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7 Must-Have Lip Balm Heroes to Combat Lip Pigmentation

Pout it out, girl! 

Lip pigmentation is quite common among Indian women.

A bunch of factors like sun exposure, smoking, too much caffeine, not drinking enough water, some medicines etc. can make your lips go dark. And as you get older, they might get even darker.

But worry not! There is a simple and affordable solution to this problem. Lip balms, specially crafted for lip pigmentation, can be your OG product to lighten them up.

I’ve found 7 lip balms (available in India) that work wonders to bring back your natural lip color.

So, keep scrolling to find them out.

Disclosure: Please note this post might contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you purchase through the links, at no extra cost to you. Know that I only recommend products that I’ve used personally or believe will add value to my readers.

Best Lip Balms for Lip Pigmentation in India

Minimalist 8% L-Ascorbic Acid Lip Treatment Balm

This lip treatment balm from Minimalist is perfect for pigmented, dark lips. It has 8% L- ascorbic acid or vitamin C that can help lighten dark lips.

Ingredient Highlights

8% L- ascorbic acid, Vitamin E, Glycerin

Pros

• Contains 8% L-ascorbic acid, pure vitamin C, known to fade hyperpigmentation and brighten your lip skin.
• Has hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid, a super-efficient skin-brightening and spot-fading ingredient.
• Glycerin in it acts as a moisturizer and humectant and keep your lips moisturized for long.
• Petrolatum in it seals in the moisture for your lips. 
• Has avocado butter which keeps your lip skin soft and smooth.
• Has a form of vitamin E which gives your lip skin the antioxidant benefits.
• Alcohol free.
• Fragrance and essential oils free.

Cons

• No sunscreen agents.
• Some have seen a bit of white cast. 

Price

399 INR for 12g

The Derma Co 1% Kojic Acid Lip Balm for Lip Pigmentation

This lip balm for pigmented lips from Derma Co became quite popular in India. It’s got two skin-lightening heroes, kojic acid, and alpha arbutin, that work together to lighten up your lip pigmentation.

Plus, it also gives sun protection to your lips that they deserve.

Ingredient Highlights

1% kojic acid, 0.5 % alpha arbutin, hyaluronic acid, sunscreen agents with SPF 30

Pros

• Loaded with 10 different oils like coconut, castor, almond, jojoba, and more.
• Packed with the goodness of cocoa butter and shea butter, which are excellent moisturizers, even for the driest skin.
• Has sunscreen agents octinoxate and titanium dioxide with SPF 30.
• Formulated with 1% kojic acid  and 0.5% alpha arbutin. This duo works wonders in lightening the lip pigmentation.
• Has the salt form of popular hyaluronic acid that can hydrate your lips even better than hyaluronic acid.
• Vitamin E in it gives your lip skin antioxidant benefits.
• Alcohol free.

Cons

• A bit overpriced.

Price

329 INR for 4g

Deconstruct SPF 30 Brightening Lip Balm 

Here is another lip balm for dark lips from Deconstruct. Formulated with vitamin C and resorcinol, it works its magic on lip pigmentation, leaving your lips brighter.

Ingredient Highlights

1% vitamin C, 0.1% resorcinol, sunscreen agents with SPF 30

Pros

• Packed with the goodness of castor oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, and vanilla oil to keep your lips moisturized.
• 1% vitamin C and 0.1% resorcinol in it helps repair lip discoloration, leaving your lip skin brighter.
• Has linoleic acid linolenic acid that help lighten the lip pigmentation caused by sun exposure.
• Has multiple sunscreen agents with SPF 30 that keeps your lips protected from the sun.
• Mango seed butter, cupuacu butter and cocoa butter in it keep your lips soft and smooth.
• Fragrance free.
• Alcohol free.

Cons

• Some have seen a bit of white cast post application.

Price

199 INR for 4g

Sebamed Lip Defense

Many dermatologists recommend it for treating lip pigmentation. With vitamin E and SPF 30, Sebamed lip defense stands out as one of India’s top medicated lip balms for dark lips. 

