Lips feeling dry or lacklustre? It's easy to focus on skincare while forgetting to also give your lips the attention they deserve.
A consistent lip care routine can help keep them feeling soft, smooth, and comfortable throughout the day. To make getting started simple, we’ll take you through a daily routine with expert tips to help your lips look and feel their best.
Step-by-Step Lip Care Routine
When it comes to finding the best lip care routine, it doesn’t need to be complicated. Understanding the purpose of each step makes it easier to care for your lips consistently and work towards a smoother, softer appearance.
Read on to discover how to get soft lips with our five simple lip care steps.
Step One: Cleanse
As with any self-care routine, a fresh, clean base is important – and lip care is no different. Cleansing your lips is a simple first step, yet easy to forget and skip over. Just like your facial skincare routine, lips benefit from a targeted yet gentle cleansing step to remove daily buildup from impurities and lip products.
To begin cleansing, use a gentle face wipe such as the No7 Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes to ensure any surface makeup is removed.
For a deeper clean, follow up with a face cleanser that is gentle enough to also be used on the lips, such as the No7 Prime Forever™ Transformative Gel-Oil-Milk Cleanser. Formulated with our exclusive Glaciology™ technology that is rich in glow-boosting peptides and antioxidants, this cleansing step will help to refresh and hydrate the lips and prep them for the next steps in your lip care routine.
Step Two: Gently Exfoliate
A soft, damp cloth or a gentle lip scrub can help to remove dead skin cells and leftover buildup from the lips that may occur throughout the day. This creates a smoother base for subsequent lip products and allows better absorption of key ingredients. This can also help lip tints and stains apply more evenly.
Expert Tip: Avoid heavy scrubbing or applying too much pressure when exfoliating the delicate skin on the lips to avoid irritation. Adjust the frequency of lip exfoliation according to how your lips respond.
Step Three: Nourish With a Lip Mask
To condition and support hydration, opt for a rich mask to nourish the lips as part of your overnight routine. Certain lip masks can also be applied in the morning as an added surge of moisture and protective layer.
With ingredients like hyaluronic acid and shea butter, the No7 GOOD INTENT Silky Jelly Lip Mask works to visibly rejuvenate and deeply moisturize. The glossy, mirror-glaze finish also instantly revives the look of lips, helping them appear smoother and more conditioned immediately after application.
Expert Tip: For optimum results, coat your lips with this jelly mask before sleeping to make the most of your body's natural repair system and to allow the mask to work for several hours.
Step Four: Moisturize With Lip Balm
Using a hydrating lip balm is a must in any lip care routine to maintain softness and moisture throughout the day, whether you're locking in the magic of an overnight lip mask or refreshing your routine in the morning.
The No7 Hydraluminous Lip Balm features ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to help lips look plumper, while key ingredients like vitamin E aim to soothe and moisturize.
Each balm also comes in a selection of sheer shades from rich caramel to vibrant coral to add a subtle pop of color and shine, so you can soothe your lips without sacrificing your makeup look.
Step Five: Apply Lip Oil To Seal Hydration
Lip oils can create a flattering finish in your lip care routine, and applying oil over lip balm can help to lock in the moisturizing ingredients underneath.
The No7 Pro Artist Lip Shine Oil features a non-sticky, non-greasy formula with Vitamin E for added moisture and barrier protection. Its glassy glaze comes in a selection of shades, so you can opt for a subtle tint alongside your glass-like shine.
Expert Tip: Apply lip products with a heavier texture, such as lip oil, as the last step in your routine to allow lighter lip care products to absorb and nourish the lips.
Ready to wave goodbye to dry lips? Building your lip care routine with these simple steps can help you start every day with the softest lips possible. To add a pop of color to your newfound lip routine, explore our tips on how to apply lipstick like a pro.
