How to Lighten Dark Lips

Co-authored by Kaveri Karhade, MD

Last Updated: March 7, 2023 Approved

Many factors can cause your lips to darken. Smoking, pollution, and sun damage, for example, can negatively impact the appearance of your lips. Luckily, there are many home remedies that can help lighten lips.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preventing Lip Darkening

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1
Moisturize your lips. Dry, damaged lips can have a dark appearance. Use a good quality lip balm. Check the ingredients to make sure that it has both a moisturizer, such as shea butter or cocoa butter, and a binding agent, such as beeswax.
- Good moisturizing ingredients to look for include shea butter, cocoa butter, and almond oil. Shea butter has been used since ancient times and is known for its antioxidant and moisturizing properties.^{[1]
  X
  Research source} Cocoa butter is often used to reduce discoloration from scarring.^{[2]
  X
  Research source} Almond oil is considered one of the best oils to improve the health and appearance of skin.
2
Use sunblock. Protect your lips from the sun as you protect the rest of your skin. Lips don't tan but they can burn and become dry which will make them appear darker.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Kaveri Karhade, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview. 11 January 2021.}
- Make sure your lip balm has sun blocking material of SPF 20 or greater.
- Use lipsticks with sun block of SPF 20 also.
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3
Quit smoking, if you do. Smoking can discolor lips, as tobacco, nicotine, and tar can all darken lips.^{[4]
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Research source} Additionally, heat from cigarettes may cause you to produce more melanin (which protects skin from the sun) and darken your lips.^{[5]
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Research source}
- Quitting is hard. Talk to your doctor about medications that can help you quit, as well as gum or patches.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Massaging and Exfoliating

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1
Massage your lips. Massages can increase blood flow and brighten your lips. Massage your lips with almond oil every night before bed to deeply moisturize.
- Alternatively, massage your lips with ice cubes to moisturize and make them appear fuller and pink.^{[6]
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  Research source}
2
Exfoliate your lips. There are several ways to exfoliate your lips. You might choose to use an exfoliating scrub, or you could buff them with a toothbrush.
- Make a sugar scrub by combining a tablespoon of white or brown sugar with just enough honey or olive oil to make a paste.^{[7]
  X
  Research source} Rub the mixture vigorously over your lips. After a minute wipe off with a damp washcloth.
- Alternatively, use a dry, soft-bristled toothbrush to buff away the dry skin. Apply light pressure to the toothbrush and work the bristles in a circular motion.
- Follow with a soothing lip balm.
- Repeat twice a week. If irritation happens, reduce the number of times per week or rub more gently.
3
Use a pomegranate lip scrub. Pomegranates can make your lips pinker.^{[8]
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Research source} Crush 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of pomegranate seeds, and then mix the powder with milk to create a paste. Rub the paste onto your lips, then rinse it off after 2-3 minutes.
- Repeat as desired.
- Discontinue if irritation occurs.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Lightening with Food

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1
Use lemon juice. Lemon juice is well-known for its ability to lighten skin.^{[9]
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Research source} Rub a few drops of lemon juice on your lips before bed each night. Rinse off in the morning with warm water.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- As an alternative, you can mix lemon and honey together, then apply it to your lips at night to subtlety lighten your lips.
2
Massage on a baking soda paste. Baking soda can also lighten your skin. Plus, you probably already have it in your kitchen! Mix just enough water into your baking soda to create a paste, then massage the paste into your lips. Finally, rinse it away.
- Apply a moisturizing balm after you rinse.
- In addition to lightening your skin, the paste also exfoliates your lips.
3
Use potatoes. Potatoes have been used to lighten skin, including reducing the appearance of scars. Rub a slice of potato on your lips before bed, without rinsing afterwards.^{[10]
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Research source} Wash your lips with warm water in the morning.
- Potatoes contain "catecholase," a naturally occurring enzyme that is best known for reducing skin darkness.^{[11]
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  Research source}
4
Use beet root juice for pink lips. Although it won't lighten your lips, beet juice can provide your lips with a pink stain that might improve their look, depending on your preferences. To get the look, apply 2-3 drops of beet root juice to your lips everyday, and don't wash it off.^{[12]
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Research source}
- As an alternative, you can create a paste with beet root powder and water. Apply the paste to your lips. After 10 minutes, wipe away the paste.
- Repeat as desired to maintain the look.
5
Use a pomegranate lip stain. You can mix pomegranate with other fruit juices to create a lip stain. To make a stain, grind 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of pomegranate seeds. Mix the ground seeds into equal parts beet root and carrot juice. Rub the mixture on your lips, leaving it on as a stain.^{[13]
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Research source}
- Alternatively, you could use a mixture of cranberry and grape juice to stain your lips a ruby-red color.
- Repeat as desired to maintain the look.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can we reduce blackness of lips?

Kaveri Karhade, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Kaveri Karhade is a board certified Laser, Medical, and Cosmetic Dermatologist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her areas of expertise are acne and hair loss. She has advanced training in injectables, lasers, surgery, and other cosmetic treatments, and has published extensive research in medical journals. She holds a BS from Michigan State University and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Michigan Medical School. She completed her internship in Internal Medicine at New York University School of Medicine and her Residency in Dermatology at Brown University School of Medicine. Dr. Karhade is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Kaveri Karhade, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Try not to scrub or rub your lips too frequently. This can help prevent your lips from darkening!

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How do you get rid of black lips?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Exfoliating is a great way to lighten lips. Try mixing sugar, honey, and olive oil and rubbing it gently over your lips. Honey is a natural lightener.

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Question

Why do I have dark lips?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Dark lips can be genetic or they can be the result of sun damage or a buildup of dry skin. If your lips have suddenly darkened and none of these causes fit, you should see a dermatologist.

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Warnings

Keep allergies in mind when utilizing any of these methods.

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If irritation occurs, discontinue and seek medical attention if necessary.

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