Summer in northern New England has been a real scorcher lately! Thank goodness for the cool evening fog that rolls in off the ocean. That mist really soothes my garden plants and gives the veggie leaves and flowers a good drink at night.
This time of year, or even in the less humid fall and winter seasons, my lips can become rough and dry. The natural lip care recipe I'm going to share with you today is very, very simple to make using just one ingredient from your kitchen cupboard: baking soda. Won't you please give it a try? I'm sure your lips will be most grateful for the pampering!
Rough Lip Scuff
This simple, lip-scuffing method quickly loosens flaky, dead skin, leaving lips smoother, softer, and healthier-looking. The brushing action stimulates circulation and actually causes the lip tissue to plump temporarily, improving the look of your sultry pout!
Recommended for: everyone, especially those who have chapped, rough, and weather-beaten lips
Use: twice per week
Prep Time: mere seconds
Blending Tools: toothbrush
Store In: do not store; mix as needed
Yield: 1 treatment
Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Premoistened toothbrush
Directions:
Place baking soda into the palm of one hand and dip damp toothbrush bristles into the soda. Gently brush premoistened lips back and forth for approximately 20 seconds. Be careful not to brush too hard to avoid causing further irritation. Rinse.
NOTE: This article was adapted from the book, "Organic Body Care Recipes", by Stephanie Tourles, Storey Publishing, 2007. The information is true and complete to the best of the author's knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the author. She disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. It is for educational purposes only.
Showing posts with label chapped lips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chapped lips. Show all posts
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tips For Luscioius Lips - Part 1
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.
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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