What Happens To Our Lips As We Age?

Lips. You use them constantly. They see the sun all day, get caught in the wind and rain, get bitten, chewed, scrunched, pursed and kissed. They go through it. That’s why they need gentle, regular care in the form of a good, lip balm rich in all the good stuff and nothing weird or toxic.

HOW OUR LIPS CHANGE AS WE AGE

As we age, our lips undergo various changes that reflect the natural ageing process. They lose volume and become thinner due to the depletion of collagen and elastin, essential proteins responsible for their fullness and elasticity. Fine lines and wrinkles start to appear around the mouth which are caused by repetitive facial expressions and sun damage. Additionally, the lips may lose their natural colour and appear paler. It all sounds a little depressing – its not. Smile lines are actually lovely, much nicer than frown lines! But it is wise to look after and protect your lips so that they maintain their strength, moisture and fullness for as long as possible.

To do this you need to protect them from the elements, particularly dryness and the best way to do this is a mix of emollient ingredients that soothe and protect the lips against wind, heat and dehydration. Things like oils and butters and waxes, all of them as natural as possible. Why does it matter you ask? Shouldn’t I just use good old petroleum jelly? There are many compelling reasons why you should use natural ingredients instead ones refined from crude oil (gross). You are likely to end up eating this lip balm after all. Firstly, they are gentle, hypoallergenic, and less likely to cause irritation or adverse reactions compared to synthetic or chemical-laden alternatives. No one wants itchy, sore lips. Secondly, natural lip balms provide nourishment and hydration to the lips in a more wholesome way. Ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and essential oils contain vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids that promote softness, repair damaged skin, and create a protective barrier against harsh environmental conditions. This in turn protect your lips against the ageing process so that they maintain levels of collagen for longer.

WHY NATURAL IS BETTER

Using lip balms with natural ingredients also suits anyone trying to live a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. Synthetic ingredients often come with environmental concerns, including pollution during manufacturing and potential harm to aquatic life. Do you know how many lip balm containers end up in landfill and the ocean? Two hundred million every year. Every year! They take with them the remnants of toxic ingredients that don’t suit the lips of the turtles or fish either. Everyone suffers. The best lip balms will use all natural ingredients that come from the earth and can happily return to the earth with no side-effects for anyone. Zero waste compostable packaging will also mean no mountains of plastic.

Biode’s lip balms are full of the ingredients that actually do work on your lips. Shea butter, loaded with anti-inflammatory properties soothes and calms red and cracked lips. Coconut oil with its antioxidents for healing, but also its protective properties as it coats the skin and keeps in moisture. Candelilla wax to bind all the ingredients to the skin and keep them there (so you don’t instantly eat them all!). Jojobam rosehip and hemp seed oil to calm skin, reduce redness and heal any chaffing. Pumpkin seed and Seabuckthorn Fruit Oil to encourage collagen and elastin production and keep lips young and plump. And finally – each balm has its own unique essential oil to add a little something extra.

Waratah with peppermint essential oil which has aromatherapeutic properties to help stimulate the mind and promote mental clarity and focus. When used in skincare, peppermint oil has a cooling effect on the skin, making it ideal for soothing irritated or inflamed skin. It also possesses antimicrobial properties that can help combat bacteria that can cause infection.

Copper Daisy with Mandarin essential oil to uplift and calm. Mandarin oil is beneficial for its ability to reduce redness and inflammation. It also possesses antiseptic properties that can help prevent skin infections.

Lilly Pilly with Bulgarian rose essential oil which is queen of anti-aging. It can help hydrate and nourish the skin, improve elasticity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Skin Salve-ation with Lavender essential oil which is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It can help soothe and heal skin irritations, reduce redness and inflammation, and promote healing.

THE TAKE HOME

When you use something that works well on your lips, guess what? You use it less often. Which means it lasts longer. And while we are a skincare brand and obviously want to sell our product, we are also environmentalists and really want to reduce consumption, even of good ingredients in zero waste packaging. When you are done, plant your lip balm package in the garden, the compost or just your green waste bin and it will biodegrade within 12-20 weeks. Nothing left behind but a healthy smile.