Take care of your lips with natural remedies this winter
Winter has arrived, and our lips — one of the most ignored parts — are the first to face the brunt of the chilly weather. With the dropping mercury, lips tend to lose moisture, turning dry and chapped. Overexposure to sun also causes lip pigmentation. So, we need to give them some extra care through regular exfoliation and moisturising.
Here are some homemade remedies that would help keep your lips supple and glowing this season.
HYDRATION FIRST
Petroleum jelly or aloe vera gel are great for moisturising your lips. You can even apply lukewarm butter or desi ghee, but make sure you leave it on overnight.
Mix coconut oil with aloe vera gel. Add two drops of essential mint oil to the mixture and use it to moisturise your lips. Another natural remedy is applying malai mixed with lemon drops, and leaving it on overnight. Applying vitamin E can help soothe chapped lips and reduce flaking.
Lip balms containing natural moisturising ingredients such as coconut and sunflower oils, beeswax, honey, and shea butter are very nourishing. Use lip balms with sunscreen as UV rays are harmful for lips as well.
EXFOLIATION IS IMPORTANT
Scrubbing is an effective way to remove dead skin layers, and gains greater significance during winters. Prepare a lip scrub with oat flakes and cream, and gently rub it on your lips. Don’t forget to moisturise after exfoliation.
A honey and sugar scrub is also effective. You may add almond oil to the mixture to give it a nourishment boost.
You can even mix coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and two drops of essential mint oil along with sugar, and use it to exfoliate.
A soft toothbrush can be used to softly buff your lips, removing the deposit of dead cells that would otherwise cause more flaking. Follow this with a hydrating lip balm. This is best done at night.
WHAT TO AVOID
Resist the urge to lick your lips as this tends to dry them out more. Glosses and long-wear lipsticks with alcohol are best avoided, as they add to the dryness.
Opt for creamy lipsticks or apply lip balm before using a lip colour.
Shades like deep red, oxblood, deep browns, and even black are quite popular on lips this winter. As matte lipsticks do more harm in cold weather, go for lipsticks with vitamin E or other moisturising ingredients to keep your pout in perfect health.