7 Mistakes You’re Making in Lip Care (And How To Fix Them)

I hate to break it to you, but your lips deserve better!

No, I’m sorry, you’re a wonderful person, I know, but when it comes to lip care, I’m convinced you have definitely been making these 7 mistakes, hence the statement. And don’t worry; you’re not alone. We’ve made these mistakes too. We went around and asked the whole team about the lip care mistakes they’ve made, and here are some of the most common ones and, more importantly, how to fix them.

1. Licking Your Lips (Stop. Right. Now.)

What causes lip dryness? This! And it’s the biggest trap ever. 

Your lips feel dry → You lick them → It feels better for 5 seconds (at best) → They feel worse

While saliva often feels like an instant fix, IT’S NOT! It just dries out your lips further. When saliva evaporates, it also takes your lips’ natural moisture with it, making your lips drier and prone to cracking.

Still not convinced to quit this habit? The enzymes in your saliva are actually capable of breaking down the natural and delicate skin barrier of your lips. Over time, this cycle of moisture loss and barrier breakage leads to darkening and pigmentation, aka the primary causes of black lips.

Fix: 

• Forget your keys and wallet, but never forget your lip balm

• Only trust products with shea butter, ghee, honey, and almond oil

• In the ultimate prevention-is-better-than-cure move, apply it before your lips even start feeling dry

2. Only Having Petroleum Jelly in Your Friend Group

We know. We know. Petroleum jelly is the IT girl; she’s the OG saviour, but she has flaws too. She doesn’t hydrate. 

It’s an occlusive, meaning it locks in existing moisture but doesn’t provide any additional moisture. So say, suppose your lips are already dry or dehydrated underneath; applying it is the same as putting icing on a burnt cake – it looks appetising, but it’s still not edible.

There’s also the risk of it trapping dead cells and pollutants, causing the lips to lose their shine. Another indirect causes of black lips right there.

So now you realise why it’s important to have other reliable friends too?

Fix:

• Apply nourishing lip balms, aka the ones containing coconut or, almond oil, or ghee

• Then seal it with a layer of petroleum jelly, if you must

3. Ignoring SPF (yes, even for lips)

You don’t ever forget to apply sunscreen on your face, right (we hope)? Now, what about your lips? Congratulations! Your lips received zero protection but maximum damage.

UV rays can cause pigmentation, collagen breakdown, and darkening, all of which are a major cause of… (waiting for you to answer)... Black lips, exactly! The constant sun exposure also leads to dryness, premature ageing, and dull colour.

Fix: 

• Only use lip balms with SPF 15+. Brownie points if it has zinc oxide or natural sun filters

• Reapply it as religiously as you reapply your sunscreen. Also, reapply it especially after eating or drinking something

4. Not Exfoliating Your Lips (or Doing It Wrong)

We’re not doing the same “You do it for your face, but what about your lips?” thing again. It applies to exfoliating too. The reason your lips look so flaky, uneven, and darker is because of dead skin buildup. And then when your lipstick starts sticking to those dry patches like… No. Just no.

But here’s the flip side: over-exfoliation is just as bad. Scrubbing harshly leads to microtears, which make your lips sore and inflamed, which once again leads to… you guessed it… dryness and pigmentation.

Fix:

• Exfoliate gently. Do it once or twice a week max

• Use natural scrubs (you can never go wrong with sugar + honey)

• Always follow up with a moisturising lip balm immediately

5. Sleeping With Matte Lipstick On

See, sleeping with lipstick on is itself a sin, but matte lipstick?!?! Seriously???

Now, I’m not accusing you of doing it every time, but I’m sure you’ve done it at least once thinking it was harmless. It’s not. Matte lipsticks, especially the long-lasting ones, suck the moisture out of your lips. Now add to that a night with zero hydration. Would you still be surprised if you woke up with cracked and dehydrated lips that feel like sandpaper?

Fix: 

• Always, always remove your lipstick before bed (we beg you)

• Ghee or micellar water on a cotton pad are very effective

• Apply a thick layer of a nourishing lip balm overnight to wake up with pillowy-soft lips

6. Using Lip Products That Secretly Irritate Your Lips

You know that “cooling” lip balm that makes your lips tingle after applying? Yeah... that’s not hydration. That’s irritation disguised as “cooling”.

Many lip balms, even the ones that claim to be “medicated” or “refreshing”, contain ingredients like camphor, menthol, peppermint oil, and artificial fragrance. They feel nice for two minutes but, in the long run, end up drying out your lips.

Fix:

• Avoid lip balms that sting, tingle or feel “minty fresh”

• Opt for products with soothing ingredients like ghee, honey, almond oil or shea butter

• If you have sensitive lips, avoid lip balms with artificial fragrances

7. Not Hydrating From Within

Use the best lip products from all around the world, but if you’re dehydrated from within, believe us, it’ll show.

Dehydration is one of the most underrated causes of lip dryness. When your body lacks water, the first area it shows up on is your lips.

Fix:

• Drink enough water throughout the day

• Incorporate fruits like watermelon, oranges and cucumber in your diet

• Consume healthy fats like ghee or avocados for natural lip nourishment

• Limit the consumption of caffeine, salty foods and alcohol, as they worsen dehydration

TLDR / Cheat Sheet

Here’s a recap of all the problems along with their quick fixes:

Conclusion

Lips are delicate. They lack oil glands, so when they get hurt, it takes time to heal them. But by doing a few simple habits like hydration, sun protection, and being kind to them, you can keep them soft, rosy, and healthy throughout the year.

So the next time you catch yourself licking your lips or sleeping with your lipstick on, remind yourself that your lips are worth better than that.

Start small. Opt for better ingredients. Be consistent. And before you know it, you will no longer be googling "what causes lip dryness?" because your lips are living their best life: hydrated, happy, and selfie-ready.

Recommended Products by Blue Nectar

Shubhr Natural Lip Balm with goodness of Ghee ( 10 herbs , 10g )

Shubhr Lip Tint, Cheek & Eye Tint with Nourishing Ghee & Shea Butter (10g)

Shubhr Lip Balm & Gloss (Pack of 2*10g)

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