The Best Lip Scrubs Will Get Rid of Flakes in One Use
I never thought my lips could be this soft.
I’m a girl with chronically chapped lips—but I’ve learned to compensate. I have lip balm by my side 24/7 and use exclusively hydrating lip oils for color. The unsung heroes responsible for removing my flakes, rough texture, and cracks, though, are, without a doubt, the best lip scrubs. Taking a gritty exfoliant to a dry, dehydrated area seems counterintuitive, but these scrubs are key to a lip reset.
“A good lip scrub should have exfoliating and emollient ingredients,” explains makeup artist Lisa Aharon, who swears by lip scrubs for a smooth lipstick application. Gentle grainy ingredients will create a clean slate, while moisturizing ingredients, like shea butter or avocado oil, can lock in hydration.
Lip scrubs will remove dead skin cells and reveal a softer, smoother surface for lipstick application.
A little bit of product (think: pea-size) and 30 seconds of scrubbing will remove dead skin and reveal a smooth base. Lip scrubs offer a quick fix in a pinch, but when I use them consistently, the results are transformative. Shop my favorites—and picks from the pros—ahead.
What Is a Lip Scrub?
Lip scrubs, which are physical exfoliants tailor-made for the lip area, entered the modern lexicon circa 2005, when Sara Happ, now known as the lip expert, created the category. “I made the first-ever lip scrub in my kitchen 19 years ago because none existed,” she shares with Marie Claire. “It’s a finely ground sugar and juicy essential oil blend that exfoliates lips the same way we exfoliate head to toe.”
They aim to remove dead skin and restore hydration to create a smoother, more supple surface. “The process primes your lips to ensure the perfect canvas for application while preventing dry, chapped lips,” explains Aharon. “You’ll get a much smoother and more polished finish as they won’t be dry or flakey.”
The Best Lip Scrubs
- The Best Lip Scrub for Lipstick Prep: Dior Addict Lip Sugar Scrub
- The Best Gentle Lip Scrub: iS Clinical Lip Polish
- The Best Moisturizing Lip Scrub: Makeup by Mario Perfecting Lip Scrub
- The Best Travel-Friendly Lip Scrub: Olio E Osso Lip Scrub
I’ll be honest: This isn’t what I’m reaching for before bed—I want something more intense. But the bullet design and no-wipe formula make it an absolute savior for on-the-go touch-ups before lipstick application. I just swipe it across my top and bottom lip a few times to let the sugar particles wipe away any massive flakes and soften my lips’ texture. I’ll use this on repeat throughout the day too to prevent chapping.
Pros: Easy to use; Travel friendly
Cons: Not a deep exfoliation
No matter how hard you scrub, this super-fine formula remains one of the most gentle on the market. It's ideal for those who are really sensitive in the perioral area—and a staple in Aharon’s kit. “It’s almost like sand, so you can really get into the corners and edges of your lips when you’re buffing it in,” she says. “It leaves the lips feeling really soft and conditioned.”
Pros: Gentle formula; Great for chapped lip edges
Cons: Hard to wipe off—granules sometimes stay behind
This scrub frankly feels more like a balm. It’s formulated with micro-fine sugar particles so small that you barely feel them exfoliating. What takes sensory precedence is the creamy texture that’s fortified with nourishing oils. When I rub my lips together, the grit pretty much dissolves in its entirety, leaving behind a soft and smooth canvas. On days when I’m using a more matte lipstick, I will use a tissue to get the scrub fully off.
Pros: Great packaging for on-the-go application; Very hydrating
Cons: Won’t fully remove a chapped texture in one use
Every makeup artist I talk to keeps this wide-stick formula on hand for lip prep. “You don’t need to get your fingers involved or have a spatula on hand,” says Aharon. “It uses olive stones and coffee beans, which is unique and great if you don’t like the sweeter sugar tastes.” Follow it up with the brand’s tinted lip balms—they’re truly the best.
