Meet the Luxe DIY Lip Scrub You Can Make From Ingredients in Your Kitchen
As you've likely learned firsthand, lips are one of the hardest parts of the face to keep hydrated. That's because lips contain a limited amount of oil glands, making them super susceptible to drying out. Dehydrated lips can be caused by a number of different factors–two of the biggest being heat and sun exposure, both things you're likely to experience daily throughout the summer.
During the warmer months, it's good practice to apply a lip balm a few times a day to prevent dry lips. But if at some point, your lips go from chapped back to hydrated, you'll likely be left with flaky dead skin cells that need to be gently exfoliated away. For that, you'll want to use a gentle, exfoliating lip scrub.
Below, we're sharing a lip scrub recipe you can make using things you probably already have hanging around your kitchen. Follow the tutorial and recipe below to reveal soft, supple, healthy lips. Want to know more about exactly how to exfoliate lips? Read our story that dives deeper into this key beauty step.
DIY lip scrub recipe
What you’ll need:
Brown sugar: Brown sugar is a natural exfoliant. The grainy texture of brown sugar will help with exfoliation and removing dead skin cells. In homemade lip scrubs (and storebought ones), you'll likely see granulated sugar used. This works too, but we prefer brown sugar as it's a little bit finer and therefore gentler on the lips. If your lips are super sensitive, you can also try using caster sugar (powdered sugar) instead as those granules are even more gentle.
Coconut oil: This super hydrating oil will not only help the brown sugar go on smoothly, but it's also packed with fatty acids to deeply hydrate the lips and prevent dry skin.
Honey: Like coconut oil, honey is also a natural moisturizer. Additionally, it's antimicrobial and has healing properties, meaning it can help prevent cracked lips from infection and help them to heal faster.
How to make a DIY sugar lip scrub
1. Mix together one part coconut oil and one part honey (for example, one tablespoon each).
Make sure your coconut oil is at room temperature. It should be in a solid state but soft to the touch. Honey should also be cool but runny. If you're using raw honey you may need to heat it up for just a few seconds so that it softens up a bit. If this mixture is too warm, the brown sugar may dissolve once you add it in. Mix these two ingredients together until well combined.
2. Add in two parts brown sugar to the mixture.
If you used one tablespoon of coconut oil and one tablespoon of honey, you'll want to use two packed tablespoons of brown sugar. Use a small spoon and mix until it forms a thick, grainy paste.
3. Transfer.
Transfer the mixture into a small, airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.
The best lip scrubs to try now
Not one for DIYs? No sweat. There are plenty of great lip scrubs available on IPSY that you can easily incorporate into your beauty routine. Here are three of our favorites–all of which have already received an Ipster stamp of approval.
1. KISMET Buff All Natural Sugar Scrub in Bright & Bubbly
This pink sugar scrub tastes like champagne and is formulated with moisturizing shea butter and brightening vitamin C. Use this twice weekly to keep that precious pout supple and smooth.
"I'm used to using sugar lip scrub that dissolves pretty quickly, but the granules this stay intact while you're scrubbing," one Ipster says. "It made a huge difference because I didn't need to reapply, and it didn't leave too heavy of a finish when I wiped it off."
2. NAKED COSMETICS Lip Scrub in Vanilla Creme
This decadent, vanilla-flavored scrub packed with vitamin E, healing beeswax, and fatty acid-filled avocado oil will help you easily exfoliate your way to healthy, soft lips.
"This was amazing," one Ipster writes. "I typically like lip scrubs that are more abrasive, but this got the job done without being so rough. Smelled great and had a pleasant flavor. Left my lips very soft."
3. ECO LIPS Lip Scrub in Brown Sugar
If you don't want to make your own but still want something that features the soft granules of brown sugar, lather on this lips scrub. In addition to our favorite sweet, sticky, exfoliator, this formula includes coconut oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil to moisturize and protect the lips.
"Not only does it work, but it tastes so good. If any gets in your mouth, the ingredients are all natural," one Ipster writes. "Also, it doesn't leave your lips and the skin around them feeling greasy, which is a plus!"
Want in on all the Glam Bag fun? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn free products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.