Most people do not like dark lips because of the negative stigma that it brings or they think it does not look natural. People might think you’re a smoker, are unhealthy, have had too much sun or are just not attracted to it.
There are many causes of dark lips such as excessive exposure to sun, smoking, skin reaction to certain lipsticks and toothpastes, dehydrated or chapped lips and more! For some people, the dark pigments of your lips might be outside of your control due to genetics which may vary how much melanin you have in your lips or can cause hypermelanin.
Ultimately, we can all agree that having healthy lips is desirable and to have healthy lips is to look after them. This includes reducing the exposure to UV rays, minimizing (or quitting) smoking, protecting your lips from the elements such as harsh winds or dry air.
The role of lip balm is to protect, moisturize and also (if you want) color your lips so that they are (and look) healthy! We’re going to focus on the best lip balms for your lips for different occasions. If you are looking at a more permanent and more expensive treatment, it is possible to receive laser treatment for dark lips.
| Editor’s Top Picks for Dark Lips | Check Price | |
 | Best Lip Lightening Balm | Check Price |
 | Best Lip Repair Lip Balm | Check Price |
 | Best Organic Lip Balm | Check Price |
 | Best Seller | Check Price |
 | Best Heavy Duty Lip Balm | Check Price |
 | Best Tinted Lip Balm | Check Price |
 | Best Luxury Lip Balm Henné Organics Luxury Lip Balm – Natural and Organic Moisturizer | Check Price |
 | Best Lip Balm with Hemp Seed Oil | Check Price |
 | Best Fragrance Free Lip Balm Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF15 | Check Price |
 | Best Lip Balm with Sun Protection | Check Price |
The 23 Best Lip Balm for Dark Lips
1. Omorfee Organic Lip Lightening Salve Lip Balm
Omorfee Organic Lip Lightening Salve is a lip balm that is designed to lighten dark lips due to external factors! At the same time it can also repair, moisturize and protect your lips! It even has SPF to protect your lips from sun. Using organic ingredients, it aims to help lighten lips affected by external factors such as smoking, harsh winds and after 4-6 weeks. It comes in either a tin form or a chapstick format. The key ingredients used include cocoa butter, carrot seed oil, sweet almond oil and pineapple extract. You can buy this either in a container (check price on Amazon) or a chapstick (check price on Amazon).
Pros
- Organic ingredients
Paraben free
No artificial fragrances or synthetic colors
Multiple verified reviews of the lip balm working to lighten lips that were darkened due to external factors
Offers SPF protection
Cons
- Not USDA Organic certified
- Does not work well for people with hyperpigmentation
- Has a slight pineapple flavour, may not suit all buyers
2. ArtNaturals Natural Lip Balm Serum Trio
ArtNaturals has put together a new and interesting set of lip balms each with different functions. The Hyaluronic lip balm aims to hydrate and brightens your lips. The Retinol Lip Balm functions as an anti-aging lip balm and aims to restore your lips. It is only for night use. The Vitamin C Lip balm also performs a moisturizing function and aims to brighten your lips. Using ingredients that are full of vitamins and antioxidants, these lip balms are designed to heal and nourish your lips.
Pros
- All natural ingredients
- Contains nourishing ingredients such as beeswax, jojoba oil, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil and shea butter.
- Made in the USA
- Paraben free
- Three different functions in one pack
Cons
- Slightly pricier compared to ArtNaturals 6 pack gift set (but different type of lip balm)
3. eos Organic Lip Balm – USDA Certified
eos is very reputable when it comes to organic lip balm. Their lip balms are 100% organic, sustainably sourced and USDA certified. They use nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil and beeswax. It is a very popular lip balm for good reason and also comes with many different flavors too.
