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15 Best Lip Scrubs to Exfoliate Lips

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Smoother pout, here we come! We’ve done our research to bring you the best lip scrubs for the softest lips. Chapped and flaky lips are one of life’s small but pernicious annoyances. Thankfully, a lip scrub offers a quick and easy solution by removing dead skin and nourishing the lips with some moisture!

We’ve put together a comprehensive list of all of the best lip exfoliators. Every flavor and exfoliation level are represented here. If you’re still not sure which of these precious formulas will suit you best, we also give a few tips for selecting the right scrub for you.

In this article:

Our Picks for the Best Lip Scrubs

Check out our reviews of the best lip scrubs you can pick up, no matter your preference or budget!

1
Best Overall
COSRX Honey Sugar Lip Scrub
COSRX Ulta.com
$19

COSRX is a Korean brand that makes incredible skincare ingredients, including this phenomenal lip scrub. The reason this scrub wins our top spot is that, in addition to exfoliating and moisturizing, it also contains ingredients like honey and glycerin that directly hydrate the lips.

As you’ll soon see, ingredients that hydrate directly aren’t usually a part of most lip scrub formulas. It gives a nourished, plump pout and makes the lips nicely smooth. The sugar grains are very fine, so this scrub exfoliates lightly and gently, making it a nice option for regular use.

As for the experience, it’s a lovely balm-to-oil base that includes cocoa extract, which explains the deep brown color. It tastes sweet and a little chocolatey, but it’s very subtle. If we had to find one complaint – maybe jar packaging isn’t the most convenient, but the reality is that this is how most lip scrubs are sold. Buy it at Ulta or Amazon!

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.70 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar
  • Key Ingredients: Honey, glycerin, shea butter, cocoa extract
  • Flavor/Scent: Honey and cocoa
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/No

Pros

  • Gentle yet effective scrub
  • Leaves the lips plump and smooth
  • Directly hydrates the lips with honey and glycerin
  • Pleasant and lightly sweet to use

Cons

  • Jar packaging isn’t our favorite   

2
Best Budget
Burt’s Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub
Burt’s Bees Amazon.com
$9

Burt’s Bees is another brand you can’t go wrong with. This lip scrub is a classic with a lot of honey, some deeply nourishing and healing ingredients, and a high sugar-to-base ratio that means you get a very thorough exfoliation.

This scrub is a little more intense than our top pick, which means you should only use it a couple of times a week. However, the results tend to be quite lasting. The sugar exfoliates thoroughly, while conditioning agents like lanolin, castor oil, and beeswax create a protective, moisturizing seal over the lips. Order it from Amazon!

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.25 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar
  • Key Ingredients: Honey, beeswax
  • Flavor/Scent: Honey
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/No

Pros

  • Very nourishing and thick
  • Provides a thorough exfoliation
  • Strong occlusive agents like lanolin and beeswax

Cons

  • A little too intense for frequent use

3
Best Splurge
Dior Addict Lip Sugar Scrub
Dior Sephora.com
$35

While some designer brands treat their cosmetic products as afterthoughts, Dior isn’t one of them. This gorgeous lip scrub is a classic choice that exfoliates gently, nourishes deeply, and leaves the lips with a pinkish tint.

A lot of the ingredients here are synthetic emollients, which means that it moisturizes well without leaving a greasy texture, but it might turn off the natural beauty lovers.

It comes in a tube instead of a jar, and applying it is just like applying lipstick – complete with a hint of color. We love that added layer of convenience since you won’t need to worry about getting your fingers or a spatula dirty when it’s time to use it. On days when you want a natural beauty look, it’s a one and done!

For this kind of format to work, though, the sugar-to-base ratio has to be a little lower, which makes for a gentler exfoliant. You may have to go over your lips a few times if you’re dealing with serious flakiness. Find it at Sephora or Dior!

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.12 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar
  • Key Ingredients: Beeswax, mango seed butter
  • Flavor/Scent: Lightly minty
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: No/No

Pros

  • Moisturizes without feeling greasy
  • Gives lips a pinkish tint
  • Easy to apply directly from the tube
  • Very gentle

Cons

  • A lot of synthetic ingredients can be an issue for some
  • Doesn’t provide dramatic exfoliation

4
Best Drugstore
L’Oréal Pure Sugar Smooth and Glow Grapeseed Lip Scrub
L’Oréal Ulta.com
$6.99

It’s hard to go wrong with L’Oréal. This deeply moisturizing lip scrub is made with a few kinds of sugar, as well as some shine-making minerals. The formula itself is very nourishing, thanks to a range of fatty alcohols and natural oils.

This lip scrub comes in a tube, which we love for convenience. It does mean that it has a slightly more runny and oily texture since that’s the only way it can dispense easily. Overall, the sugar to oil ratio isn’t too high, so it’s a little gentler, which makes it excellent for daily use. The formula has a really tasty coffee flavor that we love in the morning. Get it at Ulta or Amazon!

