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by Team Henné <3 / 5.29.25

Save Your Summer Lips with a Gentle Lip Scrub

Ahhh summer. While we should be enjoying the warm weather and planning our next vacay, instead many of us deal with an uncomfortable (and sometimes embarrassing) problem: chapped lips. Summer has us enjoying more sunshine, but it comes at the cost of drying out our lips. And when lip balms just aren’t cutting it, the problem ends up getting worse. But don’t start picking at your lips just yet! A gentle lip scrub can buff away embarrassing dead skin and help your lip health get back to normal. Don’t know where to start? We’ll guide you through everything you need to know about lip scrubs.

Why You Need a Lip Scrub This Summer

If you find yourself licking and picking at your lips, or applying lip balm more frequently this summer, you’re not alone. The summer heat can sap moisture from your lips leaving them crying for extra hydration. For many people, chronic, dry lips lead to a buildup of dead skin that’s not only uncomfortable but unsightly, too. And if you find your favorite, never-let-you-down lip balm is no longer working, it’s not the lip balm—it’s the dead skin! We can’t bring dead skin back to life which is why we need to exfoliate with a lip scrub to remove it. Otherwise, you can apply and apply and apply all the lip balm you want, but the dead skin will prevent any moisture from penetrating through to hydrate the healthy skin lying underneath.

Let’s recap:
Summer Heat → Dry Lips → Dead Skin Buildup
Dead Skin Buildup → Exfoliate to Remove → Healthy Lips Revealed

Picking the Right Lip Scrub

With so many lip scrub options, making a choice isn’t easy. First, let’s consider that we’re putting something directly on our lips. That means there’s a chance it ends up in your mouth and into your digestive system. Who hasn’t mindlessly licked their lips before? Plus, residual product could accidentally be swallowed over time. Unfortunately, many exfoliators contain a poison control warning due to using ingredients that are toxic when swallowed. We find this appalling and unacceptable. A gentle lip scrub won’t use chemicals in its product. Fewer chemicals equal healthier lips since they won’t be dried out or irritated by the ingredients. And you’ll know you’re safe should some of it end up in your mouth.

So, what kind of ingredients make for a good, gentle lip scrub? Sugar and oatmeal are a common exfoliating ingredient and are safe (if it’s safe to eat, it’s safe for your lips). Oils are also commonly used as a hydrating ingredient. These include coconut, grapeseed, avocado, etc. You may also see occlusives like beeswax and shea butter in the ingredient list. These keep moisture locked in. Refer to the lists below to help you find lip scrubs with safe ingredients.

Common Lip Scrub Ingredients

Safe to Use:
  • Natural Oils (Grapeseed, Avocado, Coconut, etc.)
  • Sugar
  • Oatmeal
  • Honey
  • Aloe
  • Beeswax
  • Shea Butter
  • Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Avoid These:
  • Synthetic Colors
  • Artificial Fragrances
  • Alcohol
  • Menthol
  • Paraben & Phthalates
  • Petroleum-Based Ingredients
  • Tocopheryl Acetate (Synthetic Vitamin E)

Our Tried and True Gentle Lip Scrub: Henné Lip Exfoliator

lip care products
We’re obsessed with clean and safe ingredients here at Henné. So, of course, we developed our own natural lip scrub that feels and smells great without unnecessary chemicals. The Lip Exfoliator’s main component, sugar, scrubs away tough, flaky skin to reveal the healthy skin underneath. Beeswax and coconut oil moisturize while a touch of vitamin E gives your lips an all-around boost to hydration, protection, and plumping power. No added fragrances. No synthetic ingredients. No gimmicks. Just gentle exfoliation in our signature, chic jar. Did we mention there are three delectable scents to try?

Your Summer Lips Have Never Looked Better

Just like your skin needs a routine to look its best, the right lip regimen will have you feeling good in your lips. Exfoliating is just one aspect of the perfect lip routine—you also need oils, hydration, and occlusives (to seal in moisture). If your lips feel like they need a little extra help this summer, try our HENNE method which we designed to teach you all the key components that go into an optimal lip routine. Start now and your lips will be camera ready by the time you’re unraveling your beach towel on summer vacay.