I’m a Dermatologist, and This Is the $9 Lip Scrub I Swear By for Winter-Chapped Lips

In many ways, winter is the most wonderful time of the year. But for our skin? Not so much. ‘Tis the season where every inch feels like it’s been placed in a dehydrator (thanks to dry air and heaters). Operating at this moisture deficit leaves our complexions feeling like beef jerky, and our lips, which are some of the thinnest skin on the body feel this in a big way. While slathering on lip balm can help, there’s another critical step that Kavita Mariwalla, MD, board-certified dermatologist, says you should be adding to your routine: a lip exfoliant. And the best one, according to her, is available at the drugstore for only $9.

Burt’s Bees Conditioning Lip Scrub packs a one-two punch of exfoliation and hydration, which is exactly what your lips need to fight off that dehydrated feeling. When your lips are chapped, it’s important to slough away the build-up of dry, dead skin cells so that any moisturizing products you apply to them can work the full extent of their magic. The Burt’s Bees scrub gets the job done with gentle honey crystals. Plus, it adds moisture with the brand’s famed beeswax, which derms say is hands down the best ingredient to use on winter-chapped lips.

Burt's Bees 100% Natural Conditioning Lip Scrub with Exfoliating Honey Crystals — $9.00

“Winter can be harsh on the lips—they start to get dry, cracked, and even itchy,” says Dr. Mariwalla. “I love that [this lip scrub] both exfoliates the dry skin using honey crystals and also has Beeswax to hydrate.” Beeswax acts as an occlusive to trap moisture in your skin (and prevent it from escaping into the environment), which means that this stuff will keep your lips moist long after you apply.

For best results, simply swipe on some product (but make sure your hands are clean!), then smack it between your lips for a little DIY massage. The honey crystals will help to buff your lips, and eventually disappear (if you need a little extra sloughing, you can use your fingers to rub the product in a circular motion). If you want to add even more hydration, follow up with a lip mask, like the cult-fave Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask to really lock in the moisture. The result? You’ll be left with a moisturized mouth that restores your faith in the fact that it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Dealing with dry skin elsewhere? Check out the video below for what you can do to fix it.

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