Do you notice that your lips are often the first to get affected due to harsh weather? Conditions like environmental pollution and dehydration result in dry, chapped and pigmented lips.
If you’ve always wondered why that happens, here’s your answer - the skin of the lips is the thinnest and the most sensitive.
Yes, you read it right. That part of your face that we forget about, requires attention and care. You have to make taking care of your lips a part of your daily skincare regimen.
Having beautiful pink lips without makeup is the dream. To help you make that dream come true, we’ve listed 12 home remedies to get natural pink lips.
Even if your lips have become dark and dull with time there's no need to worry! It’s totally possible to undo the damage and get those healthy pink lips. All you need to do is set aside 15 minutes every day to take care of your lips. Let’s begin.
One of the major reasons for lips turning dark is the accumulation of dead cells. Natural lip scrubs are highly effective in slough off dead skin to reveal smooth and soft lips.
How to make -Take one tablespoon brown sugar or white sugar and one tablespoon honey. Simply mix the ingredients together to prepare the scrub.
How and when to apply - Lightly massage the scrub on your lips for one minute. Leave the scrub on your lips for a few minutes. Then, wash it off with plain water. Use this scrub twice or thrice a week to get good results.
Why it works -
Brown sugar is very gentle on the lips and exfoliates them well without causing any discomfort. Sugar is also rich in antioxidants that prevent lips from getting damaged from the sun. Sugar contains glycolic acid that conditions the lips and prevents it from environmental toxins.
The enzymes present in honey help in lightening the color of the lips. Honey also provides the lips with a healthy dose of moisturization.
Rose petals nourish, soften and lighten your lips naturally. Together with milk, they work as a wonderful remedy for discoloration and repair dark, patchy lips.
How to make -Soak 5-6 rose petals in a half a cup of milk overnight. Strain the petals from the milk in the morning and mash them to make a paste. Apply this paste to your lips and leave it on for 15 minutes. Add a few drops of milk if the paste is too thick to apply on lips.
How and when to apply -
Since rose petals are gentle on the lips, you can repeat this remedy every day. Make it into a night treatment to see significant changes.
Why it works -
Rose petals and milk are both natural moisturizers. Rose extract balances and restores lips to healthy hydration and health. If your lips are dehydrated, you will benefit from using Kama Ayurveda’s Rose Lip Balm every day. The natural oils present in it will keep lips protected and beautifully soft
Turmeric is a well-known Ayurvedic ingredient that helps in treating pigmentation. But its use isn’t limited to skin brightening. Turmeric combined with milk is used for treating dark lips.
How to make -
Mix half a teaspoon of turmeric in one teaspoon milk to form a paste. Apply this paste to your lips and leave it on for about 5 minutes. Once the paste has dried, scrub it off gently. Clean your lips with warm water and then apply a hydrating lip balm.
How and when to apply -
Repeat this process on alternate days to see a significant change. You can apply it on your lips at any time of the day.
Why it works -Turmeric and milk together help in treating pigmentation and help in restoring natural pink lips. Scrubbing off the paste also helps in getting rid of dead cells.
If you’ve ever eaten beetroot, you’d have noticed how it turns everything from the tongue to the teeth pink. Beetroot has naturally occurring red pigments that help in making your lips pink.
How to use -There are many ways to use Beetroot for your lips. The simplest one slicing the beetroot and rubbing it on your lips. Alternatively, you can extract beetroot juice and mix it with honey to apply it on your lips.
How and when to apply -
Since beetroot and honey are completely natural, you can apply them the mixture on your lips and leave it on overnight.
Why it works -
Apart from having natural red pigments, beetroot also acts as a natural exfoliator. When you rub it on your lips, it helps in removing dead cells and lightens pigmented lips.
While most remedies to get pink lips naturally emphasize on providing nourishment to the lips, this is a hack that will work for you if you’ve dry and dark lips. It might seem like it has got nothing to do with lips, but it works internally to repair the lips.
How and when to apply -
Simply apply warm ghee to your navel before going to bed every night.
Why it works -
The first part of the body that’s created after conception is our belly button. It’s a miraculous part of our body that can detect which part of the body requires nourishment and can pass it on. Applying ghee on the belly buttons heals the lips by providing it the necessary nourishment.
If your lips aren’t chapped, the applying lemon and sugar can help in getting pink lips naturally.
How to make -Cut out a slice of lemon and sprinkle some sugar on it. Rub the lemon slice on the lips for about 2-3 minutes.
