The 13 best lip scrubs for your smoothest lips yet
If your lips are flakier than an introvert with last minute plans, this is one kind of scrub you need in your life. TLC first, always.
Lip scrubs are like little pots of magic that keep your pout oh-so-smooth and buttery soft, even in the scorching heat of this unexpectedly stale British summer. In fact, turns out you can suffer from dry lips in the summer too. Who knew?
It makes sense. At this time of year, your body starts to get very dehydrated very quickly, and that reflects on your skin, lips included. Not to mention the air conditioning units that dry out the air in enclosed spaces. These can seriously dry out lips too. Plus, if you're like us, you're probably chugging down a whole load of ice lollies, so naturally, you're lips might start turning on you – crusty McCrust style.
That's where lip scrubs swoop in. Lip scrubs will help to buff away any clingy dead skin and prep your pout for lip balm application, allowing your lips to soak up that extra hydration and become smoother than Pedro Pascal's rizz.
It's also an essential prep step if you're looking to wear matte or long-wear lipsticks, to stop any crustiness from occurring. In fact, most makeup artists will exfoliate and apply a balm to the lips before they even think about starting on the base.
After all lip scrubs aren't just a winter necessity. They're your year-round ticket to luscious lips. So here is all your questions on lip scrubs answered by the experts.
What are the benefits of using lip scrubs?
Diane Ackers, beauty expert for Doctors Formula Cosmeceuticals says: “Just like our face and body, lips benefit from regular exfoliation in the form of a lip scrub. Super soft, supple lips, absorb active, hydrating, and moisturising ingredients more effectively as they penetrate rapidly, rather than fighting their way through layers of dead and dry skin.”
Diane then adds: “Summer dry or winter cracked lips, benefit from the removal of the dry and flaky skin, but also the stimulation of the microcirculation in the lips, by using a scrub.” One surprising fact? “If you’ve got a pale pout, then regular use of a lip scrub can potentially add a warmer hue to your lips as the circulation is increased.” says Diane.
What ingredients should we be looking for on our lip scrubs?
Emma Coleman, dermatology & aesthetic RGN, says: “Ideal lip scrub ingredients would include an emollient such as shea butter to seal in moisture, an exfoliant such as pomegranate enzyme and to reduce dry skin without being too abrasive.”
Alexandra Haq Mills, medical aesthetician & skincare expert also recommends products rich in moisturising ingredients “such as honey, shea butter, or coconut oil” as well as “vitamin E, which is known for its skin-healing properties”.
Any ingredients we should avoid?
Diane recommends staying away from heavily fragranced products and essential oils. “The alcohol in the fragrance can have the opposite effect to hydration and dry the lips out. Essential oils in large doses, specifically stimulants such as peppermint, menthol, and eucalyptus, even citrus in large doses can be too stimulating on the lips.”
She says, then adding: “The same can be said for ingredients which are known to be astringents; although they can be great on the skin, ingredients such as witch hazel are not the best to use on the lip area for their skin tightening effects as they don’t assist with any dryness, flaking or cracked skin on the lips, they simply sting.”
While Emma also adds: “Avoid heavily abrasive ingredients such as sugar and apricot kernels as lip skin is fragile.”
How often should we use lip scrubs?
“Ideally use your lip scrubs two to three times per week, be gentle though when you use to ensure you don’t over sensitise the lips. You simply want to eradicate the dead, dry and cracked skin and replenish the moisture and hydration levels.” says Diane.
Dr Bhavjit Kaur, aesthetic medical practitioner adds: “Never exfoliate if there are open cuts or wounds on lip or if lips are very dry.”
Are there any side effects from overusing lip scrubs?
When it comes to any side effects that may occur, Diane says: “Your lips are delicate, full of nerves, and have their very own microcirculation. Over stimulation will have the opposite effect of what you want to achieve, potentially causing the lip skin to shed, making them more dry, fragile, and increasing the risk of cracking.”
Dr Bhavjit Kaur adds: “Sometimes people with hyperpigmentation of lips (especially in melanin rich skin or post allergy) over scrubbing can irritate the area and further exacerbate lip hyperpigmentation.”
Is it okay to make your own lip scrubs from home?
Now, if you're wondering wether at home DIY lip scrubs are a go to? The answer is both yay and nay. DIY lip scrubs can be great if you know what you're doing and use safe ingredients. However, it's essential to be cautious and informed about what you're putting on your lips. Some common DIY lip scrub ingredients like sugar, honey, and oils can be perfectly safe, but others might irritate sensitive skin, or make the dryness worst. So, do your research, follow reliable recipes, and listen to your skin.
Diane adds: “Whether it be a home-made application of coconut oil, sugar cane, and a hint of honey or the latest advance in beauty ingredients with dry powder scrubs or nano spheric ingredients which are totally spherical so as not to scratch the delicate lip membrane. Search for scrubs with humectant ingredients which continue to keep lips soft and hydrated by attracting moisture even after use. Emollients are great too, for those heavier, rich and conditioning base formulations to keep lips pliable, soft and smooth.”
