It’s often assumed that those with lighter skin tones are the most vulnerable to sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and discolored lips. But the reality is that people with darker skin tones are more prone to hyperpigmentation, due to producing more melanin (the pigment that gives your skin its unique hue) than those with paler skin. Melanated skin is beautiful, producing lip colors in rich hues that range from soft browns to dusky purples.
Sometimes, melanated lips with deeper colors can darken beyond what’s healthy due to a variety of causes. Since skin produces more melanin to protect skin from sun exposure, darkened lips, discolored patches, melasma, and sun spots are often caused by prolonged sun exposure and not enough sunscreen.
Other factors that lead to unhealthy lip darkening include smoking, dehydration, excessive caffeine, and poor nutrition. All of these can alter the natural vibrancy and health of dark-skinned lips. Maintaining lip health and color requires a lip care routine that’s tailored to the needs of deeper, melanated skin tones.
Causes of Darkening in Dark-Skinned Lips
Darkening of the lips can be caused by a few major factors, but once you’re aware of them, you can avoid them or change up your habits for healthier skin.
- Sun Exposure: Damaging UV rays from the sun are the most common culprit when it comes to hyperpigmentation, especially for darker skin tones. Your lips, one of the most sensitive areas of skin on your body, are super-vulnerable to sun damage. Yet it’s the easiest to forget when it comes to SPF protection, since you instinctively cover the rest of your face and body first. Repeated sun exposure without adequate protection can lead to deepening of your natural color, resulting in darker lips.
The fix is easy: a daily lip balm with SPF 15 (minimum) will protect your lips from UV rays and environmental damage. Just remember to apply it even on overcast days!
- Smoking: You already know that the effects of smoking go way beyond lung health. The nicotine and tar found in cigarettes can significantly darken the lips over time. These substances reduce blood circulation to the lips, causing more discoloration or even black lips. Quitting smoking not only improves your overall health but also prevents further darkening of the lips—this can even gradually restore their natural color.
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Caffeine and Dehydration: Overdoing it on caffeinated beverages like coffee, energy drinks, and tea can cause darkening of the lips over time. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it can lead to dehydration when consumed in large amounts. When dehydrated, your lips and skin become drier and more prone to darkening. Back away from the Starbucks and pick up the Yeti, Owala, or Stanley water tumbler instead—we could all use some motivational water bottles.
Prevention + Keeping Dark Lips Healthy
Preventing further lip darkening and maintaining the vitality of dark-skinned lips involves creating daily healthy habits.
- Hydration: Staying hydrated is the easiest way to keep lips healthy, yet it’s also easy to forget to drink water throughout the day. Making a habit of drinking eight glasses of water a day is simpler with large water bottles (we can’t thank our motivational gallon-size jugs enough) and setting phone alarms and reminders for water breaks. Adding slices of cucumber or fruit like strawberries can make water more exciting to drink. You can also add hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and oranges to your diet.
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Sun Protection: Don’t forget your lips when it comes to SPF! A daily, broad-spectrum lip balm with SPF 15 minimum is key, especially those with melanated, darker lips. Reapply every two hours and directly after swimming, eating, drinking, or working out to ensure your lips are protected.
Mama Sol’s Lipbrella is a great solution to protect your lips during the summer time.
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Healthy Diet: Nutrition plays a huge role in the health of your lips plus overall skin health. Adding foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help maintain their natural color. Vitamins B, C, and E are especially beneficial. Vitamin B helps in cellular regeneration, vitamin C boosts collagen production, and vitamin E aids in hydration. Berries, leafy greens, legumes, nuts, and citrus should be diet staples.
Daily Lip Care Routine for Dark-Skinned Lips
A consistent lip care routine is key to maintaining the health and vibrancy of dark-skinned lips. Here’s how to keep your lips on point:
- Exfoliation: Exfoliating your lips helps remove dead skin cells that can make them look dull and dark. For those with dark-skinned lips, gentle exfoliation is key. Over-exfoliating can cause irritation and lead to further darkening. Use a homemade lip scrub made from natural ingredients like sugar and honey, or opt for a store-bought option that’s designed for sensitive skin. Use a gentle microfiber towel or super-soft toothbrush with the lip scrub but stop immediately if you feel any irritation. Exfoliate once or twice a week, depending on your skin’s sensitivity.
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Moisturization: After exfoliating, it's important to keep your lips moisturized to prevent them from becoming dry, chapped, and cracked. Look for lip balms that contain nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients lock in moisture to soothe and repair the lips, helping maintain their natural color.
Home Remedies for Dark-Skinned Lips
There are a few easy at-home treatments to lighten hyperpigmentation in darkened lips and restore their natural color.
- Lemon and Honey: Lemon is known for its natural bleaching properties, so it’s a go-to remedy for lightening dark spots on the skin, including the lips. Honey is a powerful moisturizer that helps keep your lips soft and supple. For a simple lip lightening mask, mix a few drops of lemon juice with a teaspoon or two of honey, then appl it to your lips. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. For best results, use this remedy daily.
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Aloe Vera Gel: The aloe vera plant is renowned for its soothing and healing properties, especially when it comes to skin. Aloe vera contains aloin, a depigmenting compound that may help lighten skin tone over time. Apply pure aloe vera gel—fresh and direct from the plant or from a nontoxic product that says lip usage is safe—directly to your lips and leave it on overnight. Rinse with warm water in the morning. With regular use, your lips may become lighter and more hydrated.
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Beetroot: Beetroot is a natural remedy that can add a rosy tint to your lips while lightening them. The natural pigments in beetroot can help reduce discoloration, giving your lips a natural glow. Simply blend a small piece of beetroot and apply the juice to your lips. Leave it on for about 20 minutes before rinsing. This can be done a few times a week for noticeable results.
Recommended Products
Choosing the right products is essential for maintaining healthy, dark-skinned lips. Here are some of our favorites:
Lip Balms with SPF:
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Vacation Strawberry Jello Salad SPF 30 Lip Balm Sunscreen: This vegan, reef-safe, and nostalgically delicious lip balm is water resistant for up to 80 minutes; it goes on sheer for all skin tones.
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Blue Lizard Mineral Lip Balm SPF 15: Perfect for those who spend a lot of time outdoors, this water-resistant mineral lip balm also hydrates lips with 8 natural oils, including Australian kadaku plum.
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Mama Sol LipBrella 100% Mineral Tinted Lip Oil SPF 20: This mineral lip oil delivers non-sticky shine and a moisturizing hint of color, so you don’t have to double up on lip gloss or lipstick.
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Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Color Balm SPF 50: A multipurpose balm for eyes, lips, and cheeks with high SPF protection along with great color payoff. It comes in a range of shades that looks good on all skin tones.
Makeup Tips for Dark-Skinned Lips
You can easily use makeup to enhance the natural vibrance of dark-skinned lips.
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Lip Primer: Before applying any color, use a lip primer to create a smooth base. This helps color grip better as well as last longer.
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Lip Liner: Outline your lips with a lip liner that matches your lipstick or is slightly darker. This helps define your lips, prevents feathering or bleeding, and adds depth to the color.
- Lipstick: When choosing a lipstick, opt for full-coverage formulas that offer rich color payoff. Bold reds, berries, and deep plums can bring out the best in deeper-toned lips. Look for moisturizing formulas that keep your lips hydrated throughout the day.
Consistency and daily routines go a long way to help maintain natural beauty of your melanated dark-skinned lips, ensuring they remain healthy, resilient, and protected. Just don’t forget that daily lip balm with SPF!