Chapped lips are no fun, but we all get them from time to time. If you’re constantly reaching for your lip balm, it may be time to consider a lip scrub.
The reasons for dry lips can vary, but can include allergies, sunburn, dehydration, excessive heat, cold weather or wind, and behavioral habits such as prolonged licking or smoking.
In terms of barrier function, lips are quite inefficient at retaining moisture, so it is not uncommon to experience dryness. But exfoliating the lips can break the looseness where lip balm falls short.
You have probably heard of exfoliating your face or body, but you may never have heard of exfoliating your lips. What Exactly Are Lip Scrubs and Why Should You Use One?
What are lip peels?
“Lip scrubs are a method of physical exfoliation for your lips, an area that is easily affected by harsh environments.
“Lip scrubs are different from lip balms because they remove the flaky, dead layers of skin that make lips look and feel chapped,” said Heather Marianna, skin care professional and founder / CEO of Beauty Kitchen.
The harsh environments Marianna mentions can include things like sun, wind, cold, and heat. If your lips were chapped, it was likely in winter or after your lips got sunburned.
Why use it?
There are several reasons to consider using lip scrubs, be it the environment, the weather, age, or something else.
“As you get older, your lips get thinner over time due to the loss of collagen,” explains Marianna. “Lip scrubs can smooth lip wrinkles and stimulate blood circulation, which is essential in combating the signs of aging.”
Lip scrub benefits include “removing dead skin that builds up around the lip that can lead to dull, dry lips,” explains SkinLab prominent esthetician Joshua Ross.
To sum up the benefits: With the right ingredients, a lip scrub can provide peeling, moisture, moisture, nutrients and antiseptic benefits at the same time, according to Marianna.
Your lips are more sensitive than most other areas of your skin. Therefore, you should use different ingredients than for a general body scrub. Some of the ingredients are overlapping, but for the most part you are using finer grain ingredients.
Examples of lip scrubs include finely ground sugar, cinnamon, and coffee.
Unless otherwise noted, the instructions for these lip scrubs are all the same. Mix all ingredients, mix well and store in an airtight container when done.
Simple lip peeling
A very simple homemade lip scrub recipe is great when you’re short on time or short on basic ingredients.
Ingredients:
Lip peeling with sugar
A DIY sugar lip scrub like this one not only tastes delicious, it also leaves your lips feeling luxuriously soft.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp finely ground sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ teaspoon honey
- 1-2 drops of your favorite essential oil
Honey lip peeling
Honey is a popular humectant in all peels, including lip peels. Combine it with sugar and almond oil for this homemade lip scrub.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of sugar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon almond oil
Honey coconut peeling
This DIY coconut oil lip scrub recipe also features olive oil and honey, which results in an incredibly moisturizing scrub.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, soft
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- Pinch of vanilla pod powder
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Directions:
- Combine the honey, coconut oil, and vanilla bean powder until everything is well mixed.
- Stir in the coconut sugar until it’s evenly mixed.
- Stir in olive oil.
- Store in an airtight container.
Lip peeling with oatmeal
In addition to breakfast, oatmeal is great for removing traces of dirt, oil, and blemishes from your lips. Combine oatmeal with vegetable oil and a few other ingredients for an exfoliating and moisturizing lip scrub.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Coconut lip scrub
Whether vegan, allergy sufferer or simply no honey at hand, a lip peeling without honey is of course possible. This simple coconut recipe will do just as well.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
Brown sugar scrub
This coconut oil-free lip scrub works just as well with olive oil and honey as the humectant of choice.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon olive oil
Brown sugar and petroleum jelly scrub
If you prefer to use petroleum jelly instead of oil, this is the perfect recipe for you. The red food coloring is not required, and if you love the idea of adding some color to it but prefer not to use regular coloring, natural food coloring is available at many grocery stores.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of petroleum jelly
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 3 drops of vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 drop of red food coloring (optional)
Cinnamon lip scrub
“To keep up with the trend towards plumper, fuller lips, I recommend lip scrubs with cinnamon (or peppermint) in them,” says Marianna. Try this cinnamon-based lip scrub recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp coconut blossom sugar
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp honey
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients together and use as a scrub.
- Store in an airtight container when not in use.
Lip peeling with coffee
This coffee lip scrub doubles the scrubs and moisturizers.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of finely ground coffee
- 1 teaspoon of finely ground sugar
- 1 teaspoon oil (coconut, olive or jojoba oil)
- ½ teaspoon honey
Peppermint lip scrub
Using peppermint essential oil in your lip scrub can stimulate blood circulation, which can lead to fuller looking lips. It can also provide relief for dry lips.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 ½ tsp sugar
- 3 drops of peppermint essential oil
Strawberry lip scrub
Strawberries are full of citric acid and vitamin C that will help polish your lips and fight the signs of aging around your mouth.
Ingredients:
- 1 strawberry
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons of raw sugar
- ½ teaspoon honey
Directions:
- Mash the strawberry with a fork.
- Mix with the remaining ingredients.
Vegan lip peeling
Many lip scrub recipes are vegan or easy to make vegan. A great example is this vegan chocolate lip scrub.
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 1/2 teaspoons of coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon agave
Lavender latte scrub
The coffee grounds (make sure you use finely ground coffee) in this scrub will exfoliate dry skin, and the honey will lock in moisture.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp ground coffee
- ½-1 tbsp honey
- 1 drop of lavender essential oil
When to use an exfoliant
“If someone finds that their lips feel flaky and irritated more often than they are moisturized, it’s best to start with an exfoliator,” explains Marianna. “As with exfoliating any other part of the body, moderation is key to getting the lips used to this process.”
As with all scrubs, it’s important not to overdo it. Marianna suggests exfoliating lip peelings twice a week in the warmer months and increasing it as needed in the winter months.
After using your lip scrub, Ross recommends applying a lip balm such as Clean & Pure Manuka Honey Lip Balm. This one contains manuka honey beeswax, which he explains is extremely anti-inflammatory and healing, and contains antimicrobial and clean ingredients.
When not to use a DIY lip scrub
Using lip scrubs isn’t always a good idea. It’s best to avoid them when:
- Your lips are bleeding or chapped
- Your lips are sunburned
- You have acne or blisters on your lips
You should also keep a few things in mind, such as:
- Over-peeling. Marianna suggests exfoliating no more than twice a week and not scrubbing too vigorously or for too long.
- Direction counts. Be sure to scrub in a circular motion as this will protect your lips from tearing.
DIY lip scrubs are a great way to easily and inexpensively exfoliate your lips while knowing exactly what ingredients are getting on your lips.
Make sure to always use very fine (not coarse) peels like finely ground coffee and sugar.
Ashley Hubbard is a Nashville, Tennessee-based freelance writer focusing on sustainability, travel, veganism, mental health, social justice, and more. With a passion for animal rights, sustainable travel and social impact, she seeks ethical experiences, whether at home or on the go. Visit her website wild-hearted.com.
