Just like the skin on your face, the skin on your lips loses collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid over time. Which means, as we age, the lip contour loses its youthful shape and definition and the lips begin to lack their rosy hue. And unlike the skin on your face, your lips do not contain oil glands that helps to keep skin soft and moisturized and prevent the fine lines associated with aging.

Fortunately, a few simple steps can help keep your lips soft and smooth, and ready for post-mask life!

Hydrate

Hyaluronic acid is one of the hottest ingredients in skin care right now and this water-loving molecule is a must-have in any beauty routine. Created especially for the lips, we love SkinMedica’s Smooth & Plump Lip System for gentle exfoliation and super hydration.

The duo contains the same proprietary mix of five forms of hyaluronic acid as the fav-favorite HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, which works to provide immediate smoothing and continuous hydration.  With each use, HA5 Smooth & Plump Lip System diminishes the look of fine lines while plumping, hydrating and defining lips. It even adds a touch of gloss to the lips so that you will love the way they look and feel!

(Pro tip: This product is a must for anyone who invests in lip filler.)

Exfoliate

Whether you have chronic dry lips due to the weather (☀ or ❄ or 💨) or the  constant licking of the lips (oops),  exfoliating your lips can help eliminate some of the dry, flaking skin that builds up. Exfoliation can immediately restore shine, softness, and smoothness. A light scrub, like SkinMedica’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser,  works great.

(Pro tip: Unless you have extremely dry lips, it is probably only necessary to exfoliate 1-2 times per week.)

Protect

The skin of your lips is thinner and contains less melanin, which means it can’t protect itself from harmful sun damage and requires a little extra attention. Keep in mind that your lips are just as susceptible to the sun’s radiation as the rest of your body, which means they’re vulnerable to skin cancer. Using lip sunscreen that filters out harmful UVB rays gives you protection from this often overlooked cancer and, in addition, provides much needed sunburn protection.

We recommend using a moisturizing SPF lip balm, reapplied around every 2 hours – but be sure to look at the ingredients. Avoid products containing camphor eucalyptus, mint, cinnamon, peppermint, fragrance, menthol, lanolin and oxybenzone. Great-tasting lip balms can also lead you to lick your lips, which in turn dries them out. 

Plump

Looking for a longer-lasting solution to thinning lips? It may be time to consider filler. Remember, it’s not necessarily about creating bigger lips, although fillers certainly can do that. When injected correctly, lip filler results can be quite subtle leaving you with a more youthful looking pout. Our favorites include: RHA 2, JUVÉDERM® Ultra and Restylane Kysse.

Not ready to try lip filler? Botox® can give you a fuller looking lip without the use of filler with the “lip flip,” by injecting it above the upper lip.

At Timeless Skin Solutions, our providers help you to determine your ultimate goals and the best combination of products and treatments to help you achieve them. Our goal is to help you look natural and refreshed – you, just a little better. Contact us to start your skincare journey today.