In this blog post we are going to explore in depth one of the 10 steps in lip care, which is exfoliation; lip scrubs specifically.
Our lips have very thin skin layer. There are also no oil glands on the skin of the lips. That means that our lips can get very sensitive and dry.
Our lips need constant care all year around. Please, check THIS post where I outline 10 steps to have healthy and beautiful lips.
Lips need additional hydration, moisture and protection. They also need exfoliation.
Gentle lip scrubs are excellent way to exfoliate your lips.
What is exfoliation?
If you read through my site, you probably read many times what exfoliation is and why we need to do.
Our skin has a thin layer of dead cells on its surface. Usually, that layer washes off during our regular skin care routine.
However, a lot of times dead cells get stuck on the surface of our skin. It happens for many reasons: not having proper AM and PM skin care routine; not using products that are right for your skin type; environmental pollution, and use of many layers of makeup and even sunscreen.
Exfoliation helps to remove that dead cells layer. It is very important to use gentle exfoliators, so we do not ruin protective skin barrier (because then we will be stuck with many skin issues).
Moreover, it is crucial to use the gentlest products for lip exfoliation.
One of the ways to exfoliate your lips is to use special lip scrubs.
What is lip scrub
Lip scrub, like any other scrub, is a semi-liquid or solid product, that contains some sorts of particles. Those particles “scrub” off dead skin cells.
Keeping in mind how gentle and thin skin on our lips is, particles in lip scrub have to be tiny, almost microscopic. This way you will not scrub off healthy skin causing severe damage.
Why do we need lip scrub
We already covered it, but I wanted to go over lip scrub benefits again.
Lips scrub exfoliate the old skin, helping it to get rid of dead cell. Very thick layer of dead skin cells keeps moisture from reaching to the lips. It also stops cosmetic and care products from absorbing into the skin.
Many lip scrubs have moisturizing and nourishing ingredients in them. This way exfoliating product does it job, but also provides skin with valuable components.
How to use a lip scrub
As with any product, you should follow instructions from the manufacturer.
However, in general, lip scrub should be applied to moistened soften lips.
- Soak cotton ball or cotton pad in warm water and gently press to your lips for 1-2 minutes;
- Apply lip scrub and very gently massage for 1-2 minutes over the lips; you can use your fingers for that;
- Wash off scrub with lukewarm water;
- Apply moisturizing and nourishing lip balm (do not skip this step). You can also apply overnight lip sleeping mask.
How often should you exfoliate your lips
The general rule is to do exfoliation once a week.
However, you will find many blogs saying that you should do it 2 times a week. And this is not wrong.
It all depends on the condition of your lips.
Dry, sensitive, chapped lips
If your lips are super sensitive, dry, and chapped, lack hydration and moisture – then you would not want to exfoliate them often. Every time we exfoliate, we do disturb natural protective skin barrier. So, as much as we want to remove dead flaky skin, we also have to worry about natural skin defines resources.
If your lips are very dry and chapped, I would recommend exfoliating them with pure honey.
Just apply raw honey and gently massage into your skin. Honey has amazing properties that heal and moisturize dry skin. It also mildly exfoliates it.
Healthy lips
If your lips are healthy, you can exfoliate them 2 times a week. On one condition: the product that you are using is very gentle and specifically designed for lip exfoliation.
DO NOT use regular scrubs for your lips (I even do not recommend using scrubs for facial skin).
Gentle Lip Scrubs Recommendations
Organic Lip Scrub – Vanilla Sugar Scrub – Naturally delicious, this scrub is a safe, gentle, and effective way to banish dry, flaky lips. It is completely safe and even edible.
Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Conditioning Lip Scrub with Exfoliating Honey Crystals – gently exfoliates skin, conditions dry lips and creates a smooth soft canvas for a flawless lipstick or lip balm application. Nourishes and smoothes dry lips with nutrient rich, responsibly sourced Beeswax, exotic oils and exfoliating honey crystals.
NCLA 100% Natural, Vegan Sugar, Sugar Lip Scrub – this scrub has amazing watermelon scent and flavour. It is 100% natural and vegan lip scrub that cleanses, gently exfoliates, hydrates, and brightens lips. Formulated with beet sugar, cocoa butter, and agave nectar.
WUNDER2 Wunderkiss Essential Lip Scrub – this lip scrub contains a Combination of Sugar Particles and Shea Butter. It is very gentle and safe on the lips.
BEAUTY TREATS Sugar Lip Scrub – this scrub has amazing peach flavour. It contains natural sugars to exfoliate lips and leave them feeling soft and smooth.
Henné Organics Lip Exfoliator – amazing nordic berries flavour. Organic and non-GMO lip scrub is bliss on your lips. Blended with sugar, beeswax, shea butter, vanilla and oils of coconut, jojoba seed, raspberry, blueberry and Vitamin E.
Love and pamper your lips. Clean, exfoliate, moisturize and nourish them. And they will repay you with beautiful, healthy and glowing smile.
Stay beautiful!!!