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Woman's World
10 Best Lip Balms Makeup Artists Swear By to Keep Lips Hydrated and Looking Youthful
By Amber Katz,
7 days ago
Still using the same lip balm you loved 20 years ago? Well, it may no longer be doing the same job. As the years fly by, our lips can lose their youthful plumpness and become more prone to dryness and lip lines. But the right lip balm can be your secret weapon for smoother, more hydrated lips. Here, we tapped top makeup artists to learn why women over 50 should use lip balms, what happens to lips with age, and we’ll cover the best lip balms for mature lips. Keep reading for how to give your pout some much-needed TLC.
What happens to lips as we age
“As we age, our lips can become drier and thinner due to decreased collagen production and reduced moisture retention,” says makeup artist Samantha Goldstein . Another reason for so much dryness and a deflated look? "The body produces less hyaluronic acid, which aids in moisture retention, the lips become drier and lose some volume resulting in a thinner, more deflated-looking appearance,” explains Mirabella makeup artist and creative director Sam Kyle . “Lips can also develop age spots during this time of life where patches of the skin appear darker due to hyperpigmentation often related to sun exposure.”
Why women over 50 should use lip balms
Vadym Pastukh/Getty
Lip balms help to hydrate, protect, and plump the lips, maintaining a youthful appearance. “One of my clients, a renowned actress in her 50s, swears by her nightly lip balm routine to keep her lips camera-ready,” says Goldstein. And as mentioned above, Kyle notes that skin naturally becomes less plump and hydrated as we age. “For this reason, ultra-hydrating skincare is of great benefit to women over the age of 50, including a lip balm to keep lips moisturized to avoid flaking or excess chapping.”
Goldstein says to look for lip balms with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and natural oils like coconut oil or jojoba oil. “SPF is crucial to protect against sun damage,” she says. “For added benefits, consider balms with anti-aging ingredients like peptides or antioxidants.”
But "be wary of lip balms that contain beeswax or paraffin as these serve as a binding agent in a plethora of stick lip balms but can be a source of reapplication and even continued chapped, dry lips with continued use,” says Kyle. “While these ingredients do offer some therapeutic qualities, their hard nature merely prevents further damage from environmental factors by creating a physical barrier.”
That's why Kyle says the key in choosing a lip balm for intense hydration is to choose one with a creamy binding agent like lanolin. “Lanolin not only puts a protective barrier on the lips, but locks in moisture by mimicking the skin's natural oils for long-term hydration and intense healing,” she explains. “Look for natural oils, avoid petroleum and it's always a bonus if the formula is paraben-free."
How to best use lip balms
miniseries/Getty
Goldstein suggests applying lip balm regularly throughout the day, especially before bed and prior to applying lipstick. “For extra hydration, use a lip scrub to exfoliate dead skin cells before applying balm,” she says. “Apply a hydrating lip balm before bed to wake up with soft, supple lips ready for makeup application.”
Regular use of a hydrating lip balm is always Kyle’s recommendation, no matter the age. “It's great practice to layer on a lip balm each night before bed and if you're going makeup-free during the day, you can apply it in the morning, too."
Kyle’s go-to in this category is this option fro Supergoop. “This 100% invisible lip SPF glides on smooth and protects lips from UV rays and other environmental factors with SPF 30,” she says. “I love that this product can be layered underneath either a hydrating lip balm or colored lip shade to keep skin protected.”
Makeup artist Leiah Scheibel says this balm is one of her favorites. “It's a great option if you prefer a less sticky lip balm,” she says. “This balm is ultra hydrating and protects against the elements. Added bonus, it comes in 11 other colors.”
For another mess-free option is Scheibel recommends is this Glossier pick. “This castor seed oil-based balm is an antioxidant rich formula that repairs while it binds moisture to the skin,” she says.
We love this brand, a 100% natural lip care brand. It offers cruelty-free ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. Orange Blossom (shown) is our go-to flavor, but the brand offers a full range of different scents.
Goldstein gives five stars to this ultra-hydrating Neutrogena balm. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, “this balm offers intense moisture and plumping effects, great for dry and thin lips,” she says. It’s ideal for her clients with mature skin, ensuring their lips stay youthful and full.
A tried-and-true classic lip treatment that Goldstein approves of too is from Aquaphor. “This balm provides excellent hydration and sun protection, making it ideal for daily use,” she says. “One of my clients, who spends a lot of time outdoors, loves this balm for its protection and healing properties.”
For a splurge-worthy pick, Goldstein favors this option from Fresh. It combines sun protection with nourishing oils and waxes for a luxurious feel. “It’s a favorite among my clients who enjoy a bit of luxury in their skincare routine.”
Those with thin lips will love this tinted lip hybrid, says Kyle. It's “part plumper, part tinted creamy balm, delivers what U Beauty calls a '3D pillow-like effect' that can boost thin lips and reduce fine lines."
Looking for an option that's raved about on social media? Rhode's lip treatments are for you! The brand offers a wide range of colors, are peptide-infused and have a creamy balm formula which is ideal for women over 50. Plus, the tint's glossy finish and can be used in lieu of lipstick or lip gloss.
This options is another go-to we love for a hint of tint. A two-pack costs under $10 and the balms boast pigmented color pay-off in a beautiful rose hue. You’ll want to keep one in your purse and one in the car for touch-ups.
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