3 Ingredient Super Nourishing Honey Lip Scrub
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Dry, flaky lips? This simple DIY lip scrub uses just three natural ingredients — sugar, honey, and olive oil — to gently exfoliate and deeply nourish your lips.
Because it’s made with edible ingredients, you don’t have to worry about what you’re putting on your mouth. It’s quick to make, inexpensive, and leaves your lips soft and smooth in minutes.
If you ever get dry or peeling lips, you are really going to love this scrub. While my Homemade Sugar Scrub works wonders for dry hands, feet, elbows, knees, and really your whole body, this lip scrub is the perfect thing for your lips.
The sugar provides the exfoliating, while the oil and honey hold everything together, providing moisture and nourishment that dry lips desperately need.
I've used this lip scrub a lot and it works magic on your lips.
I've had dry lips on and off throughout my life, and while it happens less due to me working hard on my overall health, it still is a problem from time to time.
Whenever that happens, I can grab this scrub out of the fridge or whip up a batch lickety-split (pun intended) and voila, soft lips as smooth as a baby's skin.
How This Compares to Store-Bought Lip Scrubs
First of all, the ingredients in this DIY Lip Scrub are clean compared to store-bought scrubs that can have some or all of the following ingredients:
- Lycasin (a kind of altered corn syrup)
- Flavor (of course that could be almost anything)
- Cornstarch (likely GMO)
- Aluminum Lake Colors (which many people prefer to avoid by using only natural food colors)
- Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone – rated a 5 on EWG's Skin Deep, this is basically an artificial fragrance, which I have many concerns about.
Second, this lip scrub costs so much less. You can make this homemade lip scrub for next to nothing, compared with prices like $10 for .8 oz for some fancy lip scrubs.
You're welcome.
What You'll Need
- Sugar: You can use regular sugar or any granulated sweetener you like. Use xylitol or erythritol to stay completely away from candida-feeding stuff.)
- Honey
- Olive Oil
- Containers These containers are basically the same as the ones shown in the photos. Note that I recommend glass containers, but you could always choose plastic if you like.
Is The Sugar In Lip Scrubs Bad For You?
I wondered about this, and after doing an internet search, found that many others are too.
The concern is, if you're using a sugar scrub on your lips, is that a bad idea if you avoid sugar typically as in the case of diabetes, candida, or other health issues?
My thoughts after researching and thinking more about it is that it is probably a non issue since:
- You are only leaving the scrub on for a short amount of time.
- Sugar most likely is not absorbed through the skin due to its molecular size.
Because you're applying this scrub directly to your lips, there's a good chance that some of it will go into your mouth as well, which is more than a skin absorption issue. So if you're concerned about that, you can rinse your mouth after or use a low-carb granulated sweetener instead.
FAQs
How to Use a DIY Lip Scrub
Using a lip scrub correctly makes all the difference to help you get results without irritation.
- Apply a small amount to clean lips
- Gently massage in circular motions
- Rinse or wipe off
- Follow with lip balm, if desired.
How Often Should You Use a Lip Scrub?
You'll likely be tempted to use this every day, but ideally you should use it about 1-3 times per week. Too much exfoliation isn't healthy, whether it's on your body, face, or lips.
What Type of Sugar Works Best?
For the most gentle exfoliation, use fine granulated sugar. If your sugar crystals are large, you can pulse them briefly in a blender or food processor to the desired size, but don't powder them. Avoid very coarse sugars, which can be too harsh on delicate lip skin.
How to Store
Because it lacks preservatives, it's best to make this lip scrub in small batches even though honey is a natural preservative. Refrigerating the scrub will extend the shelf life, but it will harden some. It should last up to one month at room temperature, or 2-3 months in the refrigerator.
Of course if it ever smells rancid, discard it.
More DIY Personal Care Items
If you love this recipe, you'll love these too!
– Facial Oil Cleansing Wash – yes, using oil to wash your face works amazingly well!
– Homemade Hair Spray – works great for a nice light to medium-light hold.
– Rose Water Spray
– DIY Eye Makeup Remover
– Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse – works great to clarify hair!
3 Ingredient Nourishing Honey Lip Scrub
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together.
- Apply a small amount to lips.
