Tired of dealing with dark or black lips and longing for a naturally radiant pout? Don’t worry; we’re here to offer some help. Below, we will share 15 beauty tips to help you bid goodbye to those unwanted lip pigmentation woes. Pretty soon, you’ll say hello to luscious, rosy lips (a good match for your pearly whites after getting a teeth whitening treatment!) that will leave everyone envious. Get ready to discover the secret answers to this question: how to get rid of dark lips.

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

One of the fundamental steps in achieving beautiful lips is to keep them well-hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain proper hydration. That can help combat dark lips caused by dryness. Additionally, use a hydrating lip balm or moisturiser to seal in moisture and prevent further dryness.

2. Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliation is essential to remove dead skin cells and reveal the fresh layer of skin underneath. You can do it at home; simply prepare a gentle lip scrub using a mixture of honey and sugar. Apply it to your lips and gently massage it in circular motions. Rinse with lukewarm water and follow up with a lip balm to keep your lips moisturised. Do it regularly; over time, it will help lighten your upper lip’s dark pigmentation and promote a smoother lip texture. Start doing it tonight! 

3. Shield Your Lips from the Sun

Protect your lips from harmful UV rays using a lip balm or lipstick with SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Apply it generously before stepping out in the sun to prevent further lip darkening. Don’t hesitate to reapply it throughout the day, especially if you’re outdoors for a long time. Also, look for lip products that offer broad-spectrum protection to shield your lips from both UVA and UVB rays.

4. Quit Smoking

How to get rid of dark lips? Here’s another fool-proof method: quit smoking. Smoking doesn’t only affect your overall health but also contributes to the darkening of the lips. The chemicals in cigarettes can stain your lips and make them appear darker. So if you’re a smoker who needs another reason to quit, think of your lips. Quitting smoking will not only benefit your lips but your overall well-being. Look for quitting strategies that best suit you to avoid quitting cold turkey. You may seek support from friends, family or professionals to help you on your journey to a smoke-free life.

5. Try Lemon Juice Lightening

Want more tips for dark lips? Use lemon juice. It acts as a natural bleaching agent due to its citric acid content. Squeeze fresh lemon juice and apply it to your lips using a cotton ball. Leave it on for about ten minutes and rinse off with water. Repeat this process a few times a week to gradually lighten your lips. You can also make a natural honey lemon lip scrub. Just remember this formula: one teaspoon of lemon juice for every half a teaspoon of honey. Remember to moisturise your lips afterwards, as lemon juice can be drying.

6. Massage Your Lips with Almond Oil

Massage your lips with almond oil to nourish and lighten them naturally. Almond oil is rich in vitamin E and helps rejuvenate and moisturise the lips. Apply a few drops of almond oil to your lips and massage gently before bedtime. Leave it overnight for maximum benefits. Regular massaging with almond oil will improve blood circulation and contribute to the reduction of lip pigmentation.

Rose Petal Remedy

7. Give Rose Petal Remedy a Try

Rose petals have natural skin-lightening properties and can help in reducing lip pigmentation. Soak a handful of rose petals in milk for a few hours. Mash them to form a paste and apply it to your lips. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off. Repeat this remedy a few times a week to notice visible results. The combination of rose petals and milk nourishes the lips while gradually lightening their colour.

8. Prepare a Beetroot Lip Pack

Want more tips on how to get rid of dark upper lips? Try beetroot. It is known for its natural colour-boosting properties. Prepare a lip pack by mixing beetroot juice with honey or rose water. Apply this mixture to your lips and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with water and enjoy the rosy tint it imparts to your lips. The beetroot juice’s natural pigments help lighten dark lips and restore their natural hue.

9. Apply Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is renowned for its soothing and healing properties. It also aids in repairing damaged skin cells and promoting a smoother lip texture. So if you want to get rid of dark lips, put some fresh aloe vera gel on your lips, let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off. This can help in lightening dark lips & keeping them moisturised.

10. Create Milk and Turmeric Paste

Turmeric has been used for centuries for its skin-lightening and healing capabilities. Prepare a paste by mixing a teaspoon of milk with a pinch of turmeric powder. Apply this paste to your lips and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Gently scrub it off with water, and you’ll notice a visible improvement in the colour of your lips over time. However, be cautious as turmeric can stain temporarily, so ensure proper rinsing.

11. Apply Pomegranate Lip Serum

Extract fresh pomegranate juice and apply it to your lips. Pomegranate contains antioxidants that can help lighten or get rid of dark lips. Leave the juice on for about ten minutes before rinsing it off. You can also mix pomegranate juice with a few drops of lemon juice or honey to enhance its skin-brightening properties.

12. Consider Honey and Olive Oil Overnight Treatment

Before bedtime, mix equal parts of honey and olive oil to create a nourishing lip treatment. Apply a generous layer to your lips and leave it on overnight. Honey acts as a natural humectant, locking in moisture and preventing dryness. On the other hand, olive oil deeply hydrates the lips and helps reduce upper lip dark pigmentation. Wake up to softer, lighter and smoother lips in the morning.

lip care

13. Practise Good Lip Care Habits

Apart from the specific remedies mentioned above, it’s essential to maintain good lip care habits to prevent further darkening and maintain the results you’ve achieved. Avoid licking your lips, as saliva can further dry them out. Protect your lips from extreme weather conditions by using a lip balm. More tips on how to prevent dark lips? Here’s another one: always remove makeup from your lips before bed to allow them to breathe and rejuvenate overnight.

14. Choose Lip Products Wisely

When selecting lipsticks, lip balms or glosses, opt for natural or organic formulations free from harsh chemicals and artificial colours. Also, look for lip products enriched with nourishing and hydrating ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter or vitamin E. That’s a good way to prevent dark lips. And, of course, avoid using low-quality or expired lip products that can cause irritation or worsen dark lip pigmentation.

15. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle contributes to overall skin health, including the lips. Ensure you have a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Include food items like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins in your meals. Regular exercise and adequate sleep play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and lips. Also, if you need to take better care of your skin, you can try PureSmile’s rejuvenating LED Light Therapy