Convinced? Here are some of our favourites to shop now:
For a glossy canvas
Dior Addict Lip Sugar Scrub, £32, Sephora
The Dior Addict range is adorned by the beauty corner of TikTok for good reason. This sugar scrub works wonders to transform your lips into a softer and glossier canvas, in just one sweep of its concentrated “granita” texture. Ingredients include synthetic beeswax, mango seed butter and vanilla for that nourishing and sweetly scented exfoliation.
Enjoy more savings when shopping for the best lip scrubs with these Sephora discount codes.
For fuss-free exfoliation
Fenty Beauty Pro Kiss'r Lip Loving Scrubstick, £19, Boots
This Fenty lip scrub is packed with tiny apricot seed scrubbers that work their magic, by gently exfoliating your lips to leave them feeling and looking smooth instantly, without drying them out. It's powered by a lightweight and non-greasy formula that glides on the lips effortlessly.
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For budget buying
e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Exfoliator, £5, Sephora
This exfoliator is infused with some serious power ingredients, including vitamin E, shea butter, avocado, grape, and jojoba oils. It's like a super powered fusion of nourishment for your lips, providing protection and hydration in one single swoop. An excellent budget friendly option in a convenient stick for mess-free scrubbing.
Enjoy more savings when shopping for the best lip scrubs with these Sephora discount codes.
For lux treatment
La Mer The Lip Polish scrub, £58, Selfridges
This La Mer lip scrub itself is formulated with a blend of multi-faceted sugar crystals and micro-refined marine minerals that work hard to target dryness, flakiness, and uneven texture. It also comes with a detached wand that you can use to boosts microcirculation and gently refine the texture of your lips.
Enjoy more savings when shopping for the best lip scrubs with these Selfridges discount codes.
For sustainable options
Lush Cherry Lip Scrub, £7, Lush
This lip scrub has the most epic cherry red tint and a strong ability to make lips irresistibly soft, especially during the winter months. It also has a nice little sour yet fruity and refreshing taste, just in case your tongue happens to meets your lips. Win-win.
For brush lovers
This Refy Lip Buff doesn't work like other granular lip scrubs. It's unique formula features ingredients like amino acids and a complex of five Hyaluronic Acids that work together to hydrate, pamper and plump your lips, without having to use abrasive particles. You simply apply the weightless serum released and use this unique applicator with small bristles to exfoliate your lips.
For fair trade solutions
The Body Shop Mango Lip Scrub, £8, The Body Shop
This Body Shop scrub comes in an adorable and recyclable aluminium tin, packed with a hardworking solution formulated with 97% ingredients of natural origin. It's enriched with Community Fair Trade mango seed oil from India and crafted with Community Fair Trade shea butter from Tamale, Ghana, leaving you with your softest and guilt-free lips yet.
For an exfoliating mask treatment
bareMinerals Ageless Phyto-Retinol Lip Mask, £25, Boots
Although this is a leave-on lip mask, it's formulated with retinol, which increases cell turnover, so in a way it works as a chemical exfoliant. It also contains papaya enzymes, that replenish essential moisture, smooth fine lines, and boost lip radiance over time.
Enjoy more savings when shopping for the best lip scrubs with these Boots discount codes.
For a hint of rose
By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Scrub, £18.20, Look Fantastic
If you're already a huge fan of By Terry's Baume De Rose, you're going to love its exfoliating sister. It's packed with a caring blend of rose butter and rosehip oil, and as soon as it touches your lip, the sugary-textured balm melts away, gently exfoliating any dry or flaky skin that may have been causing you trouble.
Enjoy more savings when shopping for the best lip scrubs with these Look Fantastic discount codes.
For a smooth blend
Frank Body Lip Scrub Original, £11.95, Boots
Packed with the perfect blend of raw sugar, coffee, and ethically-sourced beeswax, this scrub is all about gently buffing away chapped and flaky lips and leaving you with super soft and smooth lips.
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For a burst of lemon flavour
Lanolips Lemonaid Scrubba-Balm, £13, Cult Beauty
Lanolips know a thing or two about lip care, and this lip scrub combines the power of a gentle sugar scrub with the hydrating and protective magic of a balm. The superstar ingredient is lanolin, that mimics our own natural oils, providing ultimate hydration while the lemon oil and orange peel aid the breakdown and exfoliation of dead skin. Bonus, you also get a delicious burst of citrusy flavour and scent.
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For gentle exfoliation
Burt’s Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub, £7.49, Sephora
This lip scrub is all about gentle exfoliation and conditioning. With its exotic oils and exfoliating honey crystals, it delicately buffs away any rough, dry skin, revealing a soft and supple canvas. It's like giving your lips a rejuvenating spa treatment right at home.
Enjoy more savings when shopping for the best lip scrubs with these Sephora discount codes.
For a powerhouse combo
Fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator, £16.50, Look Fantastic
This lip exfoliator is packed with a powerhouse combination of shea butter and jojoba oil, which do wonders especially for those of us who are prone to chapped skin. It creates a flawless canvas, ensuring that any product you may apply on top, be it a lip balm or your favourite lip colour, will glide on like a dream.
Enjoy more savings when shopping for the best lip scrubs with these Look Fantastic discount codes.
