The skin on the lips is much thinner than that on the face, with only 3 to 5 layers, and lacks sebaceous glands, meaning it cannot secrete its own oil for moisturization. This makes lips extremely susceptible to dryness, sun exposure, and habits like lip licking, especially in autumn and winter when chapped and peeling lips are more pronounced. Many people habitually peel off dead skin with their hands or wipe with a damp towel, but these methods are actually too irritating and can easily cause injury or inflammation.
Three major benefits of lip scrubs
1. Removes dead skin cells, creating smooth lips
Lip scrubs typically use fine sugar granules or natural plant particles combined with nourishing oils to gently remove rough skin from the lips. Like repairing a bumpy road, the skin on the lips is smoother after scrubbing, making it easier for moisturizing products like lip balm and lip oil to be absorbed.
2. Enhance the Efficacy of Lip Care Products
When there’s no rough stratum corneum hindering the lips, moisturizing ingredients can penetrate more deeply, making lip care twice as effective. Furthermore, the massage motion during scrubbing promotes blood circulation in the lips, giving dull lips a natural pinkish hue and making them look fuller.
3. Say Goodbye to Lip Lines and Pigmentation
For those who habitually use long-lasting lipsticks, lip scrubs are indispensable. They help remove stubborn pigmentation, leaving the lip surface clean and new, preventing the deepening of lip lines and uneven lip color.
How to Use a Lip Scrub Correctly?
Frequency of Use
Dermatologists recommend using a lip scrub 2 to 3 times a week. Over-exfoliation can irritate the lips and damage their natural barrier.
Steps
- After cleansing your lips, take an appropriate amount of scrub.
- Gently massage your lips in circular motions for about 20 seconds, paying special attention to dry areas.
- Avoid vigorous rubbing or pressing. Discontinue use if you have wounds or cold sores.
- Wipe with a damp cloth or rinse directly with water to remove any remaining particles.
- Immediately apply lip balm or lip oil to allow your lips to fully absorb the moisture.
DIY Lip Scrub Recipe
For DIY at home, try the following simple recipe:
- Exfoliating layer: 1 tablespoon brown sugar or sea salt
- Moisturizing layer: 1 tablespoon honey, optionally 1 tablespoon coconut oil or almond oil (for added lubrication)
Mix the two together, gently massage onto your lips, and rinse thoroughly for soft, supple lips.
Popular Lip Scrub Product Recommendations
1. La Mer Softening & Repairing Lip Mask
Combining natural plant extracts with multifaceted sugar crystals and marine trace minerals, this exclusive softening lip mask applicator deeply conditions the lips, gently removes dead skin cells, improves dryness and peeling, and evens out lip color.
2. La Bruket 270 Berry Gentle Lip Balm
Contains three different sizes and shapes of natural plant particles, combined with organic rosehip oil and carrot oil, to nourish dry lips and gently remove fine dead skin.
3. Lush Dream Kiss Lip Scrub
A blend of plum and organic jojoba oil, combined with fine sugar granules, gently massages to remove dead skin, leaving lips moisturized, conditioned, and balanced.
4. Addiction Scrub Lip Balm
A stick lip balm containing fine vanilla sugar granules that melt instantly upon application, improving roughness and dryness.
5. M.A.C Lip Scrub Sugar Cream
Based on natural sugar crystals, combined with repairing ingredients such as jojoba oil and grapeseed oil, it can be used before makeup or as part of your nighttime skincare routine, gently removing dead skin cells.
A Little Reminder: The Daily Ritual of Lip Care
Besides regular exfoliation, daily care is essential. Applying lip balm frequently, moisturizing, and avoiding licking your lips are all fundamental steps to maintaining healthy lips. When lips are soft and smooth, they will look their most beautiful, whether you’re wearing nude lips or heavy makeup.
Autumn and winter lip care starts with exfoliation. Say goodbye to dryness, peeling, and lip lines, restoring a creamy, soft touch, ready for every perfect lip color.
