For centuries, the lips have tempted thoughts and inspired artists to rapturous heights. Just imagine, Leonardo da Vinci spent an incredible 12 years perfecting the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa. The Egyptians and Greeks first used mineral preparations to highlight the mouth and eyes. Still today, archaeology excavation teams continue to uncover artifacts that point to the value of makeup enhancement in ancient cultures. But even before lipstick comes basic lip health.

Soft, hydrated lips require special maintenance because lip-skin is thin and loses moisture easily. Lips are primary mucous membranes. They are low in melanin, a naturally occurring pigment that protects the skin on other parts of the body against sun damage. These characteristics make lips vulnerable to cracking, flaking, blistering and chapping, especially during harsh weather conditions.

Prime Your Pucker

To promote cushion-soft chops, incorporate one or more of the following suggestions into your beauty regimen:

In the morning, use a soft toothbrush or terrycloth and a bit of moisturizing cream to gently slough off dry skin and hydrate at the same time. Try not to swallow any goo.

Throughout the day, spread on a moisture-rich lipstick. If you spend a great deal of time outdoors, don’t skimp on the salve. Just as too much sun dries the rest of your body, so can it affect the lips.

Drink plenty of water, at least half a glass every couple of hours, to replenish the body’s water stores. If your home has central heating or is air conditioned, consider investing in a humidifier to combat dry air.

Add a multivitamin to your dietary program. Vitamin deficiencies, particularly a lack of B-complex vitamins or iron, can cause scaly lips and cracking at the corners. Evening primrose oil, which contains linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid vital for healthy skin, can be taken as a supplement, as can vitamin A, also known to fortify and protect skin tissue. Use as directed.

Before going to bed, touch up your lips with an extra-rich product. You’ll get an intense nightly treatment as the skin’s healing cycle kicks in during the sleeping hours.

Kiss Chapping Goodbye

It’s natural to want to lick your lips when they feel dry, but when the saliva evaporates, it takes some of your lips’ own moisture with it. This habit is typically worse during times of cold and flu; when you’re sick, you tend to breathe through your mouth, which dries out the lips and ups your lip-licking tendency. Instead, liberally apply a natural lip balm to both prevent and treat chapped lips.

Look for moisturizing ingredients such as vitamins A and E, aloe, avocado oil, hemp, jojoba, camomile and cocoa and shea butter. Calendula and aloe products will reduce inflammation, while tea tree and peppermint help prevent infection. The Natural Lips lip line by Aubrey Organics is made with no artificial colours or synthetics and uses an essential fatty acid base to keep lips hydrated and protected. Another favourite is the Dr Hauschka Lip Care Stick, which is all natural and contains extracts of rose hips, carrot and rose petals.

If your dry, damaged lips don’t respond to continued treatment, you may want to contact a natural health-care practitioner. You could be allergic to an ingredient in your toothpaste, makeup or mouthwash. Cinnamon-flavoured products and some tartar-control toothpastes are especially known to cause irritation.

Keep in mind that, just like snowflakes, no two lip-prints are exactly the same. So, it’s important to develop a lip-care routine that works just for you. Truly, the results are well worth the effort. An enthusiastic kiss can burn up to 50 kJ of energy in just a few minutes and exercise up to 30 muscles!

Do-It-Yourself Lip Tip

Some people choose to create their own lip-care line. Try the following recipe (discovered in an online beauty club) in your own kitchen. Most ingredients are commonly found in health food stores and natural skin-care shops.

Lip Gloss Soother

1 tsp (5 ml) grated cocoa butter
1/4 tsp (1 ml) grated beeswax
1/2 tsp (2 ml) coconut oil
1/2 tsp (2 ml) almond oil
1/4 tsp (1 ml) honey
1/4 tsp (1 ml) aloe
A few drops liquid lanolin
A few drops vitamin E oil

In a small saucepan, melt cocoa butter, beeswax, coconut oil and almond oil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and swiftly whisk in honey, aloe, liquid lanolin and vitamin E oil. Pour the mixture into a small glass container and give it a final stir before it hardens.

Source: alive #232, February 2002