Love your lips: new products give you the bold colors you crave with the gentle, nourishing ingredients your lips need

Better Nutrition, April, 2007 by Sherrie Strausfogel

The skin on your lips is very thin and does not have oil glands to provide protection. Just as your lips can absorb harmful substances, their thin skin can easily absorb beneficial nutrients. Because your lips cannot produce oil, you need to moisturize them so they don't crack, chap or peel. Sun and cold, as well as lipsticks with synthetic ingredients, are the main culprits for dry, chapped lips.

Licking your lips in an attempt to keep them moist will only aggravate the problem. Lips should be protected with a rich lip balm, and if you are in the sun, be certain to wear a lip balm with a sunblock. Drink plenty of water to moisturize your lips from the inside; if your lips are severely cracked you may be low in B vitamins.

Lipstick can also protect your lips while adding color and shine. Most mass-market color lipsticks, however, use are made from coal tar or petroleum-based synthetics. These ingredients may cause allergic responses in chemically sensitive people. Symptoms of this sensitivity may include headaches, nausea, inability to concentrate, asthma attacks, fatigue, irritability, nervousness and confusion.

Women who are chemically sensitive are subjecting themselves to unnecessary risks every time they apply lip colon And because lipstick is worn on the mouth, small amounts are ingested. Most natural cosmetics use pigments derived from beet powder, beta-carotene, iron oxides, grape-skin extract, turmeric and annatto, making them not only attractive and long lasting but also good for your lips.

(1) TERRAGLOSS SHIMMERING NATURAL COLOR from Alba Botanica provides vibrant color derived from natural minerals, while shea butter and vitamin E moisturize and protect lips. Choose from six glistening colors (Blaze is shown here).

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

(2) Weleda EVERON LIP BALM moisturizes and protects dry lips with jojoba oil, shea butter and precious rose wax to seal in the conditioning ingredients.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

(3) LIPS BEE BETTER from Jason heals, soothes and protects chapped lips with aloe vera, beeswax, shea butter and macadamia nut oil. Apply with fingertips over lipstick for extra shine or wear alone for a natural glow.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

(4) NOVUM LIPGLOSS from Dr. Hauschka polishes lips with nourishing apricot kernel oil, healing botanicals and natural mineral color. Choose from four jewel-inspired colors, including Rose Quartz, shown here.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

What should be in your lip products?

* Aloe vera: Soothes, moisturizes and tones with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities.

* Apricot kernel oil: Nourishes, revitalizes and is rich in vitamin A and essential fatty acids.

* Avocado oil: Contains vitamins A, D and E and fatty acids, and is easily absorbed into the skin.

* Beeswax: Anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, antioxidant, antibacterial that helps lock in skin's own natural moisture, and creates a protective, long-tasting barrier against the elements.

* Coconut oil: Softens, moisturizes and relieves dry, itchy skin.

* Jojoba oil: Said to closely resemble the natural oil of your skin, and is easily absorbed as it nourishes, lubricates and softens.

* Peppermint: Has astringent and analgesic qualities and is a natural lip plumper.

* Shea butter: A natural sunscreen, it contains allantoin, known for its healing abilities.

* Sweet almond oil: Soothes and heals, and is rich in minerals, vitamins and proteins.

* Titanium dioxide: Used as a sunblock to reflect UVA, UVB and UVC rays; it is nontoxic, nonirritating and not known to cause allergic reactions.

* Vitamin E (tocopherol): A powerful antioxidant, natural moisturizer and sunscreen.

What should not be in your lip products?

* Alcohol: Dries and irritates in any of its forms, including cetyl, cetearyl and methosulfate.

* Lanolin: This fatty secretion from sheep's wool has been known to cause allergic reactions; because it is a powerful absorbing agent, it can be contaminated with carcinogenic pesticides.

* Mineral oil: A petroleum derivative that is harsh on the skin and has been known to cause severe allergic reactions; its molecules are so large that the oil stays on top of your skin and can actually dry it out and clog pores.

* Petroleum: Strips skin of its natural moisture.

* Preservatives: Designed to kill bacteria and extend the shelf life of products; they can be toxic and a leading cause of contact dermatitis.