PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum
A gentle chemical lip exfoliator designed to smooth rough lips while helping maintain hydration.
A more interesting alternative to harsh physical lip scrubs for people who want smoother lips with less friction.
Chemical lip exfoliation is a genuinely underserved product category — most lip exfoliants are physical scrubs with questionable abrasive particles. A PHA serum for lips at The Ordinary's price point fills a real gap in barrier-conscious skincare routines.
Evening — apply after cleansing and before a lip balm or moisturizing lip mask. Don't use on the same night as other face acids if possible — keep the exfoliation load manageable.
People with persistently rough or peeling lips who have given up on scrubs. Anyone who preps their lips for lip liner or matte lip products and wants a smoother canvas.
On severely cracked, chapped, or broken skin — never apply exfoliants (chemical or physical) to compromised skin. Heal the lips first with a simple occlusive balm, then introduce this once the surface is intact.
Pause the lip serum during a full-barrier flare-up and switch to a simple occlusive lip balm (petrolatum or lanolin base). Return after 1–2 weeks at a lower frequency.
- A rich occlusive lip balm immediately after — exfoliation then conditioning is the optimal sequence
- A hydrating lip treatment overnight for ongoing lip condition
- SPF lip balm in the morning after an evening exfoliation session
Best For
- Dry lips
- Flaky lips
- Smoother lip texture
- Prep before lip products
- Gentle lip exfoliation
How to Use
Apply to clean lips as a targeted exfoliating treatment. Do not overuse — 2–3x per week is sufficient for most people.
Key Ingredients
Gluconolactone chemically exfoliates by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells, revealing smoother and brighter skin. Its larger molecular size prevents deep penetration, making it the gentlest class of chemical exfoliant. It also functions as a humectant, binding water to the skin alongside its exfoliating action.
Attracts moisture at multiple skin depths, helping to hydrate both the surface and deeper layers of the skin.
Draws moisture to the skin, helps maintain hydration, and reinforces the skin barrier.
Ingredients to Note
May be a concern for some skin types. Tap to learn more.
May be a concern for some skin types. Tap to learn more.
Full Ingredient List
About This Product
The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum uses gluconolactone — a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) — as its primary exfoliating active. PHAs have a larger molecular size than AHAs like glycolic or lactic acid, meaning shallower surface penetration and significantly better tolerance for sensitive or reactive areas like lips. At 5%, it provides meaningful exfoliation without the aggressive irritation risk of traditional lip scrubs or AHA-based lip products. The formula also includes humectants to keep lips conditioned during the exfoliating process.