- Rub gently into lips for a few seconds or up to two minutes.
- If time allows, let the mixture remain on lips for a minute or two.
- Wipe off gently with a warm, damp cloth, or you can just lick it all off!
- Store the excess in a closed container.
- Enjoy your smooth, soft, healthier lips!
I'm sure you will LOVE how smooth your lips are after using this scrub and this DIY Lip Scrub makes a fabulous homemade gift for Christmas or anytime.
Do you suffer from rough lips too?
I'd love to hear what you think after trying this scrub!
My family could definitely use this! I would love to have you come share some of your great ideas at the link party on ‘Or so she says…’ There’s one going on right now (and every Saturday – Tuesday). Hope to see you there! http://www.oneshetwoshe.com
Adrienne—Google toothpaste allergy—! Sodium laurel sulphate–causes a lot of allergies! I had constant dry peeling milk-mustache lips–and so I googled the above-found toothpaste without the SLP—which is no easy task!—and it all stopped! Nice normal lips! I have a lot of food/chemical sensitivities…and this is one of them. Lipstick is another challenge as it would only make things worse-again, SLP in the contents….! Good luck! Blessings, Sharon
Thanks! I use an all natural tpaste – so that’s not my problem, but good info!!
Hi Sharon I saw your post and I don’t know your sensitivities but I think you should look into Red Apple Lipstick. Sorry to hear about toothpaste causing an allergic reaction for you. Check them out on the web.
Thanks Shanell. Had to delete the link b/c I get worried about having malware on my account again. It happened from a link once – thanks!
I desperately need to make this! My lips have been so chapped because of the changing weather! And I like the idea of giving this as a Christmas gift 🙂
This is exactly what I need today! And I love that it’s made with natural ingredients and obviously good for you. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! Glad to have helped!!
I think I just want to eat it…is that bad 🙂
Thanks for the natural remedy. Will definitely be trying. I have struggled periodically with peeling lips and am currently. I have never been able to pinpoint a cause. Could be using the same treatment, seems to be working and then BOOM, stops working! How did you link yours to candida? Other symptoms?
I had had the same issues w/ my lips. I noticed once that after a candida flare that my lips got really bad and after it happened a few times it was like connecting the dots. Yes, I do have other symptoms. My candida has been quite bad. It is very much under control right now but if I slip w/ my diet it is back. I am still working on figuring out why that is – or maybe that is just the way that it is going to be. Not sure…
Have your blood glucose levels checked. It could be T2Diabetes. I had HORRIBLE candida (yeast) infection for 5 years. Went to Dr. for different reason, said my BG was over 500! (normal range is 80-100) Said the Diabetes caused the candida, not the other way around.
Hope it isn’t, but you really should check.
Hi Carol. Thanks for your concern. Actually my blood sugars seem to be great now. They weren’t in the past (my MD missed pretty horrible hypoglycemia). I’m considering getting my insulin tested. I’m not sure how to go about doing that but I have a friend who did it so I’m going to ask her. It sounds like it’s something a lot of MDs are missing.
I would have a hard time resisting the urge to lick this off immediately! 🙂 Living in the high desert, my lips are always chapped. I will be giving this a try because I haven’t found anything else that actually works! Thanks for sharing this!
Dropping by from Frugal Friday. I NEED this recipe right now! Thanks for posting it!
Yea! Nice to meet you! My lips have been so much better since doing this. Can’t believe I waited this long :)!
This sounds awful to admit, but I used to have the worst chapped lips and I’d pull at them which made them worse! A similar scrub worked wonders.
I know- I wouldn’t pull at them but I didn’t know what to do – more balm didn’t work and I’d wonder whether to bite them or not. This helped so much!!
Hi Adrienne!
Thank you so much for the mention on your blog! I always look to your blog for recipe ideas with Will being on a stricter diet. It means a lot to me that you read mine too! Hope everything is well in GR and we get to be back there soon!
Well wishes,
Michelle
Hi Michelle! You are so welcome. I just can’t believe it took me this long!
We so look forward to seeing you again soon! Stay in touch and say hello to Will for us! My boys got a kick of seeing the hockey photos on your blog today :-).
Warmly,
Adrienne