Lip care during Monsoon

Shahnaz Husain *

Tensed about your dry or chapped lips ?

Cool breeze, the aroma of soil, mesmerizing sight, and melodious sounds altogether take you to a magical world when it drizzles. As the droplets of the first monsoon rain hit the earth, the moisture content in the atmosphere also rises. While dancing in the rain is delightful, monsoon's moisture-rich air can be harsh on delicate lip skin.

Lips are susceptible to drying and chapping due to frequent rain exposure and excess humidity. The barrier function of our skin gets affected during humid and hot weather and it increases Transepi-dermal Water Loss (TEWL), which leads to dry pale-looking lips.

To help you navigate through the rainy season with supple and soft lips, here are some essential monsoon lip care tips:

1---Exfoliation

Exfoliation is key to maintaining a radiant complexion year-round, but it’s crucial during monsoon to make sure the lip balm can penetrate deeper and nourish your lips. Get hold of a herbal scrub for lips, clean your lips and exfoliate to remove dead skin cells. Mix 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon brown sugar in a glass jar. Now add ½ tablespoon of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly.

Mix well and your lip scrub is ready. Keep it in a closed container in the refrigerator. Take a cotton pad and wet it with some micellar water to remove any traces of lipstick or lip gloss. Now take a dime-sized amount of this DIY lip scrub and gently rub it until you feel some of the sugar dissolving.

Once done, wipe off the remaining scrub on your lips with soft tissue paper and then wash with lukewarm water. Mix well one tbsp brown sugar and 1 tbsp honey in a glass jar. Apply this on your lips and rub in circular motions for few minute. and gently wipe off with fresh water

After gently exfoliating your lips, seal in the moisture with a lip balm, which will lock in the moisture instantaneously.

Exfoliation not only removes dead skin but also improves blood circulation to your lips, making them appear more plump and health. Exfoliate your scrub once a week resulting in a smoother lipstick application and more pleasant lips.

To exfoliate lips the right way, one must exfoliate the lips in a circular motion with their fingertips. Apart from soothing your lips, they also serve as a wonderful basis, or lip primer, before applying your favourite lipstick. It produces an equal base and smoothes out tiny wrinkles on the lips.

Do not use any harsh bristles/ toothbrush to scrub your lips. Always use your fingertips and massage the lips in circular motions to get rid of dead cells.

2---Lip Sleeping Mask

Attaining beauty while sleeping is the best thing you can do to obtain softer lips. A lip mask is a gel mask that is worn on your lips for a set period. The purpose of a lip mask is to hydrate your lips, which also makes them look fuller and plumper. They work similarly to lip balm but are easier to apply, more intensive, and last longer.

With its hydrating formula, the sleeping mask locks in moisture prevents dehydration and ensures that your skin stays plump and supple throughout the night.

After cleansing and toning your face, apply a generous layer of the mask and let it work its magic overnight. Wake up to a fresh and glowing complexion, ready to face the day ahead. The Lip Sleeping Mask delivers overnight results and gradually softens your lips with continuous use.

Some people have found that lip masks work in conditions where regular lip balm simply cannot keep up. Lip masks can also work out cheaper than constantly applying balm.

Lip masks prevent drying out and chapping of lips, during the monsoon. 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 ageing that come from the skin on your lips getting thinner.

Choose a mask made from breathable materials to prevent irritation and ensure proper hygiene by regularly cleaning it. This is why it's best done as the last step before bed. It's also important not to lick your lips or press them together too much.

An overnight lip treatment with humectant and emollient properties provides the ultimate hydration to your lips. Be sure not to touch your lips after applying the treatment. Drinking or eating can take the overnight lip treatment off.

3---Lip balms

Lip balm is a cream that is used to keep the lips soft or to help sore lips feel better. Lip balm hydrates and protects lips with a nutrient-rich formula that prevents dryness, bleeding, cracking, and irritation.

Lip balms can be scented, flavoured, or natural depending on the ingredients. Lip balms have a wax-like consistency which relieves chapped or dry lips as well as restores moisture. It helps shield your lips from dry air, wind, and especially cold temperatures .

Add lip balm to your skincare routine to moisturise your lips. Apply it before bed for overnight moisturisation. Put lip balm in your bag for the daytime, and apply it after every meal.

They are easy to carry and allow you to instantly add moisture while on the go. Also, avoid chemical-based or tinted lip balm for better protection. Always choose lip balms that are petroleum-free, paraben-free, GMO-free and cruelty-free. It must not contain any pesticides, gluten or oxybenzone and are perfect for vegetarians.

Honestly, many people just let the product sink in, and reapply in the daytime too. All this to say, use it to your liking. It's even suitable in a makeup regimen for an effortless glossy lip. Some lip masks are designed to be worn overnight, while others are worn for a shorter period, say 30 minutes.

4 Moisturizing-----

Lips lack oil glands, which makes them more prone to drying out and chapping than the rest of your skin , that’s why they need extra care. To aid this issue, we should moisturize the lips after exfoliating. Use Shea butter, cocoa butter, and Vitamin E-infused lip balms.

Apply a nourishing and moisturizing lip balm made with the goodness of ingredients like Shea butter, Beeswax, and Coconut oil before you step out of your home. Lip balms with olive oil, and coconut oils are also available in the market which is also good. This will improve blood circulation and give you natural pink colours.

Your lips need to be hydrated from the inside too. Add plenty of water, juice and fruits to your diet. They help you keep hydrated.

When you’re hydrated, your skin cells plump up and give the skin protein to maintain strength and elasticity. Hydration slows the protein breakdown process and protects the skin’s natural moisture from UV damage. To stay hydrated, try drinking fruit, fresh lemon, ginger, tulsi, and other herbal teas. Make sure not to consume drinks like alcohol or caffeine that make you dehydrated.