I’m 43 and made my lips age backwards after getting loads of lines – all you need is a flannel and a hero serum

LOOKING after your lips is just as important as nourishing the rest of your skin, given they’re one of the first areas of the face to start ageing. 

Think pesky fine lines, loss of volume, less definition around the cupid’s bow and pigmentation changes. 

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And without a proper routine to take care of your lips, you’re running the risk of unnecessarily ageing your appearance. 

Luckily, a 43-year-old skincare expert has shared the weekly routine she has for her pout for an “instant plump”.

Natalie Steinborn, also known as The Beauty Recluse on social media, revealed that she exfoliates her lips with a wet flannel before going in with a serum. 

“The lip area can really age us if we don’t look after it properly,” she said on Instagram. 

“I didn’t and resorted to a little lip filler to rectify the problem several years ago. 

“Now, I just make sure I care for my lips the same as the rest of my face.

“Once a week I use a flannel to buff away dry, dead skin cells, then I pop on a generous layer of a hydrating serum, and then I seal it all in with my favourite lip balm. 

“In hindsight, I wish I’d taken better care of my lips rather than go down the filler route.”

The specific serum Natalie uses is the COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum, which is currently on sale at Lookfantastic for £22.40, down from £28. 

The highly-concentrated formula pumps hyaluronic acid into her lips to help protect against dryness, while nourishing the skin barrier function. 

She locks in the serum with the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Lip Repair Balm, which is currently reduced to £16.50 from £22 in Boots. 

“I neglected my lips,” Natalie candidly added in the caption of her Instagram tutorial.

“I would put a bit of lip balm on but that’s all, and I became increasingly self conscious about them. 

It wasn’t the volume that was the issue for me, it was all the little lines on my lips that became very apparent whenever I would wear lipstick. 

“So, I decided to get a bit of lip filler (0.5ml) around four years ago and it did definitely help.

“However, those lines that I was so self conscious about were there because my lips were so dehydrated. 

“I didn’t actually need lip filler, I just needed to treat my lips with the same care I did the rest of my face. 

“So, for the last couple of years, once a week, I carry out this routine.”

Why are lips so vulnerable to ageing?

Lips are particularly vulnerable to ageing for several reasons.

Namely, the skin on the lips is much thinner compared to other parts of the body, making them more susceptible to damage from environmental factors like UV radiation and pollutants.

And unlike the skin on the rest of your body, lips lack oil glands and therefore can't produce natural oils to keep them moisturised (hello, lip balm!)

This makes them prone to dryness and chapping, which can contribute to the appearance of ageing.

Predisposition to dryness and chapping also means lips can easily become dehydrated, especially if you're not drinking enough water. 

To help slow down the ageing process of your lips, it's essential to protect them from the sun by using a lip balm with SPF, staying hydrated and using moisturising products to keep them nourished.