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.67 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar
  • Key Ingredients: Grapeseed oil, acai, and monoi oil
  • Flavor/Scent: Coffee
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: No/No

Pros

  • Very gentle and moisturizing
  • Oils help to soften the lips
  • Excellent for daily use
  • Delicious coffee scent

Cons

  • A little runny and oily

5
Best for Dry Lips
fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator
fresh Nordstrom.com
$18

From Fresh, this lip scrub has been around for a while, but it’s still an easy favorite. It’s a very rich, moisturizing scrub that doesn’t compromise on exfoliation power. It’s made with brown sugar, which, to be clear, isn’t necessarily better than white sugar, but it does feel a little more luxe.

This formula contains a big dose of jojoba oil, so it’s a little greasy, but it leaves the lips soft. The taste is sweet with a citrusy touch, which is actually quite refreshing. Order it from Nordstrom, Sephora, or Ulta!

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.35 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Brown sugar
  • Key Ingredients: Shea butter, jojoba oil
  • Flavor/Scent: Citrus
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: No/No

Pros

  • Rich, very moisturizing formula
  • Heavy on the brown sugar for a thorough exfoliation
  • Refreshing citrus flavor

Cons

  •  Can be a little greasy

6
Best Stick
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Kiss’r Lip-Loving Scrubstick
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Sephora.com
$16

More often than not, scrubs in stick format are quite gentle (see: Dior). This lip scrub from Fenty, on the other hand, is pretty intense and thorough.

Instead of sugar, it relies on apricot seed powder to dislodge dead skin. The apricot powder sits in a thick, lip balm-esque base that allows for better friction, which also contributes to the thorough exfoliating effects of this scrub. Just keep in mind that it’s too intense for daily use. 

It’s quite moisturizing, thanks to a lot of coconut oil and beeswax, but it’s not too greasy. The format itself makes it extra easy and convenient to use, with less mess than other scrubs. The packaging itself is very chic, much like other Fenty products. It’s available at Sephora.

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.1 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Apricot seed powder
  • Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, beeswax
  • Flavor/Scent: Fruity vanilla
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/No

Pros

  • Thorough exfoliation
  • Convenient stick form
  • Less messy to use
  • Moisturizing but not greasy

Cons

  • Too much exfoliation for daily use

7
Best Flavor
frank body Cherry Bomb Lip Scrub
frank body Ulta.com
$14.95

This lip scrub goes all out with the flavor, so if you’re all about experiential products and you love cherry flavors, give it a try. This formula is bright red, but it doesn’t stain the lips, although it includes coffee bean oil, which can have a slightly plumping effect. The only issue with this scrub is the packaging – it comes in a very slim jar, so sealing it correctly can be difficult, and oil can leak.

It’s very moisturizing, although the sugar to oil ratio is high, so the exfoliation is pretty strong, as well. Purchase it at Ulta or Amazon!

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.51 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar, hydrated silica
  • Key Ingredients: Coffee seed oil, grapefruit extract, beeswax
  • Flavor/Scent: Cherry
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/No

Pros

  • Intensely cherry flavor
  • Coffee bean oil can have a slight plumping effect
  • Super moisturizing yet exfoliating

Cons

  • Jar can leak

8
Best 2-in-1
Kaja Balmy Bento Lip Balm + Scrub
Kaja Sephora.com
$19

It makes perfect sense to include both a lip balm and a scrub in one little kit! After all, after scrubbing, you want to moisturize your lips immediately. The scrub in this kit isn’t too aggressive, so it’s definitely the kind of product you could carry with you and use on a daily basis. It’s based on sugar but also includes some deeply occlusive ingredients to protect the lips.

The balm itself is fairly light but hydrating, and it gives the lips a very pretty sheen. The two products work well one after the other, although neither one is mind-blowing on its own. The flavor is based on piña colada, so it’s tasty and tropical! Shop for it at Sephora or Amazon!

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.28 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar
  • Key Ingredients: Coconut oil
  • Flavor/Scent: Piña colada
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes

Pros

  • Two-in-one kit with both scrub and balm
  • Gentle daily scrub
  • Balm is hydrating and a little glossy
  • Delicious tropical flavor

Cons

  • Products work great as a duo but are lackluster on their own

9
Best Gentle Formula
Kopari Exfoliating Lip Scrub with Fine Volcanic Sand and Brown Sugar
Kopari Sephora.com
$18

If you have sensitive lips, you might like this gentle, finely-milled lip scrub. It’s made with a combination of volcanic sand and brown sugar that exfoliate the lips gently without causing irritation. For those who like an intense exfoliation, it might be too mild, but it’s nice for daily use.

