Honey Lip Scrub Recipe With Essential Oils + Fun Customization Ideas

Swap the essential oils to create seasonal blends – think peppermint and vanilla for winter, lavender and lemon for spring, or sweet orange and cinnamon for fall. A few easy tweaks are all it takes to whip up a scented lip scrub that’s tailored to your mood and the season.

Don’t wait until your lips start to feel rough. Use this homemade honey lip scrub recipe regularly for a quick and natural way to keep your lips soft and smooth every day.

Honey Lip Scrub Recipe Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Honey – Adds natural moisture & sweetness
• 1 tablespoon Fine Grain Sugar (white or brown) – Provides gentle exfoliation
• 1 teaspoon Solid Coconut Oil – Nourishes skin & helps dilute essential oil
• 8–10 drops Essential Oil – adds fresh flavor and scent (can be swapped for seasonal blends)

Step-by-Step: How to Make a Honey Lip Scrub at Home

Prep Your Jar And Tools

Wash, rinse, and dry a 1–2 oz glass jar and a spoon.
Any water in the jar or spoon can cause the scrub to spoil prematurely.

Mix Sugar And Honey

In a small bowl, gently stir the granulated sugar and honey until well combined.
Take care not to stir gently too vigorously. You want the sugar crystals to stay intact. Those tiny grains are what give this DIY honey lip scrub its gentle exfoliation.

If the honey is too thick to stir, warm it for 5–10 seconds to loosen before mixing. Don’t overheat it. You want it pourable, not too hot, or the sugar will dissolve in it, losing its exfoliation property.

Add Coconut Oil

Stir in 1 tsp coconut oil until everything is evenly coated. For a looser coconut oil lip scrub recipe, add a touch more oil. For a thicker texture, sprinkle in a bit more sugar.

Add Essential Oil

Blend in 8–10 drops lime essential oil (or your seasonal blend) and mix well. Start with 4–6 drops. Add more if you want a stronger scent, but do this one drop at a time.

Lip products don’t need much scent, and some spice/citrus oils can feel strong on sensitive lips.

Check The Texture

Pinch a little between your fingers. The honey and sugar lip scrub should clump together without dripping. Adjust with more sugar (thicker) or a few drops of oil (softer) as needed.

Scoop The Scrub Into A Clean, Dry Jar

Spoon the lip scrub with essential oils into your clean jar, pressing down gently to remove air pockets. Always use a clean, dry spatula to do this. Do not touch the scrub with your fingers at any point as this can cause premature spoilage.

Wipe the rim with a clean towel, seal, and label with the scent and date to keep your honey lip scrub recipe organized.

Benefits Of Individual Ingredients in This Honey Lip Scrub Recipe

Each ingredient in this recipe brings specific perks, turning a quick DIY into a treatment your lips will love. While they all form a homogenous sugar scrub when blended, each one has unique benefits that help lips look and feel their best.

Honey: Nature’s Humectant

Honey is known for its ability to pull moisture from the air and hold it right where it’s needed, on your lips. When you use it in a scrub, it naturally draws water into dry skin, helping lips feel soft and cushioned long after rinsing.

Honey also gives the scrub a smooth, sticky base that makes it easy to spread and massage in.
If your lips are feeling rough or a bit uneven, honey helps calm and even out the surface, so your lips look refreshed and full.

Sugar: The Gentle Exfoliator

Sugar is the star exfoliant that polishes lips without being harsh.

Its small grains work like a mini massage, sloughing off dull, tired skin and setting the stage for moisture to soak in without tearing the skin.

Both white and brown sugar work, so you can use what you have on hand. Brown sugar is a bit softer and has a warmer scent, while white sugar feels a touch more scrubby

Carrier Oils: Deep Nourishment

A good carrier oil makes all the difference when it comes to how your lips feel after scrubbing.
These oils go deeper than just the surface, giving lips lasting smoothness and a natural shine.

Using a carrier oil is especially important if you’re adding essential oils. Carrier oils help dilute concentrated essential oils for topical applications so they don’t irritate the skin.

These are the best carrier oils for a lip scrub recipe:

Coconut Oil: Rich and silky, coconut oil glides over lips and seals in moisture. It leaves lips feeling soft, not greasy.

Almond Oil: Lighter and quickly absorbed, almond oil is packed with nourishing fatty acids that help soften rough spots.

Grapeseed Oil: This oil is almost weightless and sinks in fast, adding a healthy sheen while conditioning the skin.

Essential Oil

Essential oils add a burst of aroma to your honey lip scrub and make each use feel special. They allow you to personalize the scent, creating a scrub that matches your mood or the season.

The right essential oil can lift your spirits and refresh your senses, adding a moment of calm or energy to your routine. This unique touch makes your scrub stand out, making it perfect for gifts or personal pampering.