Pros: Lightweight feel; Not messy
Cons: Hard to remove
Also Recommended
When my lips look their worst (read: incredibly dry and peeling), this Henne Organics is my life savior. It has larger sugar crystals than most, so it can pick up big chunks of dead skin. Despite the incredibly satisfying exfoliation, the formula remains deeply nourishing. You’ll find vitamin E, rose oil, and jojoba oil inside, which work together to lock in moisture. It comes in three different versions—rose diamonds, nordic berries, and lavender mint—so there’s something for everyone.
Pros: Flavor options; Great smell
Cons: A little messy
I can’t talk about this lip scrub without its applicator. Designed with soft buffing brushes, this serum-meets-scrub removes dead cells and flakes without any gritty ingredients. Instead, it gives lips a dose of hyaluronic acid, amino acids, aloe vera, and a special plumping agent that leaves lips looking healthy, fresh, and enhanced. There’s no need to rub anything off—just apply, and you’re good to go.
Pros: Very hydrating; Gentle
Cons: Plumping can tingle
I can get on board with any Rihanna-backed product—especially Fenty Hair—but this non-greasy lip scrub is truly something special. Made with the exfoliating powers of apricot seed and balanced by the always-moisturizing shea butter and jojoba oil, this twist-up lip scrub is essential in my collection. It’s very soothing and calms tightness and irritation, but it’s necessary to follow this guy up with a balm to prevent dryness.
Pros: Gentle and non-irritating; Smells great
Cons: Not hydrating enough on its own; Messy packaging
I’ve had this lip scrub since high school, so I’ve mastered the application technique. Because it is grittier than most, it can get a little messy on the face. I like to put a wet washcloth or tissue over my finger as I massage this in. Not only does it help the scrub really get into every crevice and crack, but it also makes cleanup seamless.
Pros: Effective; Moisturizing
Cons: A little greasy
Splurge on this La Mer scrub to transform your daily lip scrub into a sensorial experience. Its soothing rose scent and luxe applicator instantly elevates the scoop-and-scrub process. The formula itself is just as high end—it includes the brand’s trademarked miracle broth, which is responsible for nourishing and supporting the health of the lips. The rich texture will make lips feel smooth after just one use.
Pros: Leaves behind a mint flavor; Very effecting at smoothing texture
Cons: Expensive
Chapstick is a classic lip balm option (I have one in every bag), so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that the brand's lip scrub is one of the most elite drugstore options, It uses fine sugar crystals to buff away dead skin, while simultaneously replenishing the area with hydrating ingredients like vitamin E and coconut oil. Once you finish a treatment, swipe on your favorite Chapstick balm.
Pros: Affordable; Hydrating
Cons: A little grainy
While you're not technically supposed to eat a lip scrub, this honey-flavored option is wildly tempting. Its sweet smell and taste (you always get a little in your mouth) make you want to lick your lips—and thanks to the five-star formula, they'll feel smooth when you do. The honey crystals are chunkier than other options, so I recommend working in the product with a washcloth.
Pros: Smells and tastes great; Affordable; Cruelty free
Cons: A little chunky
Cut down on excess products by scooping up this two-in-one. You'll find a lip sugar scrub on the one end; it's gentle and won't leave your lips irritated. Plus, it smells like a tropical smoothie of mango, coconut, and orange. Once you wipe off any leftover granules, flip over the tub and apply the classic Paw Paw balm, which features hydrating and soothing ingredients like aloe vera and olive oil.
Pros: Multi-purpose; Affordable
Cons: Strong scent that's not for everyone
A lip scrub can get messy—sugar ends up on your fingers, around your lips, and, quite frankly, everywhere. The solution: Nurse Jamie's easy-to-hold exfoliator, which is conveniently lip-shaped and paired with a hydrating balm. Just place a super small bit of product on the device and scrub away. It's mess free and you'll end up with soft lips and no irritation.
Pros: Clean and easy application
Cons: Not as deep of an exfoliation
A sugar bead-infused lip scrub will be the first texture to touch your lips. But work it in with the handy silicone-based exfoliating tip attached to the top of the product and you'll notice the formula transforms into a silky smooth balm within just about a minute. Your lips will feel soft and hydrated thanks to the shea butter, squalane, and jojoba-infused formula.
