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Best Overall
Fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator
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Best Value
Burt's Bees Conditioning Mocha Lip Scrub
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Quickly Smooths
Lush Sticky Dates
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Once the winter hits, my lips become extra dry and are almost always cracked, prompting me to travel with a lip balm at all times. While a hydrating lip mask can help heal chapped lips, a lip scrub gently exfoliates dead skin. "Similar to facial scrubs, lip scrubs are physical exfoliants that contain particulates or granules, typically sugar (sucrose) or salt, to physically rub off dry, flaking skin," explains GH Institute Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. Some may also contain oils or butters to help moisturize your lips, adds Wnek.
I teamed up with Good Housekeeping Institute beauty experts and a board-certified dermatologist to research the best lip scrubs that exfoliate and hydrate at an affordable price — with a few splurge-worthy exceptions. After our top-performing recommendations, you can find expert shopping advice and answers to all your lip scrub-related FAQs.
1
Best Overall
Fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator
$21 at Sephora$40 at Walmart$21 at Nordstrom
Pros
Brown sugar crystals exfoliate without removing moisture
Nourishing ingredients
A little goes a long way
Sephora shoppers wished more sugar granules were present
This highly-rated lip scrub comes from a skincare brand we know and love. I have personally used face masks and lip balms from Fresh.
The Lip Polish Exfoliator is formulated with brown sugar crystals to help buff away flakes while shea butter and jojoba oil help nourish skin. Dry, dull or chapped lips stand no chance with this moisturizing scrub! Instead, your lips will be soft and smooth — ready for gloss or lipstick.
It has a 4.2-star rating on Sephora with over 1,800 online reviews. One five-star review noted a little goes a long way while another satisfied customer appreciated its creamy texture and that it doesn't have a fragrance. However, some shoppers wished the scrub had more sugar granules. Still, many call it their favorite lip scrub; one customer even calling it "life-changing."
Key ingredients: Brown sugar crystals, shea butter, jojoba oil
RELATED: The Best Face Exfoliators
2
Best Value
Burt's Bees Conditioning Mocha Lip Scrub
Under $10
Exfoliates and nourishes chapped lips
Leaves lips feeling soft and smooth
Some online shoppers didn't love the coffee smell
Like me (and many others), Assistant Commerce Editor Isabella Cavallo also experiences chapped lips in the winter. She has tried her share of lip scrubs but has found some to be too rough on her lips. That's not the case with this Burt's Bees Conditioning Mocha Lip Scrub.
"It removes the peeled, cracked spots on my lips and leaves them feeling so smooth and soft," reports Cavallo, adding that "the mocha flavor even tastes like a cup of coffee." Our pros appreciate that the scrub also contains nourishing ingredients like castor oil, cocoa butter and beeswax to help keep your lips hydrated.
The scrub has lasted her a long time, making the already affordable under $10 price worth it. Some online shoppers didn't like the scent, though.
Key ingredients: Brazilian coffee grounds, castor oil, cocoa butter, beeswax
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3
Quickly Smooths
Lush Sticky Dates
Apply in seconds
Ideally-shaped granules
Budget-friendly
Top layer of product can become dry
Wnek says she only needs a little bit of the Sticky Dates Lip Scrub to see results. Simply put some product on your finger and buff it into your lips for just a few seconds and then rinse away with water.
As mentioned, some scrubs can be too rough on your lips — in fact, the skin on your lips is thinner and more delicate than the skin on your face and body, explains Wnek. "I find Lush's Sticky Dates to have the right sized granules (not too big or too rough) to turn my lips from dry and flaky to smooth almost instantly," says Wnek.
One thing to note is that the surface of the scrub can be dry when you first open the tub. "But if you swirl off the surface the remaining mass is more moist and easier to remove from the pot and use," recommends Wnek. We appreciate the affordable price point.
Key ingredients: Castor sugar, organic jojoba oil
RELATED: How to Get Your Smoothest Skin Ever
4
Best Balm
Maed Reveal Lip Polish
Super fine sugar crystals
Luxurious flavor
Mess-free application
Requires 60 seconds of massaging onto lips to turn into a balm
This lip polish features super fine sugar crystals that exfoliate to perfection while still feeling gentle on your lips. "So many lip scrubs have huge crystals in them that are too rough on lips — not this one!" says Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler.
Simply massage a small amount of the Reveal Lip Polish onto your lips for 60 seconds and then press your lips together to warm the product and help it transition into a nourishing balm. The brand recommends you use the polish one to two times a week, but you can increase the frequency depending on how your lips feel.
Butler appreciates the squeeze tube packaging that allows for mess-free application. It also has a luxurious aroma with notes of coffee, vanilla, bergamot, black tea and cardamom.
