Even though using a lip scrub is a good thing, you can actually overuse them and cause more harm than good.
For some, immediately after use, the dead skin that is ripped away can cause redness, irritation, or bleeding. Long-term, these abrasives can cause damage through micro-tearing which prolongs your suffering with dry, chapped lips.
Over-Exfoliating
It's easy to use a lip scrub multiple times a week, however, we recommend only using a lip scrub 1 to 2 times per week to avoid over-exfoliating your lips. This can cause more harm by scrubbing too many dead skin layers off your lips and leaving your lips overly sensitive and irritated.
We recommend exfoliating your lips 1-2 times per week.
If your lips are particularly dry or chapped, you can increase the frequency to 3-4 times per week. Just make sure to give your lips a break in between sessions to avoid further irritation.
“Lip scrubs can be damaging to the delicate mucosa of the lip; they can cause a little bit of abrasion, micro-injury, and even some bleeding if you're not careful,” Devgan says. “If you're too rough with exfoliation, you can get hyperpigmentation, and your lips will look a little more brown than pink.”
In order to heal dry, chapped lips, you need to repair that barrier, not scrub it off. When you use a scrub, you're removing the protective outer layer of the lips, leaving them even more compromised."
Tips on exfoliating your lips
Over-exfoliation could make your lips suffer into worse condition - more chapped, dried, and sore lips. 💋Follow up with your favourite lip treatment to moisturize after you exfoliate - that's also an effective way to prevent your lips from aging!
Start Scrubbing
It's a great scrub to buff away dead skin cells on your face, and it's gentle enough to use on your lips. Once you're done, wet a soft cloth with lukewarm water and wipe the lip scrub away.
How long do you leave lip scrub on? To get the most out of your lip scrub you don't want to apply it and take it off right away. You will want to wait between 1-2 minutes before wiping it off, so your lips will be completely softened, smooth, and all the dead cells will be removed.
Pro Tip: Simply exfoliating your lips is not enough. It is important to have a good everyday lip-care routine. The best time to do this is before bed. Remove any makeup from your lips and apply hydrating overnight masks.
The best times to use a lip scrub are at night or before applying lipstick. At night, you can clear away those dead skin cells and use a lip mask for deep moisturizing benefits. When you wake your lips will be supple, smooth, and ready for makeup.
Is it dangerous to use lip scrub 4-5 times a week? Scrubbing your lips 4-5 week can over exfoliate your lips and damage them. It's recommended you only use lip scrub 1-3 times, depending on how dry/flaky your lips are.
After around 30 seconds, check your lips. If your lips look and feel better than before, wash off any remaining scrub with water. Voilà—you're on your way to soft, smooth, and hydrated lips!
After scrubbing lips, it's important to follow up with a repairing lip balm⁵. Pure petroleum jelly seals in moisture to soothe, soften, and rehydrate skin's outer layer, and facilitates sealing in moisture.
By exfoliating your lips once or twice a week, you are better able to maintain soft, supple and healthy looking lips. Other benefits of lip scrubs are: To remove dry skin which helps to prevent chapped and dry lip. To make lips soft and smooth.
Lip scrubs help remove dead skin cells, dry skin, and flaky skin from your lips. They also give your lips a nice, smooth, and hydrated feel for your pout.
Once a week is enough if you don't have extremely dry lips. Store your lip scrub in the fridge if you want it to last longer.
Brushing your lips with a soft toothbrush can help exfoliate flaking skin and may help prevent chapped lips. It also has the potential to stimulate blood flow and may give your lips a smoother appearance.
You can use a toothbrush or a towel, but sugar scrubs are also good. I make my own—sugar, lemon juice, and manuka honey. Then I apply a moisturizer called Bee Yummy Skin Food on my lips. I actually use it all over my face."
"These formulas create an artificial barrier to lock in moisture, but when overused, can cause lips to become lazy because the skin doesn't have to work to maintain its own hydration level," Zeichner explains, adding you have to wean yourself off your lip balm addiction and tolerate a little dryness before your lips ...
Causes of dark lips
excessive exposure to the sun. lack of hydration. cigarette smoking. allergic reactions to toothpaste, lipstick, etc.
The secret to dealing with dry, sore, chapped lips is to find a way to lock in moisture and protect the lips from the cold, dry air. Vaseline® Healing Jelly is an excellent choice as it forms a protective layer on the lips and penetrates deep down to rehydrate the skin and speed up the its natural renewal process.