Are you disregarding the pucker while doing your multi-step skincare? If yes, this blog is your sign to set things right. Just like the rest of your face, the lips deserve TLC daily. Lips are devoid of sebaceous glands and are more prone to dryness and flakiness. Moreover, the skin on lips is ultra-thin and sensitive – calling for that extra attention. 

To streamline efforts for lip care, watch out for these common mistakes. The blog also explores tips and tricks to fix these blunders. 

5 Common Mistakes Lip Care Mistakes And How To Fix Them  

Mistake 1: Licking Your Lips Too Often  

Why Is It Harmful: If you have the habit of licking your lips, this one is for you. Contrary to popular belief, saliva evaporates quickly and dries out the pucker. Results? Cracked, flaky, and rough lips. 

How To Fix It: Fret not, you can always recover from this mistake. Use a hydrating balm with shea butter or beeswax to restore your lips’ moisture content. Reapply every 2 hours or whenever your pucker feels too dry or flaky. 

Mistake 2: Skipping SPF On Your Lips  

Why Is It Harmful: Just like the rest of the face, your lips also need sun protection. Harmful UV rays wreak havoc on the pucker, leading to pigmentation and dryness. 

How To Fix It: To keep sun damage at bay, use an SPF-infused lip balm in your routine. Experts suggest that SPF 15 or more bodes well for the pout. 

Mistake 3: Over-Exfoliating Lips  

Why Is It Harmful: Excessive scrubbing zap moisture from the lips, leading to dryness, cracks, and inexplicable sensitivity. 

How To Fix It: To circumvent this problem, use a gentle scrub or a homemade formula for exfoliation. This ensures a smooth surface without flare-ups. 

Mistake 4: Using Matte Lipstick Without Moisturizing First  

Why Is It Harmful: A PSA for fellow lipstick enthusiasts, matte lipsticks can dry out your pucker. Results? Visible cracks, creases, and flakiness.  

How To Fix It: Before whipping out the lipstick, apply a layer of lip balm or primer. This intermediate step prevents dryness and adds to the lip color’s longevity. 

Mistake 5: Not Drinking Enough Wate 

"Don’t knock it till you have tried it." The humble toner can elevate your skincare game by heaps. This lightweight formula expels the last of impurities, boosts hydration and restores skin’s pH – all in a single spritz. Intrigued? Keep reading ahead. This blog explores the many benefits of toner, the exfoliating kind, while focusing on the hero ingredient, Lactic Acid. 

What Is Lactic Acid? 

A type of Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Lactic Acid is derived from milk products and plant extracts. The active ingredient is artificially infused in serums, masks, and toners due to its flurry of benefits. Primarily, topical application of Lactic Acid exfoliates the skin while ensuring multi-level hydration – making it safe for all skin types, including sensitive and dry. 

Benefits Of Exfoliating Toners With Lactic Acid  

Timely exfoliation is non-negotiable to maintain a healthy microbiome. And the mild yet effective Lactic Acid is the perfect choice for this job. Here's how a Lactic-infused Exfoliating toner benefits your skin-

1. Gentle Exfoliation: Lactic Acid buffs away dead cells, debris, and other impurities from the pores for clear skin. Unlike other exfoliants, Lactic Acid doesn’t irritate or dry out the skin.

2. Hydration boost: As seen earlier, Lactic Acid also possesses hydrating properties. The humectant binds moisture molecules to the skin, making it appear smooth, taut, and plump.

3. Brighter complexion: If your face has been looking dull or beat, add Lactic Acid to your skincare rotation. The AHA derivative sheds old, dead skin and regenerates healthy cells for an even tone and bright complexion.

4. Fades hyperpigmentation: By cueing cellular turnover, Lactic Acid fades dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and even acne scars with time.

5. Unclogs pores: If massive or clogged pores are the bane of your existence, try Lactic Acid. The potent exfoliant expels dirt, excess sebum, and keratin from the pores – minimizing pore size, blackheads, and even acne.

6. Prepares skin for serums: Lactic Acid buffs away the unwarranted buildup, ensuring better absorption of serums and treatments. Therefore, using Lactic Acid in your weekly rotation adds to the efficacy of other active ingredients. 

How To Use An Exfoliating Toner With Lactic Acid?

To maximize the benefits of your Exfoliating Toner with Lactic Acid, add the product to your routine as follows-

1. First, Cleanse Your Face: Cleansing preps your skin for facial serums and treatments. The process removes dirt, grime, and other impurities from the pores for a clear, radiant base. We recommend a mild, hydrating face wash that doesn’t meddle with your skin’s pH.

2. Apply Toner: Once your skin is dry, bring out the toner. Use a cotton pad to dab it on or spritz it gently.

3. Time for treatment: To double down on hydration, follow up with a Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Use a light hand to apply the formula while safeguarding sensitive areas (re: the eyes and mouth). Seal these active ingredients with an infallible moisturizer.

4. Slather SPF: Since AHAs lead to photosensitivity, apply 2 fingers’ worth of sunscreen at the end. A broad-spectrum SPF wards off UVA and UVB rays to prevent burns, aging, pigmentation, and tanning.  

To minimize episodes of flare-ups, we recommend using the Lactic Acid toner 2 to 3 times in a weekly routine. You can gradually increase the frequency if your skin responds well. 

Who Should Use A Lactic Acid Toner? 

Wondering if you need another step in your skincare routine? Keep reading -

1. Folks with sensitive and dry skin: By now we know that exfoliation is crucial for all skin types. This can be a little tricky for sensitive and dry skin folks, as they run a higher risk of flare-ups. Enter Lactic Acid. The gentle and efficacious active exfoliates and hydrates without irritating the skin.

2. Suitable for beginners: If you’re new to exfoliation, we recommend starting with Lactic Acid. The AHA derivative strikes a balance between exfoliation and hydration, minimizing the risk of flare-ups and inflammation

P.S. If your active wounds or infections, refrain from using Lactic Acid topically.

Potential Side Effects And Precautions 

Lactic Acid has been dubbed for most skin types. However, we are mindful of individual experiences and skincare trajectories. On that note, here are the potential side effects of Lactic Acid -

1. Mild redness and tingling: First time users may experience mild redness or discomfort with Lactic Acid. Generally, these symptoms pass over and aren’t a cause for concern. However, if they worsen or aggravate, we recommend consulting a board-certified dermatologist.

2. Increased sun sensitivity: Using AHAs or BHAs leads to increased sun sensitivity. Results? More chances of burns, premature aging, pigmentation, and tanning. To prevent these problems, experts suggest using a broad spectrum daily (with SPF 30 or more). 

Best Ingredients To Pair With Lactic Acid   

To target and address underlying concerns, you can layer Lactic Acid with the following ingredients -

1. Hyaluronic Acid for hydration: These humectants bind moisture molecules to the skin, ensuring long-lasting hydration.

2. Aloe vera: For extremely sensitive or dry skin, pair Lactic Acid with Aloe Vera. The latter helps offset any accidental inflammation or flare-ups on the skin.

3. Niacinamide: Double down on efforts for brightening with this pair. While Niacinamide curbs melanin synthesis, Lactic Acid ensures cellular renewal for an even tone complexion.

Conclusion  

A Lactic Acid toner exfoliates the skin, boosts hydration and expels remaining impurities while restoring your skin’s pH. Use it in your morning routine with Hyaluronic Acid for hydration, Aloe Vera for soothing, and Niacinamide for brightening.