There’s nothing more unsightly or uncomfortable than flaky, sandpaper lips. Sure, you can tap on your trusty lip balm and be on your way, but once it fades, you’re back to square one. And if you’re wearing lipstick, that uneven texture can be even more noticeable.
That’s where lips scrubs come in, which sloth off dead skin cells to smooth and soften your lips. They’re also the perfect way to prime your pout for the seamless application of lipsticks, stains, and glosses. And did we mention that they’re incredibly easy and cheap to DIY?
Before you get started, it’s super important to know what ingredients are safe to use. “I do not recommend adding any fragrances, colorings, or potentially irritating ingredients like essential oils,” says NYC-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, FAAD. “These all may disrupt the outer skin layer leading to dryness, irritation, and rashes.”
Instead, the key to creating a great scrub is combining a gentle exfoliant with natural oils and fatty acids. “You can make a DIY lip scrub using a variety of natural oils like almond, coconut, or jojoba oil. Honey also has skin hydrating properties and is a great ingredient to consider,” says Dr. Zeichner. When it comes to the exfoliant, he recommends sugar as it’s very gentle on the skin. Salt is a great option too.
If you’re looking for help in the fullness department, there are ingredients you can add to pump up the volume. “Lip plumpers work by causing low levels of skin irritation, which results in swelling and pumping up the lips,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Ingredients like cinnamon, peppermint, or cayenne chili powder may be tried.” Be sure to use these ingredients in small quantities to avoid over irritating your lips and the surrounding skin.
And speaking to irritation, it’s critical not to over-exfoliate. Dr. Zeichner recommends only using a scrub once a week. And when you’re done exfoliating, lock in hydration with a protective lip balm like Vaseline Petroleum Jelly or Aquaphor Healing Ointment. Read more
Also read DIY Orange and Vanilla Body Spray Recipe
