Ever felt your lip's edges are darker than the rest of your face? Do you feel like it negatively affects your even skin tone? Struggling to find the answer to "How to lighten dark lips naturally"? We've got you covered. Here is a list of the best lip-lightening hacks to try at home.
Tips on How To Lighten Dark Lips:
1. Unbleached Turmeric powder to lighten dark lips:
Turmeric intrinsically has antioxidants that repair skin cells. It also controls melanin production in the body, which naturally lightens lips.
How to use unbleached turmeric powder:
- Take one teaspoon of turmeric powder.
- Blend it with an equal amount of rose water.
- Apply the thick paste on your lips with a fingertip.
- Keep the paste for at least 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with water.
Frequency of use: Use it twice a day for effective results. It is one of the easiest ways on how to lighten lips.
2. Natural Oils to lighten dark lips:
Wondering how to lighten lip colour? In such cases, natural oils will come to your rescue. Varied natural oils like coconut, mustard, almond, and olives contain anti-inflammatory properties. They heal and repair your skin, providing warmth. These oils also act as moisturizing agents that keep the lips hydrated and healthy.
How to use natural oils for lighter lips:
Use your fingertips to massage the lips with any of these oils. Apply the oil as a mask or leave it overnight to lighten lips naturally.
3. Lemon juice to lighten dark lips:
Lemon has antioxidants, which help repair the damaged skin cells and lighten lips naturally. It contains citric properties that lighten up the skin.
How to use lemon juice for lighter lips:
- Squeeze a lemon completely, add one teaspoon of honey and sugar.
- Mix the paste and apply it every day onto wet lips.
- Rub for a minute and rinse it off.
It is an exfoliating mixture that helps get rid of chapped lips.
4. Beetroot to lighten dark lips:
Beets are rich in vitamin C, potassium, folic acids, and antioxidants. They have natural properties that clean blood, remove dead cells and lighten the skin.
How to use beetroot for lighter lips:
It can be applied by cutting a slice and rubbing it over the lips. Rub it on your lips and rinse it after 15-20 minutes. The result will be bright pink lips.
Pro tip: Cut the slice and store it in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
Also read: Types Of Dark Circles: Causes And Treatment
5. Pomegranate to lighten dark lips:
Pomegranate, a natural antioxidant for the skin, is the answer to "How to lighten lips?". It moisturizes and rejuvenates the lips while its arils (peels) help lips lighten.
How to use pomegranate for lighter lips:
- Crush a few pomegranate seeds and add one teaspoon of milk to it.
- Mix the paste gently.
- Apply it over the lips with a cotton ball.
- Wash it off with water after 15-20 minutes.
Frequency of use: 3-4 times a week.
6. Strawberry to lighten dark lips:
They are rich in vitamin C and contain salicylic acid that removes dead cells. It heals the skin and protects it from UV rays. It is also one of the best natural moisturizers to soften your lips.
How to use strawberry for lighter lips:
- Crush a few strawberries; add half a teaspoon of honey to it.
- Blend it thoroughly with a spoon.
- Massage it onto your lips.
- Rinse well with cool water after 15-20 minutes.
Frequency of use: Apply the mix 3-4 times a week.
Pro tip: You can also add olive oil or aloe vera gel to your mix.
7. Glycerine to lighten dark lips:
It helps skin cells to mature. It has repairing and regenerative properties that boost the health of the skin. It naturally softens the skin with time. It's an effective moisturizer too.
How to use Glycerine lighter lips:
- Take one teaspoon of glycerine.
- Add a few drops of rose water to dilute it.
- Mix it thoroughly and apply directly with a fingertip.
Frequency of use: Use it before bedtime and repeat this every night.
Precaution Tip: Glycerine must be used in diluted form, or it can dehydrate the skin. Rosewater has hydrating properties, so it's a great ingredient in combination.
8. Medical Treatment:
Another answer to people asking "how to lighten dark lips" uses topical cosmetic products. The medical treatment is inclusive of:
- Chemical peels
- Kojic Acids
- Hydroquinone
Medical treatments are not a permanent solution, but they can be your answer to how to lighten dark lips. Be cautious; consider consulting a doctor before taking such treatments for lip lightening.
Also read: Egg Benefits For Skin- Foods For Skin
As we have seen, there are many remedies to lighten dark lips. The easiest way remains prevention. Some common reasons behind dark lips are:
- Smoking
- Excessive exposure to the sun
- Excess caffeine intake
- Chewing tobacco
- Certain medical conditions
- Pregnancy
These were some of the remedies on how to lighten your lips and how to lighten upper lip as well. Pigmented lips are a common issue. These home remedies and medical solutions can help you in lightening lips. Take up treatments, stay hydrated, moisturize them and take good care.
References
- AK Csink, Richard Linsk, and James A Birchler; October 1994; The Lighten up (Lip) Gene of Drosophila Melanogaster, a Modifier of Retroelement Expression, Position Effect Variegation and White Locus Insertion Alleles- (PDF) The Lighten up (Lip) Gene of Drosophila Melanogaster, a Modifier of Retroelement Expression, Position Effect Variegation and White Locus Insertion Alleles (researchgate.net)
- Chang T-S, May 2009; An updated review of tyrosinase inhibitors- IJMS | Free Full-Text | An Updated Review of Tyrosinase Inhibitors | HTML (mdpi.com)
- Y H Jin, S J Lee, M H Chung, J H Park, Y I Park, T H Cho, and S K Lee, June 1999; Aloesin and arbutin inhibit tyrosinase activity in a synergistic manner via a different action mechanism- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10403123
- Mayo Clinic Staff, August 2020; Chemical peel- mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemical-peel/about/pac-20393473
- Uraiwan Panich, Kamolratana Kongtaphan, Tassanee Onkoksoong, Kannika Jaemsak, Rattana Phadungrakwittaya, Athiwat Thaworn, Pravit Akarasereenont & Adisak Wongkajornsilp, March 2009; Modulation of antioxidant defense by Alpinia galangal and Curcuma aromatica extracts correlates with their inhibition of UVA-induced melanogenesis- Modulation of antioxidant defense by Alpinia galanga and Curcuma aromatica extracts correlates with their inhibition of UVA-induced melanogenesis | SpringerLink
- NHS, August 2019; Skin lightening- nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-treatments/skin-lightening/
