DIY: Lip Exfoliation

You may already know that your lips benefit from an occasional exfoliation, but let's face it: how often do we give our lips the attention they need? Sometimes a little more than balm and an SPF are required.

Before you even consider running out and buying a pricey lip exfoliant, though - such as Laura Mercier Lip Silk, $20, or Peter Thomas Roth Lips to Die for, $60 - consider all the options you can try at home first.

Maybe you've heard of one or two of these methods before, but I'd like to share the best tips I've found both online and in my own bathroom. Many are so simple that you can incorporate them into your routine without any trouble at all - and some require you to be a little more creative. Read on for your most kissable lips on a budget!

Step 1: Prep

Just like with the skin on the rest of your body, preparing before exfoliating does a lot of good. Your lips should be moist and soft before you attack it with anything that could be damaging, or else you could hurt them, and the exfoliation might be much less effective.

• Take a shower - I've found the best time to exfoliate lips is after a shower, when the skin is softest and dead cells are most easily removed. It isn't always possible to shower, though, I know!

• Place a warm, damp washcloth or hand towel over your lips for a few minutes, until soft.

Step 2: Exfoliate

Now comes the fun part! There are several methods to doing this, so you can try whatever is easiest or most appealing to you.

• Run your toothbrush under warm water. Place a drop of toothpaste or Vaseline on it, then massage your lips with the brush in small, gentle, circular motions. You can also try without using any product, if the skin is soft enough. Just make sure you're being very gentle - you don't want to make your lips sore or bleed! Continue massaging for 1-2 minutes, or as long as you feel comfortable. Rinse the toothbrush very well after. I recommend buying a new, soft-bristled brush just for your lips - they're cheap!

• Take a warm, damp washcloth. Place it over one finger, and use this as your tool to massage your lips carefully in the same circular motions mentioned above. The rough texture of the washcloth will help buff away rough dead skin. This method seems the most gentle, but may not be the most effective.

• Mix baking soda with water and apply it as a paste to your lips. Salt is also suggested by some, but be careful with it, since it can be rougher.

• Take some of your lip balm and mix some sugar into it, then use as a scrub with your fingertips

• If you don't mind getting a little messy, try a scrub of honey and sugar - just a few drops will work. Honey acts as a natural moisturizer, humectant, and anti-irritant, so the scrub will be very gentle on your lips - and yummy, too!

Step 3: Moisturize & Protect

This is one step you should do every day already, but it's especially important after exfoliating. Your skin will have less protection against the environment and the sun and needs extra moisture. Always apply a moisturizing lip balm, preferably with an SPF of 5 or more (try Neutrogena MoistureShine Soothing LipSheers with SPF 20 for a lipstick feel, or MoistureShine Lip Soother Cooling Hydragel with SPF 20 for a glossy shine). If you don't mind using Vaseline, put a balm under it and thinly coat to keep moisture in overnight and get perfectly soft lips.

Always limit your sun exposure in the summer, regardless of whether or not you're exfoliating often - it just makes good skincare sense! :)

I hope this helped someone, and that you're willing to give a few of these a try. If you do, let me know how it works out.

Do you have any great methods for lip exfoliation? Share!


Images: drugstore.com, google images