The best lip scrubs for dry, flaky lips, according to dermatologists
There are two common formula types — our experts explain the difference and how to know which one is best for you.
Fresh Beauty Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator
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A lip scrub, also called a lip polish, is a topical treatment that helps eliminate dead skin cells sitting on the lips. “Most formulas contain exfoliating ingredients paired with hydrating ingredients to replenish any moisture lost with the exfoliating process,” says Dr. Annabelle Garcia, a board-certified dermatologist in Texas. After using a lip scrub, lips should look and feel softer and more hydrated.
When shopping for a lip scrub, our experts recommend looking at several factors, including the type of exfoliator and the texture of the formula. Below, we highlight their suggestions when shopping for a lip scrub.
Dr. Jacquiline Hakim, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, recommends this duo from iS Clinical, which comes with a polish (the exfoliating piece) and an elixir (the hydrating piece). The polish has natural sugars to exfoliate while the lip elixir has hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and shea butter to plump and moisturize the lips.
To apply, the brand recommends massaging a small amount of the scrub onto the lips using circular motions and rinsing off after a few seconds. Follow up with the lip elixir, which has a slanted applicator for easy application and a click pen mechanism to minimize waste.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, shea butter | Size: 15g lip polish, 3.5g youth lip elixir
This three-in-one lip scrub cleanses, conditions and eliminates dead skin using ghee, exfoliating brown sugar and moisturizing vitamin E, according to the brand, and is a go-to for NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson. “My lips are mega dry these days, so I like to use this before applying lipstick,” she says. “It’s like brown sugar without being drying.”
Key ingredients: Ghee, brown sugar, vitamin E | Size: 0.5oz
Garcia is a fan of this two-in-one lip scrub because it has honey crystals to gently exfoliate the skin as well as beeswax to keep the lips from drying out. It also has moisturizing conditioners like castor seed oil and cocoa seed butter to keep lips moisturized. It has a honey scent and a thick texture that effectively eliminates dry flakes, according to the brand. You can use it to prime the lips for lip balm or lipstick.
Key ingredients: Honey crystals, beeswax, castor seed oil, cocoa seed butter | Size: 0.25oz
For severely dry or chapped lips, try this lip scrub from Frank Body, which comes recommended by Garcia. The two exfoliants (sugar and coffee grounds) in this scrub “are very coarse and can remove multiple layers of skin in one use,” says Garcia. There is also caffeine in the coffee grounds that can cause blood vessels to widen, which increases blood flow to the area and has the effect of tightening the skin, she says. For these reasons, Garcia recommends using it sparingly one to two times a month. To counteract any stripping, the formula has macadamia oil and beeswax in it to keep your lips moisturized, according to the brand.
Key ingredients: Sugar, coffee grounds, macadamia oil, beeswax | Size: 0.51oz
For those not wanting to dip their fingers into a tub of lip scrub, the stick applicator on this scrub is a non-messy way to exfoliate. Houshmand recommends this formula, saying that its sugar grains exfoliate and then quickly dissolve, giving you more supple lips. “The exfoliating sugar crystals are melted into the balm, so it stays on and doesn’t have to be rinsed off,” she says. “I like this one because the texture wears like a gloss, so you can keep the product on as long as you’d like.”
Key ingredients: Synthetic beeswax, vitamin E, mango seed butter | Size: 0.12oz
This Houshmand-recommended lip scrub targets uneven texture and dryness. It will gently exfoliate your skin via brown sugar granules and has several ingredients that also keep skin hydrated during the process. “Shea butter, a natural emollient, creates a barrier on the lips to defend against environmental damage and lock in moisture,” says Houshmand. The formula also has jojoba oil, which the skin absorbs easily and improves texture by reducing inflammation and dryness. To round out the formula, there’s also vitamin E, an antioxidant that guards against damage from free radicals and moisturizes the skin, according to Houshmand.
Key ingredients: Brown sugar, shea butter, jojoba oil, vitamin E | Size: 0.5oz
NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider recommends this scrub for beginners. “This was the first lip scrub I ever tried and I continue to use it,” she says. “It comes out a little gloppy, but I always notice a difference on my lips when I use it. It is quite fragrant, though, so if you don’t like the smell of brown sugar, it’s probably not your best option.” Hakim also recommends this conditioning exfoliant, saying that it not only exfoliates with brown sugar crystals, but that it also gives you long-lasting moisture after using.
