Pink, soft, and rosy lips is not just a beauty resolution, it is a sign of healthy and hydrated skin. However, certain factors like sun exposure, dehydration, smoking, excessive caffeine, or even harsh cosmetic products can make lips appear dark, dry, or pigmented. But the good news is that now you don't need expensive salon treatments to battle dark and pigmented lips. There are ample amounts of home remedies and healthy habits that can bring back the lost softness.
Our step-by-step guide is here to help you restore soft, pink, and luscious lips. So, check out our guide below:
What causes dark lips
There are multiple factors that cause your lips to turn dark and pigmented.
Dehydration: Lack of water causes dehydration, making lips dry and dull.
Sun exposure: Sun's harmful UV rays often cause pigmentation and dark lips.
Smoking and alcohol: Both alcohol and smoking cause stain and damage lip tissues.
Overuse of lipsticks/chemical products: Harsh formulas and chemicals in lipsticks and other lip products may cause discolouration of lips.
Poor Diet: Diet plays a crucial role in the colour of your lips. Lack of vitamins and minerals can affect lip health.
How to treat dark lips and get naturally looking pink lips
Hydration is the first step
Hydration is the key to pink and luscious lips! Dry and dehydrated lips are one of the major reasons lips lose their natural glow. For this, it is advisable to drink at least 8–10 glasses of water daily. You can also apply natural moisturisers like coconut oil, almond oil, or ghee on your lips before sleeping. This not only locks in moisture, but also repairs lip tissue overnight.
Exfoliate your lips regularly
Dead skin buildup makes lips look darker and flaky. And so, your lips need to be exfoliated as well. Gently exfoliating once or twice a week can restore softness and enhance natural colour. In fact, regular exfoliation improves blood circulation, giving lips a healthier pink tone. You can try some of these DIY lip scrubs:
Sugar scrub: Mix 1 teaspoon of sugar with a few drops of honey or olive oil. Massage gently for 1–2 minutes, then rinse.
Coffee scrub: Combine coffee grounds with coconut oil for a natural lip polish.
Natural remedies for pink lips
Nature has given us powerful ingredients that help lighten and rejuvenate lips. So, if you don't want to use chemical peels, try these natural remedies for pink lips, instead:
Beetroot: The natural red pigments in beetroot act as a mild tint. Apply beetroot juice on your lips for 15 minutes before rinsing.
Rose petals: Crush rose petals and mix with milk to form a paste. This soothes, nourishes, and adds a rosy tint.
Lemon and honey: Lemon works as a natural bleaching agent, while honey moisturizes. Apply a mixture of both, leave for 10 minutes, and rinse.
Aloe Vera gel: Known for its healing properties, aloe vera helps reduce pigmentation and hydrates lips deeply.
Pomegranate seeds: Grind seeds and mix with milk cream. This remedy is effective for restoring natural lip colour.
Protect your lips from the sun
Just like skin, lips are prone to sun damage. Always use a lip balm with SPF when stepping outdoors. This prevents tanning, pigmentation, and premature ageing of lips.
Quit unhealthy habits
Adopting healthier habits plays a huge role in maintaining naturally pink lips.
Stop smoking: Cigarette nicotine stains lips permanently. Quitting helps restore natural colour over time.
Limit caffeine and alcohol: Excess intake causes dehydration and lip discolouration.
Avoid constant licking of lips: Saliva dries out lips faster, making them appear dark.
Eat a lip-friendly diet
Your lips reflect your overall health. So, you should include foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and antioxidants in your diet as well. Oranges, berries, leafy greens, tomatoes, and nuts support skin repair and improve blood circulation, giving lips a natural glow.
Keep your lips clean
Make it a habit of removing your makeup before going to bed. So, never go to bed with lipstick on. Makeup residue leads to pigmentation. Use a gentle makeup remover or olive oil to cleanse your lips every night.
DIY lip masks for nourishment
Cucumber mask: Rubbing cucumber slices is a great way to hydrate and lighten your lip colour.
Turmeric paste: Another lip mask that you can try is turmeric with milk. Its anti-inflammatory properties help treat pigmentation.
Strawberry mask: Blend strawberries with honey. This fruity mask lightens lips naturally and gives a fresh tint.
Final thoughts
Getting naturally pink lips is not about quick fixes, but about adopting a holistic approach. With a healthy lifestyle, regular hydration, sun protection, and natural remedies, you can achieve soft, rosy, and attractive lips without relying on chemical treatments.
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