Howdy everyone . . . I'm discussing "natural lip care" today and I'll show you ways to nourish and pamper those delicate lips to keep them soft, luscious, plump, and always comfortable, no matter what the season.
Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips do not contain any sebaceous glands (oil glands) or sweat glands to keep them moisturized and lubricated. If lip tissue is damaged by heat, cold, drying lipsticks, smoking, too many happy-hour beverages, herpes, or other agents such as some prescription medications or anti-aging creams containing glycolic acid or salicylic acid, the small amount of saliva that reaches your lips via the tip of the tongue will not be sufficient to prevent your lips from becoming dehydrated. Thus, many of us constantly slather them with lipsticks, glosses, balms, and ointments of various kinds in an attempt to prevent drying and cracking and simultaneously keep them kissably soft and supple.
If you're a woman, you probably know from first hand experience that many brands of lipstick tend to be drying instead of moisturizing (regardless of the advertising hype). Some can even cause your lips to flake, peel, and become unsightly. What's more, I have yet to see an "all-day formula" that lasts past midmorning without becoming unattractively cakey. Yet take heart! Over the next 4 blogs (this one included), I'll share tips and 4 chemical-free lip balm and gloss recipes that you can make at home and even customize with essential oil fragrance and color, if desired. All of the ingredients in the recipes are actually edible - which is a good thing considering women tend to ingest several pounds of lipstick over a lifetime.
PUCKER UP With These Lip Pampering Tips!
1. When venturing out into the sun, be it the beach or bright ski slope or back yard garden, don't forget to apply a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher. Find a natural balm containing micronized zinc oxide which blocks the sun's rays. Today's modern zinc oxide-based balms won't give you white lips like a 1960's lifeguard!
2. Thick castor oil, the main ingredient in most commercial lipsticks, can be applied straight out of the bottle for a natural glossy look sans color.
3. Slick on a bit of cocoa butter for a moisturizing chocolate-flavored lip treat. Great for men and boys because it's colorless and not too shiny.
4. After brushing your teeth, gently brush your lips as well. "Not only does it take away any chapping, but it plumps up the lip temporarily for that sought-after 'pouty' look," says Diane Irons, author of The World's Best-Kept Beauty Secrets.
5. Apply a lip balm frequently throughout the day to create a moisture-resistant barrier on your lips that will help prevent moisture loss.
6. Keep hydrated! Make sure to drink lots of water or herb tea throughout the day.
7. A dab of honey on your lips will act as a humectant, drawing moisture from the air to your skin, keeping your lips soft, plump, and kissably sweet.
8. A dab of vegetable glycerin mixed with vitamin E or wheat germ oil makes an effective, nourishing moisture barrier. Tastes good, too!
NOTE: The above article was written by Stephanie Tourles, lic. holistic esthetician, herbalist, aromatherapist, nutritionist, and author of 9 books on natural skin / body care. It was adapted from her book, "Organic Body Care Recipes", Storey Publishing, 2007. The information is true and complete to the best of Ms. Tourles' knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of Ms. Tourles. She disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. It is for educational purposes only.
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