As a trailblazing lip balm brand, we're on a relentless mission for velvety, uber-hydrated, lip-smackingly happy lips. So naturally, we are fully onboard the lip scrub train! And with a Founder who handcrafts every one of our lip balms in her off-grid property, you know we're big fans of super effective, planet-loving DIY beauty hacks.
So, if you're searching for the softest, smoothest lips of your life, start with our favorite easy and effective lip scrub recipe down below and then browse our award-winning natural lip balms to lock in that moisture and softness all day long.
The best homemade DIY lip scrub recipe
The best homemade lip scrub starts with just a few natural ingredients that you probably already have in your cupboard. With just 3 ingredients, you have a nourishing, exfoliating lip scrub for a perfectly petal soft pout.
Once you have your 3 ingredient base, you can make your lip scrub as aromatic, aesthetic, and extra as you like with essential oils, plant extracts, and even natural colorants for a pop of pink. So, whether you're here for a simple 60 second scrub, or you're ready to work some witchcraft and get potion-making, you've come to the right place.
LIP SCRUB 101
To create an effective sugar lip scrub, you'll want to start with two main components: a moisturizer that acts as your base, and an exfoliant. After that, you can start plotting your natural add-ins.
The moisturizing base
Start with a natural emollient (moisturizer) like coconut oil, honey, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, almond oil, or shea butter. This will not only act as the carrier for your exfoliant, but will hydrate and soften your lips while the exfoliator works its skin smoothing magic.
The exfoliant
Your exfoliant should be a coarse, yet gentle natural ingredient that will exfoliate without damaging your delicate lip skin. The best choices for lips are sugar and coffee grounds. Sugar will gently remove dry, dead skin (while tasting delicious), and coffee grounds will do the job with an energizing boost of caffeine.
Some people also opt for sea salt in their homemade lip scrub recipes, which is nature's most well-known exfoliant. The only downside of salt is that it's a little harsh for the lips (unless you're extremely gentle). Instead, reserve salt scrubs for rougher areas like feet, elbows, and knees where the skin is thicker.
Essential Oils and Other Extras
You know we love a good essential oil around here. Besides smelling naturally delicious, essential oils have countless healing properties that can take your lip scrub (and your day) from basic to transformative. Add a little ritual to your day with some modern-day potion mixing and a mindful moment of lip pampering.
Choose your essential oils and extras according to the benefits you'd like to receive, whether that's a boost of energy, moment of calm, or more mental sharpness. Peruse the benefits of a few of our favorite essentials that we include in our Organic Lip Balms.
Lemon balm essential oil: our secret weapon against cold sores. Lemon balm has been shown to both prevent and treat cold sores. If you have an active cold sore however, steer clear of lip scrubs which can make things worse. Instead, use our Lavender Lemon Balm Lip Balm to heal your cold sore quickly.
Sweet orange essential oil: rich in antioxidants, sweet orange oil fights damaging free radicals, promotes collagen production, and reduces redness and inflammation caused by dryness.
Lavender essential oil: lavender oil helps balance your skin's moisture barrier while fighting inflammation and irritation. It has strong antiseptic properties to heal dry lips faster, and of course the most soothing, calming scent we can't get enough of. Sleep better with smooth lips and a zen energy.
Grapefruit essential oil: packed with vitamin C, grapefruit oil stimulates collagen production, calms inflammation, and soothes dry, irritated skin. Grapefruit also helps boost energy and quell anxiety.
Peppermint essential oil: peppermint promotes better circulation and its energizing scent leaves your lips feeling refreshed and fresh. Peppermint also has a natural SPF to help protect your lips from the sun's rays and is well-known for its aromatherapy powers to boost focus and energy.
Red raspberry seed oil: this delicious smelling oil fights free radicals while soothing dry, irritated skin. Red Raspberry seed oil has a reported natural SPF of 28-50.
Vitamin E oil: incredibly healing, vitamin E helps hydrate and soothe dry lips while acting as a natural preservative.
Tip: only used citrus-based lip scrubs at night as citrus can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Your 3 Ingredient Lip Scrub Recipe for Dry Lips
Make a basic but super effective lip scrub with the first 3 ingredients and add any of the optional ingredients for scent, color, and extra healing benefits.
Ingredients
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1 tbsp coconut oil, softened
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1 tbsp honey
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2 tbsp cane sugar, brown sugar, or coconut sugar
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1-2 drop of essential oils (optional)*
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5-10 drops of vitamin E oil for a preservative (optional)*
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Beetroot powder for color (optional)*
Instructions
1. Start by mixing coconut oil and honey in a small bowl.
2. Add in any essential oils, vitamin E (if using) and beetroot powder (optional) and stir all ingredients together.
3. Stir in sugar until your scrub reaches your desired consistency. If you'd like a harder scrub, add in more sugar.
4. Store in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks. If you used a natural preservative like vitamin E, it should keep for about a month.
How to apply your DIY Lip Scrub
Once your mixture has cooled down to room temperature, you're ready to start your skin-smoothing ritual. Using your finger or a soft bristle toothbrush, gently rub your lip scrub all across your lips for a minute or two in a circular motion. Then, let the scrub sit on your lips for a few more minutes for a hydrating lip mask moment. Remove the mixture with warm water or a wet facecloth.
Repeat once a week, or twice at the most. Just like everything, you can have too much of a good thing - too frequent exfoliation can irritate your lips, creating more dryness and peeling.
The benefits of exfoliating your lips
Lip scrubs are the secret to super soft, smooth lips - they remove dead skin cells and stimulate blood flow, creating the perfect silky canvas for lipstick. Lip scrubs also allow for better absorption of lip balms - helping all those deliciously hydrating, healing natural ingredients soak in.
Lip Scrub Tips
Do less
The lip scrub motto: less is more. Use less pressure than you think while exfoliating and only exfoliate 1-2 times per week to prevent irritation.
Always follow with lip balm
Lock in the smoothness with a deeply hydrating, antioxidant-rich lip balm that will keep your lips soft and moisturized.
The lip balm exfoliation method
If you don't have the time or ingredients to concoct your own lip scrub, simply apply some lip balm to your lips and run a wet toothbrush over your lips in circular motions. You'll get the same soft and supple lips minus the prep time.
Your lip scrub questions answered
What is the best homemade lip scrub?
The best homemade lip scrub recipe uses coconut oil, sugar, honey, and an optional dose of essential oils for added healing benefits.
How do I exfoliate my lips at home?
You can easily exfoliate your lips at home with a DIY lip scrub made of honey and sugar. Rub the scrub in circular motions to exfoliate your lips and remove dead skin.
How to make a 3 ingredient lip scrub?
The easiest and best 3 ingredient lip scrub is made with 1 tbsp coconut oil, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1 tbsp honey.
What sugar should I use for lip scrub?
The best sugar to use for your DIY lip scrub is cane sugar. You can also use brown sugar or coconut sugar.
Is salt or sugar better for lip scrub?
Sugar is a more gentle exfoliant than salt, making it a better option for exfoliating the delicate skin on your lips.
Does baking soda exfoliate lips?
Baking soda can exfoliate lips, however they are better options out there. Baking soda strips oil from the skin and can disrupt its natural PH.
