Are You Taking Proper Care Of Your Lips?

Whether you have an entire, involved skin-care routine or just stick to the basics, are you doing something for your lips? Especially if they're regularly chapped or simply feel dehydrated, you may need more than a simple balm to keep your lips hydrated and protected. So just like you might use an exfoliator, mask, serum, and moisturizer on the rest of your face, you can use these same types of products to perfect your pout.

And sure, maybe that sounds like a little bit much— do your lips really need a four-step regimen? But if you feel like you keep having to pick at your lips (which can actually make your dryness worse and create a cycle of long-term harm) or your lipstick isn't applying as smoothly as it used to, perhaps it's time to give your puckers a little TLC. After all, when your lips are properly cared for, you won't have to slather on a balm every two minutes. So whether you need to smooth, hydrate, or plump your lips, try adding a couple of lip-care products to your skin-care routine. Here are 12 to mix and match to keep your lips looking healthy and your lipstick gliding on seamlessly:

1. Gel Patches

Try: Patchology Lip Renewal FlashPatch 5 Minute Hydrogels, $50, Patchology

In just five minutes, these gel patches will have your lips feeling soft and smooth.

2. Anti-Aging Serum

Try: Clinique All About Lips, $24, Clinique

This serum will help minimize fine lines, sun damage, and flakiness for smoother and firmer lips.

3. Lip Peel

Try: Aquareveal Smooth Talker Water Peel for Lips, $26, Bloomingdale's

If you love a good facial peel, you'll love this lip exfoliator that goes on like water and gently buffs away flakes.

4. Sheet Masks

Try: KNC Beauty All Natural Collagen Infused Lip Mask, $25, Violet Grey

Infused with collagen and hyaluronic acid, these lip masks will make your pout plumper and more hydrated.

5. Tinted Serum

Try: It Cosmetics CC+ Lip Serum, $24, It Cosmetics

This tinted serum applies like a gloss but provides anti-aging, hydrating, and color-correcting benefits.

6. Overnight Mask

Try: Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask, $26, Sephora

Soothing and nourishing, this mask will leave your lips feeling like new.

7. Exfoliating Pencil

Tarte Lip Facial Lip Scrub, $16, Tarte Cosmetics

This twist-up scrub is hypoallergenic and totally mess-free.

8. Smoothing Serum

Try: Fresh Sugar Lip Serum Advanced Therapy, $36, Fresh

Wake up with moisturized and toned lips after using this smoothing and defining serum.

9. Scrub & Salve Duo

Try: GLAMGLOW Poutmud Fizzy Lip Treatment & Wet Lip Treatment, $39, GLAMGLOW

This cute duo will transform your lips from being dull and dry to smooth, soft, and moisturized.

10. Sunscreen Treatment

Try: Shiseido Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36 PA++, $22, Sephora

Your lips need sun protection too, and this balm layers beautifully under lipstick.

11. Lip Oil

Try: Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil, $26, Clarins

Perfect for when you want the feel of a balm with the look of a gloss.

12. Mask & Balm Duo

Try: Kaplan MD Perfect Pout Lip Mask + Lip Balm Duo, $24, Sephora

Exfoliate, hydrate, nourish, and protect your pout with this duo that does it all.

Because it's only fair to treat your lips with the rest of your face.