Winter is just around the corner, and if you're anything like me, your lips are already chapped and you're in desperate need of the best lip scrub you can find. Dr. Mona Gohara, a board-certified dermatologist, previously told Shop TODAY that since your lips are very thin-skinned, they are much more likely to dry out — especially during this time of year.
Lip scrubs help exfoliate the skin of the lips, says Dr. Katie Mann, a nurse practitioner in Scottsdale, Arizona, "This can make your lips feel softer and help to remove dead skin," she explains. As a result, newly exfoliated lips are more suitable for the absorption of moisturizing products (like lip balms).
“A lot of people don’t give love to their lips,” added Gohara “They’ll moisturize their face, but they’re not moisturizing their lips,” she advised. In Gen Z terms, we shouldn’t be ghosting our lips anymore.
Along with Gohara and Mann, we spoke with other dermatologists and a nurse practitioner to learn more about the overall health benefits of lip scrubs. From e.l.f. to Lanolips, we found the best expert-recommend and editor-tested lip scrubs to shop this season.
Don't want to break the bank? No problem! We found affordable lip scrub picks as well starting as low as $8.
Our top picks
The best lip scrubs
Cost-effective and hydrating
Coconut Vanilla Lip Scrub
$10.39
$10.39
Just Ingredients
Learn moreAffordable and soft
Honey
$13.50
$13.50
Lush
Learn more
Most budget friendly: e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator
What we like
- Exfoliates the skin
- Very moisturizing
Something to note
- May leave film on lips
Size: 0.11 oz. | Flavors: 2 | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, shea butter, avocado oil, jojoba oil
Commerce editor and producer Julie Ricevuto tested this e.l.f. lip exfoliator and said it immediately reduced the dry lines on her lips. "I’m also happy to report that the exfoliator helped solve my liquid lipstick woes. Since my lips are clear of dry patches, the pigment has nothing to crack on after it dries down. Plus, there are no more flakes for the formula to accentuate," she shares.
Spagnuolo also loves this affordable option that she says gently removes rough skin while hydrating, which makes it perfect for prepping lips before applying lipstick.
Cost effective and hydrating: Just Ingredients Coconut Vanilla Lip Scrub
What we like
- Smells nice
- Smoothing and hydrating
Something to note
- May need to mix before use
Size: 0.5 oz. | Flavors: 1 | Key ingredients: Coconut oil, raw sugar, essential oil blend, vitamin E
"With only four organic ingredients, this is as close to a homemade, moisturizing lip scrub you can get," says Dr. Angela Brimhall, a board-certified dermatologist at Sage Dermatology & MOHS Surgery. "You won’t miss the preservatives or additives. Coconut oil is a nice anti-inflammatory base to the organic sugar and moisturizing natural oils to exfoliate and hydrate at the same time," she suggests.
"This is ethically sourced and cruelty-free. I also love supporting a quality, grassroots, woman-owned small business like Just Ingredients," shares Brimhall.
Editor favorite: Lanolips Lip Scrub Coconutter
What we like
- Natural derived ingredients
- Highly effective
- Budget-friendly
Something to note
- Sticky consistency
Size: 0.35 oz. | Flavors: 2 | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil
"It’s pretty genius of Lanolips to use ground coconut shells as a lip exfoliator," says senior SEO editor Jess Bender. "Combined with the thicker balm-like formula, this product is quite effective at scrubbing off dead skin without being overly abrasive and brightening up dull areas underneath," she explains.
"Even though the Lanolips PR team sent me a sample of this to coincide with its launch, I would easily spend my money on this again," Bender shares.
Affordable and soft: Lush Honey Lip Scrub
What we like
- Natural ingredients
- Very soft on lips
Something to note
- May be very dry
Size: 0.88 oz. | Flavors: 13 | Key ingredients: Caster sugar, organic jojoba oil, honey
"Lush uses ethically sourced, natural ingredients and their lip scrub exfoliates with gentle caster sugars while also hydrating and providing moisture with natural oils like jojoba oil," explains Brimhall. "They are alcohol-free, so less drying and irritating to your lips, and they do not leave a greasy residue," she continues.
