The 10 Best Lip Scrubs for Your Softest Lips Ever (2024)

Peek into anyone's makeup bag or bathroom cabinet, and you'll likely find a slew of lip balms. Nothing wrong with that, but we're here to tell you that if a lip scrub isn't swimming among them, then it's worth adding one.

"A lip scrub exfoliates the dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the lip to help improve its appearance and texture," explains Gloria Lin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC. "This can be helpful because it allows hydrating ingredients to penetrate better and lipstick and lip gloss to apply more smoothly."

You can use lip scrubs weekly, and in some cases more often than that, but dermatologists caution against scrubbing too much or too often. "Overusing a lip scrub can cause dryness and irritation," says Lin. "The lips are thinner and more delicate than most of the rest of the skin, so they don't require the same level of exfoliation you might use on your face." Plus, she adds, lips that are already prone to dryness could get worse with scrubbing. "If your lips are already dry and chapped, then it might be better to first moisturize the lips before doing any exfoliation; you don't want to worsen the condition."

To use a lip scrub, "gently apply the scrub in a circular motion for 30 seconds. Afterward, you can rinse off the product," Lin says. Often, these scrubs are made with sugar granules and other edible ingredients. "Some products suggest that you can lick them off, but while that may be technically true, I'd be cautious; saliva can irritate the lips," says Lin.

What to consider

Most lip scrubs are physical, or manual, exfoliants. "These physical exfoliants typically contain sugar or salt; their granular texture physically removes the dead skin cells," explains Lin. "There are also chemical exfoliants, like alpha hydroxy acids or a beta hydroxy acid, that dissolve the dead skin cells—no scrubbing needed."

Either way, your lip scrub should also contain nourishing ingredients. "The exfoliation process can cause dryness and irritation, so choose a lip scrub that offsets this with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, ceramides, and petrolatum," she says. "This way, the scrub will be able to increase cell turnover by removing the dead skin cells while also improving the lip's texture and keeping the skin soft."

And although tasty flavors may be appealing, "for those with more sensitive skin, it may be better to select a product that is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free to avoid causing irritation or a rash," she says. "If you experience burning or irritation after using a lip scrub, then you should discontinue using it."

How we chose

To find the best lip scrubs, we asked Dr. Lin to share her recommendations and included beauty editor favorites, as well as top-rated products. Find your new favorite ahead.

Poppy and Pout's lip balms are a few of Oprah’s Favorite Things, and their lip scrub is just as covetable. Made from 100% natural ingredients like pure sugar, coconut oil, and vitamin E, the formula gently exfoliates and nourishes lips. It comes in both Sweet Mint and Pomegranate Peach flavors, making it a treat for lips you'll look forward to using. Bonus: We also love how it comes in a recyclable and reusable glass jar.

Dr. Lin likes e.l.f.'s lip scrub stick as an affordable option. "This sugar scrub also contains hydrating ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and avocado oil for moisture." It comes in a ton of fun flavors, including strawberry, coffee, cotton candy, and even—wait for it—popcorn. Plus, Lin adds that the twist-up tube allows for a less messy application, so you can swipe it on and then gently wipe it off with a damp washcloth or cotton pad.

If you prefer a lip scrub that's a bit gentler on the lips, try one with a smaller-sized exfoliant, like this one from Makeup by Mario. It still uses sugar, but the crystals are refined. "This is what I am currently using on my own lips," says Lin. "I love that the sugar crystals provide gentle exfoliation, and the formula contains hydrating ingredients like vitamin E and coconut oil that allow for a glossy sheen."

The perfect companion to Fresh's best-selling lip balm, the brand's Sugar Lip Polish relies on brown sugar (a natural humectant) plus moisturizing shea butter and jojoba oil for a lush treatment. Use it anytime you'll be wearing matte lipstick, or when you want the smoothest, softest lips of your life. It's also one where a little goes a long way, so the tub lasts longer than you might think.

This one-pot-wonder has a lip scrub on one side and a mask-like lip balm on the other, so you'll never forget to apply both. The scrub is nourishing on its own thanks to castor, sunflower, and olive oils, and then when it's topped off with the balm, it seals in all that hydration. We love it for tossing into a toiletry bag for travel, or just keeping in your bathroom if you have limited space.

Lin also recommends this scrub-slash-balm by Dior, which is unique in that the sugar crystals simply melt into the lips. "The stick applicator is less messy, and the product does not need to be rinsed off afterward," she says. For that reason, it's great for when you need a little buffing on the go, plus it moisturizes lips with mango seed butter and vitamin E—and adds a pleasant minty scent.

Sara Happ's lip scrub is the OG and a longtime favorite among beauty editors. It's hydrating, smoothing, and comes in exotic scents including coconut, pink grapefruit, and vanilla bean (yum, right?). We love that the ingredient list is simple: All it takes is a blend of sugar, petrolatum, a few moisturizing oils, and flavor for a highly effective lip scrub you'll reach for again and again. Leave it on for an extra couple of minutes for an even more enriching treatment.

The dome-like shape of this scrub stick makes application a cinch as you glide it across your lips. And those little specks inside? They're sugar-infused granules that buff chapped areas, while the surrounding balm—infused with papaya seed oil and mango seed butter—ensures lips stay cushioned. Once you're done swiping, all you have to do is wipe it off with a dry tissue and you're all set!

This scrub offers a double-action exfoliation with natural cellulose microgranules that work alongside the more traditional sugar crystals for extra scrubbing action, without irritation. Because this formula is a bit more intense, a little goes a long way with this product. We recommend using it only once or twice a week, max. Trust us, there's no need to overdo it; your lips will still stay their softest and smoothest all week!

Instead of sugar granules, this scrub from Grande Cosmetics is made with naturally dissolving "Ecobeads" for smooth, gentle exfoliation. The rest of the formula reads more like a lip balm: Shea and mango butters, coconut oil, and castor oil—it's packed with these incredibly moisturizing ingredients to keep lips looking and feeling their best post-scrub. Fans say it has "just the right consistency" and that "a little dab is all you will need."