Reasons why your lips are Dark, Dry, and Chapped!

The lips are definitely one of the most beautiful and sensual parts of our face and are one of the most sensitive parts of the human body. They are thinner than the rest of the skin and don’t have the same protection from the environment. This makes them prone to damage from the sun, wind, cold weather, and other factors. 

Lips also don’t have the same natural oils as the rest of the skin, so they can quickly become dry, chapped, dark, and cracked. This is why it’s important to take extra care of your lips and use products that will hydrate and protect them. 

If you are looking for ways to get rid of your dark lips, this article is for you! We will discuss the dark lips reasons and some of the best ways to lighten them.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the unique needs and causes of black lips and why they require special care. We’ll also share some tips on how to keep your lips healthy and how to stop lips turning black.

What causes dark lips?

UV rays

One of the main ways that lips get damaged is from exposure to UV rays. When your lips are exposed to UV rays, they can become dry, chapped, and even discolored.

While you might not be able to avoid exposure to UV rays altogether, there are some things you can do to protect your lips. For example, you can use an herbal protective lip balm that contains aloe vera with SPF to help shield your lips from the sun.

Smoking

Smoking is another of the leading causes of dark, chapped lips. People who smoke often suffer from lips turning black and dry because the nicotine in cigarettes constricts blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the lips. This causes the lips to become discolored and dry. In addition, the chemicals in cigarettes can damage the lips, making them more susceptible to chapping and other damage.

If you smoke, it's important to take extra care of your lips to prevent them from becoming too dry and damaged.

Dehydration

Dehydration can cause your lips to become dry and discolored. When your body is dehydrated, it doesn't have enough water to keep all of your organs and tissues functioning properly. This can create several problems, including dry and chapped lips.

Dehydration can cause your lips to lose their natural moisture, which can make them appear dry and cracked. In addition, dehydration can also cause your lips to lose their natural color. If you are dehydrated, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and apply a lip balm or moisturizer to your lips to keep them hydrated. Drinking eight glasses of water a day can help prevent dehydration and keep the lips healthy.

Overconsumption of alcohol

There's no denying that drinking alcohol can cause some pretty serious side effects. But did you know that one of those side effects is dry, discolored lips? Yep, it's true. Alcohol can cause dark lips and make them dehydrated.

So, how does drinking alcohol cause this to happen? When you drink alcohol, it causes your body to lose fluids. And since your lips are made up of skin, they are susceptible to this dehydration. This can lead to your lips becoming dry, cracked, and discolored.

So, the next time you reach for a drink, keep this in mind and be sure to keep your lips hydrated.

Medications 

Discoloration and dryness of the lips are common side effects of many medications. The lips may become dry and chapped, and can also change in color. The discoloration is usually temporary and will go away when you stop taking the medication.

There are a few different ways that medications can cause your lips to become discolored. The first way is by causing your lips to become dry and chapped. This can happen because the medication causes your body to produce less saliva, which can lead to your lips becoming dark and cracked. Another way is by causing lips turning black. This can happen because the medication can cause your body to produce more pigment in your lips, which can lead to them becoming discolored. Certain medications like antihistamines, birth control pills, and acne medication cause the lips to become dry and dark.

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a condition where the skin produces too much melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its color. When this happens, the skin can become darker. While hyperpigmentation can occur anywhere on the body, it's more likely to occur on the face, including the lips.

If you have hyperpigmentation you will notice your lips becoming darker too.

Ways to treat dark and dry lips

There are some simple lifestyle changes and natural products that can easily help lighten dark lips and make your lips healthy and plump again. Here are a few tips on how to lighten dark lips:

• Use a lip scrub: Regularly exfoliating your lips with a lip scrub can help to remove dead skin cells and reveal brighter, smoother skin. Herbal lip scrubs like coffee and sugar scrub are a natural and best way to lighten dark lips. The coffee and sugar work together to exfoliate the lips, remove dead skin cells, and reveal brighter, more evenly-toned skin. The herbal ingredients like aloe vera and argon oil also help to soothe and protect the lips, while the coffee provides a gentle plumping effect.
• Use herbal lip balm: A good lip balm can help to protect your lips from the sun and prevent them from becoming dry and cracked. Herbal lip balm made with green apple extracts, vitamin c, aloe vera, rose and argon oil can help to lighten dark lips and nourish them. These natural ingredients are filled with nutrients and make lips super hydrated. Natural ingredients help to soften lips and help in fading the dark pigmentation from lips. Lip balms that contain natural ingredients are also efficient in protecting lips from environmental damage. 
• Drink plenty of water: Dehydration is one of the main causes of dry and discolored lips, so by drinking plenty of water, you can help to keep your lips hydrated and healthy. In addition, water helps to flush out toxins and impurities from your body, which can also help to improve the health of your lips. So next time your lips are feeling dry, reach for a glass of water.
• Try a lip mask: Lip masks are a great way to hydrate and nourish your lips, and they can also help to smooth and plump them. If you're looking for a lip mask that can help to improve the appearance of dark lips, then this homemade recipe is for you.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp aloe vera gel
• Half banana

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
2. Apply the lip mask to your lips and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
3. Rinse off the lip mask with warm water.

Repeat this process once or twice a week for the best results. Some DIY remedies, such as a mixture of honey and sugar, rose water and beetroot, and cucumber juice can also help to lighten and soften dark lips.

Final thoughts

Overall, treating dark and dry lips can be a bit of a challenge. However, with the right products and proper care, it is possible to take care of them. Start by using a lip scrub to exfoliate the lips and remove any dead skin cells. Follow up with a hydrating herbal lip balm or lip butter to keep the lips hydrated. For best results, use these products regularly, keep yourself hydrated, and avoid any harsh chemicals or extended sun exposure.