I live where the winters are harsh. I was told (by my dad… the man of random facts) that, during the winter months, most homes in our area are drier than the Sahara Desert. I fact-checked this and he was right. Yikes! No wonder my skin gets so dry. I’m not sure which is worse: dry hands or dry lips. A few years ago, I made a wonderful recipe for body butter that nourishes the skin. Then I created a lip balm recipe to keep my lips moisturized… but how about a lip scrub recipe to compliment the lip balm? I played around with this recipe a lot because I wanted to get the consistency and texture just right. Without further ado, here’s how to make lip scrub.

Homemade Lip Scrub made with all natural ingredients.

Anyone else feel like their lips get drier the moment you realize you don’t have any lip balm with you? You start licking your lips, trying to keep them from drying out; while also knowing that licking your lips dries them out more. It’s a vicious cycle. But there are some things you can do to keep your lips healthy and moisturized, no matter the time of year. First… don’t forget your lip balm 🙂 Second, exfoliate your lips using a lip scrub recipe to remove dry, dead skin and add extra moisture.

What You Need to Make Homemade Lip Scrub

Natural Ingredients for Homemade Lip Scrub: Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Brown Sugar, Honey, & Essential Oil (optional)

Affiliate links may be used. Please see our advertising disclosure for more information.

Ingredients Needed Our Lip Scrub Recipe

Coconut Oil– Make sure you are using regular coconut oil that is a solid at room temperature, not fractionated coconut oil (which is a liquid at room temperature). The coconut oil in this lip scrub recipe serves as a moisturizer.
Almond Oil– Almond oil is both a moisturizer and an emollient (Source). This means it will not only moisturize, but also softens dry skin.
*Essential Oil (Optional)- I used Frankincense. Frankincense is a wonderful essential oil used to support healthy skin. If you are unsure where to buy essential oils, check out this post to help you find a brand that works best for you.
Sugar– You can use brown sugar or regular granulated sugar. Brown sugar is a little smoother, making application a bit easier. Granulated white sugar is more coarse which works better for exfoliating. Either way, the sugar serves as an exfoliant to remove dry, dead skin from the lips.
Honey– According to Healthline, “Honey can help moisturize your lips and protect cracked lips from infection. It also works as a mild exfoliator…” It also makes the lip scrub easier to apply.

Supplies Needed to Make Lip Scrub

How to Make Lip Scrub At Home

The lip scrub recipe below is for one tin-full of lip scrub.

Start by melting 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in a small (microwave safe) bowl. To melt in the microwave; simply warm for 10-15 seconds.

Mixing melted coconut oil and almond oil in a homemade lip scrub recipe

Add in 1/2 teaspoon of almond oil and 2 drops Frankincense essential oil (optional). Stir.

Once all your oils are mixed, add 5 teaspoons of brown or granulated sugar, and mix. (Remember, brown sugar will be smoother and easier to apply. Granulated sugar with be a little more coarse, which provides better exfoliation.)

Adding brown sugar to homemade lip scrub recipe

Lastly, add in 1/4 teaspoon of honey. This helps to create a pliable consistency for easier application.

Add your lip scrub to a lip balm tin.

Prior to trying any skin care product, it is strongly recommended that you test the product on a small patch of skin to make sure there is no reaction. Please see our disclaimer statement for more details.

When ready to use, scoop out a small amount with a spoon or cosmetic spatula (not your finger as you don’t want to introduce bacteria into the scrub). Apply the lip scrub with your finger, scrubbing it into your lips for 30-60 seconds. I would recommend doing this over a sink as it’s a little messy. Rinse off with warm water and dry your lips with a clean towel.

We think you might also love these ideas!

DIY Lip Balm | DIY Lavender Sugar Scrub | DIY Face Wash

Common Homemade Lip Scrub Questions

How Often Should I Use Lip Scrub?

It is recommended that you use lip scrub once or twice a week. Exfoliating more often than twice a week may lead to skin irritation. I would start with a once-a-week routine. If you feel like you are still experiencing dry lips, then move up to twice a week.

Can I Use Something In Place of the Almond Oil?

If you prefer not to use almond oil, you can certainly use a different oil in its place. A couple recommendations would be: olive oil or fractionated coconut oil (which is a liquid at room temperature).

Can I Use An Essential Oil Other Than Frankincense?

Of course! Frankincense is a great essential oil for supporting healthy skin, however, it tends to be a little more expensive. Here are a couple other options you could try…

Lavender | Peppermint | Chamomile

How Long Does Homemade Lip Scrub Last?

This lip scrub recipe should last up to 3 months. However, you should never scoop the scrub from the container using your fingers as this can introduce bacteria into the scrub; greatly shortening its shelf life. Instead, use a clean spoon or cosmetic spatula. If you notice a change in smell or appearance, it’s time to toss it and make a new batch.