This DIY Lip Scrub Will Give You The Plumpest, Softest Lips Ever

Olivia Hancock
·3 min read

Bye, flaky lips.

<p>Adina Grigore</p>

Adina Grigore

Medically reviewed by Onyeka Obioha, MD

When it comes to lip care, scrubs are a must-have. Exfoliating dry lips with a scrub helps remove built-up dead skin cells, allowing you to reveal your softest, smoothest lips ever.

To help us achieve our plumpest lips yet, we asked our DIY expert Adina Grigore to share her go-to DIY lip scrub recipe. Plus, we enlisted the help of dermatologist Tiffany Libby, to determine exactly why the lips need to be exfoliated—and how often.



Meet the Experts



Ahead, discover how Grigore uses these four all-natural ingredients to whip up her signature lip scrub at home and how to keep lips well-moisturized and supple.

The Importance of Lip Exfoliation

According to Libby, lips are like any other part of the skin—and they need love, too. "Just like exfoliating your face and body, it is important to exfoliate your lips to eliminate chapping and flakes," she says. That being said, she adds: "remember to not overdo it as over-exfoliation may lead to irritation."

Why a Lip Scrub?

For Grigore, the power of a good lip scrub is not to be underestimated, and her recipe is packed with ultra-nourishing ingredients. “There are two ingredients that are essential to making the perfect lip scrub: sugar and coconut oil,” she tells us. “Sugar is a gentle exfoliant that rejuvenates the lips, and coconut oil will rehydrate the exposed skin. They also mix perfectly to make a paste that you can apply and leave on as a treatment! Adding honey and cinnamon superpowers what the scrub is doing for you. Honey has exfoliating properties and protective ones, and cinnamon will increase blood circulation to your lips, plumping them up as you treat them."

DIY Lip Scrub

Here's What You'll Need

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or raw sugar

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 teaspoon unrefined coconut oil

  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or 5 drops cinnamon oil

<p>Adina Grigore </p>

Adina Grigore

Directions

  1. When you're ready to make the scrub, start by filling a bowl with sugar. "In a small bowl, stir the honey into the sugar first," Grigore says.

  2. Next, mix in the coconut oil and stir. "Leave some of the coconut oil in solid chunks as the fiber will add to the scrubbing qualities," she says. Grigore then gently stirs in the cinnamon.

  3. To use, press and scrub the mixture onto your lips. "Leave it on for a few minutes, and don't worry about getting it in your mouth because it'll be delicious," Grigore says.

  4. "Rinse clean and scrub while you rinse," Grigore explains. The skincare pro says that your lips may feel a little sensitive after using the scrub, so you can soothe them by applying a dab of coconut oil or your favorite natural lip balm.

How to Use Lip Scrub

Libby recommends exfoliating once per week and working up to every few days if your lips can tolerate it. But it's also important to add plenty of moisture to the lips, to ensure they don't chap, post-exfoliation.

"Use a gentle lip exfoliator or scrub once or twice a week, followed by a hydrating balm or mask," says Libby. "I recommend the SpoiledChild Hydro-Lock Overnight Lip Mask, ($36), which protects from moisture loss while providing intense nourishment for softer, smoother, more supple lips."

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Read the original article on Byrdie.