Lip care today is more than merely applying lip balm. Walk into a cosmetics shop, supermarket, or drugstore, and you will find a plethora of products for your pout alone. From lip balms to scrubs and masks – the options are endless!

And now, as it begins to get cool and crisp outdoors, it’s time to start paying a little more attention to your lips. Just like the rest of your skin, they will suffer from the change in weather and need some extra TLC. So, how do you know which products to pick to keep your lips hydrated when this happens?

Like skincare, lip care starts at the essence: ingredients.

As if reading a menu before ordering a meal, ingredients on labels matter. What we consume for overall health goes hand-in-hand with what we apply to the skin and lips.

We compiled a recipe of ingredients for this season and all year round to keep your pout dewy and moisturized all season long.

Label Check: Familiar, Common, and Under-The-Radar-Get To Know These 8 Ingredients For Your Lips

1. Natural Oils

Natural oils have taken the beauty world by storm. From coconut to jojoba, there are many options that suit different needs. They are common as they are beneficial and versatile in caring for the lips, skin, and hair.

While rosehip oil is good to combat anti-aging, castor oil and virgin, unrefined coconut oil are humectants, meaning they are natural moisturizers and promote hydration. They effectively seal moisture and protect the lips from environmental aggressors. When applied before bedtime, they provide long-lasting hydration that can be reaped the next morning.

Natural oils also have antibacterial properties and moisturization that keep them supple during hot summers to cold winters.

Fair warning: it can cause sun sensitivity, so be sure to wear sunscreen after applying products with natural oils (or any product for that matter) before stepping outside.

2. Beeswax

Dating back to its use in Ancient Egypt, beeswax is a byproduct of bees making their hive. It’s known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help heal cuts and wounds. Not only does beeswax retain moisture on the lips, but it also protects it by adding a barrier to the elements.

While some ingredients in ancient medicine are considered outdated, some more harmful than beneficial, beeswax is a mainstay. That’s why it’s a key ingredient in many modern lip balms. And that’s why you’ll find beeswax as a vital ingredient in our Lip Butter.

3. Vitamins & Minerals

If you look carefully, vitamins and minerals can also be found in cosmetic products. Often, they are in the form of butter or oil. For example, vitamin E is derived from vegetable oils and used as an antioxidant. It helps to moisturize and heal chapped lips by stimulating collagen production.

That’s why they’re formulated in body lotion, make-up, moisturizers, serums to lip balms. Along with Vitamins A, C, and D, they are antioxidants that help in cell growth and provide essential nutrients to help maintain healthy skin.

4. Shea Butter

Exactly like its name, Shea Butter is butter good for the skin. It is rich in fatty acids and high in vitamins such as vitamin E.

Shea butter can work short-term but also has lasting benefits. As an emollient, not only does it hydrate the lips, but it also smoothens the texture with frequent wear.

Plus, it aids in the healing of chapped lips. But why wait when that happens? Vanity Vault’s SunnaSmile Coconut Sea Salt Lip Balm is infused with shea butter and other natural ingredients good for the lips.

5. Ceramide or Plant-based (phytoceramide) Forms

If mortar is one of the building blocks to hold up a structure, ceramide is for the skin. Ceramides are made up of long-chain lipids and fatty acids that act like glue. It is our natural barrier that prevents harmful elements from entering our bodies.

Although our natural ceramides lessen in age, fret not! A wide range of ceramide-containing products is available in the market today that replicate the make-up of what we naturally have.

Whether in warm or chilly weather, make ceramide a staple for this and every season!

6. Glycerin or Vegetable Glycerin

Did you know that almost all products available contain glycerin? We’re talking about moisturizers, body lotion, lip masks–the works.

Glycerin is derived from plants, animals, or petroleum. Just like natural oils and beeswax–humectants like glycerin work best in dry and cold seasons.

So, next time you head out the door, you can skip the lipstick if glycerin is part of your lip care routine. It will give your lips a natural tint of color and a healthy sheen.

7. Sea Salt

More than just a seasoning, salt, particularly sea salt, is gaining traction in skin and lip care.

Salt in itself, and in healthy amounts, keeps the body hydrated. The same goes for the use of this under-the-radar skin ingredient. When used in scrubs, it helps to buff away dead skin cells, dirt, and debris that can clog pores. As a result, your lips appear softer, smoother, and more hydrated.

But perhaps sea salt’s defining property is its benefit to oral health, preventing bacteria buildup. A cup of warm water and a dash of sea salt is a quick home remedy for sore throat.

Add Vanity Vault’s SunnaSmile Coconut Sea Salt Mouthwash to your regimen for a dazzling smile.

8. Zinc Oxide

The lips are constantly on the front lines, whatever the season. But, it is sometimes overlooked, especially in terms of sun protection.

While other ingredients hydrate and moisturize, zinc oxide is a skin protectant. This means that when used as a sunscreen or incorporated into a lip balm, it reflects harmful UVA and UVB rays, preventing serious skin damage and conditions.

The best part, protection from sun damage helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Improving skin health means protecting it, too.

TENDER LOVING LIP CARE THIS SEASON

Before you swipe on the boldest rouge perfect for the upcoming Thanksgiving celebrations, make time to prep your lips. A good lip care routine should be as much of a priority as taking care of the skin on your face. So, whatever your personal regimen is, don’t forget to show your lips some TLC.

Now that you know what ingredients to look out for, we hope this gives you a better idea of how to keep your pout dewy and moisturized. Browse Vanity Vault’s online store to stock up on lip products in time for fall. After all, the perfect pout deserves the perfect care.