Beauty Q&A: Why Should I Use a Lip Scrub Before Applying Lipstick?

Dry, flakey texture plagues my lips this time of year — and I know I’m not alone. But it took me a while to discover the sugary secret weapon I now rely on for a smoother pout: a lip scrub. However, lip scrubs often bring up a lot of questions — do they really help? So to reassure all the lip scrub doubters out there, I chatted with lip scrub queen Sara Happ about how to correctly use a lip scrub and why they’re a must-try in winter — especially if you’re going to wear lipstick.

It’s a great base.

“Using a lip scrub gives you smooth lips that make a great base for lipstick to adhere to,” Happ says. “It helps your color wear longer and looks more beautiful than if you had flaking skin under that gorgeous red!” Happ is completely correct here — scrubs don’t just make your lips feel good, they improve your makeup wear.

You should scrub everyday — seriously.

Another one of Happ’s tricks is to make scrubbing a vital part of your makeup routine. “If you scrub everyday,” she says, “you will maintain healthy, smooth lips even throughout harsh weather or travel.” It is important to note, however, that you should scrub in a manner that doesn’t irritate your pout. “Don’t scrub cracked or bleeding lips,” she notes. Instead, use a product like Lip Slip to help them rehydrate. “Once they are healthy again, start scrubbing every day,” she explains. Scrubbing cracked lips will make them worse, that’s why it’s important to make sure they are moisturized beforehand.

Have fun with the flavors.

Flavored lip scrubs are meant to help wake up or ease your lips depending on their needs. “I made my first-ever Lip Scrub in 2005, and my original flavors, Brown Sugar and Vanilla Bean are still some of my favorites!” Happ exclaims. But when she’s looking for a little pick me up, Pink Grapefruit is her go-to.

Avoid scrubbing your lips with the wrong ingredients.

To ensure safe use, you want to make sure you are scrubbing your lips with products that are built to smooth out your pout. “Avoid using scrubs with ingredients that could hurt your lips — such as bits of almonds or other sharp materials,” Happ says. “My scrubs only contain sugar as the exfoliant and super soothing oils that hydrate as you scrub, so there’s no chance of cutting or irritating your lips!”

Go forth and scrub away!