DIY Lip Scrubs for Smooth, Hydrated Lips at Home

Chapped, cracked, and uncomfortable lips are something we’ve all experienced, and let’s face it – it’s never pleasant. If you feel like you’re constantly reapplying lip balm without lasting results, a DIY lip scrub could be just what you need. Lip scrubs gently exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving your lips smoother and more hydrated. In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of DIY lip scrubs, why you should use them, and how to make some effective lip scrub recipes using ingredients you probably already have.

Lip Scrub Benefits

We’re all familiar with facial scrubs and body scrubs, but lip scrubs can often fly under the radar. However, your lips need to be given the same care and attention as the rest of your skin, especially as they are more delicate and more prone to dryness.

What Are Lip Scrubs?

Lip scrubs are a form of physical exfoliation designed specifically for the lips to help remove the layers of dead skin and reveal softer, healthier-looking lips. Unlike lip balms, which focus on moisturizing, lip scrubs actually help to remove the flaky, rough patches that can build up over time due to environmental factors. This makes a homemade exfoliating lip scrub an essential part of any skincare routine.

“Lip scrubs are different from lip balms because they remove the flaky skin that contributes to the chapped, dry appearance of the lips,” explains Heather Marianna, a skin care expert and managing director of Beauty Kitchen. Exfoliating with a lip scrub will prepare your lips to better absorb moisture, allowing your favorite lip balm to work more effectively.

Why Should You Use Lip Scrubs?

From environmental influences to the natural aging process, there are many reasons to include lip scrubs in your beauty routine. Marianna points out that as we age, our lips become thinner due to collagen loss. Regular exfoliation can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and stimulate circulation, creating a plumper, more youthful appearance. Lip scrubs can also help to brighten up dull lips by removing dead skin, leaving them looking smoother and healthier.

According to celebrity aesthetician Joshua Ross of SkinLab, exfoliating removes dead skin that can accumulate around the lips, improving the overall texture and appearance. In addition, many lip scrubs are formulated with nourishing ingredients that provide hydration, moisture, and antiseptic properties, offering more than just exfoliation. In combination with the right ingredients, they can be powerful lip care multi-taskers.

DIY Lip Scrub Recipes

Making your own DIY lip scrub at home is not only easy but also incredibly inexpensive. Most recipes require a few basic ingredients, many of which you probably have. Plus, making your own ensures you’re using natural, safe ingredients that suit you.

Basic Lip Scrub

If you’re pressed for time or only have a few ingredients at hand, this basic recipe for a lip scrub will work wonders for you.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp honey
• 2 tsp sugar

This simple yet effective formula will exfoliate and hydrate your lips, leaving them smooth and soft to the touch.

Sugar Lip Scrub

A sugar scrub is a classic DIY option that not only tastes great but also leaves your lips feeling luxuriously soft.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp finely ground sugar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp honey
• 1-2 drops of essential oil (optional)

Olive oil deeply nourishes lips while honey moisturizes and seals in moisture. This homemade exfoliating lip scrub is perfect for a quick and easy skincare boost.

Honey Lip Scrub

For a more moisturizing scrub, you can add almond oil to honey and sugar for a rich, hydrating lip treatment.

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp almond oil

The almond oil provides essential fatty acids, helping to replenish moisture.

Honey-Coconut Scrub

Combines the power of coconut, honey, and olive oil to create a deeply moisturizing lip scrub. Perfect for those looking to prevent future dryness.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp coconut oil, softened
• ¼ cup coconut sugar
• Pinch of vanilla bean powder
• 1 tsp olive oil

The combination of oils in this recipe moisturizes and soothes while exfoliating dead skin. This DIY lip scrub is a must-try for those looking to add a tropical twist to their lip care routine.

Oatmeal Lip Scrub

Oatmeal is a natural exfoliant that gently removes dirt, oil, and impurities from your lips, while also soothing and hydrating them.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup ground oats
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tbsp honey
• ¼ cup vegetable oil

This scrub is perfect if your lips need extra love, especially in colder months when they’re more prone to cracking.

Coconut Lip Scrub (Without Honey)

If you don’t want to use honey or simply prefer an all-coconut recipe, this vegan option works wonders for exfoliating and hydrating.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp coconut sugar

Coconut oil and sugar combine to provide natural exfoliation and hydration, making this a fantastic option for those looking for a vegan-friendly alternative.

