Lip scrubs can help with chapped lips.
The lip scrub is an exfoliating product specifically designed to remove dead skin cells from the sensitive area of the lips. While there are several body scrubs on the market, they tend to have a strong odor, an unpleasant taste, and may contain ingredients that should not be used near the mouth. By specifically focusing on exfoliating that area, lip scrubs offer the benefits of body butters without the unpleasant attributes.
Sugar is often used as a lip scrub.
The purpose of using a lip scrub or any other exfoliating agent is to remove dead skin cells that tend to dull the skin’s natural glow. When the skin on the lips becomes excessively dry, dead skin cells can begin to slough off, resulting in flaky or chapped lips. At this point, the lip balm will not help remedy the problem unless the dead skin cells are removed first. An exfoliant can be used for this action; Gently rubbing the lips with a toothbrush or cloth can produce the same results.
The lip scrub is used by applying the product to the full length of the lips and gently rubbing in a circular motion before rinsing thoroughly. If the product contains natural ingredients, it’s generally safe to add a lip scrub to your daily beauty routine. You may need to use a chemical-containing scrub less often, but it can be important to be consistent with your application to get the most benefit.
In addition to maintaining the look and texture of your lips, regular use of a lip scrub can help increase the staying power of your lipstick, eyeliner, or lip tints. This can help provide a smooth surface for the product to adhere to. For lips showing signs of aging, some scrubs also contain vitamins, minerals, or retinols that are meant to make small wrinkles around the mouth less visible.
While there are a variety of products available on the commercial market, you can make a lip scrub at home using natural ingredients. A simple recipe uses sugar as an abrasive and olive oil to moisturize, while some add honey for flavor and possible antibacterial benefits. Baking soda is sometimes used as a cleaning agent and water is the only ingredient added. Whether using a commercial or homemade product, it is generally important for a person to always rub their lips gently, as the skin in this area is often the thinnest and most sensitive on the body. Applying a lip balm after treating your lips with a lip scrub can help protect your newly discovered skin cells.