Irritated, flaky, dry—words that can be used to describe my first boyfriend and my lips as soon as the cold weather sets in. Like the rest of the skin on your body, the particularly fragile outer layer of your kisser is susceptible to moisture loss, exacerbated by the dipping barometer, which is where a DIY lip scrub comes in.
When it comes to your lips, though, the effects can be even more pronounced. Unlike skin elsewhere, lips sport very few oil glands. That’s why, as humidity in the air plummets, flakes happen. So what’s the solution? A good lip balm and a lip mask, for sure. But the often-overlooked lip scrub can really work wonders too. There are plenty you can shell out for, but it’s easy enough to whip up your own homemade one with stuff you probably already have in your kitchen including coconut oil, honey, and sugar.
For a solid recipe, I turned to Sara Happ, whose iconic lip scrubs are favorites of beauty editors like yours truly. “Scrubs are a great way to slough away dead skin cells, improve blood circulation to the area, and even stimulate collagen production for a slight plumping effect,” Sara tells me. And because you’re exfoliating away dead, dulling skin cells, you may even notice a slight lightening afterward. “You’ll really bring out your lips’ natural tone beautifully,” she adds.
Her DIY lip scrub is a cinch—and I love that it can be customized to suit different needs. (One quick housekeeping note: The recipe is only good for one use, so don’t store the leftovers in the fridge when you’re done.)
This is how to make a lip scrub at home.
Sugar Lip Scrub Recipe
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon organic coconut oil
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon jojoba oil
Directions:
- Mix ingredients together in a small bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour to set.
- Apply to lips using your fingertips, massaging in a small circular motion. (Use promptly after removing from fridge, before the sugar crystals dissolve.)
- Tissue off.
For extra-dry lips:
Increase the level of coconut oil—a naturally occlusive hydrator—by an additional tablespoon.
For sensitive skin:
Omit the brown sugar and replace with an additional teaspoon of white sugar. Granules of white sugar tend to be less coarse and irritating.
For sunburned lips:
Allow the formula to sit on your skin before scrubbing—this gives the oils more time to penetrate.
For thin lips:
Scrub longer! More blood flow to the lips will provide a temporary plumping effect. (Source: – oprahdaily.com/beauty/skin)
