Lightening Lip Color

Lightening the lips can be tricky and difficult in terms of seeing results. One because there is a limited amount of products/treatments you can actually use on your lips that actually lighten. Secondly, it is also recommended that you use products that are specifically designed for skin on the lips, as using face creams/serums and lotions can be too strong for lip skin, and ingestion of face creams can be quite risky.

Lip lightening is very common though. Lips can be uneven in tone. Many people of darker skin tones naturally have more melanin on their lips - some do not. Also, when on a skin lightening regimen/routine, it can look a little startling when the entire face is lightening up, while the lips remain their original shade. I can definitley understand the need for skin lightening on the lips.

One thing many people tend to forget is that the skin on the lips is prone to sun damage and darkening just like the rest of our skin. Albeit, not as extreme since melanin synthesis is not as rapid and concentrated on lips, it can still be sun damaged. That is why it's important to use a chapstick (or in some cases lip gloss) that has SPF in it to prevent damage and further darkening. There are so many on the market now, most companies sell lip conditioning chapsticks that have built in sun protection. I personally like to use Aveeno's Essential Moisture Lip Conditioner w/ SPF 15. On days that I'll be in the sun for a long time, I like to use Vichy CAPITAL SOLEIL High-Protection Lip Care Stick SPF 25. There are many more out there, you just have to look (Neutrogena, Nivea, Clinique etc). Like I said, most skin care and make up companies now have SPF in their lip products which is good.

Another thing you can do to enhance the color of your lips is to use some sort of exfoliant. You can use a mild cleanser and scrub with an exfoliating glove or toothbrush. You can also use the Aloette Enzyme Restorative Peel on your lips, for gentle, complete exfoliation. It utilizes fruit enzymes that naturally break down dead cells. I wouldn't recommend using peels with AHAs in them like lactic acid or glycolic acid - those are way too harsh and will most likely sting and overdry your lips.

I've read online that many people have found some degree of success in using papaya. Either papaya soap over their lips (Likas) or using fresh ripe papaya (the actual fruit). I am sure using the actual fruit is more effective since the enzymes are much more fresh. Mashing up a piece of fresh, raw papaya and applying it on your lips can be a way to exfoliate your lips.

There are a few lip lightening products out there, but most of them have recieved poor, satisfactory or average at best reviews. The most obvious one that comes to mind is the Godiva LicoWhite Lip Gloss. It contains licorice extract in a petrolatum base. I am sure over time it can have a very, very mild effect but from what I've read online it doesn't seem to be worth it. Most lip lightening products are going to deliver disappointing results. And that is the reason I believe people can get frustrated with lip lightening - there isn't much out there specifically designed for it, and results are very mild.

So...that is about it when it comes to treating the skin color on the lips. I wish I could offer more, but again, the entire process of lip lightening is very slow and at times disappointing. The best thing you can do is always keep the lips hydrated, exfoliate them, and always protect them with a lip product that has SPF when going out in the sun.

=)