Anatomy of the lips

Anatomy of the lips – How do the lips work?

We use our lips every day for so many different things, but few people are actually aware of how the anatomy of the lips makes them such a powerful body part.

How does lip tissue work?

Learn how the combination of skin and muscle allows the lips to function effectively.

Lip anatomy: The basics

For the lips to move and work efficiently, a complex system of muscles and other structures is required. The lips are made up of an upper lip and a lower lip, which are connected and form the transition point between the skin on the face and the lining of the mouth.

It’s the great flexibility of the lips that allows you to express different emotions. This is due to the muscular structure responsible for controlling the lips, which allows great freedom of movement and is interconnected with the rest of the muscles on the face. It’s thanks to these lip muscles that movements like whistling and kissing are possible.

5 unique facts about the lips

They contain more than a million nerve endings

There’s a reason why our lips are so sensitive to touch and temperature. They have a very high concentration of nerve endings, which helps to prevent you ingesting anything that could cause you harm.

They do not sweat

There are no sweat or oil glands on the lips. This means they do not have the usual protection layer of sweat and oils to keep them smooth and moisturised. That’s why it’s important to keep them hydrated with a lip balm like Labello Lip Balm Original.

Each pair of lips is unique

Just like fingerprints, our lips are completely unique to us and you won’t find two sets of identical lip impressions.

It’s blood capillaries that make the lips look rosy

Ever wondered why our lips are rosy-pink in colour unlike the rest of our skin? It’s all down to the little blood capillaries underneath the mucus membrane. These are visible, as lip skin is much thinner than the rest of our skin.

Lips get thinner with age

The lips are partly reliant on collagen for their shape, but as we grow older, our bodies produce less collagen and the lips slowly start to lose their plumpness.

Why do lips dry out?

Find out what causes dry lips and how to keep your lips looking healthy and smooth.

What causes dry lips?

Unlike the rest of our skin, the lips don’t contain sweat or oil glands, which means they cannot keep themselves moisturised – that’s up to you!

Cold weather, a lack of moisture in the air and a poor diet can make dry lips worse and even cause them to crack, becoming very sore in severe cases. The only way to ensure that lips stay smooth and hydrated is with an effective lip care routine.

Hydrate from the inside out

Drinking enough water is essential for keeping lips and the rest of your skin moisturised from the inside out, particularly during the winter months when lips tend to be drier. Simply switch your coffee for a glass of water and enjoy smoother lips in no time.

The key to healthy-looking and smooth lips

Keep a moisturising lip balm with you when you’re on the go and top up regularly to ensure that lips stay supple. Labello Hydro Care Lip Balm with aloe vera is perfect for everyday use, as its non-greasy and won’t leave any colour or shine to the lips.