A DIY Lip Mask to Soothe and Smooth Dry Lips

Dry, cracked lips are the worst, especially when all you want to do is wear a fun, bright—and matte—lipstick. Take care of your lips the way you would take care of your skin with exfoliation, hydration, and sun protection. Another skin care trick that works great on our lips? A mask! Read on for expert tips on how to care for your pout in the summer months and get our recipe for a DIY lip mask to help soothe and smooth dry lips...your favorite summer lipstick will thank you.

“The skin on our lips is unique: it has the same three layers as the rest of our bodies, but the stratum corneum—the skin’s outermost layer—is thinner on the lips than anywhere else on the body. Add that to no sebaceous glands—the skin’s built-in moisturizers—and we need to lavish a little extra care on our lips,” says The Body Shop’s Beauty Botanist, Jennifer Hirsch. She recommends using treatments like The Body Shop Lip Scuff. Formulated with moisturizing marula oil and protective natural waxes, this lip scruff helps to gently exfoliate the lips, removing any build up of dead skin and prepping your pout for a hydrating lip mask.

In this do-it-yourself recipe, yogurt steals the show. “The creamy, fermented, dairy treat is packed with lactic acid,” Hirsch tells us. “Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates by dissolving dead skin cells, lifting them away from the skin’s surface, all without scrubbing,” Hirsch says. “What’s left behind is smoother, fresher skin.”

In addition to lactic acid, yogurt is also known for its probiotic properties. “Probiotics, like yogurt, can help create a healthy gut” Hirsch explains. “Science is showing that the balancing effect applies to spreading probiotics—like, yogurt—on the skin as well. ” Hirsch finds that yogurt is a great—and gentle—way to provide the lips with the above benefits, as well as a little hydration. When combined with raw honey—a humectant that can draw moisture to the skin—and refreshing cucumber, you’ve got yourself a fabulous recipe for a DIY lip mask.

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates by dissolving dead skin cells, lifting them away from the skin’s surface, all without scrubbing. What’s left behind is smoother, fresher skin.

• ½ teaspoon of raw honey
• 1 teaspoon of yogurt
• ¼ teaspoon, or 2-3 drops of cucumber juice

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small dish and apply to freshly exfoliated lips.
2. Leave on for 5-10 minutes before removing with a soft cloth soaked in lukewarm water.
3. Follow up with a hydrating moisturizer or oil—our favorite is coconut oil—and don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your pout before heading outside.