Have you ever considered using a lip scrub? Just as you want to gently exfoliate the skin on your body with a simple sugar scrub, you also want to exfoliate the skin on your lips! If having soft, healthy lips is a goal of yours, you may want to try using a lip scrub. Read on to learn about lip scrub benefits and how they can help improve the appearance of your lips. As a bonus, I have included a natural, diy lip scrub formula at the bottom so you can try it today.
During the winter months, I tend to get dry skin from the heat and winter air. This also means that I tend to have dry lips! Using a lip scrub made with natural ingredients I can grab from my kitchen helps me deal with this. You may want to avoid using harsh ingredients on your lips as the skin of your lips tends to be more delicate and can be really painful.
what are lip scrubs?
Lip scrubs tend to be made with coffee grounds, sugar, or salt. I have found some that use things like raspberry seeds for a more gently exfoliation. Lip scrubs help to remove dead cells on your lips and promote health, more supple lips.
The type of exfoliant used is up to you, but I would suggest a finely granulated (more ground up) one. Brown sugar, white sugar, finely ground salt, and fine ground coffee are all examples. These are also combined with a moisturizer such as cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, or avocado oil. These also work as a natural humectant to lock in moisture.
You may also want to add vitamin e oil to your lip scrub. Vitamin e helps you to have healthy skin and promote rejuvenation of skin cells.
You will find different ingredients in lip scrubs. Since they are applied to your lips, any residue could be unknowingly ingested as you eat food, drink water, or unconsciously lick your lips. This is one reason I avoid lips scrubs made with mineral oil or petroleum jelly.
Lip scrubs are like body scrubs, you do not want to use them everyday or you could harm your skin barrier. Using them less frequently, such as 2-3 times per week, may be a better option. After scrubbing, you can use a lip mask or apply a lip balm to help lock in moisture.
the benefits of lip scrub
smoother lips
When you use a natural lip scrub, it helps to exfoliate your lips and improve lip texture. This removes the dead skin cells that can cause dry, flaky lips and reveals a new skin layer. This new lay is what gives you soft and smooth lips.
improves blood circulation
When you scrub away dead cells to reveal new cells, you are also increasing blood circulation to the area. This keeps your lips looking fresh and gives you plumper lips!
reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Improving blood flow to an area can promote healing and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is because collagen production is increased, which helps our skin stay firm and plump, giving us a more youthful appearance.
smoother lipstick or lip gloss application
When you scrub away flaky skin, you are left with smooth skin. This means that the lip product you apply will go on more smoothly.
increases moisture
Lip scrubs, especially homemade lip scrub recipes, have something that will also moisturize your lips. So as you scrub away dead cells, you are helping your lips lock in moisture and stay hydrated! This will help prevent you from getting dry, cracked lips.
helps to protect your lips
Many factors can cause the delicate skin on our lips to become dry or damaged. When using a lip scrub, the nourishing butters or oils are usually full of essential fatty acids. These help to protect the skin of your lips from cold weather, temperature extremes, sun exposure, and pollution.
may act as a primer for lip product application
Depending on your ingredients, a lip scrub may also help create a smoother base for lip products and help them stick to your lips better.
how to make your own lip scrub for kissable lips!
The best way to create a homemade lip scrub is to have 2 ingredients: an emollient and an exfoliant. Listed below are some ideas for each.
emollients:
- coconut oil
- olive oil
- jojoba oil
- almond oil
exfoliants
Make sure this is finely ground! You do not want to use a coarse exfoliant on your lips as the skin is much more delicate and you can harm your lips.
- fine granulated sugar
- finely ground salt
- finely ground leftover coffee grounds
- raspberry seeds
- strawberry seeds
you may also like…
directions to make your own lip scrub
- mix ½ tablespoon emollient with ½ tablespoon exfoliant until well combined.
- take a small amount of lip scrub, and gently apply in small circular motions.
- use warm water (not hot!) to gently wipe away the lip scrub
- apply a lip mask or lip balm
You can do this 2-3 times per week. If you tend to have sensitive skin, I personally would not do it more than once a week. From personal experience, nothing is worse than having a reaction on the skin of your face or lips!
ways to care for your lips
Just as with the skin of your face, you want to make sure to protect the skin of your lips!
- Wear a hat during peak sun hours to prevent them from getting burnt in the summer.
- Using scarves in the wintertime to avoid getting wind burnt.
- Avoid biting or licking your lips, this dries them out more quickly.
- Do not pick or peel at dry or flaking skin on your lips. This can lead to open sores. Instead, use a gentle lip scrub!
- Apply a nourishing lip balm to keep lips hydrated and protected.
don’t forget to “pin” this for later
Coffee or sugar lip scrubs are an easy and cheap way to help take care of your lips. They remove dead skin cells while also moisturizing your lips. In between exfoliation sessions, make sure to take care of your lips. The American Academy of Dermatology Association has created an article on how to properly exfoliate your skin to keep it healthy. You can read that here if interested.
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