Is it just us, or does it seem that every month a new product comes onto the market touting some type of AHA, BHA, PHA, enzyme, or physical exfoliator? As much as exfoliation is amazing for sloughing off dead skin cells, decreasing fine lines and wrinkles, diminishing hyperpigmentation, and even minimizing the number of breakouts a person experiences, this surplus of exfoliation information is honestly a lot to take in all at once. So today we are going to be talking about a sect of exfoliation that flies under the radar a tad bit: lip exfoliation. Surely, you’ve likely heard of lip scrubs before and may have even tried a few for the supple and soft effect they have on your lips. Yet, lip peels might be your secret weapon for full and perky lips this summer.
So what is a lip peel? Lip peels are similar to chemical exfoliators for the face, as they typically contain some type of hydroxy acid (whether it is lactic or glycolic) to gently dissolve the top layer of dead skin from the lips. “Lip peels are a gentle method of exfoliation and don’t risk injuring the delicate skin of the lips the way scrubs do. The acids in a peel gently remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover without the harsh and sometimes harmful rubbing associated with a lip scrub. [Lip peels] remove dead skin cells and improve lip smoothness and brightness,” says Dr. Dendy Engelman, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic.
Now, does this mean we can use any old chemical exfoliator that’s already sitting in our medicine cabinets on our lips? *Certainly* not. “The skin on our lips is thinner, has fewer layers, and has a unique top layer in comparison to the rest of our face,” says Anna De La Cruz, licensed aesthetician and executive director of brand development and education at Glo Skin Beauty.
Lips exfoliate themselves through the process of cell turnover, meaning that chemical exfoliators *can* assist in amping up the amount of exfoliation that happens. However, De La Cruz warns to “make sure [you’re using] a formula suitable for the lips versus something stronger designed for the face or body.” Since the skin on the lips is thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of our bodies, using the same exfoliator on them would wreak havoc and cause damage. Plus, since lip peels are designed to go onto the lips, they are typically made from edible-grade ingredients, which might not be the case with the chemical exfoliator you use on your blackheads.
Since lip peels work gently to slough off dead skin cells instead of harshly scrubbing at them, virtually anyone can use a lip peel for softer, fuller, and brighter lips. De La Cruz reveals to Coveteur, “Lips have a tendency to become dry and chapped because they do not contain sebaceous (oil) glands which can help condition as well as protect against the elements. Mature/thinning lips will be more prone to these conditions. A gentle lip peel can be beneficial for these individuals, especially when followed with a product designed to hydrate, nourish, and seal in moisture.” Dr. Engelman warns, however, “People with mature, thinning, or sensitive lips should be careful with peels. They can still be effective but risk irritating more sensitive lip skin.” Start off using a lip peel with a slow-and-low method of one to two times per week, and make sure to moisturize your lips after applying a peel.
So how do we use a lip peel? It’s possibly the simplest exfoliation method we’ve ever tried: Simply swipe the lip peel onto your lips, hydrate with a lip oil or balm after, and you are good to go. The ease of swiping on a lip peel just like you would a lip gloss definitely can lead you to apply a lip peel each time you feel your lips are flaky. Dr. Engleman warns, however, “Since the skin of the lips is so thin and sensitive, exfoliating too much can cause damage. I recommend exfoliating only once or twice per week, at most.”
Frequently Asked Questions
A lip peel is a gentle chemical exfoliator designed specifically for the delicate skin on the lips. It typically contains hydroxy acids like lactic or glycolic acid that dissolve the top layer of dead skin cells, promoting cell turnover and resulting in smoother, brighter, and softer lips without the harsh rubbing associated with scrubs.
Unlike lip scrubs that physically rub off dead skin with abrasive particles, lip peels use chemical exfoliants to gently dissolve dead skin cells. This method reduces the risk of injuring the delicate lip skin and promotes cell turnover more effectively and safely.
No, you should not use facial or body chemical exfoliators on your lips because lip skin is thinner and more delicate. Lip peels are formulated with edible-grade ingredients and milder acids suitable for lips, whereas facial exfoliators may be too strong and cause damage or irritation.
Virtually anyone can benefit from lip peels, especially those with dry, chapped, mature, or thinning lips. Lip peels help remove dead skin and improve lip texture and brightness. However, people with sensitive or very thin lips should use them cautiously to avoid irritation.
It is recommended to use a lip peel only once or twice per week to avoid over-exfoliating and damaging the delicate lip skin. Starting slow and low helps your lips adjust and prevents irritation.
After applying a lip peel, it is important to hydrate your lips with a nourishing lip oil or balm. This helps to seal in moisture, soothe the skin, and maintain softness and suppleness following exfoliation.
Lip peels can be effective for mature or thinning lips but should be used with caution. These lips are more prone to dryness and sensitivity, so starting with a gentle formula and limiting frequency is important to avoid irritation.
Lips exfoliate naturally through cell turnover, but this process can be slow or insufficient, especially when lips become dry or chapped. Lip peels accelerate exfoliation, removing dead skin cells more efficiently to reveal smoother, healthier lips.
Yes, lip peels are typically made with edible-grade ingredients since they are applied to the lips, an area prone to ingestion. This makes them safer compared to facial chemical exfoliators, which may contain harsher, non-edible ingredients.
Yes, exfoliating lips too frequently or aggressively with a lip peel can damage the thin, sensitive skin, leading to irritation, dryness, or sensitivity. It is important to follow recommended usage guidelines and moisturize afterward.
