{"id":12988,"date":"2022-10-24T15:54:29","date_gmt":"2022-10-24T13:54:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foreo.com\/mysa\/?p=12988"},"modified":"2024-01-05T16:29:03","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T15:29:03","slug":"how-to-exfoliate-lips-properly-ingredients-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foreo.com\/mysa\/how-to-exfoliate-lips-properly-ingredients-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Exfoliate Lips Properly: Ingredients, Benefits, and Other Tips and Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"
Exfoliating your lips is a crucial part of any beauty routine (especially when the change of seasons comes), but it’s also important to know how to do it properly. In this post, we’ll go over the different methods and ingredients you can use for lip exfoliation and the benefits of doing so. We’ll also share tips and tricks for getting the most out of your lip exfoliation routine. Read on to learn more!<\/p>\n
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We know by the look and feel that the skin on the lips differs from the rest of our face or body. But how is it different exactly? Our bodies are entirely covered in a layer of epithelial tissue – the part in contact with the environment is called the skin, and the part that lies within this layer is the mucous membranes. The skin of the lips lies at the boundary of mucous membranes and facial skin.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the stratum corneum of the lips (or skin’s barrier that prevents unwanted materials from entering and water from leaving the body) is thinner than on the rest of our bodies. And while our facial skin has 16 cellular layers, lips have only three or five, making them more sensitive and allowing the blood color to show through. They don’t have hair follicles or sweat glands, which makes them dry out or get chapped more easily, and they have more nerve endings than other parts of our bodies – making them sensitive to touch, temperature, and other external factors.<\/p>\n
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1. Unprotected sun exposure,<\/a> which can result in sunburns<\/a> 2. Exposure to extreme weather conditions such as heat, wind, or cold without appropriate protection<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n 4. <\/span>Dehydration<\/span><\/a> – dry lips are a common symptom of dehydration<\/span><\/p>\n 5. <\/span>Licking, biting, or picking at your lips<\/span><\/p>\n 6. Eating a lot of salty and or spicy foods<\/span><\/p>\n 7. Constant exposure to dry air<\/span><\/p>\n 8. Vitamin and minerals deficiency<\/span><\/a>: lack of vitamins B and C, iron, and zinc can lead to dry, sore lips<\/span><\/p>\n 9. A<\/span>ctinic cheilitis – a skin condition caused by long-term sun exposure, resulting in scaly, discolored patches on the lips<\/span><\/p>\n 10. <\/span>Allergic reactions, such as <\/span>allergic contact cheilitis<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n 11. Inflammatory skin condition like <\/span>lichen planus<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n 12. Certain <\/span>medications<\/span><\/a>: antihistamines, chemotherapies, and diuretics<\/span><\/p>\n 13. Ingredients<\/span><\/a> (like phenol, menthol, and salicylic acid) in lip products, like lipstick or balms<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Since our lips don’t contain sebum-releasing oil glands like the rest of our skin, they tend to get dry and chapped more easily. We already wrote about different ways to\u00a0<\/span>deal with chapped lips<\/span><\/a>, lip exfoliation being one of them. And why should we exfoliate lips at all? Here is a list of benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When it comes to professional lip care, the exfoliants can be chemical, physical, or mechanical. When it comes to DIY lip care, there are a couple of lip exfoliant ingredients that you can find in your pantry. We’re bringing all of them:<\/p>\n Physical exfoliants (considered a traditional method) imply rubbing rough or granular textures on your lips, while\u00a0<\/span>chemical exfoliants<\/span><\/a>\u00a0contain acids that dissolve the outermost layer of the skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Physical exfoliants are also called scrubs precisely because their activation implies scrubbing. Although some people prefer granular particles as they may psychologically seem more efficient, they might be abrasive. Consider that chemical peels might be a gentler alternative for sensitive lips. If your choice is based on cost-effectiveness, then you might turn to a physical exfoliant.<\/span><\/p>\n Chemical exfoliators exclude any rubbing as they are not composed of granular particles but contain acids. When it comes to lips, the most common ones are\u00a0<\/span>lactic<\/span><\/a>, mandelic, or\u00a0<\/span>glycolic<\/span><\/a>\u00a0acids, as they tend to be more gentle (many experts advise against using salicylic acid when it comes to lip exfoliation). When using chemical peels, the risk of over-exfoliation is lower, so certain dermatologists advise using chemical lip peels only.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Next to physical and chemical exfoliation, you might come across the term mechanical exfoliation. Certain sources use it as a synonym for physical exfoliation, while others imply that mechanical exfoliation involves a tool or physical device to exfoliate the skin mechanically (such as a cleansing brush).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before suggesting how to do it, the most important thing to know is how NOT to do it- by overdoing it. Your lips are super sensitive and delicate, remember? Make sure you don\u2019t do more harm than good. Guidelines on how to exfoliate are simple, containing three steps:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are various ingredients you can use for lip exfoliation. Whatever ingredient or combination you choose, we recommend gently massaging it onto your lips in a circular motion for about one minute. Rinse off with warm water and pat your lips dry.<\/span><\/p>\n Sugar<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is a gentle yet effective exfoliator that can be used on all skin types. It’s also relatively inexpensive and easy to find. Just make sure to use granulated sugar rather than raw sugar, as the latter can be too harsh on the lips. To use sugar for lip exfoliation, mix it with a little water or oil to form a paste.