How to exfoliate your lips
You probably already exfoliate your face on the reg, but did you know your lips can also benefit from a little buffing?
Not only will exfoliating your lips enhance the performance of your lip balm, it’ll also help prep your pout for that gorgeous bold lippie you’ve been wanting to try.
The goal? Soft, smooth, kissable lips that are flake-free and fabulous.
For best results, refrain from slathering on your favourite facial exfoliant (it’s most likely too harsh for your delicate lip area). Instead, try these gentler DIY lip scrub tips to help achieve a perfect pout…
With a soft toothbrush:
This is one of the easiest ways to exfoliate your lips. For best results, apply a thin layer of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly or a basic lip balm, then use a toothbrush to gently slough the dead skin off. Rinse with your finger or a wet cloth to finish!
bh tip: Keep this toothbrush separate from the one you use to brush your teeth (you don’t want to rub toothpaste on your lips, nor put your exfoliating tool in your mouth).
Image credit: jojobali.wordpress.com/
Related: 6 effective ways to exfoliate your face
Related: The best make-up brushes to use for every skin type
Related: How to make your lipstick last longer
With a dedicated lip exfoliant:
A lip scrub has all the exfoliating benefits of the toothbrush method, while also nourishing your lips with moisturising ingredients. Lush Lip Scrub comes in three fabulous flavours and contains organic jojoba to keep your lips smooth and soft. e.l.f. cosmetics Studio Lip Exfoliator is also a big hit with our members (maybe because it’s shaped like an actual lipstick – so adorbs)!
With a DIY lip scrub:
If you already have way too many products clogging up your bathroom cabinet, you may prefer to make your lip scrub from scratch with some pantry staples instead. A little olive oil and granulated sugar is a simple, inexpensive combination that can be applied with your finger. Simply rub it into your lips gently and rinse off for best results. Half a teaspoon of baking soda and water mixed together can also be very effective – bh’s Sophia does this in the shower to minimise mess!
To finish:
Now that your lips are soft and luscious, it’s time to show them off. For a gorgeous, summery lip look, you can’t go past a subtle lip tint. Try MOR Rosehip Lip Tint in ‘Candy’ or Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in ‘Budding Blossom’.
For night-time, your pout is now prepped to pull off a matte lip – minus the flakiness. Try NYX Cosmetics Matte Lipstick and L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Moisture Matte Lipstick for a Kylie Jenner-esque pout!
Do you get dry, flaky lips? Which exfoliating method is your favourite?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
124 Member Comments
After shower (I use face exfoliator over my lips always) I rub damp towel over and smooth the lips even more.
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Never thought of toothbrush!
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I use a soft toothbrush at times and it seems to work.
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Lush lip scrubs are my favourite, hands down. At the moment I'm using the Frank Body Cherry Bomb lip scrub. The scent and flavour is insane! But not as effective as the Lush one. I've also tried the Too Faced Peach lip scrub and hardly found it nearly as effective, especially for the price. I always follow up with Lucas Paw Paw ointment, its so thick and nourishing.
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I love the lush lip exfoliator, it tastes so nice. Apart from that though, I wouldn't use an exfolitator harsher than a lip scrub on my face... the lush ones are pretty intense.
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I have used lip exfoliants but I can’t remember where I got them from. I don’t have one at the moment. I just make sure I keep my lips well hydrated.
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I feel that lip exfoliation is great after being out in the sun and during the dry, winter days. It is such a nice feeling and leaves your lips looking plump and pouty! Love the article!
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I exfoliate my lips when I do my face. Same product and it does the job.
Sugar and olive oil is a great exfoliator for the body as well - just rub in well and hop under the shower. Skin feels great after this little treat.
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Been meaning to make a DIY lip scrub. Thanks for the info.
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I never knew people exfoliated their lips. I'm older and my lips are fine without ever having done this. Am I just lucky?
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Lip scrubs are me life saver
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Love to use the Lush lip scrub in the shower, it tastes so scrummy
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The lush lip scrubs are incredible!
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A toothbrush is good but can tickle, the Lush scrub in Cola is my favourite
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my fav is still just sugar and olive oil, definitely cheaper than Lush
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When I saw this articles title I really hoped that my Lush Exfoliate was listed - and it is! It has completely changed the texture of my lips.
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When I remember I will use my toothbrush, but have been known to lightly use my electric toothbrush in the past. I've sampled a Mary Kay lip treatment exfoliator in the past and that was amazing, but I'm keen to try BHs at DIY exfoliants as my lips are in bad shape this winter, with too much coffee, the cold and very little time.
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Be very careful if you use an electric toothbrush. They might be a bit too harsh and you may damage your lips. Lots of lip balm works wonders too
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I get really dry lips and skin. I want to try one of these products as I think they would be great for me. Maybe the ELF one.
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I usually never scrub my lips but I have terribly dry, chapped lips and I peel them naughty! I recently got my hands on the jeffree star lip scrub and it was gooood! problem is, I've only used it once. need to make it habit.
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The toothbrush is nature's natural lip buffer...scrubbing the lip line around the mouth is also good to make sure that blackheads don't appear here ...
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I purchased I great little tub from nutrimetics, it has an exfoliating scrub in the bottom tub and a lip balm in the top part. Works great
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I hear the Lush lip scrub is really good!
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I actually did my lips tonight before I read this article. I use ASAP facial scrub. It is the best. My lips were really dry from winter. I them lathered some hemp balm from the Body Shop on them afterwards. I am going to put some more on before I go to bed!! I usually give my lips a birthday once a week when I exfoliate my whole face and neck before I put a mask on.
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