip care.
What is Lip Oil?
Lip oil has emerged as a versatile and luxurious addition to the realm of lip care. It is a hybrid product that rounds up as skincare as well as makeup, made of nourishing plant-based oils. The emollient base of the lip oil delivers intense moisturization, a gloss-like shine and alleviates dry, flaky and rough lips.
But there’s much more to lip oil than meets the eye – it’s not just the sheen but also the health benefits that lip oils give that has caught the attention of lip care enthusiasts.
The Ultimate Nourishment
Just like our face and hair oil, lip oil does so much more than simply moisturise. Most lip oils are made with rich natural ingredients that soothe and nourish the delicate skin on the lips and prevent them from chapping.
Lip oils offer long-lasting results in terms of hydration and nourishment as they actually get absorbed into the deeper layers of the lips. As the name itself suggests, they are formulated with plant-based and botanical oils that are rich in fatty acids.
The Perfect Lip Primer
Lip oil makes for the perfect base for the application of lipstick owing to its nourishing and hydrating nature.
You can also try pairing it over your favourite lip stain to give it a glossier finish or use it as a nourishing base layer under long-wearing lipstick for extra hydration. This hybrid makeup-skincare product can make your lips look glossy without the sticky feel of a lip gloss, all while doing the job of a lip balm.
The Supreme Revitalizer
A key advantage of incorporating lip oil into your skincare routine is its remarkable ability to enhance lip health and aid in repair. Unlike traditional lip care products that primarily offer superficial benefits, lip oils are infused with a blend of vitamins and antioxidants that penetrate deep into the skin.
This not only helps in moisturising but also actively repairs damaged cells and promotes the regeneration of new, healthy lip tissue. Ingredients like Vitamin E and various essential oils work synergistically to fight oxidative stress caused by environmental pollutants and UV exposure, preventing premature ageing and the formation of fine lines on the lips.
Comparing the efficacy: Lip Oil vs. Lip Balm
Lip balms are occlusive in nature, meaning they sit on top of your lips preventing transepidermal water loss. This is because “a lip balm contains waxes that prevent moisture from evaporating from the top layer of the lip”, according to Dr. Lily Talakoub, a board-certified dermatologist.
Your lips don’t soak the wax in, which is why you often feel the need to keep reapplying them throughout the day.
On the other hand, lip oil is made of nutritious oils that aim to moisturise the skin from the inside-out, mend it, and leave your lip with a subtle sheen.
According to the National Institute of Health,
“Appropriate application of a moisturiser attempts not only to improve the dryness, but also improve the skin’s natural barrier function to protect the skin from internal and external irritants to keep the skin healthy.”
When considering the benefits of deep nourishment and hydration, lip oils emerge as the superior choice. Their ability to moisturise from within and repair the skin, combined with a subtle sheen, makes them a fundamental part of any effective lip care routine.
Holistic Practices for Healthier Lips
It’s time you care for your lips like you’d do for the skin on the rest of your face. Lip care goes much beyond simply good-looking lips. It’s important that your lips don’t just look good, but also feel healthy from the inside.
Here are some simple ways you can give your lips the love they deserve:
Break away from daily habits
There are some habits that are bad for your lips, such as licking your lips (that saps moisture) or picking at them. These habits can lead to dry, chapped lips.
It is also important to avoid using products that contain harsh chemicals, such as some lipsticks, as these can also dry out your lips.
Exfoliation is key
There are many ways to use lip oil as a stand-alone moisturiser, as a primer for your lipstick, or as a glossy coat over your lipstick. No matter how you want to use your lip oil, you’ll get the softest and smoothest results only if you apply it to clean, exfoliated lips. Remove dry, dead skin flakes by gently brushing your lips with a wet, soft toothbrush or washcloth, and try to do this at least once a week.
Hydrate often
Unlike the rest of your skin, lips tend to dry out and become chapped easily since they do not contain oil glands. Drinking ample water throughout the day is essential not only for your overall health but specifically for maintaining the natural softness and plumpness of your lips. Proper hydration ensures that your lips can better withstand environmental stressors and reduces the likelihood of peeling or cracking. Think of water as the simplest, yet most effective, lip care product you can never forget to use.
Make sure you’re using the right product
The various lip care options available in the market can make the decision of choosing the right product difficult. But always remember that your lips deserve the best, so choose one tailored for your specific needs - one that’s natural and organic, provides intense hydration and moisturisation, has the perfect texture and finish, contains shielding ingredients, and helps combat the signs of ageing.