Pros: Multi-purpose; Luxe applicator
Cons: Tip can get a little messy
Searching for an intense lip scrub that can smooth out even the most chapped lips? Try this. It uses the standard sugar crystals but has the added benefit of bio cellulose micro granules, a physical exfoliant that originates from wood. Don't worry: It's not going to cut or scrape your lips. It will however create a completely fresh surface for lipstick or balm.
Pros: Really exfoliates; Great for flaky lips
Cons: Too intense for some
You'll get asked, What is that?, every time you pull this adorable-yet-elegant lip scrub out in public. Kindred Black is known for its gorgeous packaging, and this glass jar adorned with a cork top is proof of this. Inside the jar, you'll find the perfect lip primer that uses exfoliating ingredients such as apricot oil and sweet almond oil, which is counteracted with a soothing grapefruit essential oil.
Pros: Great packaging; Effective formula
Cons: Expires in six months
Looking for a lip peel that has the same benefits of a lip scrub—just via a different medium? Try this Typology peel. It leverages the exfoliating powers of mandelic acid and pomegranate enzyme to eliminate dead skin cells and smooth the lips' surface without any of the grit or physical rubbing. It is often out of stock, so act fast.
Pros: Mess free; Not grainy
Cons: Frequently out of stock
With the rich lanolin base that all Lanolips products are known for, this lip scrub is going to be deeply nourishing. Lanolin is an effective emollient that locks in moisture. Rest assured, once the ground strawberry seeds do their job smoothing out the lips' surface, the lanolin will kick in to restore hydration—and leave a pretty gloss.
Pros: Gentle; Gives a nice shine
Cons: Strong smell and taste
Next time you wander around Sephora, add this just-launched lip exfoliating stick to your haul. Available in Rose and Dragonfruit, this scrub very gently smooths out uneven texture. You can't overdo it—I find myself swiping this across my lips multiple times a day. It leaves a soft slip between my lips, so I can skip the lip balm, too.
Pros: Leaves a soft tint; Travel friendly
Cons: Can be a little sticky
What Ingredients Should Be in a Lip Scrub?
Lip scrubs can be super simple. You can even concoct your own from the comfort of your kitchen. Most will feature sugar, coffee grounds, or another natural grainy ingredient alongside a hydrator. “Emollients like shea butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, coconut butter, rapeseed oil, jojoba oil, and cocoa butter work well for moisture,” says Aharon. You will find beeswax in many lip scrubs, which is an important note if you prefer a vegan formulation.
How to Use a Lip Scrub
“All you need is your finger and a tissue,” says Happ. Scoop a bit of product onto your finger and rub gently in a circular motion. When you feel you’ve exfoliated every area sufficiently, wipe the excess product away with a damp cloth or rinse with warm water and check to see how your lips look and feel. “Either repeat or apply your choice of balm to finish and you’re good to go," adds Aharon.
Refy's lip scrub is unique, using a brush to remove dead skin cells instead of a gritty natural ingredient.
How Frequently Should I Use a Lip Scrub?
It depends on personal preference. Happ likes to use her lip scrub every morning after brushing her teeth, but you can also use it before makeup application or more heavily in the winter.
Meet the Experts
Lisa Aharon is a New York-based, Vancouver-born makeup artist. She specializes in highlighting her clients’ natural beauty by creating flawless skin looks, working regularly with a wide variety of high-profile clientele, the likes of Rachel Brosnahan, Florence Welch, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Bock, and Anna Kendrick, among others.
Her work lives in the pages of Cosmopolitan, L'Officiel, The New York Times, Elle, Schön! Magazine, et al, and Aharon has worked with major brands and photographers such as Ralph Lauren, David Yurman, Annie Leibowitz, and Jurgen Teller.
Since inventing the first-ever Lip Scrub in her kitchen in 2005, Sara Happ has become known as The Lip Expert, setting out to solve every lip problem imaginable with luxurious, effective formulas unlike any other. Eighteen years in, Sara and her all female team continue to be first to market with what beauty editors call the, "Why Didn't I Think of That?" products all of us need.
