For those of us with lip piercings, winter can be a pretty rough season. Dry lips are an ongoing issue year round, but during the cold season chapping and irritation can be especially brutal, ruining the look and enjoyment of our favorite piercings. Don’t worry though, because we’ve got some tips on how to care for your smoochers at home that’ll turn your winter frown upside down.
1. Exfoliate
Exfoliating your lips with a sugar scrub is a great way to gently remove dead skin, exposing the radiant layer below and leaving your pout feeling soft and refreshed. Thankfully there’s an easy all natural way to do this right in your own kitchen. All you’ll need is:
1 tablespoon of brown sugar (use finer caster sugar if your lips are especially sensitive)
2 teaspoons of honey
1 teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil (or evoo if preferred)
A resealable jar or tin
Just stir the ingredients together in a small bowl, add a couple drops of almond or vanilla if you like for scent, mix well, and pour into your container. When you use it, rub the scrub into your lips for several seconds, let sit for about a minute, then wash it off gently with water. Instant softness.
2. Invest in a sea salt wash or spray
These products are formulated with mineral rich sea salt, which not only assists with the healing of piercings and cuts, but also increases circulation to the effected area, boosts healthy cell regeneration, and helps the skin stay moisturized from the inside out. Use your spray as directed in the area of your lip piercing(s), and dryness/irritation will be a thing of the past.
3. Moisturize and Protect
Even with sea salt products in the mix, it’s always a good idea to regularly moisturize the lip area with balm. This is another smile aid that can be easily concocted at home with a few simple ingredients. You’ll need:
2 tablespoons of beeswax pellets, pastilles, or shavings
2 tablespoons of oil (extra virgin coconut or olive work best)
1 tablespoon of cocoa butter, shea butter, or petrolatum
1 teaspoon of honey
1 to 2 drops of natural food coloring for tint if desired
Combine your ingredients in the top pot of a double boiler or a glass jar laid in a pot of simmering water. Stir well until fully blended (don’t worry if it’s very liquidy), and pour into pots, jars, tubes, or sealable containers. Leave to harden.
Now your lip piercings are looking fab, and you’re ready to pucker up under the mistletoe.
