I did not start my career thinking much about lips. As a facialist trained in skin science, my attention was grabbed by wrinkles, pigmentation and barrier health. But early on, I realised that the lips are a remarkably revealing part of the face. With some of the thinnest skin on the body, five times thinner than the cheeks, they are devoid of sebaceous glands (which protect the skin from drying out) and are exposed to all the rigours of sun, wind and friction. Here are the products that most convincingly blend skincare sophistication with cosmetic pleasure.
Ilia Beauty Lip Wrap Overnight Mask
Ilia Beauty Lip Wrap Overnight Mask, £26 for 10ml. BUY
The skin’s repair mechanisms peak at night, and Ilia Beauty’s overnight mask respects that biology. Hyaluronic acid pulls moisture into the lip tissue, while papaya enzymes smooth away dry surface cells. The texture is cocooning but breathable – you wake up with lips that feel conditioned, not coated.
Summer Fridays Sweet Pink Duo
