Get Soft Lips Overnight With This Unexpected Product

Alexandra Beth
by Alexandra Beth

If you’re dealing with dry, cracked lips, I totally get it — been there, suffered through that! But don’t worry, I’ve figured out exactly how to get soft lips, and I’m excited to share my tips with you. 

Cracked lips

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Dry lips are the worst, especially when you try to apply lipstick over them, and it just looks... well, not cute. So, let’s talk about how you can fix this and even wake up with soft, hydrated lips!

Tools and materials: 

  • Lactic acid (gentle exfoliant)
  • Hydrating lip serum
  • Lip balm or ointment (e.g., petroleum jelly or healing ointment)
  • Optional: Tinted lip mask
  • Cleanser (for prepping lips)

1. How to make your lips soft 

I used to think that scrubbing my lips with a lip scrub was the key to fixing dryness. I mean, it feels like you’re doing something, right?


But here's the thing: scrubs don’t always get the job done. Some parts of your lips end up over-exfoliated, and others don’t get touched at all. Plus, you can actually do more harm than good.

Lactic acid

Instead, I’ve found something so much better: lactic acid.


Yes, I know it sounds fancy, but trust me, it works wonders. It’s a gentle acid that helps your lips get rid of dead skin while drawing moisture into them.


So, instead of scrubbing away endlessly, you’re giving your lips what they really need — hydration and a bit of help with skin regeneration.


2. Lactic acid to the rescue

I love using lactic acid on my lips a couple of times a week. You only need to apply a thin layer to clean, dry lips, let it sit for a few seconds, and then follow up with something moisturizing, like Aquaphor or Vaseline.


You’ll notice that your lips feel softer and look more plump almost immediately. It’s such a game-changer for me, especially in the winter when my lips used to get super cracked.

Lactic acid

And don’t worry, you don’t need a special product made just for lips — just a gentle lactic acid treatment that’s typically used for the face will do the trick. I’ve been doing this for a while now, and I haven’t had to deal with cracked lips since!


3. Hydration + elasticity = soft lips

Here’s what I’ve learned: it’s all about the balance between hydration and elasticity. Lactic acid gives your lips the hydration they need, while a good lip balm or ointment locks everything in and keeps your lips flexible.


Without that flexibility, your lips are more likely to crack.

Applying a balm to the lips

One product I swear by for hydration is the Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen Lip serum. It has these cute little hydrating beads, and it feels amazing on your lips. You can wear it alone, but I like to layer it under my balm for extra moisture.


4. Simplifying my lip care routine

I used to think I needed a whole arsenal of products to keep my lips soft, but it’s actually super simple. Here’s what I do:

  1. Exfoliate 2-3 times a week with lactic acid.
  2. Hydrate daily with a lip serum like the Algenist one I mentioned.
  3. Seal with a balm or ointment like Aquaphor or Vaseline to keep all that hydration locked in.
Applying a balm to the lips

That’s literally it! On nights when I want extra softness by morning, I’ll follow this routine right before bed, and it works like magic.


5. My go-to overnight routine for softer lips

If you want to wake up with super soft lips, try this before bed:

  1. Gently exfoliate with lactic acid.
  2. Apply a hydrating serum like Algenist's lip serum.
  3. Top it off with a thick balm—Aquaphor or Vaseline are my faves for overnight because they’re super moisturizing.
  4. Optional lip mask: If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll use a tinted lip mask with extra hydrating ingredients. It adds a bit of color and moisture while I sleep, and I love waking up to soft, plump lips.

6. Things to avoid if you want softer lips

Now, if your lips are super dry or cracked, steer clear of heavily pigmented lipsticks or drying matte formulas.


Trust me, those will just settle into the cracks and make your lips look worse. Stick to hydrating products while your lips heal, and you’ll be back to wearing your favorite lipsticks in no time.

Toothpaste

Oh, and a quick tip: toothpaste can actually dry out your lips too. Some toothpaste ingredients can be pretty harsh, so after brushing your teeth, make sure to rinse off any residue from your lips to avoid further dryness.


How to get soft lips

So, if you want soft, hydrated lips, the trick is simple: skip the scrubs, grab some lactic acid, and pair it with a good balm or ointment.


Once I figured this out, I stopped dealing with dry, cracked lips altogether. It’s easy, affordable, and you don’t need a bunch of products.


Just stick to this routine, and you’ll be saying goodbye to dry lips for good! Give this routine a try and let me know how it works for you! 💋


Next, check out The Benefits of Shaving Your Face and How to Do It.

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