Healthy Lips

1. When navigating the cosmetics aisle, its hard enough finding the perfect shade of pink for your pretty pout. It gets harder still when you want to find a safe, nontoxic version that wont expose you to any potential health risks. While we encourage nontoxic versions of all cosmetics, its especially important to look for safe lipstick because the lips are a very sensitive part of the body, said Stacy Malkan, co founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosm .....

Coastal Classic Creations Canyon Lipstick

2. This warm, reddish brown lip hue contains USDA certified organic ingredients and has the lowest hazard rating possible in the Skin Deep Database. $22 and only .....

W3LL People Nudist Lipshine Stick

3. From a pretty pale pink to a pop of fuchsia, W3LL Peoples lipshine sticks offer a dose of color sans harmful chemicals. The products have extremely low toxicity. $23 at . .....

Leadfree Lipstick

4. It isnt a pretty story. An ingredient so toxic it isnt allowed in paint or gasoline may be lurking in your lipstick. Lead. You know that stuff that had everyone freaked last Christmas because it was in those toys from China That stuff. So, heres The Daily Green to the rescue. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics widely hailed study, they found 11 popular lipsticks with no detectable levels of lead. And heres the list! So why take the ch .....

Know thy balms

5. Look for hydrating ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, vitamin E and almond, jojoba or coconut oils. Good old petroleum jelly (think Vaseline) works well too. If you have sensitive skin, use camphor based medicated lip balms sparingly. (They can be irritating.) Instead, opt for the camphor free A?sop Rosehip Seed Lip Treatment with shea butter ($15; 888 223 2750). But if you have hearty skin, try ChapStick Medicated lip balm ($1.69; at drugst .....

Exfoliate when necessary

6. Lip exfoliators (products that contain fruit acid based alpha or beta hydroxy acids) slough off dead skin much like the ones youd use on your face, says New York dermatologist Dennis Gross, M.D. But if you have sensitive skin or your lips are severely chapped or cracked, use these products cautiously [no more than once weekly] as they do contain acids that can irritate skin, says Gross. (Signs of irritation intense stinging and/or persistent r .....

Protect

7. Lips are susceptible to sunburn since they lack melanin, the pigment that helps shield skin from the sun. Apply a layer of a sun protective product daily like Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 ($3; at drugstores) or look for a lipstick with SPF like Est?e Lauder Futurist SPF 15 ($17.50 steelauder.com), which comes in 22 shades. .....

Dont make matte forever

8. Matte lipsticks can be extremely drying (which helps these lipsticks stay put for so long). Thats why you should use them sparingly when your lips are extremely chapped. Instead, alternate use of them with hydrating lipsticks (as indicated by ingredients like vitamin E and/or glycerin) or add a layer of moisturizing lip balm underneath. Opt for the nonmatte, hydrating Ultima II Ultimate Edition Lipstick with primrose oil and vitamin E ($15; at dr .....

Lick the smacking habit

9. Licking your lips damages the protective barrier, which can dry out the lips, says Robert Brodell, M.D., a dermatologist in Warren, Ohio. (Saliva contains digestive enzymes that can break down this barrier.) Instead, regularly apply lip balm like La Mer The Lip Balm ($40; at Saks Fifth Avenue Stores). .....

Drink plenty of water

10. Staying hydrated is a great way to keep your lips moist, drink at least eight cups of water. Water helps to keep your skin clear, to say nothing of the benefit it will have on the rest of your skin. Avoid thick or dark colored lipsticks. A thinly applied, semi transparent lip stain will show off the texture of your lips, making them appear smoother. .....

Add moisture before sleep

11. Here are some suggestions Apply a little bit of baby oil your lips. Put it on before you go to bed. Put Chapstick on at night. Be aware that this isnt for every person; it can actually make lips drier for some users.EOS is great to apply when you either are going to sleep or going to begin your day. .....

Exfoliate your lips

12. Dip a plain toothbrush in petroleum jelly or Vaseline, then use it brush all the dead skin off your lips. Alternatively, mix a tablespoon of honey with enough sugar until you get a body scrub like texture, the scrub it across your lips with a toothbrush. Exfoliating will leave them smoother and make them look healthier. .....

Avoid eating salty foods that leave a buildup on your lips

13. Salt draws moisture out of things, which is why people use it to dry and preserve meat. Eating Cheetos, for example, will leave a salty orange powder around your mouth, causing your lips to dry out. .....

Moisturize your Lips

14. Dryness and chapping of Lips is one big turn off and if its not treated at the right time, it causes dark and pigmented lips. Keep a Lip balm always handy, and apply it frequently throughout the day. Lip balms are addictive, so choose them wisely. Avoid Petrolatum or Petroleum based Lip balms as they dont turn out beneficial in the long run. Check for Ingredients like Natural Beeswax, Cadillac Wax, Glycerine, Almond Oil and Vitamin E in your balm .....

Hydrate yourself to keep your lips hydrated too

15. Hydration brings out a pinkish tinge and a juicy look to the lips, while dry lips look exactly the opposite, dark and dull. Keeping yourself hydrated will combat the dryness on the lips irrespective of the season. Only external application of Moisture is not sufficient, internal hydration is important as well. .....

Coat you Lips with a Chap stick or Lip balm before applying lipstick

16. This will ensure you that your lips are moisturized in spite of the Lipstick on. Apply a lipgloss for a juicy pout or even a Lip salve. Avoid Matte lipsticks as they make the lips tad dry. Opt for Cr?me finish or Satin finish, and make sure you moisturize your lips well before applying lipsticks and glosses. .....

