You finally have access to your favorite new lipstick after a long search. Your lips are chapped and dry just as you’re going to put it on. Even yet, you continue to glide it along. As a result, your lips’ crevices are filled with the silky lipstick! Alas! Lips that are chapped and dry aren’t just an issue in the winter. It keeps coming back because you neglect to exfoliate your lips, a crucial step. We’ll cover everything in this article, you need to know about exfoliating lips for a soft and smooth finish. Read on to learn How to exfoliate lips.

What Leads to Lip Drying?

The dryness and chapping of lips are caused by a variety of environmental causes. Dehydration, drinking excessively hot beverages that create microscopic burns and may even contribute to pigmentation or darkening of the lips, using matte lipsticks, and not having a specific lip-care routine are the most frequent causes, according to dermatologists. “Licking your lips frequently is another significant factor in dry lips. It is referred to as lip licker’s dermatitis and is the result of the saliva from repeated licking.

Methods for Lip Exfoliation

There are numerous lip exfoliating methods that people claim to be efficient. Physical (or mechanical) and chemical exfoliation techniques are broadly categorised by Dermatologist into two primary groups.

A. Bodily exfoliation

During physical exfoliation, the flaky area of the skin is mechanically sloughed off using scrubs or other tools. The two most popular ways to physically exfoliate the skin are by using a toothbrush with soft bristles and lip scrubs.

Using a Toothbrush for Mechanical Exfoliation

The simplest way of exfoliating the lips entails gently sweeping the brush over the lips in circular motions to remove the dry skin. Make sure your lips are clean before exfoliating them. After wiping away any remaining lip gloss or lipstick, gently pat your lips dry before washing t hem with warm water. Apply gentle circular motions with a soft toothbrush to your lips without irritating or rupturing the skin. Apply a tiny layer of lip balm or another lip moisturiser after thoroughly patting your lips dry.

Exfoliation of the Skin Using a Homemade Lip Scrub

Ingredients:

• Granulated sugar, 3 teaspoons
• 1/2 tsp honey
• Olive oil, 1/2 tsp (or any oil of your choice)

Method:

• In a bowl, combine the ingredients and stir until a thick to semi-thick paste forms.
• Apply a small amount of the homemade formulas on your lips evenly with your fingers.
• For two to three minutes, scrape your lips in a circular motion with your fingers.
• After letting the paste sit for a bit, carefully wipe it off or wash it away.
• Use lip balm or any other moisturising lotion to moisturise your lips.

B. Chemo exfoliation

Exfoliation for lips also uses chemical formulations, much like chemical peels for the face. Dermatologists claim that mild AHAs are the finest for gently exfoliating lips. Chemical peels have been shown to be softer on the lips than mechanical exfoliation, despite the fact that it is a technique that necessitates a trip to the doctor’s office. This is because there is no chance of breaking the skin, unlike with mechanical exfoliation. Simply by removing the dead cells, it reveals softer, fuller-appearing lips. For lips that look softer between sessions, use a moisturising lip balm or oil.

The peels used for the face or other regions of the body would be too harsh on the lips because they are made of thinner layers of skin than the skin on our lips. A little peel, however, can produce immediate effects.

What Frequency Is Recommended for Lip Exfoliation?

According to widespread opinion, exfoliating your lips one to three times each week will be beneficial for you. No matter what you do, avoid over-exfoliating. If necessary, you should begin with once per week and work your way up to three. How much lipstick and other items you use during the week will determine this completely.

Although it may be tempting, avoid using harsh cleaners or scrubbing too vigorously. The skin on your lips is delicate and thin, if you recall what you read before. Thus, any harshness has the potential to irritate or injure.

Guidelines for Lip Exfoliation

• Be kind.
• Avoid over-exfoliating.
• Keep Your Lips Safe
• Exfoliate sparingly on dry skin
• Stop Being Annoyed
• Exfoliate exclusively at night.

What Should You Avoid When Exfoliating Lips?

Exfoliation is a delicate process; if done correctly, you can achieve your goal of having lips that seem soft, smooth, radiant, and shining. If something goes wrong, your lips will appear agitated, irritated, red, and angry. Here are some safety measures to take to strike the ideal balance between an exfoliating overload and a clean sweep:

• Breathe easily. Hard particles or strong chemical peels are not necessary.
• You must wait at least 60 minutes after exfoliating before applying makeup. As soon as you exfoliate, use a lip balm to calm things down.
• When your lips are sensitive, peeling, or flaky, avoid exfoliating. This has a negative net impact. When your lips hurt, avoid picking at them with a scrub because this will just exacerbate the problem by causing more sores and cracks. Give your skin a rest for a week or so instead, and in the meantime, use a lip balm with an ointment basis to lock in moisture and speed the healing of cracks and splits. Make another exfoliation effort once it has fully healed.
• Avoid using body scrubs on your lips. Tossing together a few ingredients from your cupboard just takes a few minutes. You may quickly exfoliate your lips with sugar and honey.

What Takes Place If You Exfoliate Your Lips Too Much?

One of the biggest blunders you may unknowingly make is over-exfoliating. It’s likely that your lips are begging for a rest if you apply exfoliators every day.

Typical symptoms of excessive exfoliation include:

A rise in sensitivity to other products you use on a regular basis

• Breakouts
• Inflammation
• Redness
• Irritation
• Peeling
• Burning

When Is It Safe to Exfoliate Your Lips Once More?

Exfoliation-related irritation is not unusual nor unheard of. It’s possible that you won’t feel it. If you do, you are not required to abstain from it permanently. You can carefully and gradually reinstate your preferred exfoliators and emollients into your routine once your lips have healed. Your skin’s return to normal can happen in as little as a few days or as much as a month, have patience.

Conclusion

It’s time to start your lip care routine if it isn’t already as extensive as your skincare routine. Keep in mind that there is still work to be done after exfoliation. Even when your skin is no longer dry and flaky, to keep your lips moisturised, supple, and soft, you must take continuous care of them.