Introduction
Nothing ruins the look of luscious lips quite like dry, chapped skin. Cracked, flaky lips can make even the boldest of lip colors look dull and uneven. Fighting chapped lips on a regular basis is no fun – the constant application of balms only provides temporary relief before dryness returns. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a solution that truly hydrates and soothes lips over the long term? As it turns out, there is a natural oil that is fantastic for improving lip condition: argan oil.
Argan oil comes from the kernels within the fruit of the argan tree, which is primarily grown in Morocco. This precious oil has been used for centuries by Berber women in Morocco to nourish skin and hair. Only recently has its benefits for lips started to gain mainstream attention in the beauty world. Argan oil contains high levels of vitamin E and essential fatty acids that soften and protect skin. Its unique composition allows it to deeply penetrate lips to deliver long-lasting moisture.
In this article, I will share my personal experience using argan oil to combat chapped lips. Through regular application as part of my lip care routine, I have noticed fantastic softening effects over time. I will discuss the specific ways argan oil has improved my lip condition, how I incorporate it into my routine, and product recommendations if you want to try this technique yourself. By the end, I hope you will be convinced that argan oil hydration is the solution your chapped lips have been waiting for.
My Struggle with Chapped Lips
Like many others, I’ve struggled with dry, flaky lips for as long as I can remember. Even with daily balm applications, my lips would peel and crack within a day. It was an endless cycle of flakiness that I had grown to accept as normal. As someone who loves playing with lip products, having chapped lips was greatly frustrating and limiting.
I never really put much thought into finding a solution until one winter when my lips were in especially bad shape. The harsh, cold winds had turned my pout into a crumbly mess. Not only did it look terrible, but the cracks and flakes were painful. I knew I needed to take drastic action if I ever wanted soft, kissable lips again.
This is when I first learned about the unique benefits of argan oil. As an all-natural product, I was intrigued to see if it could work where other balms had failed me. I decided to try incorporating argan oil into my lip care routine on a daily basis to see if it could truly make a difference over the long run.
Starting with the Basics – My Argan Oil Lip Care Routine
While argan oil is a simple one-ingredient product, consistency is key when it comes to seeing results. I developed a basic overnight lip treatment routine using argan oil as the star ingredient. Here is a breakdown of what I do:
- Remove any current balm or makeup from lips using a gentle makeup remover. This ensures argan oil can penetrate directly onto skin.
- Apply a drop of argan oil directly onto lips using my ring finger. Massage it in using light, circular motions.
- Allow oil to fully absorb for 5-10 minutes before going to bed. This gives it time to work its magic.
- If lips still feel a bit dry, apply a thin layer of balm or vaseline on top of argan oil to seal in moisture overnight.
- Wake up to soft, supple lips each morning! Apply SPF lip balm or tint during the day as needed.
Sticking to this simple routine every evening has been key to seeing long-term softening benefits from argan oil. Consistency is so important when it comes to repairing dry, damaged lips over time. Being diligent about my overnight argan “facial” for lips has definitely paid off.
Softening Effects Over Time
While initially applying argan oil provided temporary relief, the real magic happened over continued use. After about two weeks of my nightly routine, I started to notice subtle changes in the texture and appearance of my lips. They no longer flaked or peeled, and felt smoother and more hydrated.
By the one month mark, the softening effects were even more profound. My lips seemed plumper and brighter, like they had a healthy glow from within. They no longer cracked in cold, dry weather either. Perhaps the best sign that argan oil “therapy” had worked was when I forgot to apply my normal balm one morning – my lips felt totally fine!
Now several months into using argan oil consistently, I am thrilled with the long-term results. My lips maintain a supple, flexible quality no matter the conditions. Flakes and peels are a thing of the past. There is an all-over luminous quality to their appearance – not greasy looking, just radiant. Best of all, these benefits last all day with no touch-ups needed between my regular balm applications. Argan oil helped deeply moisturize my lips from the inside out.
Why Argan Oil is the Ultimate Emollient
There are a few key reasons why argan oil is so effective at hydrating dry, chapped lips long-term:
- High in vitamin E – This powerful antioxidant protects lips from environmental damage that can accelerate dryness. It also hydrates and softens skin.
- Essential fatty acids – Omegas 6 & 9 nourish lips similar to our own sebum. They form a protective barrier while still allowing skin to breathe.
- Light texture – Despite effectiveness, argan oil absorbs completely without a greasy filminess. Lighter than other oils.
- Deep penetrating – Small molecular structure means argan oil delivers hydration exactly where it’s needed most – the lower layers of skin.
- Natural source – As a plant-derived oil, it supports healthy skin versus petroleum-based balms that form an impermeable layer.
- antioxidant protection – Vitamin E and other compounds in argan oil shield lips from UV damage and free radical activity that damages collagen over time. This prevents future dryness.
Indeed, argan oil checks all the right boxes as an emollient. Its nourishing fatty acid profile and antioxidant compounds deliver deep, long-lasting moisture exactly as needed to combat chapped lips naturally over time. Other oils certainly hydrate, but argan oil offers the complete lip solution.
Tips for Adding Argan Oil into Your Beauty Routine
While just massaging argan oil onto lips at night has been most effective for me, there are some other ways you can incorporate it into your regular lip care routine:
- As a daily facial moisturizer. Apply oil to entire face, including lip area, for an all-over glow.
- Under lip balms and treatments. Locks in hydration under products for maximum softening benefits.
- On top of darker lipsticks. Smooth a bit onto pigmented shades to counteract drying effects.
- Before and after exfoliation. Gently slough off dead skin with oil beforehand, then replenish moisture.
- As a primer under matte lip colors. Provides a barrier so formulas don’t over-suck natural moisture.
- To buffer the effects of harsh weather. Massage oil onto lips on especially dry, windy days.
- When lips are cut or cracked. The healing fatty acids in oil help soothe and speed along the recovery process.
As you can see, argan oil provides hydrating benefits whether used as a stand-alone treatment or supplementary product within your makeup routine. Finding ways to incorporate it regularly will maximize its long-term softening effects.
Choosing the Best Argan Oil for Lips
While any pure argan oil will deliver hydration, some products are better formulated specifically for lip care needs:
- 100% Moroccan Liquid Gold Argan Oil: Highly rated classic. Light texture absorbs beautifully without leaving lips greasy. Excellent for overnight use.
- Amara Organic Argan Lip Balm: Made with nourishing beeswax and cocoa butter to seal moisture. Great glossy option to wear during the day.
- Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy: Contains nourishing argan along with avocado oil and shea butter. Thick balm moisturizes without pills.
- Kosasport Argan Oil Serum: Packed with hyaluronic acid and vitamins to intensely hydrate all skin types. Can be used morning and night.
- Josie Maran Argan Inky List: Specialized dropper bottle makes precisely applying oil to lips easy. Perfect for those wanting hyaluronic acid benefits too.
As you can see, there are thoughtfully formulated argan oil products available these days for different lip treatment needs – overnight care, daily wear, etc. Choose ones suited to your preference in texture and for targeted issues like dryness, flakiness or cracking.
Making Argan Oil a Permanent Lip Care Staple
Reversing chapped lip damage and keeping skin conditioned takes consistency. Now that I’ve experienced argan oil’s amazing softening effects firsthand, it has become a permanent fixture in my beauty routine for good lip health. Here are some tips for making argan a long-term regimen:
- Keep using nightly for ongoing hydration as seasons change. Dry winter air necessitates extra moisture protection.
