How To Lighten Dark Upper Lip? 8 Home Remedies For Better Results

Notice a change in your upper lip’s complexion? If the darker tone is bothering you, you’re not alone. Discoloration in this area can happen for many reasons, including sun exposure, hormones, and even certain skincare habits. The good news is, with a few easy steps, you can lighten your dark upper lip.

This article covers simple and effective ways to lighten a dark upper lip, including natural remedies you may not have tried before. 

What Causes Dark Upper Lip?

A dark upper lip could be caused by various factors. Apart from the environmental factors, several internal factors could be influencing the condition. Some of the common causes behind the darkening of the upper lip include:

• Hormonal imbalance is one of the most common reasons behind hyperpigmentation around the mouth. As you know, melanin is the pigment responsible for our skin tone. If the melanin levels around our mouth increase, this could contribute to the appearance of a dark patch around the mouth, especially on the upper lip. Women undergoing menopause are the ones at most risk.
• Direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight is often another cause of darkening upper lips. If you step out of the house without proper sun protection, your skin tone will likely be affected, and the dark upper lip might even be accentuated.
• Smoking is yet another common cause of discoloration around the mouth.
• Persistent waxingor even shaving has been found to play a crucial role in darkening the skin around the upper lips. This is why it is always best to opt for easier and safer hair removal methods like bleaching or threading.

How To Lighten Dark Upper Lip?

The home remedies for dark upper lip are not just effective but have also been beneficial in lightening the upper lip area. If you have been suffering from a similar condition, read further to learn effective and easy ways to eliminate dark upper lips.

Also Read: 14 Easy and Effective Life Hacks to Trade Your Chapped Lips For Smoother Ones

1. Turmeric:

The combination of turmeric, tomato, and lemon juice in a skin mask is beneficial for treating a dark upper lip. Studies have found that the active compound in turmeric, Curcumin, has beneficial properties in maintaining a balance between the levels of melanin production in the body.

Additionally, the combination of lemon and tomato juice helps lighten the hyperpigmentation around the mouth because of its astringent and mild bleaching properties.

How To Use?

• In a bowl, add 1 tbsp of turmeric powder, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, and 1 tbsp of tomato juice
• Make a smooth paste out and apply a thin layer of the paste on the upper lip
• Leave it on for 15-20 minutes
• Wash it off with water

Precaution: Don’t go outdoors or come in direct contact with sunlight after applying the mask, as it can worsen the situation. Also, ensure that you do a patch test before applying it to your face.

2. Lemon Juice:

Lemon juice is known for its natural bleaching properties, making it a popular remedy for lightening the upper lip. You can use it on its own or combine it with other ingredients for added benefits.

• Lemon Juice and Sugar:  Mix lemon juice with sugar to form a paste, apply it to the upper lip, and allow it to dry.
• Lemon Juice and Honey:Combine lemon juice with honey to create a paste that not only lightens the upper lip but also helps with hair removal.

Precaution: If you feel any burning sensation or irritation, wash it off immediately.

Read More: 15 Ways To Use Lemon For Dark Spots And Their Fast Removal

3. Sugar Scrub:

Sugar scrub is another remedy for lightening the upper lip area. However, it must be mixed with lemon for best results, as it does not have many benefits if used alone. The process is easy and can help get rid of dead and dry skin. The coarseness of the sugar gently exfoliates the skin, especially the dead skin cells that are making it seem darker.

How To Use?

• Get a lemon and cut it into thin slices
• Dip it into a bowl full of sugar, making sure that the sugar is coated well around the lemon
• Once done, simply scrub the lemon slice over the lips and the upper lips gently
• Leave the sugar and lemon residue for 3-4 minutes
• Rinse it off with some water after that

Precaution: Ensure you don’t go overboard with the scrubbing and be gentle with the process.

Read More: 11 Reasons Why Sugar Is Bad For You – Take A Look At Its Ill-Effects!

4. Honey

Applying honey directly to your upper lip can help lighten the area due to its natural humectant properties. These properties can brighten dark spots and moisturize the skin, making it a potential home remedy for lightening a dark upper lip.

You can also try honey and lemon together. The combination works like magic when it comes to getting rid of the dark pigmentation around the lips.

While lemons’ natural bleaching properties help remove darkness upon multiple uses, honey has been found to have even more beneficial impacts on moisturizing the skin. Honey also has skin-repairing properties that many face because of exposure to UV rays and sunburns.

How To Use?

• In a bowl, mix 1 tbsp of honey and 1 tbsp of lemon juice
• Using your clean finger or a cotton ball, apply the mixture to the upper lips
• Leave it to dry for 10-15 minutes
• Wash it off with water after that

Read More: 5 Major Health Benefits Of Raw Honey

5. Rose Petals

Combining rose petals with honey is beneficial in handling dark upper lip skin discoloration.

