Sugar lip scrubs have become a popular beauty product in recent years, known for their ability to gently exfoliate dry, chapped lips. Many lip scrubs contain edible ingredients like sugar, honey, and oils. This has led some people to wonder – can you actually eat a sugar lip scrub? Let’s take a closer look at what lip scrubs are made of and whether they are meant to be eaten.
What are sugar lip scrubs?
Sugar lip scrubs are thick, grainy formulas that help remove dead skin cells from the lips. Most lip scrubs contain two main ingredients:
- Exfoliants like sugar, salt, coffee grounds, etc. These rougher particles help scrub away flaky skin when massaged onto the lips.
- Emollients like coconut oil, almond oil, honey, etc. These smoother ingredients moisturize and condition the lips.
Additional ingredients like essential oils, vitamin E, and flavor extracts are often added as well. The exfoliant provides the scrubbing action, while the emollient helps lubricate and soften the lips.
Are sugar lip scrubs meant to be eaten?
Sugar lip scrubs are formulated as a topical lip treatment, meaning they are meant to be applied externally to the lips and not consumed. The scrub is designed to be massaged onto the lips for a minute or two and then wiped or rinsed off. The particles provide gentle but effective manual exfoliation, removing chapped, flaky skin for softer lips.
While the ingredients may be edible, sugar lip scrubs are not intended to be eaten. Product packaging and instructions will specify to apply the scrub to the lips gently and wipe it off – not to lick or ingest the formula. Consuming lip scrubs carries potential choking hazards from the granulated exfoliants, and offers no benefit since they are not designed as food products.
Are the ingredients in sugar lip scrubs edible?
Many sugar lip scrubs do contain edible components like sugar, honey, and plant-based oils. But the entire formula together is not intended for consumption. Let’s look at some common edible ingredients:
Sugar
White or brown sugar is one of the core ingredients in most lip scrubs. Granulated sugar provides gentle but effective exfoliation, sloughing off dry, flaky skin cells when massaged onto the lips. Table sugar is certainly edible on its own. However in a lip scrub formula, the quantity and application method differ from normal food prep and consumption.
Honey
Honey is prized in lip scrubs for its emollient properties. This means it helps condition, moisturize, and soften the lips. Honey also has anti-inflammatory effects. Raw honey can be eaten by the spoonful, but again, its usage differs in a lip scrub product.
Vegetable oils
Plant-based oils like coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil often provide the moisture and slip in lip scrubs. These oils help lubricate and soften the lips after the exfoliation process. On their own, these oils are certainly edible. But in a scrub product, the quantity and application method differ.
Flavors/Extracts
Some lip scrubs contain flavor extracts like vanilla, strawberry, and mint to provide a tasty scent and flavor when used on the lips. In isolation, these extracts are safe to consume. But they are formulated in lip scrubs in smaller quantities for topical use only.
So in summary – yes, the individual ingredients in a sugar lip scrub may be edible. But the product as a whole is not formulated for consumption, just for topical use.
Risks and side effects of eating lip scrubs
While sugar lip scrubs contain some edible components, they also contain ingredients that may be questionable or even risky to eat. Potential risks include:
Choking hazard
Sugar lip scrubs contain granulated exfoliants that could present a choking risk if swallowed. Small particles like sugar could cause coughing, gagging, or obstruction if ingested, especially in children.
GI distress
Ingesting a significant amount of oil could lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other GI upset. Our bodies are not accustomed to consuming oils in large quantities.
Contamination
Since lip scrubs are not formulated for eating, consumption could potentially expose you to contaminants like mold, bacteria, cleaning residues, etc. Cross-contamination is a risk if people are double-dipping fingers into the product as well.
Unbalanced nutrition
Lip scrubs provide concentrated sources of sugar and/or salt with little nutritional value. Over-consuming could lead to nutritional imbalance.
Allergic reactions
Flavors, oils, and extracts in lip scrubs may trigger food allergies or topical allergic reactions in some individuals. Discontinue use if any irritation occurs.
Overall, swallowing lip scrubs provides little benefit while carrying various potential health risks. They are designed for limited topical use for a short time, not for consumption as food products.
Are flavored lip scrubs more likely to be eaten?
It’s understandable why flavored lip scrubs seem tempting to eat. Products flavored with chocolate, cake batter, cookies and cream, etc. do sound delicious. However, the flavors are formulated to provide a tasty scent and flavor upon use on the lips – not for eating. Here are some reasons flavored lip scrubs carry the same risks when eaten:
Flavors are extracts, not whole foods
Flavored lip scrubs contain concentrated flavor extracts to provide scent/taste. They do not contain whole food ingredients like chocolate chips, cake batter, etc. The flavors are dissolved into the oils. So eating them would not be the same as eating an actual chocolate bar or slice of cake, for example.
Flavors are added in small amounts
Only a small amount of flavor extract is needed to provide enough taste for topical use on the lips. The flavors are not formulated in quantities intended for eating an entire serving.
Same textural risks
Regardless of flavor, all lip scrubs contain exfoliant particles that could pose choking or GI obstruction hazards if swallowed. The flavors themselves do not change these textural risks.
