Read my lips; taking care of your pout is just as important as taking care of the rest of your face, if not more so. The skin on your lips is thinner, meaning they are prone to dryness, chapping and wrinkling, which can age your face. But, with a targeted routine, you can keep them looking healthier and more plump, which in turn can lift your overall look. Here, we lay out our fool-proof routine to obtain the perfect pout.

Prep Your Pout

Like all routines, preparation is paramount. Begin by exfoliating your lips weekly. This is important not only to help remove flaking skin, prevent chapped lips, and stimulate blood flow, but it will also allow a more even application of your lipstick. Follow with a nutrient-rich mask packed with ingredients such as coconut oil to nourish your lips deeply.

High Maintenance

As with skin, you need to hydrate your lips daily. Whilst licking your lips when they’re dry might seem like a good quick fix, it will, in fact, dry them quicker as saliva is full of digestive enzymes that are too harsh for the delicate lip skin. But regular use of lip conditioners such as oils and balms can help. Oils tend to be lighter than traditional balms, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin, whereas a balm will just prevent them from drying out.

Plump It Up

The perfect quick fix, lip plumpers are packed with mild irritants that cause the blood vessels in the lips to expand, forcing a rush of blood flow to the area resulting in a mild and temporary swelling that leaves lips looking fuller. For an added benefit, look for versions that contain humectants, like hyaluronic acid and active ingredients, such as ceramides, collagen and peptides, to help smooth lip lines and wrinkles simultaneously.

SPF Your Smile

Similar to the rest of your skin, you should be using an SPF of 30 or more on your lips every day. Daily application will protect your lips’ delicate skin from sun damage such as darkening, ageing and wrinkling. In fact, SPF should be reapplied every two hours if you’re outdoors and after each time you eat, drink or even lick your lips.