Our lips are one of the first places to show the signs of ageing, so it’s important to care for them correctly. Volume loss and lines around the mouth are some of the earliest signs to be aware of and start treating immediately. Also, as winter rolls around, dry, chapped lips become an issue. You want to counteract this with rich treatments that nourish and hydrate. I’ve rounded up a few of my favourite lippy treats.
Filorga Nutri Filler Flips (R445) available at select Edgars and Red Square stores
This ultra nourishing, hi-tech lip balm that delivers intense hydration, nourishment and plumping – mimicking medical treatments results. Included in the formulation is soy oil – rich in Vitamin E – that protects lips against pollution, UV, heat and cold, while Castor Oil provides intense hydration.There’s also a pro-collagen peptide that volumises, smoothes and redefines the lip contours. A brightening agent works by reacting with the lips PH, giving them a subtle, natural bright glow. Filorga products are recommend for women aged 25+ concerned with aging.
Luscious Lips Infracyte (R699) www.infracyte.co.za
Truthfully, I didn’t expect to like this anti-aging lip treatment quite as much as I do! It contains a patented anti-aging formula that naturally stimulates new collagen formation in the lips via hyaluronic acid (HA). Once the HA has been absorbed into the lip tissue, it instantly plumps. In addition, organic moisturising oils and plant extracts help maintain smoothness and keeps lips nourished. Vitamins C,E and K act as powerful antioxidants and have been added to shield lips from damaging free radicals.
Usually, lip plumping products rely on ingredients like cinnamon, peppermint and pepper to invoke that tingling feeling that makes your lips feel (not really look) plumper. When I glanced at the ingredient list, I noticed menthol and peppermint listed in the ingredients – these no doubt cause the tingling sensation in this product.
The product claims to plump lips by up to 80%, but I think that’s a bit of a long shot, given that any glossy lip formula will make the lips look bigger. I got the colour ‘Yummy Plummy” – a sparkling pink that actually looks quite natural on the lips (although in the tube didn’t look that appealing to me) At R699 I think it’s on the expensive side, however the ingredients are pretty good and the product left my lips looking and feeling great.
Avène Cold Cream Lip Balm (R92.95) available at Dis-Chem and Clicks
I’m yet to try a product from the French pharmacy brand Avène that I don’t love. This lip cream is quite lightweight, but does a really good job of nourishing dry, chapped lips. It contains sucralfate – a tissue repairing agent that immediately restores and facilitates the recovery of dry lips. This makes it an excellent option for those on acne treatments that tend to dry out the skin. It also contains Linoleic acid that helps the lips retain moisture, Shea butter to nourish and comfort, Vitamin E to protect and the Avène Thermal Spring water that soothes and softens skin. It’s suitable for infants, children and adults. You will LOVE this!
Lulu & Marula Naartjie Lip Balm (R60) www.luluandmarula.com (BUY)
This is hands down the best smelling lip balm I’ve ever used! Well, that’s if you like the aroma of juicy naartjies (who doesn’t?). A local beauty, this citrussy lip balm is infused with shea butter, Marula and avocado oils. It’s also a bit of a multi-tasking product and can be used on cuticles or any dry patches of skin. It does a lovely job of hydrating dry lips, comes in super cute packaging, and the price point makes it a really affordable local treat.
Optiphi Active Lip Formula (R350) www.skinmiles.com (BUY)
Optiphi ranks amongst one of my top local skincare brands. Their products – while on the pricey side – really yield fantastic, visible results thanks to the multitude of great, active ingredients. The formula is loaded with anti-aging Peptides, Oligopeptides, Ceramides that work to fight the signs of lip aging like sagging and loss of volume, while nourishing and preventing moisture loss. Shea butter has been added to restore the balance of lipids in dry lips, while coconut oil softens and allows for optimal nourishment.
Tell me, which are you most keen to try?
