Have you ever found yourself standing outside on a windy day hoping your lips don’t look as dry as the Sahara desert on a sunny day? Our lips lack oil glands and therefore are more prone to drying out quickly in cold, dry, or windy weather.
However, most of us often overlook one of the most effective ways to achieve supple, soft, healthy-looking lips. Lip scrubs!
In this article, we’ll show you how to use lip scrub, mention lip scrub benefits, suggest the best lip scrub Malaysia, and teach you how to make an effective homemade lip scrub. So keep on reading!
What is a Lip Scrub Exactly?
For those of us who are familiar with the world of skincare and beauty products, a scrub is a semi-abrasive material, typically in the form of a lotion, which is applied to the surface of the skin to remove the top layer of dead cells and reveal the newer layer beneath. Most people are familiar with body scrubs, but fail to realize that scrubs also exist specifically for the lips.
Therefore, a lip scrub is simply a special type of scrub that is designed to safely remove the top layer of dead cells from your lips and expose the smoother, softer layer. They usually come in the form of lipstick-like tubes or tiny glass jars.
What Are the Common Ingredients in a Lip Scrub?
Every lip scrub brand is unique and contains a specific blend of key ingredients. However, some common elements are found in virtually all lip scrubs. They include:
- The emollient.
An emollient is simply a fancy word used by the cosmetic industry to refer to any substance that softens the skin. Some common emollients used in lip scrubs include shea butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, coconut butter, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and pure vitamin E oil.
- The moisturizer.
Just as the name suggests, the moisturizer is the ingredient in the scrub which is responsible for adding and/or trapping moisture in your lips. Some common examples are aloe vera, honey, lanolin, petroleum jelly, coconut oil, green tea, beeswax, and ceramides.
- The exfoliant.
This ingredient is probably the most important component of any lip scrub. An exfoliant is a product that helps remove dead cells from the surface of the skin by virtue of its abrasive nature. It has to be gritty enough to effectively remove the top layer of the lips but not too harsh to avoid damaging the lips. Some popular exfoliants used in lip scrubs include finely ground sugar, cinnamon, and coffee.
How to Use Lip Scrub
Now that we know what a lip scrub is and what the key ingredients are, let’s take a look at how to best use a lip scrub to achieve maximum results without harming your lips. There are several important steps you should follow which include:
- Wet your lips to prime (soften) them.
This softens the layer of dead cells which cover your lips and makes the exfoliation process easier. It also reduces the amount of friction created during scrubbing, making the process less traumatic, avoiding undue pain and injury.
- Apply liberal amounts of lip scrub and use gentle circular motions to scrub away the top layer.
Ensure your fingers are clean before collecting the scrub to avoid contaminating the scrub. Remember to never use a lip scrub if your lips are raw, cracked, sore, or bleeding. Allow them to heal fully before using the exfoliant. However, if your lips are merely peeling it is safe to use a lip scrub. Create slight friction using your finger or by gently rubbing your upper and lower lip together. If you feel pain or feel your lip crack, stop immediately.
- Clean off the product with a clean, soft material and moisturize your lips.
Ensure you don’t wipe off the lip scrub too roughly to avoid damaging your lips. It is best to dab them dry with a soft towel or tissue. It’s also very important that you moisturize your lips immediately after using the lip scrub. Exfoliating your lips may leave them even more prone to drying for a short while so applying a lip balm, lotion or lipstick helps lock in moisture and gives your lips that final smooth and soft look.
While lip scrubs are certainly useful, overusing them can lead to even more serious issues such as dry, cracked lips, pain, irritation, and in severe cases even bleeding.
It’s worth mentioning that if you have sensitive skin, or if you suffer from eczema on lips, lip scrubs might not be the best products for you.
However, when done correctly and carried out no more than one to three times a week (depending on how dry and flaky your lips are), it is unlikely that you are at risk of developing any of the above side effects.
Lip Scrub Benefits
When used correctly lip scrubs offer you a wide range of advantages, both cosmetically and health-wise. Some key lip scrub benefits include:
- The process helps remove dead skin cells and the top layer of dry skin, helping reduce and even eliminate dry, flaky lips.
- Regular use of lip scrubs even prevents or reduces the occurrence of dry and cracked lips, leaving your lips looking healthy even during dry, cold, or windy weather.
- Dry lips may cause your lips to crack and bleed, potentially exposing your lips to nasty infections and other health conditions. This can be prevented by using lip scrubs and moisturizers, especially during dry weather.
- By eliminating the top layer of dead cells, lip scrubs prime the lips for hydration and moisturizing efforts. This makes moisturizers such as lip balms, ointments, and lotions even more effective and longer-lasting.
- Another advantage most people don’t realize is that smooth lips make using cosmetic lip products like lipstick easier. The smooth surface helps the product adhere more closely and last longer. Not to mention that lipstick looks more beautiful on smooth lips than peeling ones.
- The last (and probably most important) benefit of using a lip scrub that we want to mention is that it leaves your lips looking smoother, fuller, healthier, and much more attractive. This is a confidence booster, especially if you are self-conscious about your appearance.
