We tend to think of our lips in very simple terms: are they soft or dry, smooth or chapped, nourished or in need of a little more balm?
But Ayurveda invites us to look a little closer. This ancient system of wellbeing sees the body as an interconnected whole, where subtle changes can offer clues about what may be happening within. Rather than treating one symptom in isolation, Ayurveda asks us to notice patterns, and to respond with what brings us back towards balance.
So, what might our lips be telling us?
Vata Imbalance: Dry, thin, rough, deeply lined, or severely chapped and flaking.
Pitta Imbalance: Red, inflamed, burning, or prone to cold sores, and yellowish or coppery discoloration.
Kapha Imbalance: Pale, thick, cold, or overly moist, sometimes with a whitish or pale-blue tint.
When dryness speaks Vata
Of the three doshas, Vata is perhaps the most relevant when it comes to dry, chapped or depleted-feeling lips.
Vata is formed from the elements of air and space and carries qualities that are light, dry, cool, rough and mobile. When Vata is elevated, these same qualities can become more apparent in the body, with dryness often showing up in the skin and hair.
This doesn't mean that dry lips automatically indicate a Vata imbalance — cold weather, dehydration, environmental exposure and many everyday factors can affect the lips too. Ayurveda simply encourages us to see dryness as a cue to pause and consider what the body might be asking for.
Perhaps it needs more nourishment, moisture or care.
And this is where the Ayurvedic principle of opposites becomes wonderfully intuitive: to balance dryness, bring in nourishment; to counter excess heat, seek cooling and soothing qualities.
The lips and the wider body
Ayurveda doesn't view beauty as separate from wellbeing. The condition of the skin can reflect nourishment, hydration, digestion, environment and lifestyle, which is why Ayurvedic skincare tends to look beyond the surface.
There are also traditional Ayurvedic approaches to facial observation in which different areas of the face are considered alongside wider patterns in the body. Some practitioners associate the outer edges of the lips with the kidneys and adrenals, for example.
VATA: Dry, cracked lips
Ground your energy with a warm, oil massage. Embrace moisture.
PITTA: Red, burning lips prone to cold sores
Pause, breathe and cool the fire with some breathwork. Embrace soothing formulas.
KAPHA: Pale, thick lips.
Wake up your energy with dry brushing, dance or an invigorating yoga flow. Embrace warm, energising formulas.
Why we made Lip Therapy
We were inspired by how easy it is to overlook our lips or what we put on them.
We apply lipstick, balm and gloss throughout the day without necessarily thinking about what we're putting on this delicate area, or how often we're applying it.
For Mauli Co-Founder Anita Kaushal, the starting point was personal. Having experienced dry lips herself, she wanted to create something that would nourish rather than simply mask the problem, and it had to be pure in nature.
The result is Lip Therapy: a deeply nourishing lip and cheek balm made with nutrient-rich botanicals to hydrate, soften and visibly plump dry lips.
At its heart is a potent blend inspired by the same botanical wisdom that runs through Mauli's rituals: lotus flower, gotu kola, amla, rose, cardamom, shea butter, squalane, castor oil and vitamin E.
A ritual for all lips
We wanted a balm that provided a solution for all concerns associated with a dosha imbalance:
Vata - moisturises & plumps
Pitta - soothes & nourishes
Kapha - illuminates & balances
And most importantly, each application of Lip Therapy is intended as a gentle reminder: Nourish your lips. Soften your words.
