No matter what lipsticks claim to do, they will slide, crack and crease if your lips aren’t properly prepped. And with winter coming up, it is more important than ever to give your pout major care.
According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), USA, our facial skin has 16 cellular layers whereas lips have between three to five. We already know that thin skin is more delicate and damage-prone. Our lips also lack sweat glands that means there are no natural oils to keep them moisturised. Therefore, you have to the hard work of providing them with enough hydration to keep them from drying and cracking. While you’re applying layers of moisturising salves, it is important to note that exfoliating your lips is just as essential. Like with skincare, balms tend to work better when the dead, dry skin has been sloughed off.
Below, find lush formulas in the balm business and kiss your dry lips goodbye…
Deyga Organics Beetroot Lip Balm, INR 290
Instead of just sitting on top of your lips, this tinted formula goes deep into the skin and heals it with a blend of emollients like almond, jojoba oil and shea butter. Bonus: It leaves behind a delicate pink flush on the lips.
Juicy Chemistry Blood Orange & Rosehip Lip Balm, INR 350
This incredibly nourishing balm is a mix of fatty acid-rich rosehip, blood orange that is chockfull of antioxidants and moisturising oils like avocado and almond. Leave it on overnight as a mask to wake up with softer lips.
Kama Ayurveda Almond and Coconut Lip Balm, INR 575
This lip balm is just as good as the brand’s cult-skincare. Packed with coconut, almond and castor oil, it is so deeply moisturising that a single application will be enough for the day.
Forest Essentials Cane Lip Scrub, INR 595
If you’re a victim of flakey lips, this scrub will be your sole saviour. It has AHA and fine, raw cane sugar that helps exfoliate dead skin cells.
Skog Lip Repair Oil, INR 580
Seabuckthorn oil, known for its collagen-boosting powers, teams up with healing calendula to repair sore lips. Wear it as is for a subtle sheen.
PIXI Nourishing Lip Polish, INR 1,200
This glossy shea butter-spiked lip formula does double duty as a scrub and balm. It comes with a slanted, spiked applicator (sounds painful but isn’t) that along with the tiny sugar crystals in the balm buffs away dead skin.
Photographs: Taras Taraporvala