Ingredient Highlights

Vitamin E, bisabolol, sunscreen agents with SPF 30 

Pros:

• With 8% rice bran oil, it helps treat lip pigmentation and repair dry, flaky lips.
• Has 2% jojoba oil that creates a protective barrier on your lips, keeping them moisturized.
• Has bisabolol that helps to soothe and lighten your lip skin.
• Vitamin E in it gives some antioxidant love to your lip skin.
• Offers your lips the sun protection they deserve with a solid SPF 30.
• Beeswax in it keeps your lips moisturized by forming a thick protective layer.
• Alcohol free.
• Paraffin free.

Cons

• Avoid it if you are sensitive to fragranced products.

Price

445 INR for 4.8g

Chaptex Lip Care

Here is another derm-approved lip balm with SPF 15, saving your lips from the sun damage, a major culprit for dark lips. Plus, its petroleum jelly base works like magic to heal your dry lips.

Ingredient Highlights

D panthenol, vitamin E, sunscreens with SPF 15

Pros:

• Pro vitamin B5 in it helps repair dry lips and tackles lip discoloration.
• Has sunscreen agents (like octinoxate and avobenzone) with an SPF 15.
• Avocado oil and vitamin E gives an antioxidant boost to your lips.
• Has white soft paraffin or petroleum jelly which instantly softens your chapped lips and locks in the moisture.
• Packed with almond oil and avocado oil, full of fatty acids and vitamins, giving your lips that nourishing goodness.
• Beeswax in it keeps your lips moisturized that lasts.
• Free from any skin irritants like fragrance, essential oils, and alcohol.

Cons

• None

Price

185 INR for 10g

Lipzlite Lip Lightening Cream

This over-the-counter lip lightening cream has some seriously good skin-lightening stuff that can actually help you lighten those dark lips.

Ingredient Highlights

liquorice extract, niacinamide, arbutin, glycolic acid, titanium dioxide

Pros:

• Packed with multiple antioxidants like arbutin, bearberry extract, pure vitamin C, and vitamin E.
• Light liquid paraffin in it works wonders in repairing dry, chapped lips.
• Loaded with skin-brightening agents such as licorice extract, niacinamide, arbutin, bearberry extract, and vitamin C. They work together to lighten up dark lips.
• Has the popular exfoliant glycolic acid that sweeps away dead skin cells, brightening up your lips.
• Has physical sunscreen titanium dioxide for protecting your lips from sun.
• Also has niacinamide and vitamin A palmitate (the ester form of retinol). They help reverse signs of aging on your lips.
• Alcohol free.

Cons

• Avoid it if you are sensitive to fragranced products.
• SPF level is not mentioned.

Price

269 INR for 15g

Melalumin Lip Lightener 

This petrolatum-based lip balm is specially formulated to lighten dark lips and restore your lip skin to its natural tone. 

Ingredient Highlights

liquorice extract, niacinamide, arbutin, glycolic acid, titanium dioxide with SPF 15

Pros

• Packed with sweet almond oil, shea butter, avocado butter, and macadamia nut oil to keep your lips irresistibly smooth.
• Has multiple sunscreen agents to keep your lips well-protected from the sun.
• PteroWhite in it works its magic to restore your natural lip skin tone.
• Gives your lips the antioxidant benefits of vitamin E and rosemary extract.
• Galangal root extract in it gives your lip skin some amazing benefits like- brightening and anti-carcinogenic goodness.
• Has beta glucan and rosemary extract which offer soothing properties, relieving chapped lips.
• Petrolatum and glycerin duo in it keeps your lips moisturized for a long time.
• Alcohol free.

Cons

• Has a preservative that might be irritating for some.
• The sunscreen agent benzophenone 3 in it is a bit controversial. 

Price

330 INR for 10g

Bonus Tips

• Before trying out a new product, be sure to do a patch test. Apply a small amount on a small area and leave it for a whole day to make sure it suits your skin.
• If you have sensitive skin or any specific skin conditions, it’s always a good idea to consult with a dermatologist before using any of these products. 

