In the middle of winter, tight lips, balm that is applied over and over… the scene is familiar. On the networks, an ultra simple solution resurfaces: a few grains of sugar to find a soft mouth. This tip, popularized by model Gigi Hadid, promises to erase dead skin and roughness in just a few seconds.
At first glance, this sugar lip scrub looks like child’s play, almost more playful than serious. But many wonder if this reflex inherited from homemade recipes does not damage the thin skin of the mouth, already weakened by cold, wind and heating. Behind the scenes of this gesture reserves some surprises.
Why the sugar lip scrub comes back when it’s cold
The lips do not have sebaceous glands, these little sebum factories that protect the rest of the face. Exposed to cold, wind or dry air from heating, they dry out quickly and become covered with dead skin. These little scales form a barrier that prevents the care and balm from really penetrating.
In this context, the purpose of the exfoliation is not to strip but to gently remove this plug of dead cells to prepare the surface. A light massage with sugar will declutter the lips, make their texture smoother and allow the nourishing lip balm to do its job better.
Gigi Hadid’s sugar ritual, between teenage memory and validated gesture
Gigi Hadid’s secret lies in a very simple duo: a little sugar and a moistened washcloth. She says in an interview relayed by Elle magazine: “My mother always instilled in me the importance of taking care of your skin. When I was a teenager we used to exfoliate our lips together with sugar and a damp washcloth.”
For pharmacist Marta Ortega, this gesture provides gentle mechanical exfoliation suitable for the lips. The sugar crystals remove dead cells without being too aggressive, while the damp glove gently stimulates microcirculation. The surface appears smoother, the natural color is revived and the hydration holds better: the trick works, as long as you remain measured.
How to adopt a sugar scrub without damaging your lips
Beauty specialists recommend a limited frequency: once or twice a week maximum. The procedure remains simple: lightly moisten a washcloth, add a small pinch of sugar, then massage the lips in small circular movements, without pressing. Rinse, pat dry and immediately apply a rich balm to seal in hydration.
Some homemade recipes mix sugar with honey, vaseline or vegetable oils to combine scrub and protection, such as sugar lip scrubs sold in jars. In the event of very damaged lips or bleeding cracks, beauty tutorials recommend focusing on restorative treatments.