How and when to apply -You can repeat this remedy for your lips once every three days.
Why it works -
Lemon is a natural bleaching agent that helps in lightening the lips and sugar is a gentle exfoliator that helps in getting rid of dead cells.
This remedy works well to naturally lighten the lips if the skin of your lips and around your lips isn’t too sensitive or chapped. Since lemon is acidic, it may cause some irritation. If you experience any discomfort, stop applying it and choose any of the other remedies.
Mint leaves are just perfect for bringing back life to dry and dull lips. They hydrate the lips to bring back the natural pink tinge that all of us desire.
How to make
Crush 5-6 mint leaves and squeeze half a lemon to it. Add a few drops of honey to make the mixture easy to apply on the lips.
How and when to apply -
You can repeat this treatment once every three days.
Why it works -
Both mint leaves, as well as lemon, have bleaching properties. Mint leaves are also helpful for smokers as it helps in removing dark nicotine spots and stains. Mint extracts also correct damage done by environmental pollutions and extreme weather.
For getting naturally pink lips, you can also use Kama Ayurveda’s 100% Natural Mint Lip Balm. It’s a repairing and refreshing lip treatment that rescues parched and dehydrated lips.
Pomegranate is one of the healthiest food to include in your diet. But, did you know that pomegranate can also help you get those beautiful pink lips? Here’s a simple remedy that you can follow.
How to make -
Take about half a cup of pomegranate seeds and grind them. To this, add milk or cream to make a paste.
How and why to apply -
Apply this paste on your lips and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water after it dries. You can repeat this natural treatment for your lips every day. Even applying it two to three times a week will help you get results.
Why it works -
Pomegranate seeds contain a compound called punicalagin which curbs the production of melanin. This helps in curing pigmentation and prevent lips from turning dark on being exposed to the sun.
Natural berries contain essential vitamins and minerals that prevent lips from turning dark. It’s for this reason that a lot of lip balms in the market are strawberry flavored. To get the best benefits of strawberry, you can apply it directly to your lips.
How and when to apply -
Simply crush a strawberry and add a teaspoon of honey to it. You may even add a few drops of olive oil. You can apply this mixture to your lips 3-4 times a week.
Why it works -
Strawberries contain Vitamin C and a lot of anti-oxidants that brighten up the lips. Honey and olive oil hydrate and moisturize the lips which further help in revealing the natural pint tint.
The most common reason for dark lips is lack of moisture and hydration. Ayurveda recommends Almonds for treating skin and lip dryness related issues. Here’s a simple remedy for using almond oil on your lips.
How and why to apply -
Take about a tablespoon of almond oil and squeeze some lemon to it. Apply the mixture on your lips and leave it till the oil gets absorbed properly.
Why it works -
Almond oil replenishes the lips and prevents it from getting chapped while lemon acts as the natural bleaching agent that lightens the lips and makes them naturally supple and pink.
You can also use Kama Ayuveda’s Almond and Coconut Lip Balm. It has organic almonds that treat damaged skin and also locks-in the natural oils to keep the lips protected and beautifully soft.
Aloe Vera is undoubtedly one of the most beneficial plants for natural beauty and healing. It does wonders for your skin and your lips. And, it’s the easiest plant to grow in your garden.
How and why to apply -
Scoop out the aloe vera gel from a fresh leaf. Add a few drops of olive oil or coconut oil. Store it in a container and refrigerate. You can use it as a lip balm as often as you like, even several times a day.
Why it works -
Aloe Vera is rich in Vitamin E which helps in restoring the moisture. It also has soothing properties that help in healing dry and chapped lips. It facilitates the growth of new cells which helps in getting natural pink lips.
Lip balms are the most important part of your lip care regimen. So, it’s essential to choose them wisely. Most lip balms in the market contain artificial and petroleum-based chemicals to moisturize.
However, there’s a healthier natural alternative that you should look for in your lip balms - beeswax. The use of beeswax seals the moisture inside your skin and keeps your lips moisturized for the long term.
How to use -
All Kama Ayurveda’s lip balms have organic natural beeswax as the base. You can choose one of these lip balms your daily lip care needs. Following these ancient texts of Ayurveda, Kama Ayurveda's natural lip care products impart moisture, gloss, and locks the natural oils in for beautiful, healthy and pink lips.
Vitamin E is renowned for its fat-soluble antioxidant properties which are highly beneficial for skin health. It can enhance the health of your lip skin, imparting a pink and supple appearance.