YoFresh Beauty also carries several lip care products that you can pair with this scrub, including a lip mask and a lip balm, making it ideal for those looking for a dedicated routine for their lips. You can apply it two to three times a week, according to the brand.
Key ingredients: Brown sugar crystals, shea butter, jojoba oil | Size: 0.35oz
This lip scrub, which you can use up to twice a week for the best results, is another recommendation from Houshmand. The formula activates the skin’s natural renewal process by targeting dryness, dullness and uneven texture, and uses sunflower seed oil to add moisture back in, according to the brand.
Key ingredients: Biocellulose microgranules, sugar crystals, sunflower seed oil | Size: 0.35oz
Rich with hydrating ingredients like jojoba seed oil, grapeseed oil and sunflower seed oil, this lip scrub relies on sugar crystals for its exfoliation. It has a grainy texture that effectively removes dryness, and comes in several different flavors including brown sugar, vanilla bean and sparkling peach. I have used this scrub for years and love the Pink Grapefruit flavor, which has a citrus-y, bright scent that’s a nice pick-me-up in the morning. I appreciate that it does not require vigorous scrubbing and that it leaves my lips feeling smooth and hydrated, especially when I follow up with a lip balm.
Key ingredients: Sugar crystals, jojoba seed oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil | Size: 0.5oz
If you prefer the feel and results of a chemical exfoliator, this one from Stila fits the bill. It’s gentle on the skin since it’s made with papaya and pineapple enzymes (versus exfoliating acids like an AHA or BHA), but still has some physical exfoliation thanks to the scrubbing tip. It’s also infused with natural astringents that give you a soothing sensation, according to the brand. Unlike some other options on this list, this formula does not have any emollients to help counteract the exfoliation. So if your lips are already on the drier side, this might not be your best option.
Key ingredients: Papaya and pineapple enzymes | Size: 0.5oz
When shopping, our experts recommend considering several factors, including key formula ingredients and your skin type. Below, we highlight their suggestions about what to consider.
Firstly, the skin on the lips is quite prone to dryness. For one, there’s environmental conditions to consider. “As the weather gets colder and the air gets drier, the lips are more likely to become very dry and cracked,” says Houshmand. “Unlike the skin on your face, lips don’t contain sebum-releasing oil glands that help to keep the skin soft and moisturized.”
Another reason a lip scrub may be necessary is due to sun damage. “The sun is horrible for your skin in general, but the skin on your lips is particularly sensitive to sun exposure,” warns Garcia, who says the sun can cause lip peeling and trigger a cold sore outbreak. Other causes of dry lips can stem from matte liquid lipsticks, smoking, certain medications and licking your lips (which is medically termed “lip licking dermatitis“ and is often seen in pediatric patients, says Hakim.
To use a lip scrub that has physical exfoliators, start with clean lips and hands. Using your fingers, apply a small amount of the scrub onto the lips, rubbing in a linear or circular motion for 15 to 30 seconds. “There’s no need to leave it on, so right away you can rinse the scrub off with warm water or wipe it away with a damp washcloth,” says Garcia. “Immediately after, apply a lip balm or moisturizer to add in hydration.”
You can use a lip scrub two to three times a week in the summer and one to two times a week in the winter to avoid irritating the skin or causing over-exfoliation, says Garcia. You can use them with physical exfoliators any time of day, while you should use scrubs with chemical exfoliators at night when you cannot expose the skin to the sun, says Hakim.
Signs of over-exfoliation include a burning or irritated sensation that worsens when exposing the freshly scrubbed lips to the sun, says Hakim. In this case, avoid using a lip scrub for two to four weeks and stick to simple hydraters, such as Vaseline and lip balm with sun protection. Resist licking your lips, as this can also exacerbate the rawness, adds Garcia.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Michelle Rostamian has more than 10 years of experience covering beauty and skin care topics. For this story, Rostamian spoke to board-certified dermatologists and included their direct recommendations and products based on their guidance.
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