No nutritional value
The flavors provide sensory appeal but no nutritional value. A chocolate lip scrub contains no actual cocoa, a cake batter scrub contains no actual cake ingredients, etc. So they offer no health benefits if eaten.
So in summary, while flavored lip scrubs are formulated to smell and taste good on your lips, they are not intended for consumption and do not provide nutrition or food ingredients. The flavors provide sensory appeal for topical use only. All safety precautions apply equally to flavored and unflavored lip scrubs.
Proper usage and application of lip scrubs
To gain the benefits of exfoliation while avoiding any risks, use your sugar lip scrub properly as follows:
Use clean hands
Apply using clean, dry fingers to prevent bacteria transfer and contamination. Do not double-dip fingers back into the jar. Use an applicator if provided.
Use a small amount
You need only a small dime-sized or teaspoon amount to exfoliate the lips. Avoid applying excessive product that may be tempting to lick off.
Massage gently onto lips
Rub the scrub over your lips for 1-2 minutes using light pressure and circular motions. Do not aggressively scrub.
Rinse thoroughly
Rinse all product off your lips and skin using warm water. Wipe off any remaining oiliness.
Apply moisturizing product
Follow up your scrub with a hydrating lip balm, mask or moisturizer to seal in softness.
Use 2-3 times per week max
Exfoliate lips 2-3 times weekly at most. Sugar scrubs are too abrasive for daily use.
Following these tips will allow you to safely achieve soft, smooth lips without needing to swallow the scrub itself!
Benefits of proper exfoliation vs. eating scrubs
Using your lip scrub topically as directed provides excellent exfoliation results. Eating lip scrubs offers no additional benefits. Consider the comparison:
Exfoliation
- Removes chapped, flaky skin
- Smooths and softens texture
- Enhances product absorption
- Brightens dullness
Eating
- No nutritional value
- Risk of choking/GI issues
- No health benefits
- Lip scrub =/= food product
As you can see, proper topical use offers numerous skin benefits while consuming lip scrubs offers no benefit and only introduces safety risks.
Using up a lip scrub safely
What should you do if you purchased a lip scrub but now don’t feel comfortable using it on your lips? Here are some safe ways to use up the product without needing to eat it:
Body exfoliant
Apply to elbows, knees, ankles to buff away dry skin. Rinse thoroughly.
Foot scrub
Slough off rough, callused skin on heels and soles. Rinse feet well after.
Hand softener
Gently massage into dry hands as you would a moisturizer. Focus on callused areas.
Gently exfoliate lips
Apply a very thin layer using clean hands. Wipe off immediately; do not leave on the lips.
Use as a lip mask base
Apply your favorite lip mask product over the base of the scrub. Wipe off the scrub before the mask.
Mix into loose powder
Add a bit to loose face powder to create a thicker, exfoliating powder.
These tips allow you to safely use up scrubs you already purchased without needing to eat the product. In the future, read packaging carefully and look for formulas designed to be edible if desired.
Signs your lip scrub has gone bad
Like any beauty product, lip scrubs can eventually expire or grow mold, bacteria, etc. Discontinue use if you notice any of the following:
- Change in texture – becomes very runny, grainy, or hard
- Change in scent – smells rancid, rotten, or unpleasant
- Change in color – unnatural darkening or discoloration
- Presence of mold – fuzziness, spots, or filaments
- Persistent irritation or rash when used
A bad lip scrub is definitely not safe to eat and should be immediately discarded. Follow any expiration dates printed on the packaging. When in doubt, throw it out.
DIY edible lip scrub recipes
If you want to create a lip scrub that is intentionally edible, go the DIY route using food-grade ingredients. Here are some edible scrub recipe ideas:
Honey Brown Sugar Scrub
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp raw honey
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Mix ingredients together thoroughly until a paste forms. Apply to lips in circular motions and lick off. Rinse.
Strawberry Sugar Scrub
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp strawberry puree or finely mashed berries
- 1/2 tsp coconut or olive oil
Mix ingredients together until combined and grainy. Gently massage onto lips and lick off. Rinse residue.
Coconut Lip Sugar Scrub
- 1.5 tbsps brown sugar
- 1.5 tbsps coconut oil, melted
- 1 tbsp coconut flakes
- 1-2 drops coconut extract or flavored syrup
Combine all ingredients. Use fingertips to apply over lips and lick off. Rinse well.
Follow basic food safety practices when creating and handling edible scrubs. Avoid double-dipping into jars. Refrigerate any leftovers and use within 3-4 days.
Conclusion
While traditional sugar lip scrubs may contain some edible components, they are specifically formulated for external use as exfoliants. Consuming lip scrubs does not provide nutrition or other health benefits, and may pose choking, contamination, or other safety risks. Properly used topically as directed, quality lip scrubs provide safe, effective exfoliation and softening of the delicate lip skin. Opt for DIY recipes if you want to create a lip scrub that is intentionally edible using food ingredients. With awareness and responsible use, lip scrubs can be an excellent addition to your beauty routine.