Brown Sugar Scrub

For similar exfoliating and hydrating benefits, if coconut oil isn’t your favorite, this scrub replaces it with olive oil and honey.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 1 tsp honey
• ½ tsp olive oil

The combination of sugars offers dual exfoliation, while olive oil deeply moisturizes.

Cinnamon Lip Scrub

To keep up with the trend for plumper, fuller lips, Marianna recommends using exfoliants that contain cinnamon, as it can help to increase blood circulation and create a fuller look.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp coconut sugar
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp honey

The cinnamon acts as a natural stimulant, encouraging blood flow and giving your lips a subtle plumpness.

Coffee Lip Scrub

For coffee lovers, this scrub not only exfoliates but leaves a delicious scent. Coffee grounds are excellent for buffing away dry skin while the oils add moisture.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp finely ground coffee
• 1 tsp finely ground sugar
• 1 tsp oil (coconut, olive, or jojoba)
• ½ tsp honey

This scrub will leave your lips feeling silky smooth and lightly caffeinated. It’s a DIY lip exfoliator that brings a bit of your morning coffee routine into your skincare.

Peppermint Lip Scrub

A natural way to achieve fuller-looking lips while providing a refreshing tingling sensation, peppermint essential oil can increase blood circulation.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 ½ tsp sugar
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil

Not only does peppermint oil stimulate circulation, but it can also help relieve dry lips, making this scrub a go-to for anyone needing a minty refresher.

Strawberry Lip Scrub

Strawberries are packed with citric acid and vitamin C, which help to polish the lips and fight the signs of aging.

Ingredients:

• 1 strawberry, mashed
• ½ tsp coconut oil
• 2 tsp raw sugar
• ½ tsp honey

This sweet and fruity lip scrub recipe offers a burst of freshness while gently exfoliating your lips.

Vegan Lip Scrub

If you’re looking for a vegan alternative, try this chocolate-flavored scrub. It uses natural ingredients to exfoliate and nourish.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 ½ tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ tsp agave

A delicious treat for your lips, this homemade exfoliating lip scrub is both indulgent and effective at the same time.

Lavender Latte Scrub

The essential oil of lavender is known for its soothing properties, and when combined with coffee grounds and honey, it creates an exfoliating scrub that soothes dry, chapped lips.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp ground coffee
• ½-1 tbsp honey
• 1 drop of lavender essential oil

This scrub is perfect for winding down at the end of the day while treating your lips.

Lip Care Routine

When to Use a Lip Scrub

It’s time to add a lip scrub to your routine if you find your lips are often flaky, irritated or dry. Marianna suggests starting to exfoliate twice a week in the warmer months and increasing this as the seasons get colder. After exfoliating, it’s important to follow up with a lip balm, which contains healing and anti-inflammatory properties. This will ensure that your freshly exfoliated lips stay moisturized.

When Not to Use a DIY Lip Scrub

Especially if your lips are in a sensitive state, it’s not always a good idea to use a lip scrub. Avoid exfoliating if your lips are bleeding, severely chapped, or sunburned. Over-scrubbing is also a common mistake – be gentle and don’t scrub too hard or too often. Always use a circular motion to prevent your lips from cracking.

The Bottom Line

Making your own lip scrubs is a simple, effective, and inexpensive way to keep your lips healthy. Make sure you choose ingredients that are gentle enough for the delicate skin of your lips, such as finely ground sugar or coffee. Whether you want to reduce the signs of aging, keep your lips hydrated, or simply smooth out rough patches, there’s a DIY lip scrub recipe out there for everyone. By using natural ingredients that you likely already have at home, such as coconut oil, honey or sugar, you can create a homemade exfoliating lip scrub that is tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re dealing with weather-related dryness, looking for a quick beauty fix, or maintaining overall lip health, incorporating a DIY lip scrub into your routine can make a world of difference.

Remember, consistency is key. If you exfoliate and moisturize your lips on a regular basis, they will continue to feel soft, smooth, and more resistant to environmental stressors. Just be careful not to overdo it – two times a week is usually enough to keep your lips healthy, with more frequent use in harsher weather conditions. Lips will thank you!