Brimhall says that the all-natural ingredients make it safe to lick off the excess when you’re done using this lip scrub.
Formulated with coconut oil and vitamin E: Poppy & Pout Natural Lip Scrub
What we like
- Makes lips soft
- Smells nice
- Easy to apply
Something to note
- May be dry
Size: 0.75 oz. | Flavors: 10 | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, coconut oil, sunflower oil, beeswax
Spagnuolo recommends this Poppy & Pout lip scrub which is formulated with vitamin E. "This handmade, all-natural scrub uses sugar to exfoliate and a blend of coconut and sunflower oils to hydrate, leaving lips smooth and subtly moisturized," she explains.
Exfoliating and softening: Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Perfecting Lip Sugar Scrub
What we like
- Exfoliates lips
- Pleasant smell
- Makes lips feel soft
Something to note
- May be harsh at first
Size: 0.5 oz. | Flavors: 1 | Key ingredients: Sucrose, coconut oil
“This scrub helps to gently exfoliate the lips, using pomegranate seeds, to get rid of any dead skin cell build up that may be contributing to the chapped appearance,” says Dr. Marisa K. Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist in New York and New Jersey. “It also contains rosehip oil to nourish the lips," she explains.
What to look for in a lip scrub“Lips scrubs are typically made out of sugar, as it is soft and gentle and dissolves with water (it also doesn’t taste bad!),” explains Mann. “The sugar granules will be mixed with oil which helps to moisturize the lips,” she states. This exfoliant component is what helps to remove the dead skin from your lips.
On the other hand, the emollient is the part of the lip scrub that hydrates the skin, which include ingredients like shea and cocoa butter.
Spagnuolo explains that lip scrubs are necessary for maintaining soft, healthy lips. She recommends the following characteristics when searching for a lip scrub that is best for your skin:
- Gentle exfoliants: "Opt for scrubs with fine particles like sugar or natural exfoliants to avoid irritation," she suggests.
- Moisturizing ingredients: "Ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, or honey provide hydration and nourishment," Spagnuolo continues.
- Natural components: "Choose products with natural ingredients to minimize the risk of adverse reactions," she recommends.
Why use a lip scrub? Our experts say there are plenty of health benefits when you decide to exfoliate your lips. Spagnuolo shares the following benefits for using a lip scrub:
- Exfoliation: "Lip scrubs gently remove dead skin cells, preventing chapped and flaky lips," she notes.
- Enhanced hydration: "By eliminating dry skin, lip scrubs allow moisturizers and balms to penetrate more effectively, keeping lips hydrated," Spagnuolo suggests.
- Improved lip appearance: "Regular exfoliation promotes even lip color and texture, resulting in a smoother and more vibrant appearance," she explains.
Frequently asked questions
When it comes to how often you should use a lip scrub, Spagnuolo recommends exfoliating your lips one to two times per week to avoid irritation.
Spagnuolo says yes. "Combining ingredients like sugar and honey can create an effective homemade lip scrub," she explains.
Absolutely, says Spagnuolo. "Applying a lip balm or moisturizer after exfoliation helps lock in hydration and protect the newly exposed skin," she explains.
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best lip scrubs by enlisting the recommendation of dermatologists and nurse practitioners. We also asked our editors to share a couple of their tried-and-true favorite lip scrubs and exfoliators as well.
Meet the experts- Dr. Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut in Hamden. She is an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine and vice president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society.
- Dr. Katie Mann, DNP, FNP-C is a nurse practitioner in Scottsdale, Arizona.
- Jackie Spagnuolo is an aesthetic nurse practitioner in New York, New York.
- Dr. Angela Brimhall, DO, MS, FAAD, FAOCD is a board-certified dermatologist at Sage Dermatology & MOHS Surgery in Draper, Utah.
- Dr. Marisa K. Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist currently working in New York and New Jersey. She also works at Cornell as an assistant clinical professor of dermatology.
