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"Lip Basting" Hack to Treat Dry Lips, According to Experts

"Lip Basting" is the Ultimate Hack For Dry Lips

Do your lips feel dryer than the Sahara desert in winter? Ours, too. Constantly slathering on lip balms in a bid to cure cracked lips while the wind whips up everytime you step outdoors and heating is on high just isn't cutting it. Enter "lip basting". It's the catchy term created by dermatologist Shereen Idriss, MD (who's also known as #PillowTalkDerm on Instagram) to describe her technique of transforming dry, chapped lips into a plump canvas with loads of hydration.

It's not totally dissimilar to the skin slugging tricks that have previously spread through TikTok — an occlusive layer that works overnight to reveal glowing skin. Where Dr. Idriss' method differs is its inclusion of a chemical exfoliation step before basting your lips with an emollient. Oh, and it only takes 10 minutes.

Dr. Idriss tells POPSUGAR that the discovery of lip basting was a happy accident. "I was in Jackson, Wyoming, and the air was dry as f*ck," she says. "My lips felt completely like shrivelled up prunes and I thought, Vaseline alone is just not doing it for me. So, I decided that if I could exfoliate my face, why not exfoliate my lips." And thus, lip basting was born. The trick has made its way to the UK, too, with Dr. Tijion Esho, founder of the Esho Clinic and known as "The Lip Doctor", going viral with his take on "lip basting". So just what does it mean?

What Causes Dry Lips?

According to Dr. Idriss, dry lips mostly has to do with your environment. "When the temperatures dip and the heaters go on, the air becomes dryer and our lips tend to crack more," she says. "This is the same if you live in a very dry environment."

Plus, the natural tendency to lick dry lips can turn a parched landscape into a bone-dry desert. While it might seem counterintuitive saliva actually draws moisture out of the lips instead of hydrating them. "I should be preaching to myself, but I think that is the biggest tip. If you want to try to keep your lips hydrated, avoid licking them," says Dr. Idriss

How Lip Basting Works

First, you exfoliate the area. "You apply the first step, which is the chemical exfoliant on your lips, and let it sit for 10 to 15 seconds," says Dr. Idriss, noting that a chemical exfoliant (as opposed to physical, which would break up the skin) is ideal. Look for toners that contain a low concentration of alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), like glycolic or lactic acid.

For those with sensitive skin, Dr Esho recommends using a natural PHA solution like Esho Renew (£22) which works by providing a more gentle, non-irritating exfoliation. "Typical with the lip basting technique, people use an AHA like glycolic 10% on the lips, but this can be too harsh for the delicate lip area," he says. "A PHA is still effective as it eats up dead skin cells on the surface of the lips."

Then baste, baby, baste. "The second step includes basting it the same way you would baste a turkey that's cooking in the oven for over eight hours," she says. "Apply a really thick coating of the lip baster of your choice, allowing it to melt into your lips." The baste layer will start out looking opaque and creamy, but slowly turn translucent over the course of 10 minutes. Dr. Esho highlights the Esho Seal (£22), which can be used as a quick fix or worn overnight, to hydrate and lock in moisture. Dr. Idriss also points out Weleda Skin Food as a great choice for this second step. If you're sensitive to essential oils, she recommends products with nourishing ingredients like calendula or panthenol, which carry anti-inflammatory properties that are great for sensitive skin types.

Watch Dr. Esho's "Lip basting" tips below.

Image Source: Getty Images
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