Can You Make Your Own Lip Scrub?
Lips scrubs don’t have to be expensive, with exotic names and unfamiliar ingredients. The best lip scrub can be a simple homemade lip scrub you can create with common kitchen ingredients like a sugar lip scrub.
Making a lip scrub at home is easy and involves knowledge of the key ingredients, namely: the emollient, the exfoliant, and the moisturizer. Let’s take a look at some common DIY lip scrub ingredients.
Firstly, you need your emollient. Some safe and effective emollients include shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, pure vitamin E oil, and so on.
Next, you need your exfoliant. This provides the gritty base which produces the friction necessary to slough off those dead cells. Some common exfoliants include finely ground sugar, cinnamon, and coffee.
And lastly, you’ll need your moisturizing base to keep your lips looking smooth and healthy. In many cases, your emollient may also double as a moisturizer. Some safe moisturizing options are aloe vera, honey, petroleum jelly, and so on.
Avoid using alcohols, parabens, or other strong chemicals. Also, individuals with sensitive skin may want to avoid adding lemon or lime to their lip scrubs.
Simple DIY Recipe for a Homemade Sugar Lip Scrub
Now let’s give you a simple DIY homemade lip scrub recipe that is safe, effective, and delicious. All you need is
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon of warm water.
Instructions
- First, mix the coconut oil and honey well.
- Then add the brown sugar and the warm water to this mixture.
- Mix the ingredients gently until you get a smooth mixture and your homemade lip scrub is ready to apply!.
Remember to refrigerate the mixture to keep it fresh for as long as possible, but most homemade lip scrubs generally last for just about two weeks without preservatives.
Best Lip Scrubs Available in Malaysia
We’ve taken a look at what lip scrubs are, how they work and their various benefits. Let’s explore the contenders for the best lip scrub Malaysia offers. They include:
1. NIVEA Lip Care – Rosehip Caring Lip Scrub
The Nivea Lip Care Rosehip Caring Lip Scrub differs from other lip scrubs due to its gentle nature and great ingredients. This means that it is suitable for daily use and does not need to be wiped off after application because the particles are naturally absorbed after some time.
The product also contains several great ingredients like Vitamin E and Rosehip oil, which act as both a moisturizer and an exfoliant. This dual-action combo leaves your lips looking soft, smooth, and well-moisturized all day. It has also been dermatologically approved for individuals with sensitive skin.
2. Mary Kay Satin Lips Lip Scrub + Lip Balm
Mary Kay is a famous name in the world of skincare and beauty products. For a brand whose name is synonymous with quality, it’s no surprise that the company rolled out this amazing product.
This particular product was made with shea butter as the key ingredient. Don’t forget that we previously mentioned that shea butter is a great emollient and moisturizer. This means that the Mary Kay Satin Lip Scrub is assured to leave your lips looking supple and satin smooth.
3. Handmade Heroes Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrub
Some brands believe that more is less, while others believe you can never have enough great ingredients in a single product. The Handmade Heroes Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrub – Coconut Sorbet definitely belongs in the latter.
The lip scrub is packed full of natural ingredients such as avocado oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond coconut, sugar, and much more. It is also naturally derived, as well as silicon and paraben-free. This gives you a safe and effective product that’s bound to leave your lips glowing with health.
4. Apieu Honey & Milk Lip Balm/ Lip Oil / Scrub / Sleeping Pack
Why settle for one product when you can have four? When it comes to the product on the list, the Apieu company definitely brought out the full package. The product includes a lip balm, lip oil, lip scrub, and sleeping pack to give you all-around protection throughout the day.
All the products are based on a honey, milk protein extract, and vitamin E combination that is guaranteed to keep your lips looking smooth and healthy.
Conclusion
In summary, lip scrubs are a great way to keep your lips looking smooth and soft during dry or windy weather. So we recommend these products to anyone battling dry or flaky lips.
We would also love to hear more from you concerning the topic, so be sure to leave your questions and feedback in the comment section!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you leave lip scrub on?
Generally, you should leave a lip scrub on for about 1-2 minutes while making circular motions on your lips with your finger or by rubbing your upper and lower lip together. Then you can wash off the scrub or gently pat it off with a soft material.
Does a lip scrub lighten your lips?
Yes, a lip scrub with specific ingredients can lighten your lips over time. Sometimes dark lips may be due to the accumulation of dead cells over the surface of your lips. By gently sloughing off this layer using a lip scrub you can reveal the lighter, smoother layer of skin beneath. Keep in mind that it’s not something that happens overnight.
Can I use a lip scrub every day?
No, using a lip scrub every day may cause significant harm to your lips and make them even more prone to cracking and peeling. A lip scrub should be used between one to three times a week.
Does a lip scrub make your lips bigger?
No, lip scrubs do not make your lips bigger. The friction produced when rubbing your lips during the scrubbing process may temporarily increase blood flow to your lips giving them a fuller appearance. However, this effect is only temporary and usually disappears within a few minutes.
