The concept of lip exfoliators itself isn’t new, but the category has overwhelmingly flooded by physical exfoliators — aka, lip scrubs. And if I’m being honest, I’ve yet to meet one I truly can recommend in good faith — they’re often messy, overly abrasive, and don’t deliver much beyond immediate, temporary gratification. Until recently, my go-to method for keeping my lips in tip-top shape was a slightly damp, soft washcloth, gently buffed in small circular motions to lift away flakes. It worked, sure, but it wasn’t blowing my mind. The only other chemical lip exfoliator I’ve tested is Dr. Idriss’ two-step Lip Baste system, which I actually loved — but I won’t lie, it’s quite expensive at $44. Could The Ordinary’s new launch be a more wallet-friendly alternative? I sought to find out.
