The Best Lip Care Routine for Soft, Smooth Lips All Year Round
Last Updated on June 30, 2025 by Amy
If your lips often feel dry, flaky, or rough, you’re not alone. Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips don’t produce natural oils, making them more prone to dehydration, especially in cold weather, dry indoor heating, or after one too many coffees without reapplying balm.
Luckily, keeping your lips soft, smooth, and comfortable doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s a simple, effective lip care routine that works in every season.
TL;DR: The Perfect Lip Care Routine in 5 Easy Steps
Short on time? Here’s a quick overview of how to keep your lips soft, smooth, and healthy all year:
- Exfoliate 1–2 times a week – Gently remove dry, flaky skin with a lip scrub or toothbrush.
- Hydrate deeply – Use soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, honey, or aloe to replenish moisture.
- Seal it in – Apply a nourishing lip balm (ideally with SPF) to lock in hydration and protect your lips.
- Adjust with the seasons – Go richer in winter, lighter in summer, and don’t skip sun protection.
- Avoid common mistakes – Skip harsh ingredients, stay hydrated, and stop licking your lips!
Now let’s dive into each step in more detail…
Step 1: Exfoliate Gently to Remove Dry Skin
The first step to smoother lips is exfoliation. Buffing away dead skin helps your lip products work better and gives you a perfect base for lipstick.
How to Exfoliate Your Lips:
- Use a lip scrub – Try any of the products linked below for gentle exfoliation.
- DIY at home – Mix sugar with honey and coconut oil for a quick, budget-friendly scrub.
- Toothbrush trick – Gently buff your lips with a damp toothbrush if you don’t have a scrub to hand.
Pro Tip: Limit exfoliation to just 1-2 times per week to avoid irritation or over-stripping your lips.
Step 2: Hydrate with Lip-Soothing Ingredients
Exfoliating sets the stage, but it’s hydration that keeps your lips soft and healthy.
Best Hydrating Ingredients to Look For:
- Hyaluronic acid or glycerin – These attract moisture to the lips. I love applying a tiny bit of hyaluronic acid serum under my lip balm at night for extra plumpness.
- Aloe vera or honey – Naturally soothing ingredients to calm and repair chapped lips.
- Overnight lip masks – Products like Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask or Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Balm work wonders while you sleep.
Nighttime Tip: Apply a thick layer of a hydrating balm or mask before bed to wake up with soft, comfortable lips.
Step 3: Lock in Moisture with Lip Balm
Once your lips are hydrated, seal everything in with a protective balm. This helps prevent moisture loss and shields your lips from the elements.
Lip Balm Tips:
- Reapply regularly, especially after eating, drinking, or spending time outdoors.
- Look for balms with ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, lanolin, or ceramides.
- Use a lip balm with SPF during the day to protect against sun damage.
Recommended Lip Balms:
Step 4: Daily Habits to Keep Lips Healthy
Beyond your products, small daily habits can make a big difference.
Lip Care Habits to Practice:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
- If your lips are feeling dry, avoid matte lipsticks. Opt for creamy or hydrating formulas instead. Check out this post for my favourite tinted balms.
- Apply balm before bed to prevent overnight dryness.
- Use SPF lip balm daily to protect from sunburn and ageing.
Step 5: Prep Lips Before Wearing Lipstick
Prepping your lips properly can make any lipstick look and feel better.
How to Prep Your Lips for Lipstick:
- Make sure your lips are smooth by following the exfoliation step earlier in this guide.
- Apply a hydrating balm and let it absorb for a few minutes.
- Blot off any excess before applying lipstick to help it grip better.
- Stick to creamy or hydrating lipsticks if your lips tend to dry out.
Check out some of my favourite nude and pink lipsticks here.
What to Avoid: Common Lip Care Mistakes
Even with the best routine, certain habits can undo your hard work. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Over-exfoliating – More isn’t better. Stick to once or twice a week.
- Using irritating ingredients – Avoid menthol, camphor, or strong fragrances that can dry out your lips.
- Skipping SPF – Lips are vulnerable to UV damage, so daily sun protection is a must.
- Not drinking enough water – Dehydration often shows up on your lips first.
- Licking your lips – It feels soothing temporarily, but can make dryness worse.
Seasonal Lip Care: Adjusting for Winter and Summer
Your lips have different needs depending on the season. Here’s how to tweak your routine:
Winter Lip Care:
- Use thicker balms or overnight masks to combat dry air and heating.
- Exfoliate weekly to remove flaky skin.
- Avoid matte lipsticks that can feel drying.
Summer Lip Care:
- Wear SPF lip balm daily to prevent sunburn.
- Switch to lightweight, hydrating balms that feel comfortable in the heat.
- Keep hydrated by drinking water regularly.
Lip Care FAQ
Can I Use Vaseline as Lip Balm?
Yes, Vaseline (petroleum jelly) works well to lock in moisture, but it doesn’t add hydration. For best results, apply a hydrating layer first, then seal with Vaseline. Using hyaluronic acid serum under vaseline is one of my favourite overnight beauty hacks!
How Often Should I Exfoliate My Lips?
Stick to once or twice a week. Over-exfoliating can make lips more sensitive and dry.
Do I Really Need SPF for My Lips?
Absolutely. Lips are prone to sun damage, which can lead to dryness, pigmentation, and premature ageing. Use SPF lip balm every day.
What’s the Best Lip Balm for Dry Lips?
Look for balms with rich, nourishing ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, lanolin, and SPF. Nuxe Rêve de Miel and Eucerin Lip Active SPF 15 are great options.
Can Lip Balm Make Lips More Dry?
Some medicated or flavoured lip balms with menthol or camphor can feel cooling, but actually dry out your lips. Stick to gentle, fragrance-free options.
What Are Your Go-To Lip Care Products?
I’d love to hear your favourite lip scrubs, masks, and balms—share them in the comments below!
