Our Lips have the thinnest skin. There are just around five layers thin, and directly behind that layer are the blood vessels that typically give the lips their color. Lip color and shape are inherited traits. Depending on your ancestry, they might range from bright pink to dark brown. But sometimes environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to lip discoloration and lip pigmentation. In this article, we’ll help you find out the Best Lip Lightening Products For Your Dark Lips.
Before that, let us tell you that if you are born with dark lips or “two-tone lips” with dark upper lip and lighter lower lip, worry not this is completely natural and no amount of product might work for you. The products mentioned before are only for those whose lips turned darker or got pigmented due to external or other factors.
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Table of Contents
Best Lip Lightening Products For Lip Pigmentation and Dark Lips
Best Lip Lightening Creams
1. Ethilgo Lipzlite Lip Lightening Cream
Due to the presence of Kojic acid, this potent lightening cream will quickly undo your hyperpigmentation. The melanin-inhibiting effects of Kojic acid prevent the development of dark lips, and Licorice and berries’ natural moisturizing abilities will keep your lips hydrated all night. You’ll also find that this one will give your lips a vibrant hue of pink.
Price*: ₹269 for 15g
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*price at the time of publishing
2. Melalumin Lip Lightener
Sunscreen is necessary to protect our lips from sun damage and excess pigmentation. So, by using this Melalumin lip lightener, you’ll be giving your lips both nourishment and protection. It has an SPF of 15 and Titanium dioxide physical filter, which will prevent UV rays from harming your lips. Moreover, because it contains both Arbutin and Niacinamide—two potent brightening ingredients- you’ll notice that your lips become pinker and plumper with regular usage.
Price*: ₹330 for 10g
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*price at the time of publishing
Best Lip Lightening Balms
3. Minimalist L-Ascorbic Acid 08% Lip Treatment Balm
The active form of vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid, prevents free radical damage and adds radiance. It is paired with an ingredient called Radianskin to help prevent hyperpigmentation. For people who want their lip balms to have antioxidant benefits, this makes a great pick.
Price*: ₹379 for 12g
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*price at the time of publishing
4. Juicy Chemistry Blood Orange Rosehip Lip Balm
The simplest way to prevent your lips from repeatedly darkening and cracking is to keep them moisturized, which is exactly what Juicy Chemistry Lip balm does for you. It gives your lips a bright gloss and lightens discoloration over time. It contains a variety of ingredients, including Omega-6 fatty acids, Vitamin C, and nutritious butters like Jojoba and Apricot, making it a rich and nourishing lip balm for everyone. In addition, Juicy Chemistry is a Certified Organic Skincare Brand.
Price*: ₹227 for 5g
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*price at the time of publishing
5. The Derma Co 1% Kojic Acid Lip Balm
This lip balm from The Derma Co is for you if you want lips that are plumper and radiant. Hyaluronic acid, which makes lips appear plumper and moisturized, as well as Kojic Acid and Alpha Arbutin, which prevent lip darkening by blocking Tyrosine and give lips a natural sheen, are all key ingredients in Dermaco’s lip balm. It gives a really smooth finish and is excellent for everyday usage. Just remember to wear a SPF lip balm when you’re out in the sun.
Price*: ₹262 for 4g
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*price at the time of publishing
6. Nat Habit Beetroot Lip Balm
Lips that are cracked and dry appear unnaturally pigmented even if they may not actually be. Maintaining their moisture and hydration is vital to restore their brightness and smooth texture. The Nat Habit Lip Butter is formulated with a mix of moisturizing, brightening, and nourishing elements like beetroot, honey, shea butter, and kokum butter, giving lips softness from the first application and repairing damage whilst preventing dehydration. It also doesn’t contain any preservatives or mineral oils that could dry out your lips or irritate them because it is entirely all-natural. And needless to say, Beetroot is loved for making the lips pinker.
Price*: ₹196 for 10g
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*price at the time of publishing
Best Lip Lightening Serum
7. Namyaa Lip Serum
The Namyaa lip serum is most appropriate for you if smoking is the reason for your uneven lip pigmentation because it contains a variety of antioxidants, including Licorice, which helps lighten the colour of your lips. It feels really airy and glides across your lips like butter. Within a few days of use, it brings out your natural lip color and maintains a radiant complexion. Although it has a faint scent, nothing that would irritate.
