Top 5 DIY Lip Scrubs That Help With Chapped Lips in Winter

Dry, chapped lips may be one of the most annoying and painful side effects of winter. While you may be slathering on lip balm multiple times a day, it often feels like the dryness keeps coming back. This is because dead skin accumulates on your lips during winter, forming a barrier which prevents moisturising fluids from reaching it.

It is at this stage that exfoliation becomes helpful, and DIY enters the chat. Homemade lip scrub is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells, increase circulation, and let the product take effect. In an exclusive interaction with the editorial team of Onlymyhealth, Dr Ruben Bhasin Passi, Consultant Dermatologist, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, explained, “Dry skin in winter may make your lips flaky and sore. Homemade lip scrubs help in exfoliating the dead skin gently, boosting circulation, and allowing balms to absorb better.”

Top 5 DIY Lip Scrubs That Help With Chapped Lips in Winter

Here are five easy, effective DIY lip scrubs you can make at home to restore softness to chapped winter lips:

1. Sugar and Honey Scrub

Sugar is a natural exfoliator which removes the flaky skin, whereas the humectant properties of honey pull moisture into the lips. Additionally, honey also has healing properties, which makes this scrub just what one needs when faced with bleeding lips. Dr Passi recommended, “Use gentle circular motions and let the honey sit for a minute before rinsing.”

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2. Coffee and Coconut Oil Scrub

If you feel that your lips are dull or pale-looking during the winter months, this scrub may help. Coffee granules exfoliate and help increase blood circulation, keeping lips naturally plumper. Coconut oil also has fatty acids that are good at moisturising dry skin. This scrub is good for lips that are not sensitive.

3. Oatmeal and Milk Scrub

For people whose lips are sensitive or easily irritated, oatmeal is a great alternative. This is because ground oatmeal exfoliates the skin without irritating it or causing micro-tears, and milk soothes the skin. This scrub is perfect for people who experience itchy lips during the onset of winter.

4. Brown Sugar and Olive Oil Scrub

Brown sugar is slightly less abrasive than white sugar, making it more suitable for delicate lip skin. On the other hand, olive oil replaces lost moisture while working to fix lipid layers of the epidermis.

5. Sugar and Ghee Scrub

This homemade remedy has proven its efficacy over the years. Ghee has been appreciated for its healing and moisturising properties. Together, the two ingredients can help reduce dry flakes and bring a soft touch to the skin. This homemade scrub is also very good for chapped lips that tend to dry and crack during the winter.

How to Use Lip Scrubs Safely in Winter

“You can use any lip scrub once every two weeks, as over-exfoliating can further dry out lips,” Dr Passi shared. She also highlighted that exfoliating should be done using the fingertip in a gentle massage motion for about 30 seconds, and should never be performed using a toothbrush or any harsh tool. Rinse with lukewarm water and follow with a nourishing lip balm to lock in moisture and prevent further chapping.

Bottomline

Homemade lip scrubs made of gentle ingredients can go a long way in removing flakes and facilitating the absorption of moisture by the lip skin, keeping your lips smooth during the winter.