Pros
- 100% natural and organic, USDA certified
- Very moisturizing
- Lasts a long time
- Paraben free
- Four flavors in the variety and gift sets – sweet mint, strawberry sorbet, vanilla bean, pomegranate raspberry
Cons
- No SPF sun protection
4. Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Origin Moisturizing Lip Balm
Burt’s Bees, do we really need an introduction? One of the best selling lip balms. Their 100% natural origin moisturizing lip balm uses beeswax in order to help hydrate and smooth your lips. All ingredients used in these lip balms are natural and come with many different flavors and colors. Burt’s Bees also sell a tinted lip balms as well with 6 different flavors (check Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm prices on Amazon)
Pros
- Tried and tested and definitely moisturizes, hydrates and helps with damaged lips
- 100% natural ingredients
- Lots of flavors to choose from
- Made in USA
Cons
- Thicker consistency compared to other lip balms
5. Dr Dan’s Cortibalm Lip Balm
Looking for a heavy duty lip balm? Dr Dan’s CortiBalm lip balm is the only lip balm with 1% hydrocortisone which is generally used in creams to help reduce swelling or redness or itchiness. In this lip balm, the hydrocortisone is used to quickly reduce inflammation caused by cold sores. Please note, this is medicated, if you are unsure whether this is suitable for you, please consult a medical professional.
Pros
- Heavy duty lip balm for severely chapped lips and cold sores
- The founder guarantees within 24 hours you should see improvement
- Recommended by dermatologists
Cons
- As it is medicated, it is not suitable for everyone given it is a heavy duty lip balm
- For adults only
6. Sky Organics Tinted Lip Balms – 4 Pack
Sky Organics’ lip balms are made with natural ingredients designed for people who have sensitive and dry skin. Their tinted lip balms are known to last a long time and are pleasantly scented. These lip balms contain aloe vera oil and vitamin E to help moisturize and heal your lips.
Pros
- Made with natural ingredients such as beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut oil, argan oil and peppermint oil
- Comes with 4 shades – Shimmer, Champaign, Plum and Raisin
- Soy-free
- Made in USA
Cons
- Contains small amounts of glitter
- Not USDA Organic certified
7. Henné Organics Luxury Lip Balm – Natural and Organic Moisturizer
Henné Organic’s Luxury Lip Balm are handmade in the USA with natural and organic ingredients such as coconut oil, avocado oil, jojoba seed oil, beeswax, shea butter, cocoa seed butter and vitamin E. Using the best ingredients it nourishes and helps to moisturize your lips. Many customers rave about this! The best part is that they also have a “Happiness Guarantee” where if you are not happy with their lip balm, they will send you a replacement or refund. It is definitely worth a try!
Pros
- All natural ingredients
- Organic ingredients
- Made in the USA
- Happiness Guarantee with either refund or replacement if you are not satisfied
Cons
- Pricier, but expected given it is targeting the luxury segment
- No USDA Organic certification
8. Hempz Yuzu & Starfruit Daily Herbal Lip Balm with SPF 15
Looking for a bit more heavy duty lip balm with sun protection? Hempz’s Yuzu & Starfruit Daily Herbal Lip balm is one you should look into. It has two key unique features: SPF 15 making it suitable for everyday outdoor wear AND uses natural hemp seed oil to help heal very dry or cracked lips. This lip balm is lightly scented as well. If you are looking for something that is even more moisturizing and don’t mind not having SPF sun protection, Hempz also has a triple moisturizing (check price on Amazon) lip balm as well.
Pros
- Uses 100% natural hemp seed oil
- Scent is well received by customers
- SPF 15 sun protection for UVA and UVB rays
- Smooth feeling lip balm, not slimy
Cons
- Some people would prefer if the lip balm were a bit thicker
9. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF15
What’s the difference between the standard Neutrogena lip balm and the Norwegian formula? The Norwegian formula is fragrance-free, color free and dermatologist recommended. It also benefits from broad spectrum sun protection of SPF15 to protect your lives from damaging UVB rays which can also darken your lips unnecessarily. It has a small cult-like loyalist following with many people swearing by it. We have also heard of people using it in other places such as their hands or under the eyes!
Pros
- Fragrance free
- SPF protection
- Moisturizes dry lips and smooths them
- Dermatologist recommended
Cons
- Difficult to find in physical stores
10. Banana Boat Aloe Vera Lip Protection Balm
Banana Boat is known for their sun safety products, so it is no surprise that their lip balm features the strongest broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection in our list. Boasting an SPF45 rating and being recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. This lip balm also comes with aloe vera and vitamin E to help soothe dry chapped lips. If you are outdoors a lot, this lip balm is worth considering!
Pros
- SPF45 UVA and UVB protection
- 80 minutes water resistant
- Aloe Vera and Vitamin E helps to condition your lips
- Great for the beach and pool
Cons
- Some people may not like the taste of it compared to other lip balms
11. Jaowying Jujub Lip Balm – Pineapple or Pomegranate
Jaowying’s Jujub lip balm directly competes with Omorfree in the lightening lip balm space. Jaowying’s lip balm comes in two flavors: pineapple or pomegranate. It is designed to lighten dark lips that have been affected by external circumstances such as smoking or wind. It also moisturizes, softens and smooths your lips which has been well received by its customers. Its consistency isn’t as waxy compared to other lip balms
Pros
- Multiple verified reviews of the lip balm working to lighten lips that were darkened due to external factors
- Uses vitamin B3 which helps to balance uneven skin tones
- Moisturizes and smooths lips
Cons
- Mixed reviews for hyperpigmentation
- Unknown ingredients (no claims if using natural or organic ingredients)
- No SPF sun protection for your lips
12. Biotique Bio Berry Plumping Lip Balm
Biotique’s lip balm uses berries in their formula which helps to plump your lips to make them look healthy and provide them with lots of nutrients. Its unique formula aims to improve darkened lip tone as a result of smoking and evens out to a natural pink lip color. On top of that, it will also moisturize, repair and heal chapped lips.
Pros
- Can improve darkness on lips to a natural tone
- 100% natural ingredients
- Moisturizes
- Restores damaged lips
Cons
- Need to apply twice daily
- Can feel thick to some people
13. Sky Organics USDA Organic Beeswax Lip Balms – 6 Pack
Sky Organics also has a range of pure organic flavored lip balms suitable for both adults and kids. It uses organic ingredients including beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower oil, vitamin E and more to help make your lips softer and moist. It is available in six different flavors
Pros
- Organic lip butter
- Repairs dry lips
- Suitable for kids and adults
- Six flavors – Cherry bomb, Eucalyptus Mint, Strawberry Bliss, Tahitian Vanilla, Tangy Citrus, Tropical Coconut
Cons
- Not the longest lasting lip balm
- No USDA Organic certification
14. ArtNaturals Natural Lip Balm Beeswax Set – 6 Pack
This gift set is very popular for being effective with dry cracking lips and its flavors. Its natural beeswax is used with essential oils of jojoba, coconut, and sunflower seed oils in order to keep your lips plump and moisturized.
Pros
- Six flavors with pleasant scents – Island Coconut, Passion Pitaya, Mango Papaya, Hibiscus Blossom, Grapefruit Tonic, Eucalyptus Mint
- Paraben free
- Full of antioxidants
Cons
- Only comes as a gift set. You cannot get a pack with only the flavors you like
15. Nivea Moisture Lip Care, Intensively Moisturizing – 4 Pack
Enriched with shea butter, jojoba oil and avocado oil, Nivea’s moisture lip care lip balm is designed to help protect your lips from drying out. It is a decent all rounder that many people trust for its reliability. There are assorted varieties that enrich this lip balm ranging from peach extracts to blackberry extracts and even with pearl and silk extracts. Just be careful, some of these lip balms might have a light tint to them depending on the style and flavor you choose.
Pros
- Lots of styles and flavors to choose from
- Effective moisturizer
- Long lasting
- Smooths your lips
Cons
- Not the cheapest, unless you get it on sale
- No sun protection (SPF)
- Some people find it too thick
16. Neutrogena Revitalizing and Moisturizing Tinted Lip Balm with SPF20 Sunscreen
If you are looking for a tinted lip balm which also provides SPF sun protection, then Neutrogena’s Revitalizing lip balm is definitely worth considering! There are six different tints available which all have SPF20 sunscreen to protect your lips against sunburn and harmful UV rays. The lip balm also claims to be able to help improve the texture of your lips just after one week of use. Overall, a very versatile lip balm to help protect, moisture and make your lips healthier.
