Lip Balms To Exfoliators: 8 Best Products For Pigmented Lips

Earth Rhythm's Lip Butter with hyaluronic acid has a bunch of emollients to help with dry lips. It's always a plus that their formula is alcohol and fragrance-free. Users mention that a small amount is enough to give them hydrated and glossy lips and that this lip balm has healed their chapped lips when no other did. If your lips have developed discolouration because they're always parched, then I'd suggest trying this one.

Rating: 4.2/5 

Minimalist is one of the very few brands that has gained my respect when it comes to formulations. They have a great range of products, and their lip treatment is one of them. The superstar ingredients in this product are Glycerin, a skin-identical ingredient that works to moisturise your lips, and Ascorbic acid, an antioxidant that helps to brighten. Many users have labelled it as the best lip balm for dark lips as it has helped them in the treatment of lip pigmentation when used over the course of a few weeks.

Rating: 4.3/5

Juicy Chemistry's Blood Orange & Rosehip Organic Lip Balm is extremely good at what it does. There have been nights when I applied this on extremely chapped lips and woken up to healed, if not plumped lips. I'd give the credit to Apricot kernel oil (antioxidant as it contains vitamin E) and Rosehip seed oil (moisturising plant oil loaded with skin-nourishing fatty acids) that make this product as good as it is. Users love it for the buttery smooth formula, which is lightweight, colourless and has excellent ingredients list. The only thing I'd want to change about this one is the packaging, as it can be a little inconvenient to reapply during the day. 

Rating: 4.4/5

This one has steller ingredients that will help with lip pigmentation. It has Kojic acid, which has been researched and said to help with hyperpigmentation (1). Along with that, it's infused with antioxidants and humectants to maintain hydration. The formula is lightweight and leaves your lips with a glossy finish.

Rating: 4/5

Another type of treatment for dark lips would be to use a peel. I like how Pilgrim's website lists out all the ingredients, their source and why they have been used in the product. This peel has lactic acid, which exfoliates gently, Squalane oil that helps with moisturisation and niacinamide that helps strengthen the skin barrier. To use, gently roll on your lips, leave for 10 minutes, massage with fingertips and rinse off. You can apply this two to three times a week. Users agree that the formula is non-irritating and that this has helped them achieve baby soft lips.

Rating: 4.4/5

The key to tackling lip discolouration is to prevent it in the first place. Just like it's important to use SPF on your face and body, the same way you need to protect your lips from the harmful rays of the sun. Sebamed's lip balm is one of the best in the market if you're looking for a no-BS-cut-the-crap-i-need-something-that-works option. It has SPF 30, leaves your lips feeling nourished sans the glossiness, and helps with any irritation or inflammation.

Rating: 4.4/5

Pro-Tip: If you need more options, we've got an entire list of SPF lip balms for you (all tried and tested too).

Another SPF lip balm that I've heard a lot about is this one from Fixderma. It's got an impressive SPF 50 with PA+++ for protection from the sun, in addition to hydrating ingredients like coconut oil and antioxidants like vitamin E. The only drawback is that it tastes a little weird, almost soap-like, and has a scent to it, but users love it as it has one of the highest SPFs available in a lip balm, does the job, and is value for money.

Rating: 4/5

There are many home remedies for dark lips, and most of them involve creating a physical exfoliator for your lips. A physical exfoliator removes dead cells, increases blood circulation and helps maintain soft supple lips. Making one is easy, but we're no formulators, so why risk it? This scrub from Alanna promises to boost cell generation and restore natural lip colour. The key ingredients include strawberries (enriched with vitamin C, which helps to brighten), beetroot (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) and pomegranate (rich in vitamin A and C). Just remember to use a hydrating lip balm after physically exfoliating your lips.  Users have seen a difference just within two weeks and have attested that lips feel extremely soft. 

Rating: 4.2/5