Dry, flaky lips are common, especially during colder months or in dry climates. A lip scrub helps remove dead skin so your lips feel smooth again.
Many DIY lip scrubs are simply oil mixed with sugar, which works for exfoliation but often leaves lips feeling greasy afterward.
This creamy lip scrub recipe is different.
Instead of just oil and sugar, this formula contains butter, stearic acid, and emulsifying wax to create a soft, creamy texture that feels more like a skincare product than a simple DIY scrub.
When water touches the scrub, it turns slightly milky and rinses away cleanly instead of leaving an oily film.
The result is a gentle exfoliating lip scrub that moisturizes, softens, and leaves lips smooth.
If you enjoy making your own skincare, you may also like learning about preservatives in DIY skincare and when they are required for water-based products.
Prefer to watch a video tutorial on How to Make Creamy Lip Scrub?
Some links on this website are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. This comes at no additional cost to you.
Creamy Lip Scrub Formula (100 g Batch)
| Ingredient | Percentage | Weight (100 g Batch) |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet Almond Oil | 18% | 18 g |
| Shea Butter | 10% | 10 g |
| Emulsifying Wax | 4% | 4 g |
| Stearic Acid | 3% | 3 g |
| Sugar | 63% | 63 g |
| Flavor Oil | 1% | 1 g |
| Vitamin E | 1% | 1 g |
| Total | 100% | 100 g |
A 100 g batch will typically fill:
- about 4 small 1 oz lip scrub
- about 2 larger 2 oz jars
Why This Is a Creamy Lip Scrub
Most basic lip scrubs are simply oil and sugar. While they exfoliate well, they can feel messy and greasy.
This formula creates a cream-style lip scrub thanks to three key ingredients:
• shea butter for softness and creaminess
• stearic acid for thickness and stability
• emulsifying wax so the scrub rinses clean with water
Together, these ingredients create a soft, scoopable scrub that spreads easily and feels luxurious on the lips.
Ingredients and Why We Chose Them
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is a lightweight carrier oil that helps soften and moisturize the lips.
It absorbs well without feeling heavy and helps the scrub glide smoothly across the skin.
Benefits of sweet almond oil:
- lightweight and non-greasy
- helps soften dry lips
- spreads easily across delicate skin
Substitutions
You can substitute:
- jojoba oil
- sunflower oil
- grapeseed oil
- fractionated coconut oil
Shea Butter
Shea butter gives this lip scrub its creamy texture and moisturizing properties.
It melts at body temperature and leaves lips feeling soft and conditioned after exfoliating.
Benefits include:
- rich moisturization
- creamy texture in formulations
- helps protect dry lips
Substitutions
You could also use:
- mango butter
- cocoa butter
- kokum butter
Emulsifying Wax
Emulsifying wax allows the oils in this recipe to mix with water.
When you rinse the scrub off your lips, the mixture turns slightly milky and washes away cleanly.
Without emulsifying wax, the scrub would simply leave an oily layer on the lips and fingers.
If you’re interested in learning more about how these ingredients work, you may also enjoy learning about emulsifiers in skincare formulation.
Stearic Acid
Stearic acid helps thicken and stabilize the scrub.
It keeps the sugar evenly suspended in the formula so it doesn’t sink to the bottom.
It also contributes to the creamy texture that makes the scrub feel smooth rather than oily.
Sugar
Sugar is the exfoliant in this recipe.
It gently removes dead skin cells and leaves lips smoother and softer.
For lip scrubs, fine sugar works best because it is gentler on delicate lip skin.
If your sugar crystals are large, you can pulse them briefly in a blender or coffee grinder.
Flavor Oil
Flavor oil gives the lip scrub its scent and taste.
Popular lip-safe options include:
- vanilla
- strawberry
- cotton candy
- peppermint
Always use lip-safe flavor oils designed for cosmetic products.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that slows the oxidation of oils.
This can help extend the shelf life of the scrub slightly.
Vitamin E also adds mild conditioning benefits for the skin.
How to Make Creamy Lip Scrub
Step 1
Weigh the following ingredients into a heat-safe container:
- sweet almond oil
- shea butter
- emulsifying wax
- stearic acid
Step 2
Heat using a double boiler or short microwave bursts until everything melts completely.
Step 3
Allow the mixture to cool slightly but not enough to solidify. We can speed up the cooling process by using an ice bath.
Step 4
Add:
- sugar
- flavor oil
- vitamin E
Mix thoroughly until the sugar is evenly distributed.
Step 5
Transfer the scrub into small jars or containers and allow it to cool completely before sealing.
How to Use Lip Scrub
- Scoop a small amount with clean fingers.
- Gently massage onto lips in circular motions.
- Rinse with warm water or wipe away with a damp cloth.
- Apply lip balm afterward.
Use once or twice per week for best results.
How to Scale This Recipe to Any Batch Size
This recipe is written in percentages, which makes it easy to adjust the batch size.
To scale the recipe:
- Decide how large of a batch you want to make.
- Multiply the batch size by each percentage.
Example for a 200 g batch:
Sweet almond oil
18% × 200 g = 36 g
Using percentages ensures the formula stays balanced regardless of batch size.
Storage and Shelf Life
Because this recipe does not contain water, it does not require a preservative.
However, it should still be stored properly.
Storage tips:
- keep water out of the container
- use clean hands or a spatula
- store in a cool dry place
Estimated shelf life: 6–12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my lip scrub too hard?
If the scrub cools in a very cool room, it may become firm.
You can gently remelt the mixture and add 1–2 grams of oil to soften it.
Why is my lip scrub too soft?
If the scrub feels too loose, add slightly more sugar or increase stearic acid in the next batch.
Can I skip the emulsifying wax?
Yes, but the scrub will feel more oily and won’t rinse cleanly with water.
Can I use brown sugar?
Yes. Brown sugar will create a slightly softer and more moisturizing scrub.
Can I add color?
Yes. Cosmetic mica can be added for a tinted lip scrub. Use a very small amount so it doesn’t stain lips.
Final Thoughts
This creamy lip scrub is a simple but luxurious way to keep your lips smooth and hydrated.
The combination of gentle sugar exfoliation, nourishing oils, and creamy butters creates a scrub that feels much more like a skincare product than a basic DIY mixture.
Once you try a cream-style lip scrub, it’s hard to go back to plain oil and sugar versions.
Printable Lip Scrub Recipe
Creamy Lip Scrub Recipe (DIY Sugar Lip Scrub That Rinses Clean)
Ingredients
- 18 g | 18% Sweet Almond Oil
- 10 g | 10% Shea Butter
- 4 g | 4% Emulsifying Wax
- 3 g | 3% Stearic Acid
- 63 g | 63% Sugar
- 1 g | 1% Flavor Oil
- 1 g | 1% Vitamin E
Instructions
- Weigh the following ingredients into a heat-safe container:sweet almond oil, shea butter, emulsifying wax and stearic acid
- Heat using a double boiler or short microwave bursts until everything melts completely.
- Allow the mixture to cool slightly but not enough to solidify. We can speed up the cooling process by using an ice bath.
- Add:flavor oil and vitamin EMix thoroughly until the sugar is evenly distributed
- Add sugar and mix again. I like to squish down on the sugar to mix well.
- Transfer the scrub into small jars or containers and allow it to cool completely before sealing.