The blend includes Kopari’s signature coconut oil, as well, which has soothing and moisturizing effects. It’s gentle but moisturizing, with a hint of vanilla flavor that makes the experience sweet and fun. Get it from Sephora, Ulta, or Amazon!

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.6 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar, volcanic sand
  • Key Ingredients: Coconut oil
  • Flavor/Scent: Vanilla
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes

Pros

  • Finely-milled to be gentle on the lips
  • Coconut oil has soothing effects
  • Tasty vanilla flavor

Cons

  • Exfoliation level may not be high enough for some

10
Best Selection
Sara Happ The Lip Scrub
Sara Happ Nordstrom.com
$24

Sara Happ is all about lip scrubs, so unlike a lot of other brands, they have a big selection of scrubs in flavors and colors to appeal to every taste. From fruity to gourmand, the options are a lot of fun!

What all Sara Happ lip scrubs have in common is their texture. They’re fairly thick, sugary scrubs that exfoliate the lips dramatically. The main oil in them is petrolatum, which is excellent for locking moisture into the lips, but there are also some botanical oils that help to soften and nourish. It’s the type of scrub best used a few times a week, but more than that can be a little overwhelming. You can find it at Nordstrom, Ulta, or Amazon!

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.5 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar
  • Key Ingredients: Petrolatum, jojoba seed oil, grapeseed oil
  • Flavor/Scent: Peach, grapefruit, vanilla, or brown sugar
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes

Pros

  • Big selection of tasty flavors
  • Thick, sugary texture provides intense exfoliation
  • Occlusive base locks moisture into lips well

Cons

  • Can be irritating if used too often

11
Best Long-Lasting
Kylie Skin Sugar Lip Scrub
Kylie Skin Nordstrom.com
$20

If you’re a fan of Kylie Jenner, you’d probably like to use her lip scrub. It’s a solid option with a delicious sweet flavor reminiscent of brown sugar. The texture is balmy and thick, which helps provide the lips with long-lasting moisture. It’s the kind of scrub that you don’t have to follow with a lip balm. The results are surprisingly long-lasting, although it can feel a little greasy. 

The actual exfoliation is done with sugar, and it’s quite thorough. It comes in a jar package, but there’s a little spatula that prevents you from having to stick your fingers inside. It’s sold at Nordstrom and Ulta.

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.35 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar
  • Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, shea butter
  • Flavor/Scent: Sugary
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes

Pros

  • Sweet, gourmand flavor has broad appeal
  • Balmy and very moisturizing base
  • Thoroughly exfoliating
  • Comes with a spatula for cleaner scooping

Cons

  • Can leave a slightly greasy residue

12
Best Handmade
Handmade Heroes Lip Scrub
Handmade Heroes Amazon.com
$9.99

This simple, handmade lip scrub is an excellent choice for those who prefer more rustic beauty products. It’s a gritty formula with a high sugar to base ratio, although there’s still enough oil in there for excellent moisturization.

It’s made with soothing coconut oil for a base that has a slightly thicker texture, with a lot of sugar for a more concentrated exfoliating formula. It’s very smoothing and moisturizing, with glycerin for added hydration. The amount of product in the jar is quite large, so this scrub offers excellent value. Order it online from Amazon!

Key Features:

  • Size: 1.23 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar
  • Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, glycerin
  • Flavor/Scent: Fragrance-free but coconutty
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes

Pros

  • Very smoothing and moisturizing
  • Excellent value
  • Glycerin provides direct hydration

Cons

  • Feels a little gritty to use

13
Best All-Natural
Naturopathica Sweet Cherry Polishing Lip Scrub
Naturopathica Dermstore.com
$20

This natural, cherry-based lip scrub has a rich, wonderful formula for exfoliating the lips thoroughly. It’s made with a combination of sugar and cherry shell powder, which means it does need to be rinsed off, but the result is a very nice and thorough smoothing effect. 

The texture of the base itself is a little oily because it’s made with a lot of safflower and jojoba oils. It spreads very easily over the lips, but it can leave behind a bit of a residue. That said, it moisturizes well and keeps the lips soft. There is also a touch of antioxidant puree, which may provide the lips with long-term anti-aging benefits.

The cherry flavor is subtle and not overpowering, which is quite lovely. You can get it at Dermstore or Nordstrom.

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.5 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar, cherry shell powder
  • Key Ingredients: Safflower oil, jojoba oil
  • Flavor/Scent: Cherry
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes

Pros

  • Exfoliates thoroughly with both sugar and cherry shell powder
  • Subtle, pleasant cherry flavor
  • Very moisturizing and somewhat anti-aging

Cons

  • Can leave a slight residue behind

14
Best Set
KNC Beauty Lip Scrub
KNC Beauty Sephora.com
$28

From Black-owned brand KNC Beauty, this is a gorgeous lip scrub that comes in a set with a cute silicone applicator. The scrub itself is rich and nourishing, with a lot of moisturizing emollients, including castor oil, sunflower oil, and shea butter. It contains finely-milled sugar for gentle exfoliation and a touch of molasses for sweetness. The flavor is cool and minty, so you may notice a slight tingling effect when you use the scrub.