How to Prevent Dark Lips- 10 Tips Approved by Dermatologists

1. Try a Home Remedy

Trying out a simple home remedy now and then can do wonders for those dark pigmented lips. Here are some popular ones:

• Lemon and sugar 
• Lime honey mix
• Turmeric milk paste
• Coconut oil
• Almond oil
• Mustard oil
• Rose water honey mix
• Beetroot paste

2. Throw Away Expired Lipsticks

I know throwing away your lipsticks is heartbreaking. However, using expired lipsticks can harm your delicate lips.

Just like any other stuff, lipsticks have a shelf life. And the old ones can make those dark lips even worse.

So, before you swipe on your favorite lipstick next time, make sure it’s not expired.

3. Stop Licking Your Lips

When you lick your lips they get coated with your saliva. It evaporates fast, leaving your lips even drier than before.

Now, your saliva is loaded with enzymes that can aid in digesting protein. Unfortunately, this can end up causing damage to the delicate skin of your delicate lips. Licking your lips way too much can also leave them feeling dry.

So, breaking this habit is a good move to keep your lips happy.

4. Exfoliate Your Lips 

Gently exfoliating your lips can help get rid of that top layer of dead skin cells, revealing the brighter skin beneath. You can use a DIY homemade lip scrub for lip brightening or go for a commercial one.

Check out this affordable best-selling lip scrub on Amazon for a treat.

But remember not to exfoliate chapped lips. If they’re feeling a bit rough, moisturize first. Let them soften up, and then go for the exfoliation.

5. Help Your Lips Repair While You Snooze

Remember to take off your lipstick before bed, just like you do with your face makeup. After that, show your lips some love by moisturizing them. And seal in the moisture by applying Vaseline. This extra step prevents your lips from drying out. 

If you’re a bit generous with your budget, try an overnight lip mask for some extra TLC. The Laneige lip mask is a cult favorite that everyone is dying for. Or, if you’re looking for an affordable option, Aqualogica lip mask is a great dupe for the luxurious one from Laneige.

6. Start Using SPF for Lips

Sun exposure can lead to pigmentation on your lips, just like it does on your face. To keep those lips looking their best, make sure to use a lip balm with at least SPF 30 during the day. 

It’s like sunscreen, but for your lips, preventing darkening caused by those UV rays. 

Now, here are some of the bestsellers you can check out –

• Dot & Key Gloss Boss Lip Balm
• Minimalist SPF 30 Lip Balm with Ceramides & Hyaluronic Acid
• Fixderma Shadow Lip Shield SPF 50
• Palsons Nmfe Moisturising Lip Care SPF 40+

Pro Tip: You can also put a bit of your regular face sunscreen on your lips before applying lip balm. The only thing is, you might not like how it feels on your lips.

Plus, it’s not all that convenient when it comes to reapplying.

7. Use Good Quality Products

Using low-quality lipsticks or lip care products can also be a culprit for dark lips. So make sure that you are using good quality products of reputable brands to keep your lips happy.

8. Have a Nutritional Diet

An imbalance of vitamins can lead to pigmented lips.

For example, if you’re not getting enough vitamin B12 in your diet, it could darken your lip skin. So, make sure you’re enjoying a well-rounded, nutritious diet.

9. Stay Hydrated

Poor hydration can leave your lips feeling dry and dull. This can lead to peeling and damage to your lip skin cells, resulting in dark spots on your lips.

So, keep sipping that water and stay well-hydrated.

10. Kick the Smoking Habit

The heat from cigarettes can burn your lip skin, resulting in darker lips. Plus, smoking slows down the healing process for your lips.

So, do your lips a favor and kick that smoking habit.

Final Thoughts

And that’s it, girls! Get your hands on one of these lip balms and use it everyday. Also, don’t forget other things you can do to lighten your lips. 

Remember, your lip skin tone depends on your natural skin tone, so keeping realistic expectations is key. Embrace the unique beauty of your lips!

Hope this helps you feel more confident in your pouts!

Image source: Amazon