Key ingredients: Collagen peptides, ceramides, sugar crystals, squalane, cherry coffee seed oil
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5
Best Luxury
La Mer The Lip Polish
Includes an applicator
Rich texture
Helps uneven surfaces and dryness
Expensive
La Mer is known for its luxurious skincare products — which come at a significant cost. Still, GH beauty pros have recommended its products before. Its Lip Polish is a "buffing balm," per the product description, that targets uneven surfaces and dryness while still leaving lips nourished. It has a "balmy texture," according to one five-star review.
My favorite part about this lip scrub is that the pot comes with an applicator for easy and less messy application. The flat side lets you smooth the product onto your lips without using your fingers while the ridged side provides a deeper exfoliation. Note that the brand recommends you remove excess product from the applicator, cleanse it with a gentle soap and then let the applicator fully dry.
"It really turned my winter-chapped lips around overnight," wrote one satisfied shopper, appreciating that she didn't need much product per use. It's pricey but may be worth the splurge if other products aren't doing the job for your lips.
Key ingredients: Sucrose, glucose, shea butter
6
Best on Amazon
Dr.PAWPAW Scrub & Nourish Lip Scrub and Balm Duo
Affordable
Thick yet gentle formula
Amazon's Choice
Can be difficult to open
On a quest to find a lip scrub and balm that moisturizes her lips, Contributing Editor Shanon Maglente tried this Reddit-recommended and Amazon's Choice lip scrub and hasn't turned back since. "The exfoliator is thick yet gentle, and the balm gives me just enough moisture," she says.
Like other lip scrubs on our list, a little goes a long way, Maglente added. Her one complaint is that the lid is rather small and thus it can take her a minute to open. Still, its performance and budget-friendly price make it a worthy purchase.
Key ingredients: Sugar, papaya, aloe vera plant, olive oil, castor oil
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7
Least Messy
e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator
$5 at Ulta Beauty$5 at Amazon$5 at Walmart
Pros
Well-shaped sugar granules
Not too rough
Some shoppers felt its texture was too soft
If you prefer a lip scrub that doesn't require you to use your fingers to apply, the e.l.f. Lip Exfoliate is the pick for you. Editorial Assistant Adrianna Freedman also prefers this kind of packaging. "Its stick form makes it less messy to put on and the sugar granules are the right size for me to feel like I got a good scrub without scratching my lips," she explains. However, some Ulta shoppers found its texture was too soft and didn't exfoliate their lips as much.
Key ingredients: Sucrose, molasses, grape seed oil, jojoba seed oil, shea butter, avocado oil
8
Best Flavored
Sara Happ The Lip Scrub
Citrusy yet sweet scent
Contains nourishing jojoba and grape seed oil
Sugar crystals help exfoliate skin
Some online shoppers found other lip scrubs performed better
Although the Sara Happ Lip Scrub is a little over double the price of our other picks, Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price said the price is worth it. Plus, it isn't our most expensive recommendation on this list.
"The tiny sugar crystals gently exfoliate my lips, making them smooth and soft and getting rid of those pesky and annoying flakes that don't want to leave," Price says. She has the pink grapefruit scrub and loves the flavor. It isn't too strong and is "the perfect combo of citrusy and sweet," adds Price.
Our beauty pros like that the lip scrub also contains nourishing oils like jojoba and grape seed oil to help moisturize your lips after exfoliation. Some online shopper reviews weren't as satisfied with the scrub's exfoliating capabilities, preferring other lip scrubs and describing it as "just okay."
Key ingredients: Sucrose, caramel, jojoba seed oil, grape seed oil
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9
Best Stick Balm
Dior Lip Sugar Scrub Sweet Exfoliating Lip Balm
Luxurious brand
Granules transition into a balm
Easy application
Pricey
The name Dior carries a reputation of luxury, and while this lip scrub is pricey at $40, it is still less than half as expensive as the La Mer scrub. Similar to our pick from Maed, the Dior Lip Sugar Scrub's exfoliating grains of sugar transform into a balm that moisturizes lips. According to the brand, it leaves a glossy look, and we appreciate its stick packaging that allows for easy application.
"I like how you don’t need to wipe it off; instead the granules absorb into your lips, leaving you with soft, moisturized lips," said one satisfied Sephora shopper. "I’ve been using this product about a month now. My lips have never been softer or more hydrated," added another shopper. Still, some reviewers wished there was more product in the stick considering the price.
Key ingredients: Sucrose, synthetic beeswax, mango seed butter
RELATED: The Best Tinted Lip Balms
10
Best Moisturizing
Tatcha The Kissu Lip Scrub Moisturizing Lip Exfoliant
Provides gentle exfoliation
Seals in moisture
Includes an applicator
Cap can be hard to get back onto the tube
This lip scrub from Tatcha is designed to gently exfoliate lips without stripping. Instead, the Kissu Lip Scrub removes pesky flakes and seals in moisture. We like that it includes an applicator to help you massage the product onto your lips. The scrub has an impressive 4.9-star rating on Tatcha's website.
