Giving lip scrubs a miss? Here’s why they deserve a spot in your lip care routine

Here’s how you can incorporate lip scrubbing to create an effective lip care routine

While most of us have a habit of swiping a lip balm across our lips from time to time,  we don’t always care for our lips as extensively as our face. This explains why your lips not only become chapped and dehydrated but also prone to dryness, peeling skin, and cracks. To keep them soft and supple, turn to lip scrubbing, a quick and easy at-home fix. 

Lip scrubbinghelps with removing dead skin, improving texture, and allows for better absorption of your lip care products. 

What is Lip Scrubbing?

Lip scrubbing refers to exfoliating the lips with a scrub specifically formulated to remove dry or flaky skin without disrupting the tender skin of your lips. Lip scrubs are typically prepared using gentle exfoliators—think brown sugar or finely grounded coffee—that emulsify upon contact with water and gently slough away dead skin. Lip scrubs also come packed with nourishing hydrators such as coconut or olive oil, honey, or shea butter. 

The Benefits of Lip Scrubbing

Lip scrubbing is an essential part of any effective lip care routine, offering benefits that extend beyond just improving their appearance. By gently exfoliating, you can remove the build-up of dry, flaky skin that often makes lips appear dull and feel uncomfortable. This simple step not only reveals a smoother surface but also helps prevent chapping by allowing moisture to penetrate effectively. The result? Softer, more hydrated lips that are less susceptible to cracking and irritation.

This process also enhances the effectiveness of your lip care products. By removing the dead skin barrier, balms, serums, and other hydrating treatments can penetrate deeply. Ingredients like shea butter in natural lip balms work better after exfoliation.

In addition to hydration and softness, lip scrubbing can give your lips a healthy, natural glow. Many lip scrubs incorporate honey, a natural humectant with antibacterial properties. Honey soothes and heals irritated lips while also leaving a subtle, glossy finish.

Potential Drawbacks of Lip Scrubbing

Lip scrubbing has its caveats—too much too often can damage your lip barrier, proving to be counterproductive and drying out your lips further. We list some potential side-effects that you must be wary of.

Risk of Over-exfoliation

Over-scrubbing can damage the delicate skin on the lips, leading to irritation, increased sensitivity, and even swelling. It’s recommended to limit lip exfoliation to once or twice a week, depending on your skin’s sensitivity and the climate too.

Potential for Allergic Reactions

Some lip scrubs contain ingredients that may cause allergic reactions. Fragrances, artificial colours, and certain natural or essential oils can cause irritation or allergic responses. To avoid such reactions, look for lip scrubs that are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and made from natural ingredients that are suitable for sensitive skin.

How to Choose the Right Lip Scrub?

Here are some tips to guide you to select the right scrub to optimise your lip care routine 

Look for Natural and Hypoallergenic Ingredients

Choosing lip scrubs with natural ingredients reduces the risk of irritation and provides additional nutrients and antioxidants that benefit your lips. Some ideal ingredients for a non-toxic lip scrub include:

Honey: Helps retain moisture and soothes any irritation.

Shea Butter: Deeply nourishing and protects lips from dryness.

Coconut Oil: Contains rich fatty acids that hydrate and soften lips.

Brown Sugar or Cane Sugar: Acts as a gentle exfoliant to remove dead skin.

Expert Advice on Lip Care

Lip care is about more than just scrubbing; it requires a balanced approach to maintain health and hydration. Here is some advice from dermatologists and skincare experts on maintaining an effective and safe lip care routine.

Be mindful of the frequency of lip scrubbing 

Experts agree that while exfoliating can enhance the lip care routine, it’s essential to limit the frequency. Over-scrubbing can cause long-term sensitivity, especially if using coarse exfoliants like salt or large sugar granules. Once or twice a week is sufficient for most people, and if your lips feel irritated or sensitive, it’s best to skip scrubbing until they’ve healed.

Don’t keep licking your lips 

While it may be tempting to lick dry lips for temporary relief, saliva evaporates quickly, leaving lips even drier and more prone to chapping. It can lead to further dryness and discomfort. Instead, focus on applying a moisturising balm regularly, which will provide lasting hydration without damaging the delicate lip tissue.

Hydration is Key

Cold temperatures and dry air can quickly dehydrate lips, causing them to become chapped and uncomfortable. To counter this, use hydrating lip balms rich in ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera. They are particularly effective as they attract and lock in moisture, keeping lips supple throughout the day.

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Also Read: Can lip balms worsen the dryness of your lips?