"The lip skin is so thin and sensitive it simply cannot tolerate some of the products we use on the rest of our face," says dermatologist Erum Ilyas, MD. "Lip masks can be very effective to heal the our delicate lips overnight."
Lip masks prevent drying out and chapping of lips, especially during the winter. They also help make your lips look plumper, especially right after using the mask, and in a more natural way than lip liner. They can help reduce signs of aging that come from the skin on your lips getting thinner.
The benefits of using a lip mask
The good news is that a nourishing lip mask can help alleviate chapped lips. “They can help mimic the high humidity that lips love by helping to restore and lock-in plumping and softening moisture,” Dr. Zalka says.
Everyone should add lip sleeping masks to their routine. As we mentioned, these skin care products go the extra mile to provide your lips with the right amount of moisture needed. And if you live in a cold and dry climate or are simply prone to dryness, lip masks can help pick up the slack.
To work well, the mask needs to stay on your mouth for about 10 to 15 minutes, though some run up to 30 minutes or longer. Read the directions for your specific mask. Set a timer so that you're not tempted to pull it off early. You may need to lay down while it's working, as some aren't terribly sticky.
Using potent naturally-derived coconut oil, ricinus communis seed oil and olive oil, the Overnight Lip Mask moisturises, nourishes and revives cracked, flaky and dry lips while you sleep.
Cream-based lip masks can be used everyday. They keep your lips hydrated and usually don't have any side effects. Sheet masks, however, can be used 2-3 times a week.
"A lip balm contains waxes that prevent moisture from evaporating from the top layer of the lip; an oil simply hydrates the lip but doesn't prevent the loss of moisture; and a lip mask usually just replenishes the lip with hydration, but doesn't seal in any moisture." A-ha.
Exfoliating ingredients
Much like a face mask, lip masks offer much higher levels of moisture (not to mention other additional benefits like exfoliation and antioxidant protection) than traditional lip balms.
Lip masks are a fun, painless, and quick beauty treatment that can rescue dry, damaged lips or prep them for your favorite matte lipstick. While they'll certainly moisturize your lips, they won't actually plump them up that much.
Both of the dermatologists we spoke to noted that it's important for a lip mask to contain moisturizing ingredients that “moisturize, soften and soothe dry lips.” Moisturizing ingredients to look out for include sunflower oil, sesame oil, vitamin E, omega fatty acids, linoleum acids and coconut oil.
There's nothing like giving some love to your lips, seeing as they can be damaged just as easily as the skin on your face. We recommend balancing out your lip care routine with both a lip balm and a lip mask, as these two products work together to keep your lips looking lush.
It can treat, soothe, and nourish that delicate skin, all while helping your lips look juicy and plump. That's because lip oils are typically made with a high concentration of hydrating oils like jojoba, rosehip, and coconut oils, all of which are amazing at soothing dry lips.
They are made from thick and nourishing ingredients that are specially formulated to treat the lip tissues and give you the intense hydration. Except instead of the skin on your face, lip masks work to hydrate the skin on your lips.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using white petroleum jelly throughout the day and before bed to moisturize and sooth dry, cracked lips. Petroleum jelly seals in water longer than oils and waxes. It's also inexpensive and easy to find online and in drugstores.
They function the same way that full facial sheet masks do, except targeting the lips only. They're made out of thick hydrogel and saturated with a serum. They generally look ridiculous and feel like a piece of wet seaweed on your mouth — so yes, they're fun.
Apply a hyaluronic acid serum.
Speaking of hyaluronic acid, filling out your pout naturally can be done with a topical serum. Like water to dry soil, your parched lips will suck it up and soon become plump with moisture. This is because HA is an ingredient that can pull in up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
Apply a non-irritating lip balm (or lip moisturizer) several times a day and before bed. If your lips are very dry and cracked, try a thick ointment, such as white petroleum jelly. Ointment seals in water longer than waxes or oils. Slather on a non-irritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before going outdoors.
Does licking my lips often make it pink? No. Saliva contains many enzymes. Licking your lips more often would make your lips dry, so try not to lick your lips and apply a good moisturizer instead.
Apply sunblock: Yes, lips can get tanned too!
In fact, the sun can damage the skin on the lips, making them appear darker and rougher. Look for a lip balm with SPF30, and apply it at least 5-6 times a day to make sure it does not wear off.
Exfoliate Your Lips
To lighten the colour of your lips, you can gently scrub them with an exfoliator. You can even make your own, by mixing a little honey and sugar to remove the dead skin of the lips.