Here’s how you can revive and hydrate your dry lips through lip-slugging

For many, the feeling of constantly dry, chapped lips can be an ongoing struggle, especially during the winter months. The chilly weather and harsh winds during these cold months can quietly strip the delicate skin on your lips of its moisture, leaving them parched and peeling. But there’s an easy and effective way to combat this year-round issue and it’s called lip-slugging. 

Lip-slugging is a concept that is borrowed from the “slugging” skincare routine that we have all heard about on our Instagram feeds for its ability to keep the skin moisturized and glowing. However, when it comes to your lips, the approach is equally uncomplicated but tailored for this specific concern. 

How does lip slugging work?
This method is a quick, easy and highly effective way to restore and maintain hydration in your lips, leaving them looking plum, smooth and comfortable with regular application. Here’s how it works: 

Select a hydrating product: The foundation of lip-slugging is choosing the right product. Opt for a high-quality, ultra-moisturizing lip balm or an ointment like petroleum jelly, lanolin-based balms, shea butter, or lip masks. We would recommend looking for a product with occlusive properties as it creates a physical barrier to lock in moisture and prevent chapped or dry lips. 

Exfoliate your lips: Before applying any product, it’s essential to exfoliate your lips using a mild lip scrub or a soft toothbrush. This step removes dead skin cells and ensures a smooth surface when you apply the product to your lips. 

Application: Using a fingertip or a clean lip brush, apply a thick and even layer of the balm to your lips. Don’t hold back on the amount as the key here is to create a protective coating. 

Overnight treatment: Lip slugging is most commonly done as an overnight treatment. When you sleep, the product forms a protective seal over your lips as this seal helps lock in the moisture already present on your lips, preventing it from evaporating. This continuous hydrating process can repair and rejuvenate your lips. 

Morning after: In the morning, you can gently wipe away any excess product using a damp cloth or a tissue. 

You can do this as often as necessary, depending on the condition of your lips. Some people apply it every night during winter, while others use it as a remedy when their lips are particularly dry or chapped. 

While lip-slugging can offer hydration for your lips during the winter and keep them free from dryness, it’s important to recognize that dry lips can have various underlying causes that go beyond cold weather. Issues like vitamin deficiencies, such as insufficient intake of vitamin B9 can be a major factor that can contribute to this issue. For this, consider incorporating lip-friendly products like unscented, moisture-rich lip balms, or lip maks that are specifically designed for deep hydration. These can be extremely helpful when dealing with dryness and parched lips without risking irritation from fragrances and scented lip products.