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!


Thank you for sharing this recipe. I am trying it right now, as a matter of fact i have it on my lips as im typing 🙂
Thank you for this awesome recipe!
Thanks and hope you enjoyed the recipe!
I have been suffering from chapped lips since childhood. That is why I always take my lip balm stick with me. Will definitely try your remedy next time!
Thanks for sharing the tips.
PS… I just mixed and applied this Lip Scrub using coconut oil. My lips feel refreshed and are definitely softer (I’ve been nibbling the little dry skin which is why I made it right away!) The only thing is, it is so delicious, I can hardly keep myself from eating it!
Great! Thanks for sharing! I know – I get tempted to eat it too!!!
me too 😉
I just linked to your contributions through PickleMeToo.com and find that I’ve just kept going deeper and deeper into your comments and recipes! You might also notice that I’ve subscribed via email, as well. Your solutions answer things that have been weighing more and more on me; things like homemade hand and body lotion, lip scrub, natural face cleanser, makeup remover… I could go on. Thank you for taking your time to research, develop and share your findings! The ones I’ve read through are the best 🙂
Hi and welcome! Thanks so much!
Hi i was wondering how much of the ingredients you use. I really want to try this lip scrub since my lips have been crazy chapped but the amount of ingredients on the page only show as 1 part can you explain what 1 part is, is it 1 tablespoon? thanks in advance!
Just take the size container you want and divide it. If 1 part = 1 tsp than 2 parts = 2 tsps. Hope that explains it :).
I needed this terribly bad today. I love how soft my lips feel. Between the colder weather and having to wear a mask in surgery my lip & face get really chapped.
I am going to make some to give my co-workers. I have several Scenty teaser samples and I think those containers will recycle nicely to give away.
Thanks so much!!
Love this idea. Can you tell me if I could use Vitamin E oil? Thanks!
You can use whatever oil you like – some will be more expensive and I suspect it will be more healing :).
I can’t wait to try this, I also have very dry lips. I’ve been told it’s psorisis, so I can’t wait to try this.