How to Exfoliate Lips

Do your lips ever feel dry or chapped? Dry lips can occur for a number of reasons, from exposure to cold, dry air, to frequently licking your lips and other factors. Regardless of the cause, having a proper lip care routine is important for helping your lips maintain their natural moisture.

Exfoliating your lips can be a helpful step in your lip care routine to help buff away dead skin and prepare your lips for a moisturizing balm. Keep reading to learn tips for incorporating a lip scrub into your lip care routine, and how to support your lips after exfoliation with Aquaphor®.

Exfoliation refers to the act of removing dead skin from the surface of your skin. This can be in the form of physical abrasion, meaning using something with a rough or gritty texture to rub against the skin, or it can also be done chemically by introducing substances like acids, retinoids, or enzymes to the skin to eliminate the dead skin on the surface1.

In the case of this article, we’ll strictly be referring to physical exfoliation in the form of a lip scrub.

When cold weather hits, it’s not uncommon to experience dry, chapped lips. Factors like dry air, wind, smoking, or frequently licking your lips can all contribute to dry lips, which can, in turn, lead to lips acquiring a rough texture or flaking from dryness.

Dry skin on the lips can feel papery and unpleasant, but trying to pick or bite the dry skin off of your lips can lead to further irritation and make matters worse.

Exfoliating the lips is a gentle way to help remove dead skin buildup, revealing the softer skin underneath. This step in your lip care routine also prepares lips for the moisture provided in a nourishing lip balm and can also just be a fun and relaxing form of self-care.

A lip scrub is any product that you apply to your lips that has an abrasive element designed to help buff away the dead skin sitting on the surface. Lip scrubs can come in the form of sticks and creams, or you can make your own. If you have any concerns or questions about what to use on your lips, be sure to talk to your dermatologist ahead of time.

You can make a simple, gentle lip scrub with just two ingredients – brown sugar and Aquaphor Healing Ointment®. Simply mix equal parts brown sugar and Aquaphor Healing Ointment® directly before applying for a lip scrub that can help you achieve softer, smoother lips*.

*Beiersdorf, Inc. cannot guarantee the quality of the Aquaphor product if mixed with other ingredients or the quality of the mixture.

When using a lip scrub, the key is to be gentle. Your lips are a sensitive area of the body where the skin is thinner than it is elsewhere, and lips also don’t contain oil glands, so they’re prone to becoming dry easily2. If you scrub too hard or too frequently, you can cause your lips to dry out more or cause further irritation. Here are a few simple steps to exfoliate your lips properly:

1. Wet your lips - To use a lip scrub to exfoliate your lips, first wet your lips to help soften the skin and prepare it for the exfoliant3.
2. Exfoliate lips - Apply the desired amount of lip scrub to your lips. Use your finger to gently massage the scrub on your skin for about 30 seconds4.
3. Wipe off - When you’ve finished exfoliating your lips, gently wipe the product away with a soft cloth, facial tissue, or a wet washcloth.
4. Moisturize - After you’ve exfoliated, be sure to immediately apply a moisturizing lip balm to help replenish moisture in the skin4.

As mentioned above, the lips are a sensitive area that doesn’t have the protection of oil glands that skin on other areas of the body has, so it’s important not to over-exfoliate.

If you notice any signs of discomfort or if your dry, rough lips get worse, exfoliate less frequently, exfoliate more gently, and also be mindful of the lip scrub you’re using. You may be scrubbing too hard or too long or need something less abrasive.

Avoid using a lip scrub if your lips are chapped, have any broken skin, or are bleeding, or feeling painful. Be sure to consult a dermatologist for any concerns about your skin prior to starting an exfoliation routine.

You’ve used a lip scrub and buffed away the dead skin on your lips. Now your lips are ready for soothing moisture. This is where Aquaphor® comes in.

Aquaphor® Lip Repair provides moisture that soothes chapped lips, and is formulated with nourishing vitamins and soothing Shea Butter to help soften lips. Specially formulated for sensitive lips, Aquaphor® Lip Repair seals in moisture and helps prevent dryness with a formula free of preservatives and fragrances.

The soothing relief of Aquaphor® Lip Repair is also available in a convenient stick format, for easy moisturization on the go. Formulated with nourishing vitamins, Shea Butter, and Jojoba oil, Aquaphor® Lip Repair Stick glides on easily and helps relieve dryness while soothing chapped, cracked lips. Aquaphor moisturizing lip balm sticks are also available in Naturally Inspired formulas enriched with Aloe Vera or Coconut Oil.

Find the right Aquaphor® lip care product for you.

The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to:

1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin
   
2. Improve the appearance of the skin
   
3. Achieve healthier-looking skin