14 Easy DIY Lip Scrubs for Smoother, Healthier Lips

Lip scrubs assist in sloughing off dead skin and encourage circulation. Depending on what’s included, they can offer extra perks.

Cracked lips are unpleasant, yet they’re common. If you find yourself constantly reapplying lip balm, a lip scrub might be worth trying.

Dryness of the lips can stem from many causes — allergies, sun exposure, dehydration, extreme heat, cold or windy conditions, or habits like frequent licking or smoking.

When it comes to barrier function, the lips don’t hold moisture well, so dryness is often expected. Exfoliating the lips can make up for where balms fall short.

Beauty routines, shampoo frequency, and cosmetic choices are personal matters.

That’s why we consult a varied group of writers, instructors, and specialists to provide advice on everything from application techniques to the best sheet mask for your unique needs.

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Lip scrub benefits

You might be familiar with exfoliating your face or body, but lip exfoliation is less discussed. What are lip scrubs, and why employ one?

What are lip scrubs?

“Lip scrubs are a form of physical exfoliation for the lips, a region especially vulnerable to harsh conditions.

“They differ from balms because scrubs remove flaky, dead skin layers that make lips appear and feel chapped,” says Heather Marianna, skincare specialist and founder/CEO of Beauty Kitchen.

The challenging conditions Marianna mentions include sun, wind, cold, and heat. If your lips have been chapped, it often happens in winter or after lip sun exposure.

Why use them?

There are many reasons to try lip scrubs — environmental factors, weather, aging, or other causes.

“As we grow older, lips can thin from collagen loss,” Marianna explains. “Lip scrubs can soften lip lines and boost circulation, which helps combat aging signs.”

Benefits include “removing dead skin that accumulates around the lips and can leave them looking dull and dry,” notes celebrity aesthetician Joshua Ross of SkinLab.

In short: with suitable components, a lip scrub can provide exfoliation, hydration, moisture, nourishment, and even antiseptic effects simultaneously, according to Marianna.

Recipes

The skin on your lips is more sensitive than most other areas, so choose gentler ingredients than you would for a body scrub. While some ingredients overlap, use finer-grained abrasives for lips.

Examples of lip-safe exfoliants include very finely ground sugar, cinnamon, and coffee.

Unless stated otherwise, directions are the same for these scrubs: mix the ingredients and store the mixture in an airtight container when finished.

Basic lip scrub

A quick homemade lip scrub is ideal when you’re short on time or only have a couple of staples.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp honey
• 2 tsp sugar

Sugar lip scrub

A DIY sugar lip scrub will taste tempting and leave lips feeling softly smooth.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp finely ground sugar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp honey
• 1–2 drops of your favorite essential oil

Honey lip scrub

Honey is a common humectant in scrubs, including lip scrubs. Pair it with sugar and almond oil for this homemade blend.

Ingredients:

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

Honey-coconut scrub

This lip scrub using coconut oil also calls for olive oil and honey, creating a deeply moisturizing mix.

Ingredients:

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

Directions:

1. Mix honey, coconut oil, and vanilla bean powder until smooth.
2. Fold in the coconut sugar until evenly mixed.
3. Add the olive oil and combine.
4. Keep in an airtight container.

Oatmeal lip scrub

Oatmeal isn’t only for breakfast — it helps lift dirt, oil, and impurities from lips. Blend oats with vegetable oil and other items for a gentle exfoliating and moisturizing scrub.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ground oats
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Coconut lip scrub

If you’re vegan, allergic to honey, or just don’t have it, a honey-free lip scrub works well. This simple coconut-only recipe is effective.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp coconut sugar

Brown sugar scrub

This version uses olive oil and honey as moisturizers while exfoliating with brown and white sugar.

Ingredients:

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

Brown sugar and petroleum jelly scrub

If you prefer petroleum jelly to oil, this is a great option. Food coloring is optional; if you want color but prefer natural options, many stores carry all-natural dyes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp petroleum jelly
• ½ tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp honey
• 3 drops vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 drop red food coloring (optional)

Cinnamon lip scrub

“For the fuller-lip trend, I suggest scrubs with cinnamon (or peppermint),” says Marianna. Try this cinnamon-based mix:

Ingredients:

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

Directions:

• Combine everything and use as a scrub.
• Store in an airtight container between uses.

Coffee lip scrub

This coffee lip scrub doubles up on both exfoliation and moisturizing properties.

Ingredients:

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

Peppermint lip scrub

Peppermint essential oil in a lip scrub may enhance circulation, potentially giving lips a plumper look. It also soothes dry lips.

Ingredients:

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

Strawberry lip scrub

Strawberries contain citric acid and vitamin C, which help polish lips and combat aging signs around the mouth.

Ingredients:

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

Directions:

1. Mash the strawberry with a fork.
2. Mix with the remaining ingredients.

Vegan lip scrub

Many scrubs are vegan or can be made vegan easily. A good example is this chocolate vegan lip scrub.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 1/2 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 tsp agave

Lavender latte scrub

The finely ground coffee in this scrub exfoliates dry skin, while honey helps lock in moisture.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp ground coffee
• ½–1 tbsp honey
• 1 drop lavender essential oil

Lip care routine

When do you use a scrub?

“If someone notices their lips flaking and feeling irritated more than hydrated, it’s wise to begin an exfoliating routine,” Marianna advises. “Like other areas, moderation helps the lips adapt.”

Don’t overdo exfoliation. Marianna recommends scrubbing up to twice weekly in warmer seasons and increasing frequency in winter as necessary.

After exfoliating, Ross recommends sealing in moisture with a balm like Clean & Pure Manuka Honey Lip Balm, which contains manuka honey and beeswax — noted for anti-inflammatory, healing, and antimicrobial properties.

When not to use a DIY lip scrub

There are times to avoid lip scrubs. Don’t use them if:

• Your lips are bleeding or severely chapped
• Your lips are sunburned
• You have acne or open blisters on your lips

Also keep these points in mind:

• Over-exfoliation. Marianna advises no more than two scrubs per week and to avoid vigorous or prolonged scrubbing.
• Technique matters. Scrub in a circular motion to minimize the risk of tearing the delicate lip skin.

The bottom line

Making your own lip scrubs is an affordable, straightforward way to exfoliate while controlling precisely what ingredients touch your lips. Be sure to choose very fine exfoliants such as finely ground coffee or sugar.

For more DIY skincare ideas, consider trying a homemade facial scrub that complements your lip care routine.