A drop or two is all it takes to bring your lip scrub to life and make every use feel a little more indulgent.
It’s interesting how the combination of everyday ingredients transforms this honey lip scrub recipe into a complete treatment, offering moisture, softness, exfoliation, and customizable scent.

Each detail counts, so pick ingredients that match your preferences and skin type for your best results.

How to Use Homemade Honey Lip Scrub

Here’s how to use homemade honey lip scrub to get the best results every time:

Start with clean, slightly damp lips: Lightly moisten your lips with warm water or a damp washcloth. This helps soften any dry skin, making exfoliation gentler and more effective.

Scoop out a pea-sized amount: Use a small clean spatula, scoop out just enough scrub for one application. A little goes a long way, and this keeps your jar fresh for longer.

Note: Coconut oil tends to firm up in cooler weather. If this happens, gently roll the jar in your hands to warm the oil and loosen the ingredients.

Massage lips in gentle circles: Apply the scrub to your lips and massage with light, circular motions for 30–60 seconds to slough off dry skin and boost circulation.

Use light pressure: Let the sugar do the exfoliating. Scrubbing too hard can cause micro-tears in delicate skin.

Rinse and pat dry: Rinse off with warm water or gently wipe away with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid licking the scrub off — tempting as it may be — to prevent ingesting essential oils.

Follow with a nourishing lip balm: Lock in the softness by applying a hydrating lip balm. This seals in moisture and keeps your lips smooth for longer. Made with beeswax and soothing lavender essential oil, this luscious homemade beeswax lip balm is perfect for locking in moisture after exfoliating.

Pro Tip: Use once a week for the best results. Over-exfoliating can cause lips to feel tender, so stick with a weekly routine for smooth, happy lips.

This routine is a small act of care with a big payoff. Fresh, glowing lips are only a few steps away, and your jar will stay good for up to two or three weeks if you keep it sealed and away from water.

Precautions: Honey Allergies

Honey is safe for most people, but it can cause allergic reactions in some. Before using your lip scrub, keep these tips in mind:

Test First: If you have a history of allergies to honey, pollen, or bee products, do a patch test. Place a small amount of the scrub on your inner arm and wait 24 hours. If redness or itching appears, avoid use.

Watch for Reactions: If your lips feel itchy, swollen, or irritated after using the scrub, rinse off right away and discontinue use.

Be Aware of Other Ingredients: Essential oils and extracts can also cause reactions for sensitive skin. Always test and start with very small amounts.

Safety first: If you’re unsure about honey or any ingredient, talk with a healthcare provider before trying the scrub.

Honey Lip Scrub Recipe: Seasonal & Occasion Customization Ideas

The base honey lip scrub recipe is incredibly versatile and can be customized easily to make it your own.
Love a minty tingle or crave something sweet and cozy?

Want your scrub to have a rosy hue or feel ultra-rich?

Use different essential oils, stir in flavored extras, and choose different carrier oils to get exactly the texture, scent, and look you want.

Here’s how you can personalize every single batch with scents and colors.

Scent Customization Ideas With Essential Oils

Fresh & Floral Scents for Spring

• Lavender + Lemon: Calming lavender meets sunny lemon for a fresh, garden feel.
  Add 6 drops Lavender + 3 drops Lemon
• Geranium + Grapefruit: A sweet floral fragrance with a bright citrus lift.
  5 drops Geranium + 4 drops Grapefruit

Zesty & Cooling Aromas for Summer

• Lime + Peppermint: Refreshing and tropical with a cooling tingle.
  5 drops Lime + 4 drops Peppermint
• Vanilla + Sweet Orange: The sweet and tart flavors blend beautifully for a soft, creamy creamsicle-inspired scent.
  3 drops Vanilla Oleoresin + 6 drops Sweet Orange

Warm & Cozy Fragrances for Fall

• Sweet Orange + Cinnamon: Smells like autumn baking in a jar.
  6 drops Sweet Orange + 3 drops Cinnamon Bark
• Vanilla + Clove: Warm and comforting with a subtle spice.
  5 drops Vanilla Oleoresin + 2–3 drops Clove

Festive & Sweet Scents for Christmas & Winter

Peppermint + Vanilla: Classic candy cane vibes for Christmas.
5 drops Peppermint + 4 drops Vanilla Oleoresin

Fir Needle + Sweet Orange: Crisp, woodsy, and citrusy
5 drops Fir Needle + 4 drops Sweet Orange

Special Occasion Blends

Rose + Grapefruit: Romantic and uplifting for Valentine’s Day.
5 drops Rose Absolute + 4 drops Grapefruit

Ylang Ylang + Bergamot: Luxurious and spa-like, perfect for pampering days. 4 drops Ylang Ylang + 5 drops Bergamot

Coffee + Peppermint: Rich and energizing, like a mocha mint treat.
4 drops Coffee + 5 drops Peppermint

Essential oils make it easy to customize the scent of this DIY honey and sugar lip scrub.