Price*: ₹142 for 30g
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*price at the time of publishing
Best Lip Lightening Oil
8. Rosehip Seed Oil by Deve Herbs
Rosehip oil is said to have skin-lightening properties, according to a 2013 study, and is often used as an ingredient in moisturizing and lightening products. It’s a superb oil for many reasons, including its anti-aging advantages, skin regeneration abilities, pigmentation uses, and softening abilities among others. It lessens UV damage, minimizes pigmentation, and keeps skin moisturized. For people who appreciate an easy routine, this is excellent. And, because of the product’s versatility, you can use it for taking care of your lips, hair, and face.
Price*: ₹347 for 15ml
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*price at the time of publishing
What causes lip pigmentation?
Lip pigmentation is a result of melanin or pigments. When there is too much melanin on the lips, we have what is called hyperpigmentation.
But many factors can contribute to lip discoloration. For example, excessive sun exposure can induce pigmentation, low oxygen levels in the blood can result in purple or blue-tinged lips, an excess or lack of iron can make lips appear pale, and smoking can eventually turn lips black. And such Unnaturally darkening of lips can occur for a variety of reasons:
- Lack of hydration
- A reaction to food or products
- Drooling while sleeping
- Medicine
- Licking the lips
- Excess caffeine
- Nicotine
- Poor oral hygiene
But it’s crucial to keep in mind that not all lip-darkening is hyperpigmentation. The majority of African and Asian people have lips that are genetically two different colors, with a darker lip line and a lighter inner tint. Since this is a common occurrence for many people, there is no reason to be concerned.
On the other hand, you might want to take note if your lips appear unnaturally pigmented and duller. To undo hyperpigmentation you have a variety of options to choose from; Laser therapy, Light therapy, Chemical peels, or active lip balms.
How to prevent Lip Pigmentation and Dark Lips?
Sun protection
Sun exposure results in a melanin reaction that darkens the skin and lips. Therefore, protect your skin from direct sun exposure by using a lip balm with SPF, a hat, or a scarf while you are outside. And it’s important to apply SPF when employing an active ingredient since otherwise, all of your efforts to lighten your skin would be for naught.
Exfoliation
Since dead skin cells can quickly collect on the epidermis, exfoliating the lip skin is essential. You might choose something fancy like COSRX Full Fit Honey Sugar Lip Scrub or go simple with a weekly application of lemon sugar on your lips. Exfoliating too frequently or vigorously, however, might harm your skin or cause unintended bleeding. Finally, follow up exfoliation with a thick Lip balm.
Diet
Skin color is frequently a good indicator of a person’s dietary habits. Your lips are the same way. Make sure you’re receiving enough of each vitamin by including a variety of foods in your diet. Dark lips can occasionally be caused by a certain nutrient deficiency. So seek an expert opinion if that may be the case.
Hydration
Your lips, too, require hydration as lack of hydration often results in dry and dull lips. So ensure you’re drinking enough water; this is a sure-fire technique to keep your lips hydrated. Also, choose lip balms that have moisturizing and nourishing elements like Jojoba oil, Kokum butter, or Niacinamide.
Medical conditions
Pale lips may indicate anemia. Your lips may also become discolored due to high iron levels, which can also result in hemochromatosis. Hormone changes brought on by medications like birth control can result in pigmentation. If you have internal medical issues, they are bound to cause havoc on the external as well. So make sure to follow through with your doctor’s advice in such cases.
How to pick lip care to deal with lip pigmentation?
Ingredients and type
If your lips are chapped, you require emollients and repairing ingredients to minimize trans epidermal water loss. Look for nourishing ingredients in your lip balms, such as butter and rich oils, as discoloration brought on by dryness demands hydration. Look for actives like Hydroquinone or Kojic acid if you have severely pigmented lips from exposure to the sun. Alpha Arbutin would be helpful if your lips are only lightly hyper-pigmented. And by including antioxidants like Vitamin C, you can prevent sun damage while maintaining the natural bright lip tint.
Allergies
Can your lips tolerate butter and oils? You might want to look into that because sometimes discoloration results from allergic reactions to foods, products, or fragrances that most people are unaware of. There may be other reasons for lip allergies including:
- Topical antibiotics
- Spicy food
- Leather
- Rubber
Prevention is better than cure. Using a good lip balm everyday will likely keep pigmentation and discoloration at bay.
Sejal Jain is a passionate beauty content creator at TheBeautyInsideout. She believes that skincare is not just a superficial thing but more like an expression of self-love and respect for your body and yourself.
