02.06.08
Give 'Em Some Lip!
By LaToyah Burke
Associate Editor
Consumers care deeply about their lips, craving protection from the cold winter air that can oftentimes produce dry, cracked skin. Protection is also needed in the summer months when dry, humid air can wreak havoc on sun burned lips. Many formulas range from ultra light to spread evenly and penetrate deeply – to thicker consistencies that provide moisturizing properties and protection.
Mary Kay NouriShine Lip Gloss |
“When I treat a patient for dry lips, the first thing I try to determine is what this patient might be doing or not doing that could be contributing to the problem,” said Margaret E. Parsons, MD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California at Davis in a press release.
“In some cases, it might be a new lipstick that contains an ingredient irritating to the skin or an anti-aging facial product that inadvertently comes in contact with the lips that could be the culprit," said Dr. Parsons. “Or, someone might be working outdoors or participating in sports and not protecting their lips from wind and sun damage with a lip balm, especially one with sunscreen. Once we determine the cause, there are some simple, tried-and-true treatments that work well for most patients.”
Keeping lips covered with a good lip balm applied several times during the day is a good way to ward off dry, chapped, lips. Avoid licking lips and don’t bite the skin on the surface of lips to further combat the weather’s effects. Lip balms are now commonly available with an SPF factor as well to protect them from the harmful rays.
“Higher quality lip balms have become an essential accessory to the active lifestyles of today, making lip balms one of the fastest growing product segments in the skin care category,” said George P. Russell, CEO of Stamford, CT-based Lornamead, creator of LypSyl.
LypSyl has a light consistency. |
The special LypSyl blend is noticeable to lip balm users. LypSyl’s light consistency products offer hope versus other lip balms, which can be thick and waxy. Most conventional lip products are petroleum based. The petroleum molecules create a slick over the lips, but, are too large to penetrate the skin, and therefore cannot promote true healing according to the company.
Eco Lips, Cedar Rapids, IA, organic lip balm is a petroleum free treatment. It has 70 percent certified organic ingredients, such as beeswax, calendula, jojoba oil and peppermint oil.
“When working outdoors or engaging in sports, men and women should apply a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher year-round to protect their lips from sun damage,” said Dr. Parsons.
Eco Lips’ SPF 15 and 30 formulas offer further defense against the elements. And, what’s more, Eco Lips offers the Eco Clip to attach to your bag or belt loop. To encourage recycling, Eco Lips offers a free Eco Lip product for every five empty containers returned to the company.
An exfoliating, anti-aging and hydrating lip treatment, Mary Kay Satin Lips Lip Mask contains miniature beads that gently, yet effectively, exfoliate dead surface skin cells that cause the lips to appear dull and lifeless. Simply apply mask to lips, leave on for 1-2 minutes and then remove. Satin Lips Lip Balm should be applied after to finish off the lips with a soft gloss look.
For the fashionista who wants lip protection with a splash of color, Mary Kay NouriShine Lip Gloss is enriched with 80% moisturizers to soften, smooth and soothe lips.
Mary Kay NouriShine Lip Gloss glides on to deliver maximum comfort and maximum shine in 10 rich shades. Its light formula provides long-lasting, rich color and brilliant shine while it smoothes and softens lips and never feels sticky.
The NouriShine formula is enhanced with more than 80% moisturizers and conditioners including aloe, protecting lips from dehydration and locking in moisture, leaving lips soft and supple.
Fortified with vitamins A and E and other antioxidants, NouriShine forms a protective defense against wrinkle-causing free radicals and exposure to the environment and helps restore a youthful smile – all with a high-gloss shine and on-trend sparkling colors. NouriShine is available in 10 shades to wear alone or layer over lipstick: Beach Bronze, Berry Sparkle, Coral Rose, Cream & Sugar, Gold Rush, Melon Sorbet, Pink Diamonds, Starry, Sugarberry and Sweet Raisin.
“Caring for lips shouldn’t be an after-thought,” added Dr. Parsons. “By incorporating good lip care into an overall skin care regimen, consumers can maintain healthy lips, avoid some of the common sources of irritation and protect the lip area from possible skin cancers.”