Customization Ideas with Natural Flavors and Color

Want to jazz up your scrub with a little flavor or color without using chemical dyes or artificial flavors?

Natural pantry items let you do both.

Here’s how you can add personality and a pop of fun to your lip scrub recipe:

• Vanilla extract: Just a drop adds a warm, comforting scent that pairs well with honey.
• Cinnamon powder: Gives a spicy-sweet kick and a gentle warming sensation.
• Beetroot powder: Mix in a small pinch for a hint of rosy color—pretty and fun, plus it’s packed with natural plant goodness.
• Cocoa powder: Adds a chocolatey scent and a rich, brown tint—think dessert for your lips.

Tips For Customizing With Carrier Oils

The oil you use will impact how your scrub feels and how deeply it nourishes your lips. Each type brings its own texture and benefits, so don’t be afraid to try something new.

Almond oil: Lightweight and gentle, almond oil sinks in quickly without feeling greasy. It’s a go-to for soft, comfortable lips.

Jojoba oil: Closest to your skin’s natural oils, jojoba adds a smooth, silky finish. It works well in any season and is known for being easy on sensitive skin.

Avocado oil: Super rich and creamy, avocado oil gives your scrub a thicker texture and extra smoothing power.

Using a different carrier oil can make your scrub runnier or thicker, softer or more pillowy. If you want a firmer scrub, add less oil or pick one like coconut that solidifies when cool. For a rich, indulgent feel, avocado oil is your friend.

No matter what you choose, a tiny swap can make a big difference in how your honey lip scrub looks, smells, and feels. Keep experimenting and you’ll always have a lip treatment that’s exactly your style.

How To Store Homemade Honey Lip Scrub

A homemade honey lip scrub is fresh and free of synthetic preservatives, so proper storage is vital to preventing premature spoilage.

Use a clean, airtight jar: A small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid works best to protect the scrub from moisture and air.

Keep it cool and dry: Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight. In warm weather, coconut oil may soften; in cooler weather, it may firm up. Either way, the scrub will still work perfectly.

Avoid water contamination: Always scoop with a clean, dry spoon or spatula to prevent introducing water, which can shorten the shelf life.

Label Your Scrub: Add a label or sticker with the scent, ingredients, and date made. This is helpful, especially if you make several types.

Shelf Life Of Homemade Honey Lip Scrub

Homemade honey lip scrub can stay fresh and safe to use for about 2 to 3 weeks, provided that you store it properly. Since this recipe skips preservatives, it won’t last as long as store-bought options, but that’s a great tradeoff for using fresh, natural ingredients.

Extra Tips for Freshness

• To keep every scoop as perfect as the first, try these quick habits:
• Seal the jar tightly after every use and store it in a cool area.
• Wipe down the rim with a tissue before closing to keep the seal tight.
• Keep a small spoon or spatula tucked inside for no-touch scooping.

If you see any signs of spoilage (like odd smells, color changes, or mold), toss the scrub and mix a fresh batch.

Gifting Ideas for Your Honey Lip Scrub

This DIY honey and sugar lip scrub makes a thoughtful, inexpensive gift for any occasion. A little creative packaging can turn your homemade beauty recipe into a boutique-style present.

Seasonal gift jars: Use small jars with holiday or seasonal labels to match your essential oil blend (e.g., candy cane stripes for peppermint-vanilla).

Add to self-care baskets: Pair with a homemade sugar scrub, bath soak, or hand cream for a spa-at-home kit.

Mini party favors: Package in 1 oz jars for bridal showers, baby showers, or birthdays.

Stocking stuffers: Perfect for Christmas, especially scented with festive blends like peppermint + vanilla or fir needle + sweet orange.

Attach a recipe card: Include a little tag with the ingredients and instructions so the recipient can make it again.

Related DIY Recipes You Might Like

Refreshing Peppermint-Aloe Vera Lip Scrub Recipe: This cooling, hydrating, homemade lip scrub combines aloe vera with peppermint for a fresh, tingly feel.

Sea Moss Body Scrub: This gentle exfoliating body scrub is packed with mineral-rich sea moss for a silky-smooth skin finish.

Vanilla Lip Balm: A sweet, creamy lip balm with the warm scent of vanilla, perfect to pair with your honey lip scrub for a complete lip care routine.

Making your own honey lip scrub puts the power of natural care in your hands, letting you skip the extra additives and enjoy soft, healthy lips with just a few kitchen staples. With this homemade honey lip scrub recipe, you can explore combinations of scents, textures, and even colors, so every batch feels fresh and made for you.

Experiment with essential oils and new flavors or colors to make your scrub match the season or your mood. Small changes go a long way in creating a little luxury for your routine.

FAQs About Homemade Honey Lip Scrubs