LIPS DON'T LIE

With winter in full swing, chapped, dry lips have officially made a seasonal comeback. Here's some tips and products to help keep your kissers supple and well-moisturised

- Sanika Achrekar

Unfortunately, the colder months expose a few of us who haven't caught onto a key part of skincare - the lips. They're constantly used for everything from sipping on coffee to chatting up a date, so perhaps it's time to move on from licking them every few minutes, and invest in a protective, nourishing layer for one of the most sensitive and eye-catching parts of your visage.

With the ever-growing beauty and grooming culture, lip care has evolved, and it doesn't just mean using Vaseline. Think lip oils, lip exfoliators, sleeping masks, serums. The category is widening day by day.

Dr Ankur Sarin believes that the common problem with Indian lips is pigmentation. "Start with kojic acid 2% cream, which is safe, and helps in depigmentation. Once a week, exfoliation is enough. I am against physical exfoliation of lips as it causes pigmentation. Resistant pigmentation can be treated with Q switch lasers and chemical peels. Using a good lip balm with SPF is the first step in lip care. In the morning, use an SPF and at night, apply a moisturiser that can be sealed up," he suggests.