For kissing, pursing, sipping champagne and more, there’s nothing sexier than a beautiful mouth with soft, smooth, plump lips. During cold weather months, dry, chilly air can wreak havoc on the lips’ tender skin, causing chapping, cracking and peeling. Unsightly for sure, but damaged lips can also be painful. There are tons of products on the market to help with healing, but time, hydration (a good lip balm) and eating well can all aid. An expert quoted by Women’s Health recently talked about how keeping lips moist and pretty requires the body to “constantly replace old skin cells with new ones.” What might help “regulate turnover so that it happens all the time?” Walnuts. Packed with Omega-3 fats, walnuts and fish are considered foods that may help ensure healthy lips.
Walnuts are meaty, distinctly flavored and rich in polyunsaturated fats. Technically, walnuts are the seed of a drupe, not a true botanical nut, and they’re the oldest known tree food, dating back to 10,000 B.C. Considered medicinal, walnuts are said to help battle bad breath, reduce inflammation and heal wounds. Introduced to California in the 1700s, walnuts have long been a popular salad ingredient.
One serving of walnuts, one ounce, is about 12-14 shelled halves or ¼-cup. Cracked and eaten out of hand, walnuts are also delicious added to yogurt and baked goods, or tossed onto oatmeal.
In addition to eating walnuts to enhance lip health, there are some great treatment and cosmetic products on the market. Lip scrubs made with fine sugar and emollients are great for helping reduce dry, flaky skin. Best done in the shower, gently rub a small amount of scrub across closed lips, taking care to rinse well and gently pat dry. Follow with a lip balm in the morning before lipstick, and slather some on again at night before bed.
With lips in top condition, statement-making and trendy matte lip creams look especially beautiful. Even those who only wear a bit of color or gloss will see improvement in lip texture and product staying-power.
From designer to drugstore, there are exfoliators, balms and treatments for all.
Super Scrubs:
French Girl Organic Rose Lip Polish
Fresh Sugar Lip Polish
Bliss Fabulips Sugar Lip Scrub
Sarah Happ the Lip Scrub
Tarte Maracuja Lip Exfoliant
Lush Lip Scrub (bubblegum, popcorn and mint flavors)
Best Balms:
Sarah Happ The Lip Slip One Luxe Balm
Dior Crème de Rose
Chantecaille Lip Potion Balm
Rodin Olio Lusso Lip Balm
By Terry Baume de Rose
Glossier Balm Dotcom
Lite+Cycle Organic Lip Save
Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream
Maybelline Baby Lips
eos Lip Balm
Love List
Aesop A Rose by Any Other Name Body Cleanser
Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe – Shade 3
SK-II treatment Essence
Odacite A Spring in Tokyo Purifying Serum
Rodin Olio Lusso Luxe Lipstick in Billie on The Bike
Chanel Glossimer in 03 Glaze
