All about lips

Needs of each area

Skin: Because lips lack oil glands, they are prone to dryness. To keep them hydrated, apply a balm containing a heavy-duty hydrator, like petrolatum, glycerin or shea butter. If lips get flaky, use a gentle exfoliator twice a week, says Francesca Fusco, a New York dermatologist. Over time, collagen breaks down; lips can benefit from a nightly treatment of peptides.

Edges: Habits like drinking from bottles, pursing your lips, and smoking can blur lips’ edges and etch small lines into the skin above and below them. “As these deepen, lipstick may bleed into the crevices,” says David H. McDaniel, a dermatologist in Virginia. Combat this by using a retinol-based product around your lips. And keep lip color in place by tracing your lips’ outline with a concealer pencil before applying color.

Center: As you get older, you lose the fat and natural proteins that keep lips full. “After age 40, the lips start to become increasingly thin and flat, especially in the middle,” says Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, a dermatologist in Danville, Calif. Plumping products that contain moisture-attracting ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, can temporarily make lips appear fuller.

Skin around lips: Movement of muscles in the face when you talk, smile and laugh weaken collagen, resulting in creases. To minimize, use a pea-size drop of retinol cream nightly on the area (don’t quit smiling and laughing). If your skin is sensitive, apply every other night.

Find your shade

•Nudes

For everyone: Becca Sheer Tint Lip Colour in Gisella ($24, beccacosmetics.com )

Fair skin: Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Sheer Naturale ($6.50, avon.com)

For medium skin: Benefit Full-Finish Lipstick in Thrillin’ Brazilian ($18, benefitcosmetics.com)

For dark skin: Clinique Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Lip Colour in Nude-tritious ($17.50, clinique.com)

•Pinks

For everyone: Aubrey Organics Natural Lips Sheer Tint in Pink Pearl ($7.50, aubrey-organics.com)

For fair skin: Lancôme Color Fever Lip Shine in Tempt Me ($25, lancome-usa.com)

For medium skin: Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipcolor in Make Me Pink ($7.50 at drugstores)

For dark skin: The Body Shop Colour-glide Lip Color in Pinkette 69 ($12.50, thebodyshop-usa.com)