If you’re not a fan of having to get your fingers dirty to exfoliate your lips, you’ll really enjoy the silicone applicator. It enhances the effects of the scrub while keeping your hands clean! Overall, you’d probably be able to use this scrub a few times a week without worrying about over-exfoliation! It’s sold at Sephora and Revolve.

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.5 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar
  • Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, sunflower seed oil, shea butter
  • Flavor/Scent: Minty
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/No

Pros

  • Very rich and moisturizing
  • Gentle exfoliation is great for daily use
  • The applicator helps you keep fingers clean

Cons

  • Can tingle a little during use

15
Best for Makeup Prep
Makeup By Mario Perfecting Lip Scrub
Makeup By Mario Sephora.com
$22

This is the best lip scrub for makeup prep, thanks to a few well-thought-out elements. First of all, the sugar in this scrub has been ground down into an ultra-fine powder. It spreads very evenly and exfoliates gently, without missing spots or leaving behind big pieces of sugar.

The edible base is moisturizing but light, with a silky texture. It contains hyaluronic acid, which adds a dose of hydration, as well. It’s not the most exfoliating or the most moisturizing formula, but that’s okay. Sometimes, those rich formulas can actually leave the lips too greasy for makeup.

The applicator is also quite lovely, with a squeeze tube fitted with a smooth tip, which you can glide directly over the lips. If you’d like to give it a try, pick it up at Sephora.

Key Features:

  • Size: 0.43 oz.
  • Exfoliant: Sugar
  • Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, vitamin E, sodium hyaluronate
  • Flavor/Scent: Sweet, non-distinct
  • Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes

Pros

  • Super-fine sugar exfoliates gently and evenly
  • Silky texture glides over the lips nicely and leaves them hydrated
  • Convenient squeeze tube applicator

Cons

  • Not very exfoliating
  • Not very moisturizing


What to Look for in a Perfect Lip Scrub?

With so many amazing lip scrubs to choose from, here are a few tips for selecting the right one for you.

Exfoliation Level

The job of a lip scrub is to remove dead skin from the lips, but how much is too much? This largely depends on how often you’d like to exfoliate your lips. If you prefer a scrub that you can use every day before makeup, choose a gentler formula with finely-milled sugar and a fairly high base to grit ratio. For something a little more intense, look for scrubs that have a drier texture, with a higher ratio of grit to base.

Flavor & Scent

Lip scrubs go directly on the lips, and the vast majority of them are designed to be safe to eat. It’d be pretty intolerable if you end up with a scrub that doesn’t taste nice! Taste preferences are subjective, so consider what you’d enjoy more. Do you love cherry, or do you find it nauseating? Maybe you’d prefer a subtle flavor? We made sure to pick a really wide range of lip scrub flavors, so you’ll find something that you can enjoy.

Base Ingredients

The base of your lip scrub is just as important as the exfoliant in it. A great base will moisturize your lips nicely while enhancing the slip of your scrub for an even exfoliation.

It’s hard to go wrong with an oil-based lip scrub, especially at night-time when you want the maximum amount of moisture. For daytime, especially if you’re a makeup wearer, you might prefer a non-greasy creamy base that won’t leave a residue on your lips, even if it might be less moisturizing. Common base ingredients are emollients like coconut oil, shea butter, avocado oil, cocoa butter, coconut butter, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, and others.

Finally, we really like it when brands add hydrating ingredients to their scrubs, like honey, aloe vera, or glycerin, because that helps to hydrate and nourish the lips even more thoroughly.

Last but not least, you want to pick a lip scrub with a gentle exfoliant in it, such as fine-granule sugar (white or brown cane), oats, or coffee grounds.

What to Look for in the Best Lip Scrub for You?
@sarahapp

Lip Scrub FAQ

Here are a few tips about using lip exfoliants to make sure you get the most benefit out of the one you choose for yourself.

Are Lip Scrubs Good for Your Lips?

If your lips get flaky or crusty, a lip scrub can be a miracle worker. Lip scrubs are fantastic because they don’t just remove dead skin, but they usually also nourish and moisturize the lips at the same time. However, overusing a lip scrub can cause irritation, while attempting to exfoliate your lips when they’re already irritated or cracked can end up causing more harm than good. Always take into account your lips’ current condition before exfoliating them.

How Often Should I Use a Lip Scrub?

This depends on the lip scrub you buy. A very intense lip scrub like our pick from Burt’s Bees should not be used more than a few times a week, while a gentle lip scrub like our pick from Dior can be used on a near-daily basis.

Photos via Sephora, Ulta, Instagram