Scrub a dub dub

17. Lip scrubbing helps you to get rid of the Dead cells, resulting in soft kissable lips. There are ways of Scrubbing lips, you can simply slather your lips with Plain, heavy Lip balm or even clarified butter before retiring and scrub of the dead cell with a tooth brush next morning while brushing. Make a Sugar lips scrub, mix in some granulated sugar with Petroleum jelly or your Lip balm, mix it well and apply a layer on your lips. Scrub your lips .....

Stay away from Dark Colours

18. Dark and pigmented Lipsticks may snatch the pinkish tinge from your lips, eventually leading to pigmented lips. Use Soft Colours or even Nudes. Also well known Brands should be used for Lips as they may contain toxins that can harm your lips. .....

Rose Petals for soft pink lips

19. Crush some Rose petals and add a teaspoon of honey to it. If your lips are pigmented, add a teaspoon of Milk powder to it. Apply this mixture to your lips for 10 15 minutes and wipe off with damp cotton and follow up with your Lip balm. Rose adds a Pinkish tint on the lips while Milk powder and Honey lightens the Lips. Regular or Daily application is necessary to keep your lips soft and pink.With these simple and easy tips and remedies, its very .....

Hands Off

20. When it comes to our lips, were our own worst enemy. A lot of our habits can lead to lip dryness, soreness and irritation.Licking your lips feels great. It cools them down but it also makes your problem much worse. Your saliva evaporates quickly, leaving them drier than before, and the enzymes that help your saliva clean your mouth and digest food are much too harsh for your lips. Avoid breathing with an open mouth. Its bad, and not just because .....

Eat a Healthy Diet

21. Have you ever noticed that your eating habits sometimes seem to soothe your complexion? Or that your skin might react poorly to a junk food bender? Make no mistake your diet is a big factor in your lips condition. Your lips are dependent on a steady intake of vitamins and minerals, so stick to healthy, nutrient dense foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Vitamins B and E are especially important for healthy lips and skin. Do you resort to a tu .....

Use the Right Lip Balm

22. Look for a product with a base of beeswax, petroleum jelly or paraffin. These seal in moisture and wont evaporate as quickly as thinner balms or glosses. For extremely irritated lips, aloe vera is a good ingredient. This plants soothing properties are often used to heal sensitive sunburns, and its also safe to ingest. Sunscreen is also crucial, even in winter. Another tip your lip balm will be a lot more effective if theres no buildup in the way .....

Exercise Your Lips

23. How far would you go for a perfect, heart shaped mouth? For many people, the invasive idea of implants or injections is too much. Think about it how healthy is it to have fat or silicone pumped into your lips? If youre determined to perk up your face, dedicate a few minutes a day to lip therapy and other facial exercises. The right routine can increase blood circulation, which will give you a healthy glow, and it can improve the tone, texture an .....

Know When to See a Doctor

24. If minor lip woes get worse or dont go away on their own, its probably time to get medical help. Some lip problems, such as those caused by infection or poor nutrition, require a doctors intervention. If youre also suffering from problems like fatigue or frequent headaches, your cracked lips might be just one indicator of a bigger problem, like a vitamin or mineral deficiency. It takes supreme willpower to overcome the urge to soothe a cracked or .....

Serious Lip Service

25. What anti dry lip arsenal would be complete without a lip balm of some sort Lip balms can bring a smile to even the sorest dry lips; they build a barrier between your lips mucus membranes and the outside world, helping lock must have moisture in. Remember to apply just a thin coat of lip balm dont gob it on, because that might tempt you to lick off the excess and we already learned why that was a bad idea. Also, its important to get a lip balm o .....

Moisturise your lips

26. It is very important to keep your lips hydrated and moisturised at all times. Dry and chapped lips look shabby and unkempt. When you are going out during the day, it is essential to apply some sun protection or petroleum jelly on your lips. If you are indoors then use some cocoa butter, which is an effective natural remedy for getting pink lips. .....

Stay hydrated

27. For beautiful and naturally pink lips, it is very important that you always keep your body hydrated. It is best to increase your water intake and include a lot of fresh fruit juices in your diet as it would keep your lips healthy and soft. .....

Never lick your lips

28. One thing that most people tend to do when they feel their lips are getting dry and chapped is to lick them. Before you plan to do the same, it is best to hold that tongue back in your mouth because you are just going to make it worse for your lips. Avoid the temptation of licking your lips as it would just leave your lips more dry and dull. .....

Quit smoking

29. Smoking is one of the major reasons why your lips become dark and dull. Naturally, one of the homemade remedies for lightening dark lips also includes finding a motivation for quitting smoking. Besides, if you quit smoking, you will also be enjoying in terms of other health benefits as well, such as a longer life and healthy lungs. So, where is the harm, we say? .....

Magic of pomegranate seeds

30. Crush the seeds of pomegranates and blend it well with milk cream. Now, apply it on your lips. This is one of the best homemade remedies for lightening dark lips. However, since it is a natural remedy, the change in the colour of your lips will not be overnight but gradual. So, be patient. .....

Oiling the belly button

31. Here is an age old home remedy of keeping your lips naturally pink and healthy. Apply a few drops of desi ghee or mustard oil in your belly button (navel), before going to sleep. Those who have dry, chapped, or dark lips will see visibly effective results if they follow this natural tip, regularly. .....

Massage the lips

32. Massaging your lips every day is a very good habit that helps in lighten dark lips, in a short span of time. Make a lip balm out of almond oil and lemon juice, and massage your lips with that every night for a few minutes before going to bed. .....

Scrub your lips

33. Scrubbing your lips is one of the best natural remedies for getting pink lips without spending on expensive cosmetics. At night, before you hit the bed, use a soft toothbrush to scrub your lips. This will not only help to remove the dry chapped skin from the lips but will also keep your lips soft. .....