Vitamin E also has the ability to aid in skin cell regeneration, stimulate circulation, and ward off lines and wrinkles.
How to use -
To leverage the benefits of Vitamin E, take a capsule and carefully break it open. Directly applying its contents to your lips can significantly soften them and bestow a natural pink hue.
Coconut oil is a recognized emollient. Emollients function as non-cosmetic moisturizers, which are instrumental in retaining skin's moisture. Given that lips tend to lose moisture faster than other parts of the body, using an emollient like coconut oil for massage is particularly beneficial.
How to use -
For optimal results, only apply pure, extra virgin Coconut oil on your lips. This Coconut oil hasn't undergone any chemical alterations or refining while also guaranteeing maximum benefits for your lips.
While cosmetics offer temporary solutions, there are more sustainable, lifestyle-based approaches to maintain the natural pink hue of your lips. Here are some holistic tips to ensure your lips stay soft, healthy, and naturally pink.
As tempting as it might be to leave makeup on due to exhaustion, always remove it before bedtime. This especially applies to cosmetics on the lips. Post-removal, moisturize with a natural lip balm or oil to maintain hydration.
It leads to lip discoloration and early wrinkle formation around the lips. The nicotine and benzopyrene in tobacco smoke stimulate melanin production, darkening the lips over time. Besides these cosmetic concerns, smoking has several detrimental health effects.
Dry, cracked lips not only look unhealthy but can be painful. To counter this, ensure you drink ample water as lips often reveal signs of dehydration first. Consider substituting your regular coffee or tea for water. Also, moderate alcohol consumption as it can dehydrate and lead to dry lips.
To achieve and maintain naturally pink lips, consider avoiding lipsticks laden with harmful chemicals. These can be particularly drying and may lead to discolored or paler lips over time.
A study highlighted that only 37% of diligent sunscreen users protect their lips. Opt for a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher, applied daily and refreshed often, to shield lips from harmful UV rays.
Consistently applying sunscreen to the lips and skin is crucial to prevent sunburns, hyperpigmentation, and premature aging. Regardless of skin type or weather conditions, always apply SPF to lips and face when outdoors.
Prior to applying lipstick, lightly brush your lips with almond or coconut oil or apply lip balm. This acts as a protective barrier, ensuring lips remain moisturized and aren't dried out by the lipstick.
Lip color varies among individuals due to differences in melanin levels, the pigment that determines skin and lip coloration. Naturally, people with darker skin might have darker lips due to higher melanin content. However, several factors can exacerbate or induce darker lip shades:
In summary, while melanin determines the baseline lip color, various internal and external factors can change this natural hue, leading to darker lips.
Making lips pink fast requires a combination of immediate actions like exfoliating with a natural sugar scrub, moisturizing with a hydrating lip balm, and using natural lip tints like beetroot or raspberry juice. Consistent care and hydration can enhance and maintain the natural pink hue.
Dark lips can be lightened by avoiding harmful habits like smoking, excessive caffeine intake, and constant lip biting. Incorporate lip care routines that include exfoliation, moisturization, and protection against sun exposure with SPF lip balms. Natural remedies like honey, lemon juice, and rosewater can also help in lightening dark lips.
Transitioning from black lips to pink involves a combination of lifestyle changes and consistent lip care. Avoid smoking, excessive alcohol, and sun exposure without protection. Use natural lightening agents like turmeric and milk paste or almond oil massage. Drinking plenty of water and maintaining a healthy diet rich in vitamins will also contribute to restoring the natural pink shade.
The natural pink hue of lips is due to the blood vessels underneath the thin skin of the lips. Factors such as skin complexion, genetics, blood circulation, and overall health play a role in determining lip color. Natural remedies and proper lip care can enhance this pink hue.
Yes, naturally pink lips are typically an indication of good health, proper hydration, and adequate blood circulation. However, sudden or unnatural pinkness might indicate irritation or an allergic reaction.
Sudden pinkness in the lips can be attributed to various factors such as changes in blood circulation, allergic reactions, temperature changes, or consumption of certain foods. If the change is accompanied by discomfort or swelling, it might be best to consult with a healthcare professional.
References -
Shreya Dalela is a certified Yoga instructor and a professional dancer trained at The Danceworx. She’s passionate about Ayurveda and holistic living with over 6 years of experience in doing extensive research and content creation in the domain.
Certified Ayurvedic Doctor (Central Council of Indian Medicine) working in Kama Ayurveda as an Assistant Training Manager.