While honey has skin-repairing properties, rose petals have been found to have beneficial effects on getting rid of discoloration and darkness around the upper lips because of their presence of natural oils.

How to Use?

• In a mortar and pestle, crush rose petals
• Add 1 tbsp of honey to the mixture and then make a smooth paste
• Apply over the upper lip area
• Leave it on overnight
• Wash it off with some water the next morning

Precaution: Do a patch test before you apply it directly on your face.

Also Read: 18 Unmatchable Rose Water Benefits For Skin, Hair And Overall Health

5. Carrot Juice

Carrot juice is yet another effective remedy for treating dark upper lips. It is loaded with beneficial antioxidants and beta-carotene, which has proven benefits in lightening skin tone and even repairing damaged cells.

How To Use?

• Dip a cotton ball into carrot juice and let it steep completely
• Apply this over your mouth, ensuring that it covers the upper lip completely
• Leave it on for 10-20 minutes
• Rinse it off with some water if required

Precaution: Always do a patch test before applying it to your face.

Read More: 19 Potent Benefits of Vitamin A For Overall Health, Skin and Hair

7. Glycerin

Yet another effective remedy for dark upper lips is glycerin. Often, excessive dryness of the skin is associated with the appearance of dead and dark skin, especially around the upper lips, where the skin is very delicate.

Applying glycerin helps moisturize the skin and remove dead and dry skin that could be contributing to dark upper lips.

How to use?

• Dip a cotton pad in some glycerin and then apply it over the upper lip
• Leave it on overnight
• If there are any remnants left, wash it off with water the next morning

Precaution: If you face any irritation, rinse it off immediately.

6. Beetroot Juice:

Beetroot juice is also quite effective in treating hyperpigmentation around the upper lips. Apart from being loaded with natural bleaching properties, the redness around the beetroot effectively reduces the appearance of the darkness around the upper lips.

How To Use?

• Extract the juice of a beetroot
• Dip a cotton pad and soak it completely
• Apply this cotton pad over the upper lip portion
• Leave it on for 10-20 minutes
• Wash it off with some water

Precaution: Wash the beetroot thoroughly to remove all the dirt before extracting the juice.

Read More: Do Not Miss These Incredible Health Benefits Of Beetroot

7. Orange Peel Powder:

Much like lemons, oranges are loaded with Vitamin C and have natural bleaching properties, which help remove discoloration around the mouth.

Adding and mixing the orange peel powder with yogurt further helps eliminate the upper lip discoloration. The lactic acid in yogurt is quite beneficial in eliminating the problem.

How To Use?

• In a bowl, add 1 tbsp of orange peel powder and 1 tbsp of yogurt
• Mix everything to form a smooth paste
• Apply this on the upper lip
• Leave it on for 10-15 minutes
• Rinse it off once it dries

Precaution: If you feel any irritation, rinse it off immediately.

Read More: 23 Hacks to Get Rid of Skin Blemishes – All Natural Ways

8. Chickpea Flour, Honey, and Milk:

The combination of chickpea flour, honey, and milk has amazing properties in getting rid of the problem one faces with a dark upper lip.

The coarseness of the flour helps with exfoliation, the honey helps effectively repair damaged skin, and the milk and honey improve moisturization.

Using this 3-4 times a week as a face mask is quite beneficial in enhancing the quality of one’s skin.

How To Use?

• In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp of chickpea flour, 1 tsp of honey, and 2 tbsp of cold milk
• Mix everything to form a smooth paste
• Apply this over dark upper lips, or on the whole face
• Leave it on for 20 minutes
• Rinse it off with some cold water

Precaution: Do a patch test before applying it to the face.

Read More: Honey For Glowing Skin – 11 Tricks To Bring Out The Inner Glow 

How To Prevent Darkness From Upper Lip?

When it comes to preventive measures for darkness and dark upper lip skin discoloration, some of the most preventive measures include:

• Ensure that you are applying sunscreen while going out.
• Eat a healthy diet to maintain a balanced hormonal level.
• Exfoliate the skin occasionally to get rid of the dead skin cells.
• Moisturize the skin for a healthy glow.

Final Thoughts:

Getting rid of a dark upper lip can be a tough nut to crack. Try some home remedies if the problem is caused by hormone imbalance, environmental, or lifestyle factors. The natural remedies this article covers will help you lighten the dark upper lips and maintain a uniform skin tone.

If you have pigmented dark upper lips, here’s your chance to try these amazing tips and smile with confidence.

• Aug 2020
  Written by Somapika D
• Feb 2025
  Edited by Vaishnavi