With the colder months having now arrived and the heating back on, I find that my lips are drier than ever and that I need to take much more notice an much more care of them. I am also prone to cold sores which is the bane of my life, they are unsightly, they are sore and they are irritating.
The lips and mouth are one of the most important features on the face. No one really needs to be greeted by lips which are dry, chapped, cracked and flaking. Given we use them to eat, speak, kiss and express ourselves, we really should tak good care of them. In order to ensure I keep my lips soft, supple and smooth rather than dry, cracked, chapped and sore, I am sharing with you some of my favourite and most reached for products.
I am never without a lip scrub, for me it is a fundamental part of my lip care routine and nine times out of ten, it will be from Lush - either Mint Julips or Bubblegum. The idea with these scrubs is that they are soft enough not to scratch and irritate your lips but are abrasive enough to remove any dead and dry skin cells. Easy to use you simply wet your lips slightly (well I do) and then using your index finger, which again needs to be wet, you dab it into your lip scrub pot and then gently rub it across your lips in a circular motion. As you do this, you will find that it does remove all that horrid skin that is just sitting there. I also use my lip scrub before applying any lipstick which clings to the smallest piece of dry skin too!
SoreFix is another product I like to have around. Using a unique Zinc formulation, SoreFix not only treat scold sore symptoms, but also prevent cold sore outbreaks. The zinc salts encapsulates herpes virus infected cells, preventing them from affecting healthy cells. This allows SoreFix lip balm to effectively treat the symptoms and reduce the severity before the virus spreads. Discreet and invisible, the last time I had a coldsore, the tingling sensation on my top lip was a sign a cold sore was on its way, usually once it has arrived it stays around for up to 2 weeks, with Sorefix it was gone within 5 days. It also has SPF30 which really impressed me and this is a product I would highly recommend to anyone who is, like me, a sufferer.
Lip Balms come in all different shapes and sizes and I keep them everywhere - on my desk, in every handbag, my desk drawer, my make up bag, the bed side table and even in the bathroom. I am never without 2 or 3 at any one time and am constantly using them. Today I am sharing some of my favourites which reach across a wide price bracket and are all superb.
Balmi Lip Balms. I am quite obsessed with the Baby
Balmi Balms which you can find in Primark for around £2. They have a unique formula which uses a special blend of Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E to help keep your lips moisturised, soft and smooth. I have Fresh Mint and Summer Berry flavours.
Burt's Bees. I adore Burt's Bees and I love the lip balms which comes in a variety of flavours and my current obsession is this new Ginger Spice balm which smells just like freshly cooked Gingerbread. It is 100% natural and contains no parabens, phthalates, SLS or petrolatum.
EOS Smooth Stick Balm. As well as the round Balms I also like the stick balms which I pick up in my local Pharmacy and they are just brilliant. I adore the mint shade which gives you a sharp blast of peppermint and when applied to the lips it is instantly cooling and soothing. This balms is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil. Priced around £4.99 they are good value for money.
Lanolips is a brand that if you haven't yet tried, then you need too. Lanolin is 100% natural & animal cruelty free. It’s found on the wool of sheep that helps keep their coat protected and dry throughout the year. I am a huge fan of the original 101 Ointment which is a bit of a superbalm and as the name suggests, has 101 uses! For the purpose of using it on my lips, it delivers extreme hydration and is quick to soothe and smooth. All you need to do is smooth it between your fingers and then apply to your lips. It also makes a perfect base before the application of lipstick! You can find Lanolips in a variety of stores such as Boots and online for around £10.99.
Rodial STEMCELL Super-food Glam Balm Multi. This is one product from Rodial that I always grab if it is a freebie on any magazine. Some have described the texture as being similar to that of Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream. Once it is released from the tube onto your finger, the texture melts slightly and becomes almost an oil and on the lips it moisturises, hydrates and soothes. It uses High tech Alp Rose Stem Cells which is highly resistant to UV rays and can preserve the skin as well as 3D Hyaluronic Filling Spheres which help to increase cell vitality and quickly reduce the look of fine lines. As well as being used on the lips, this balm can be used as a moisturiser, eye mask, cuticle balm and for many other areas. You can find this product for around £12 here at ASOS.
Dr Lipp's Original Nipple Balm. Another multiuse product and one that I find myself repurchasing time and time again. Whenever I have a cold or the flu, my lips feel dehydrated and really quite gross and the one product that helps relieve that without question is this one and I absolutely love it. As the name might suggest Dr.Lipp was originally developed as a nipple balm for breastfeeding women because of its ultra hydrating & hypoallergenic multipurpose properties. Dr.Lipp has many benefits both medical and for beauty and is ideal for dry cuticles, dry skin patches, burns and abrasions, severely chapped lips, sore nipples, split ends, eczema, babies’ bottoms, and much much more. It costs just £12 per tube and in my opinion is worth every penny. I get mine from LookFantastic.
ByTerry Baume de Rose. This balm is delicately scented with Rose and smells just absolutely incredible. The most expensive of all my lip products, it is designed to Repair, nourish and revitalise your lips (and can be used on your cuticles). Using Shea butter for soothing and healing it does leave your lips feeling deliciously smooth, there is also the use of ceramides and vitamin E help to protect and fortify this delicate area against the signs of ageing. At £39 it isn't cheap but it is amazing.
So that is my ultimate lip care product guide and what I use to ensure my lips are kept in tip top condition rather than dry, sore, chapped and unsightly! Can you spot a favourite of yours among my list?
*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise
