The lips are very sensitive areas of the skin and are susceptible to both the external environment and an unhealthy lifestyle, which can leave them no longer as rosy and soft as they should be. 

“Prune lips” is a beauty problem many people face. They’re caused by a pigment called melanin that is responsible for the darkness of the lips. Smoking, sunburn, and cheap lipsticks are just some of the reasons that can make the skin of the lips become darker.

Here are some home remedies that can help make your lips soft and beautiful again.

 

Honey:

Scrub your lips with honey mixed with sugar and almond oil. You can also directly apply honey to your lips or apply it mixed with lime juice.

 

Almonds:

Almonds are rich in Vitamin E. Soak two almonds overnight in water. In the morning, crush them with some milk to make a fine paste. Apply this to your lips for 10 to 15 minutes and wash off with cold water.

 

Lime juice:

The acidic properties of lime juice work to bleach the skin. Take an equal amount of lime juice and almond oil and apply to the lips. Leave until dry and then wash with cold water.

 

Yoghurt:

Mix some yoghurt with lime juice and apply the mixture to your lips. Leave for about 15 minutes and then wash with cold water. The mixture gives a pinkish complexion to your lips.

 

Beetroot:

This helps remove the dark skin on the lips caused by sunburn. Rub beetroot directly to your lips, or you can crush it with glycerine first.

 

Ice cubes:

Before going to bed, remove your lipstick and wash your lips with water and ice cubes. 

 

Lemon and sugar:

Sprinkle some sugar on a small slice of lemon and rub it on your lips. Lemon is a bleaching agent, and sugar helps exfoliate the dead cells on the skin.

 

Turmeric:

Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with a teaspoon of cold milk. Massage your lips with the paste for about three or four minutes a day. Repeat this process every day to get smooth and glowing lips.

 

Cucumber:

Cucumbers are mostly water mixed with vitamins that are good for the body and for treating prune lips, including Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin B6. Rub your lips gently with cucumber slices for about five minutes to help the nutrients penetrate deep into the lips. Apply this remedy two or three times a week to get the best results.

 

Olive oil and lemon:

Mix half a teaspoon of warm olive oil and two or three drops of lemon juice and stir well. Apply the mixture to clean lips. Massage gently for five minutes. Rinse your lips with warm water. Repeat several times a week.

 

Tomatoes:

Rubbing tomato pulp on the lips can help get rid of prune lips and make them smooth and glowing.

 

Butter:

Applying butter to your lips before going to bed every night can help cure prune lips, giving them a lovely pinkish look.

 

Red roses:

Soak four or five rose petals in half a cup of fresh milk. After half an hour, mash the petals and apply the mixture to your lips. 

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*A version of this article appears in print in the 19 May, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.