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it helps keep the skin hydrated. It’s also antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, making it ideal for sensitive skin. To use honey for lip exfoliation, simply mix it with a little sugar to form a paste.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Coconut oil is another natural humectant that’s great for keeping lips hydrated. It’s also packed with antioxidants and fatty acids that can help to repair dry, damaged lips.<\/span><\/p>\n Like coconut oil, jojoba oil is a natural humectant that contains antioxidants and fatty acids. It’s also non-comedogenic, so you don’t have to worry about it clogging your pores.<\/span><\/p>\n Shea butter is a nourishing, emollient ingredient that’s often used in lip balms and other products. It’s rich in vitamins and fatty acids, making it great for repairing dry, chapped lips.<\/span><\/p>\n If you enjoy making homemade concoctions for your skin, why not combine your passion with professional skincare? FOREO has just the thing:<\/span>\u00a0Imagination mask\u00a0<\/span><\/a>is an ultra-hydrating base for your homemade mask. Add your preferred fruit, veggies, honey, or oil, and you’re good to go!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Over-exfoliation can happen if the treatment is too long, too aggressive, or if you exfoliate lips too often. That could do more damage than good, as it can lead to dry, chapped lips. Exfoliating one to two times per week should be the rule of thumb for lips.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Since the lips are thinner, more sensitive, and more delicate than the rest of your skin, you need to take special care when exfoliating. Make sure to use a product specially formulated for lips – products meant for your face, or even worse, body, are unsuitable for lips. In chemical peels, those designed for the lips have different percentages of acids than those for the rest of our face, and the physical peels for lips have tinier granular particles.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now that you know the types of exfoliators and some of the best ingredients for lip exfoliation, here are a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your session.<\/p>\n Many people think using a toothbrush is a good way to exfoliate their lips. Think of it. Why would you scrub your lips, the most delicate part of your body, with harsh nylon bristles designed to clean the teeth – the hardest parts of your body? Or rub the germs and bacteria left after brushing your teeth directly into the gentle skin of your lips? If you really want to scrub your lips, then using gentle, silicone, ultra-hygienic bristles, such as\u00a0<\/span>FOREO LUNA™ 4<\/span><\/a>, is a way to go.<\/span><\/p>\n When searching for handy \u2018solutions\u2019 online, toothpaste can be found as a potential exfoliator. Please don\u2019t do it. Toothpaste contains ingredients meant for cleaning teeth and may be too harsh for the delicate skin on your lips. Some toothpastes contain menthol or other potential irritants that can cause dryness, redness, or even an allergic reaction when applied to the lips.<\/span><\/p>\n Why would you use that when you need just two affordable ingredients from your kitchen (sugar and honey) for effective yet risk-free lip exfoliation?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Lip scrubs with large granules can be too harsh on the lips. Stick to scrubs with smaller granules or no granules at all.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re using a new lip scrub, it\u2019s always a good idea to test it on a small area of your skin first. This will help you see how your skin reacts to the ingredients and avoid irritation.<\/p>\n Exfoliating your lips before bedtime is a good idea, as you can leave the moisturizer on overnight. This will give your lips plenty of time to absorb all the nutrients. However, if you choose a different time of day, provide your lips with adequate protection (that may include SPF).<\/p>\n <\/b>If your lips are in a really bad shape at the moment, it might be smarter to skip the exfoliation until they make certain recovery. If your lips are dry and flaky, provide them with appropriate lip moisturizer. After the hydration process does its thing, proceed to exfoliation. We consider this to be safer as scrubbing already dry skin might lead to inflammation and cracks.<\/span><\/p>\n It can\u2019t be clearer than that. If you attempt it, you might accidentally peel off too much and cause damage that might need time to heal. It is not worth the pain and recovery period.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n9 Benefits of Lip Exfoliation<\/h2>\n
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Choosing Your Type of Lip Exfoliant<\/h2>\n
Difference Between Chemical and Physical Exfoliants<\/h3>\n
What Is Mechanical Exfoliation?<\/h3>\n
How to Exfoliate Lips Properly?<\/h2>\n
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Natural Ingredients<\/a>\u00a0for Lip Exfoliation<\/h2>\n
Sugar<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Honey<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
Coconut oil<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
Jojoba oil<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
Shea butter<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Lips?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Why Shouldn\u2019t You Use Face Exfoliant on Your Lips?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Extra Tips for Lip Exfoliation<\/h2>\n
Never use a toothbrush.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t use toothpaste.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Avoid using scrubs with large granules.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Test the scrub before you exfoliate your lips.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Choose the right time <\/b>of day to exfoliate.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Think twice about exfoliation if your lips are very dry.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Never peel off dead skin from your lips.<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n