Last Updated on February 26, 2024
A DIY lip scrub is so much more effective, affordable, and accessible than anything you can buy at the store! This lip scrub DIY recipe is something I share with my friends all the time and none of us are going back! The best part is, most scrubs have only 3-4 easy ingredients which are likely in your kitchen.
DIY lip scrub is easy, affordable and a great way to save money, take care of yourself, and reduce packaging waste. If you have sugar or brown sugar (exfoliant) and coconut or jojoba oil (emollient) for this DIY sugar lip scrub, you can create a natural lip scrub in minutes. You’ll be hard pressed to find a name brand formulation that compares to this sugar scrub for lips DIY.
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lip scrub diy recipe
When I lived in San Francisco, I spent too much time at Credo Beauty. Every time I went in with my best friend, she’d want to buy a lip scrub, and I’d say, ‘But it’s so easy to make your own!’ I finally convinced her to give it a try, and she’s never going back to the store bought stuff. My lip scrub DIY recipe is easy, fast, and effective. I know you’re going to love this DIY lip scrub too!
Lips involve some pretty incredible muscles and specialized skin. That tender tissue requires TLC — especially after a cold and windy day. Lips deserve their very own beauty regime, and that’s where these DIY sugar lip scrubs come in.
Most of us try to protect and moisturize our kissers with lip balms and sunscreens. But day-to-day life is tough on sensitive skin. Exposure to elements can quickly turn luscious lips into a chapped and peeling horror show.
With a few simple kitchen ingredients, you can revive your lips and bring them back to smooth kissableness.
Dry lips are so common that almost every major beauty line has a lip scrub available. They’ll also charge exorbitant amounts for a tiny plastic jar that will for sure find its way into a landfill. But DIY lip scrubs are so cheap and easy to make, you don’t have to fall for the fancy packaging. Instead, head to your pantry.
Lip scrubs, with their exfoliating qualities, are ideal for gently removing expired cells from lips. Emollients, which are almost always part of the recipe, help soothe and seal in moisture and protect against future dryness. Smooth, hydrated lips — that’s why lip scrubs exist.
In addition to an all natural lip scrub, check out my article on Face Scrub for an entirely soft and glowing complexion!
emollients and exfoliants in natural lip scrub
Emollients are substances that help moisturize skin. They seal moisture in and offer healing properties. In a lip scrub, you absolutely want this.
DIY lip scrubs usually contain an emollient such as coconut oil, shea butter, avocado oil, cocoa butter, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or pure vitamin E oil.
Each of these oils offers nourishment and healing to skin, including lips. They also provide a vehicle for the exfoliating component to cling to.
Exfoliants provide mild abrasion — the scrub aspect. A common exfoliating ingredient is granulated sugar. Yep, just plain old white sugar. Because of its softness, brown is often preferred when a very gentle scrub is desired. Baking sugar, which is extra fine sugar, can also be used for a gentle natural lip scrub.
Other exfoliant options include coffee grounds. After you make your morning cup of coffee, save those leftover grounds. Not only are they great for your compost but wonderful for exfoliating DIYs like this homemade lip scrub. The caffeine improves circulation which results in plumper and healthier looking skin.
Some other common options are ground flax meal and ground cinnamon which increases circulation and creates temporary plumpness in lips. Mmmm. Nice!
commercial vs diy sugar lip scrub
For me, it comes down to a number of factors: cost, ingredients, and packaging. In striving to create less waste, a homemade lip scrub is pretty much going to win the contest every time.
Up first is cost. I’ve seen lip scrubs sell from as low as $5 to as high as over $50. I personally choose to make my own because you can make it yourself for pennies and repurpose or upcycle an old container.
Next is ingredients. Do your research and make certain you’re applying only safe ingredients to your tender mouth area. One of the reasons I like shopping at Credo or Detox Market is that they have a really strict standard for clean ingredients that are allowed into their products. But if you make it at home, you know exactly what is in each product.
And the last factor is packaging. When you buy a cosmetic or beauty product, you will always encounter some sort of container, and most aren’t very earth friendly or compostable.
But, if DIY really isn’t your thing — which is totally fine — there are some great low waste, eco friendly, and organic skincare companies getting it right! Take a look at these zero waste skincare brands.
ingredients for this super easy-to-make lip scrub
- Emollient: 1 tsp coconut oil
- Exfoliant: 3 tsp sugar
- 2 drops lavender or peppermint oil (optional)
how to make this sugar scrub for lips diy
- Step 1: Soften the coconut oil (if it’s solid) by adding it to a small bowl and setting the bowl in warm water for a few minutes. It only needs to be soft, not melted.
- Step 2: Stir in the sugar.
- Step 3: Add peppermint or lavender oil (optional).
- Step 4: Mix gently until everything is well blended.
using your diy lip scrub
- Apply a small amount of this sugar scrub for lips DIY recipe to your lips.
- Using a light touch, massage it in, making sure to get all areas.
- Leave it on for 5 minutes.
- Gently remove with a warm wet cloth. (Optional: If the sugar dissolves and you like the feel of the scrub on your lips, go ahead and leave it on!)
- Store in a small, clean, and dry (hopefully repurposed) container with a lid.
faqs
How long will my homemade lip scrub last?
If you don’t use it all up, it will last up to six months in the fridge. But I have a feeling you’re going to love your sleek, smooth, hydrated lips so much, you’ll be making more long before six months can pass.
Should I use my lip scrub every day?
I know it’s tempting, but applying lip scrub can actually do the opposite of what you’re wanting. Too much can cause your lips to dry out. So use it no more than 2-3 times a week and slather on the natural lip balm in between.
why doesn’t your diy lip scrub recipe use salt?
For starters, it doesn’t taste very good to slather your mouth in salt. Secondly, salt is a popular exfoliant, but because of its coarseness, is better used for tougher skin. Save the sea salt scrub for a homemade foot scrub or to buff up knees and elbows!
can you make a tinted lip scrub?
Sure! Go ahead and add a few drops of natural food coloring to your concoction for a temporary, natural tint. This will only work if you opt for white sugar in your lip scrub, of course. And be sure to keep the scrub on your lips so you don’t stain the skin around your mouth!
Lip scrubs are a fantastic way to pamper yourself. There are also other scrubs that will help your face and skin. If you missed my article on Face Scrub, please check it out!
