I might have mentioned this before, but I have a lot of sisters. The youngest one is named Caitlin Ariel. She arrived about nine years after the rest of us so my parents decided to make sure she received a warm welcome by naming her after the Little Mermaid. This thrilled us (naturally) but it wasn't really necessary. I'm quite sure we would have loved the little stinker even if she didn't share a name with our favorite Disney princess.
Caitlin called me the other day to request a simple recipe for lip scrub. This made me laugh for a moment because it illustrated the different places we are in our lives so well. Keeping my lips smooth and happy isn't really on my radar at the moment. With my little one crawling underfoot all day long I am lucky to wash my hair more than once a week. As far removed as I might be from the glamorous life of a woman in her twenties, I totally get why Caitlin asked for a lip scrub. The feeling of crispy, chapped and flaky lips bugs me too – especially on the rare occasions where I do paint on some colorful lipstick.
Eerily,it must have been about nine years ago that I used my first lip scrub, an overpriced concoction of slippery wax, emulsified mineral oil, and tiny microbeads. This recipe is far more simple, and much less toxic. It uses only three or four ingredients – most of which can be found in the kitchen. Olive & Honey Lip Scrub can be whipped up in small batches and kept on the counter for a few days or in the fridge for a few weeks.
Sugar makes a great exfoliant for lip scrubs, being small, scrubby and edible. Olive Oil lubricates the sugar while moisturizing the lips. Honey adds a touch of extra sweetness and a boost of soothing, antibacterial goodness to the recipe. If you have peppermint essential oil handy, just one drop will give your scrub a pleasant tingle. If not, don't fret. It isn't a necessary ingredient for this recipe.
Olive Honey Lip Scrub
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 drop peppermint essential oil (optional)
Directions
Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Keep covered when not in use.
To Use
Apply a small dab of scrub to your lips, then gently massage the mixture into your lips in a circular motion – using the tip of your finger. Continue to scrub your lips by pressing your lips together. The scrub can be blotted off with a napkin when finished.