"It gets rid of all the flakes and dead skin and leaves my skin feeling sooo soft and super hydrated," wrote one satisfied shopper. Another shopper confirmed that it isn't too harsh on their lips. One shopper did have some difficulty getting the cap back on the tube, though.
Key ingredients: Konjac, sucrose, peach seed, Japanese camellia oil
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11
Best Hydrating
Poppy & Pout Lip Scrub
Seven scents to choose from
Contains sucrose and essential oils
Reusable pot
Doesn't come with an applicator
Available in 10 lovely scents including marshmallow creme (pictured), sweet mint, lemon bloom and more, this lip scrub is formulated with sugar and essential oils to help hydrate and smooth lips. The brand claims the product is a great choice for rough lips that need hydration ASAP.
Although the pot doesn't come with an applicator, application is still easy. Simply rub your finger on the scrub for 10 to 15 seconds to allow it to warm up and then apply to your lips in a circular motion. Then wipe off any excess. We like that you can reuse the cute pot when you finish the product, perhaps as a travel container for skincare.
Key ingredients: Sucrose, coconut oil, sunflower oil, beeswax
12
Customer Favorite
Kylie Cosmetics Sugar Lip Scrub
Gently exfoliates
Replenishes lips' moisture for makeup
Perfect five-star rating online
May feel too greasy, according to shopper reviews
My current favorite lip product is the Kylie Cosmetics Transformative Lip Tint, so I am excited to try out the brand's lip scrub soon. It's formulated to gently buff away dead skin cells and replenish your lip's moisture thanks to sucrose and vitamin E. After use, your lips will be smoother and ready for makeup. The lip scrub has a light vanilla flavor, which one satisfied shopper wrote "smells delicious!"
It has a perfect five-star rating on Kylie Cosmetics' website with over 850 shopper reviews. Five-star reviews include "the texture is gritty but not too rough," while another shopper adds, "My lips get so chapped but this instantly restores moisture from being cracked!" Multiple shoppers did write, however, that the scrub was too greasy for their preferences.
Key ingredients: Sucrose, jojoba seed oil, shea butter, meadowfoam seed oil, vitamin E
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13
Easiest to Apply
NIVEA 2-in-1 Lip Balm & Scrub
Most affordable lip scrub on our list
Particles dissolve into lips
Great to use before makeup application
May go through one stick quickly
Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst Amanda Constantine says the NIVEA 2-in-1 Lip Balm & Scrub is her go-to as a primer before makeup. It lets you exfoliate and moisturize at the same time. "I don't have to dip my finger into a pot or make a mess like with some other scrubs I've tried," she adds. The granules dissolve after you rub your lips together for no mess. At under $5, it's also the most affordable option on our list. Since you can use the product daily, you may find yourself going through one stick kind of quickly.
Key ingredients: Plant-derived grains, aloe vera, vitamin E, rosehip oil
How we chose the best lip scrubs
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To find the best lip scrubs, we began with market research of the most popular lip scrub brands. We narrowed down our selections by evaluating key ingredients in each lip scrub as well as considering ease of application, price and online shopper reviews. I also tapped GH staffers for their personal favorites.
What to look for when shopping for lip scrubs
✔️ Ingredients: Check the ingredient label to make sure the lip scrub in question does contain granules like sugar for the physical exfoliation benefit.
In addition to exfoliating ingredients, you can also look out for moisturizing oils and butters like coconut oil, sunflower oil, argan oil and shea butter, explains Brooke Jeffy, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of youth skincare brand BTWN. "A good lip scrub gently exfoliates and hydrates," she adds.
✔️ Packaging: Lip scrubs can be packaged in pots, tubes and sticks. One type isn't better than the other, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preference and which you find easiest to apply.
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Are lip scrubs worth it?
Beauty pros and dermatologists alike agree that lip scrubs are a worthwhile product to have in your skincare routine. "Removing any flaking skin improves the overall appearance of the lips," explains Dr. Jeffy. Lip scrubs do double duty by gently exfoliating lips to "allow moisturizing ingredients to be more effective," adds Dr. Jeffy, and help "other lip products, like glosses and lipstick, go on smoother."
How often should you apply a lip scrub?
Wnek recommends consumers not overuse lip scrubs. Consult the brand's use instructions for how often you should apply the scrub. Typically, you will use a lip scrub 1-3 times a week but there are some designed to be used daily. Dr. Jeffy recommends using a lip scrub just a few times a week.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor at the GH Institute where she collaborates with experts across the Labs to ensure our product guides reflect the most recent testing and pricing information. She has reported on the best makeup primers for dry skin as well as the best hair masks and foundation for acne-prone skin. During the colder months, Elizabeth's lips become super dry. A lip scrub helps exfoliate her cracked lips before applying a thick balm or mask.
To gather shopping advice and expert picks, she collaborated with Danusia Wnek, senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab. Elizabeth also interviewed Brooke Jeffy, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of youth skincare brand BTWN.
Elizabeth Berry
Updates Editor
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.