Vegan lips scrubs: how to make them, and why you’ll love them!

The beauty and skincare industry has been capitalising on the increasing demand for lip care, with all kinds of products like lip masks, serums, polishes, plumpers, butters, and oils. 

But for ethical minded consumers, and for those looking for alternative beauty solutions, there’s not a lot of options when it comes to finding agreeable products that are also friendly on the wallet! But hey, don’t let that dishearten you, because we’ve got a solution - you can make your own lip scrub using staple ingredients from your own pantry!

We’ve whipped up three vegan lip scrub recipes, and they’re super easy to make! The best part, though, is that the scrubs use all-natural ingredients, each one with their own skincare benefits, and they can all be found in your own kitchen! 

After using these lip scrubs you’ll be filling your camera roll with saucy pouting selfies, because your lips will be the most healthy and kissable than they’ve ever been. Scrubbing your lips before applying lipstick creates the perfect base, and scrubbing lips before bed and a thick coat of lip balm is the ultimate luxury. 

Before we get into it, let’s answer a few questions about lip scrubs for those who aren’t sure what they are, or what they’ll do for your lips…

Why should I use a lip scrub?

A good lip scrub has multiple sought after benefits. While some recipes may focus more on one area of care more than another, all lip scrubs will provide your lips with some extent of exfoliation, hydration, vitamin-rich care, and a brightening of your natural pigmentation. Lip scrubs leave your lips looking deliciously plump, rosy, well moisturised and well nourished (leaving a great base for your favourite lippy)!

What ingredients are in these lip scrubs?

Store bought lip scrubs can be filled with undesirable preservatives, and often beauty products aimed at the vegan market still include honey in them. We’re proud to say that our lip scrub recipes are 100% free of all unnecessary preservatives and only include natural, inexpensive, vegan-friendly ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry! So go on and open up your cupboard, and grab out these beauties:

• Coconut Oil: with its vitamin E content and nourishing fatty acids, it holds incredible moisturising power
• Olive Oil: like coconut oil, olive oil is rich in vitamin E and helps to lock in moisture
• Brown/White/Coconut Sugar: these sweet granules provide effective exfoliation, lifting dead skin cells and leaving lovely smooth lips
• Coffee Grounds: like sugar, coffee grounds are great for exfoliation, and contain antioxidants that can help promote collagen levels
• Agave Nectar: a vegan friendly alternative to honey, agave holds antibacterial and anti-aging properties that help to brighten your natural lip pigmentation

• Vanilla Extract: provides a delicious scent, and has anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe irritated skin
• Ginger Root: fresh ginger improves skin elasticity with its high levels of antioxidants
• Lemon Peel: helps to tighten the skin and even out skin tone

How do I use a lip scrub?

It’s super easy! All you need is a soft-bristled toothbrush (be sure to use a clean one and keep it aside for lip scrubbing only!), a face cloth, and warm water. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Scoop out a generous amount of lip scrub, enough to cover your fingertip, and spread evenly over your lips
2. Use the toothbrush to gently massage the scrub on your lips in a circular motion for approximately two minutes (or just use your fingertips if you don’t have a spare toothbrush)
3. Be sure to focus on particularly dry or chapped areas of your lips
4. Soak half of the face cloth in warm water, use it to gently wipe off the lip scrub, and then use the dry half to softly pat your lips dry
5. Finally, be sure to follow up the scrub treatment with your favourite lip balm to lock in the moisture!

When should I use my lip scrub?

As much as you may be tempted, we wouldn’t recommend using your lip scrub every day, but rather 1-3 times a week. This is due to the fact that the skin on our lips is much more sensitive than the rest of our bodies, so scrubbing them every day has the potential to reverse the nourishing and conditioning effects of your lip scrub.

During the cold and dry seasons you may want to use your lip scrub more often - as long as you don’t scrub every day, this will be okay!

How long will my homemade lip scrub last?

This will vary depending on the ingredients. Our lip scrub recipes do not include any artificial preservatives, so be sure to check the recommended shelf life with each of our recipes below!

Pssst, Hot Tip!: keeping your lip scrub in the fridge will help to extend the life it has, meaning more treatments and more pampering for you!

Okay, so now you know why you’ll love using a homemade vegan lip scrub, now you need to know how to make one! We have three nourishing and delicious recipes for you to try. Without further ado, let's get to scrubbin’!

~ Rich Mocha Lip Scrub ~

This scrub is extremely exfoliating - a great scrub for chapped and dry lips or for those who love to rock a lipstick every day! This lip scrub has a shelf life of 2-3 weeks.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 2 tsp coffee grounds
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil (room temperature)
• 1 tsp agave nectar

Method:

1. Mix coconut oil and agave together until well combined
2. Add the sugar, coffee, and cocoa powder and mix thoroughly
3. If this scrub is a little too rough for you, just add more agave bit by bit until you reach a texture good for you
4. Pop into your chosen container, and be sure to store in the fridge :)

~ Lemon and Ginger Lip Scrub ~

This scrub is not only exfoliating, with the various granular textures, but is also very brightening. The combination of ginger and lemon is sure to plump and glow up your lips! This scrub has a shelf life of up to 2 weeks.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ Tbsp white sugar
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil (room temperature)
• 1 tsp finely grated ginger root
• 2 tsp finely grated lemon peel
• ½ tsp agave nectar

Method:

1. Mix coconut oil and agave together until well combined
2. Add the sugar, ginger root, and lemon peel and mix thoroughly
3. For an extra lemony scrub, add a squeeze or two of the lemon you’ve taken the peel from
4. Pop into your chosen container, and be sure to store in the fridge :)

~ Vanilla Coconut Lip Scrub ~

This scrub is incredibly moisturising - and heavenly for the senses - giving you the most hydrated kissable lips ever! This scrub has a shelf life of 3-4 weeks.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ Tbsp coconut oil (room temperature)
• 2 Tbsp coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
• ¾ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp olive oil

Method:

1. Mix together the coconut oil, vanilla extract, and olive oil until well combined
2. Add the sugar and mix thoroughly
3. For a smoother scrub, add an extra teaspoon or two of coconut oil
4. Pop into your chosen container, and be sure to store in the fridge :)

So take a moment to care for your lips - have a go at making these vegan lip scrubs at home, and treat yourself to a bit of pampering for the most luscious lips ever. We’re sure you’ll love them.

Let us know how you get on, and if you’ve added any lovely personal touches to your lip scrub, by leaving a comment below! Happy pampering!