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!


Expiry of the lip scrub?
Hello there. I don’t make shelf life claims but I keep mine in the fridge if I am not using it often. Honey is a good natural product that resists bacteria but still be careful since you are putting your fingers in it. Thanks for reading and hope you like it!
You can use salt but I have a tendency to like my lips so I would recommend sugar and if you want your lips to be even smoother and softer and healthier mix 1 part honey and 1 part oil and apply after scrub
i just found your site and am enjoying reading will this prevent lipstick from craking
Thanks! I guess that depends on why the lipstick is cracking. If it’s due to your lips being rough then this should help.
I tried making this using coconut oil so I melted the oil a bit first to make it more of a liquid consistency. Then when I added the sugar, the sugar granules melted some. I realized I probably should’ve waited until the oil cooled down. It all became one liquid consistency. Do you think the scrub is as good if the sugar is melted? Maybe add more sugar? I used honey and then organic raw brown cane sugar.
I would think if the sugar dissolves there will be no granules left so it won’t work. Just add more sugar and you should be OK :).
mam as coconut oil freeze in winter season so what can we do for this
All you can do is heat it to blend it. Hope that helps!
I want to make this lip scrub for some friends for christmas.How long do you think will last its shelf life?
Hi there. I can’t make shelf life claims, but it keeps fairly well. I keep mine in the fridge for a more refreshing scrub and a longer shelf life. Merry Christmas!
I’ve suffered for years with dry/chapped lips and have tried loads of different lip care treatments but nothing has made any difference until I read some reviews about the Somaluxe Lip Rescue. THANK GOD I TRIED IT. The SOmaluxe Lip Rescue really works! I found with other treatments such as vasaline I would have to reapply every half an hour or so, but I only have to reapply Somaluxe a couple of times a day or after I’ve eaten. It’s an excellent product and I will definitely be using this for a very long time, only been using it a couple of days and my lips are already much healthier and hydrated, haven’t seen them like this in years!
Wow – that’s pretty expensive. Is it really worth it?
Hi.
In your ingredients what does one part mean?
That’s a generic measurement. So if you are making a small amount use 1/4 tsp as 1 part so each time you see a part you use 1/4 tsp. 2 parts would be 1/2 tsp in this case. Does that make sense?
You know like even amounts or if a recipe calls for two parts and one part you can add like two tbsp and one tbsp
Hi Adrienne, do you put it on daily or once a week?
I just use it whenever I feel like I need to. I am working on finding really good lip balm so I need it less. Also, I think candida causes severely dry lips – do you have a severe problem?
Do you know what the approximate life span of this would be? Thank you!
Shelf life, I meant. =)
No, I don’t. I have mine in the fridge :).