3 steps to mistletoe-ready lips

Among the many inconveniences of the cold months—cold weather, harsh winds, and more time spent indoors—dry, flaky lips can be one of the worst. To get rid of dry pouty lips, there are a few steps you can add to your regular skin care routine. Even if you don't plan on mistletoe this holiday season, you should follow the steps below to achieve soft and smooth lips.

Step #1: Exfoliate your lips 

Do you feel like a lot of excess dead skin accumulates on your lips? This can contribute to a flaky and rough texture. To help get rid of these scales and make your lips softer and smoother, you'll need a gentle exfoliation. Take a lip scrub like L'Oreal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub. The formula boasts authentic Kona coffee grounds sourced from Hawaii plus three pure sugars to leave skin smooth, energized and invigorated. Another benefit of exfoliating is that subsequent skin care products are more easily absorbed. That's why you'll want to add some moisture to your lips immediately after your exfoliation.

Step #2: Apply a lip mask

At this point, you can simply apply your favorite lip balm or ointment, but set the stage for enhanced hydration by using a lip mask first. Kiehl's Buttermask for Lips is an intensely hydrating lip mask that helps repair even the driest of lips overnight. If you follow these steps throughout the day, apply a generous layer of Lip Mask to lips and leave on for 15 minutes. Erase all excess.

To learn more about the lip mask, check out our full product review here!

Step #3: Apply Lip Balm  

There are many lip balms out there, but not all are created equal. Choosing the right formula can make a big difference. One of our favorites is Antioxidant Lip Repair by SkinCeuticals, a repair treatment for damaged or aging lips. You can't go wrong with Kiehl's #1 Lip Balm either. It contains moisturizing ingredients like squalane, aloe vera and vitamin E and can help protect lips from drying out in winter weather.