The color of your lips becomes duller and more lackluster with age, too. “The mucosal part of your lip is thinner compared to the rest of your skin, as it is made up of fewer layers and also contains many capillaries or tiny blood vessels,” says board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD explains about lip anatomy. “Taken together, this accounts for the color of the lips.” 

As we get older, the skin becomes dryer. This is true of skin all over our body, but especially the lips. “As you get older, the lips tend to thin and [face] increased moisture loss, which may change the overall appearance and color, as having dry skin on the lips can make them appear dull,” says Garshick. 

Not only is it good for skin health to keep your lips hydrated, it can help keep the appearance vibrant. Look for options that blend together emollients (like castor oil, moringa seed oil, sunflower seed oil), humectants (like hyaluronic acid), and occlusives (like butters and waxes.)