Pros
- Six different tint colors available – Fresh Plum, Sheer Shimmer, Healthy Blush, Petal Glow, Soft Caramel and Sunny Berry
- Has SPF 20 sunscreen
- Tinted for those looking to help bring out the natural hue of your lips
- Great for everyday wear
Cons
- On the pricier side
- Does not last as long compared to non-tinted lip balms
17. Vaseline Lip Therapy Lip Balm – Cocoa Butter
This lip balm works fast at repairing and healing chapped lips, or any cracks in them. Enriched with cocoa and shea butter and combined with petroleum jelly (which is what Vaseline is famous for), you can bet your lips will be nourished and soft.
Pros
- Good value
- Proven to work and moisturize well
- Long lasting
Cons
- Different variations may be difficult to find
18. Body Shop Hemp Heavy Duty Lip Care Lip Balm
Body Shop’s Hemp Heavy Duty Lip Balm is infused with hemp seed oil which is rich in essential fatty acids that help to soothe, hydrate and protect your lips. It works really well on very dry and chapped lips! It has a cult following and it is definitely worth considering (despite its price).
Pros
- Heavy duty lip balm for ultra dry lips
- Not too thick
- Lasts a long time
Cons
- Pricey, but worth it
- No SPF
19. L’Occitane Ultra Rich 10% Shea Butter Nourishing Lip Balm Stick
Looking to spend a bit more on a good lip balm? L’Occitane’s Ultra Rich Lip Balm is worth considering! With 10% shea butter, it is nourishing to your lips as it acts as a moisturizer for your lips. This lip balm also contains jojoba seed oil, castor oil, beeswax and candelilla wax all performing different functions to keeping your lips hydrated, softening them and retaining the natural moisture of your lips.
Pros
- Customers have mentioned that lips are softer after a few days
- Moisturizes very well and works well in dry climate
- Not sticky
Cons
- Some people do not like the scent of the jojoba oil
- Pricier compared to other lip balms
20. Naturistick Lip Balm
Looking for chapsticks that are good value? Naturistick Lip balm provides just that! Using 100% natural beeswax and natural ingredients such as vitamin e, coconut oil, castor seed oil and shea butter, this lip balm is an all rounder when it comes to protecting and healing your lips. The bonus is that it has many different flavors you can try AND you can bulk buy it.
Pros
- Value for money – you can bulk buy
- Five flavors (using natural ingredients) available – Black Peppermint, Green Tea, Peppermint, Pomegranate, Vanilla
- Paraben free
- Works well on sensitive skin
Cons
- May not provide enough moisturization for those with really dry lips
21. Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm
Yes they purposefully spelt it as “lippe”. Drunk Elephant’s Lippe Balm is quite unique in using a slightly different blend of essential oils compared to other lip balms (namely avocado, mongongo and marula oils) to help soften, hydrate and replenish your lips. Their lip balm is wider and shorter which is meant to help with application. It is a premium lip balm that definitely works well.
Pros
- Unique blend of oils including avocado, mongongo and marula oils
- Made in the USA
- High quality product and ingredients used, no shortcuts
- Can be used around the eye area
Cons
- Pricier (because it is premium) compared to other lip balms
- Its shorter, stubbier style packaging is odd and clumsy to some customers
22. Earth’s Daughter USDA Organic Lip Balm – 6 Pack
This USDA certified lip balm uses pure organic ingredients to give you the best natural care for your lips. The amount of natural ingredients in this is insane! It includes (all organic): sunflower oil, beeswax, coconut oil and more depending on the flavor you use! This lip balm will moisturize and protect your lips against irritants, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Pros
- USDA Organic certified & Made in the USA
- Six great flavors – Vanilla Bean, Creamy Coconut, Eucalyptus Mint, Bing Cherry, Citrus Blast, Strawberry Breeze
- No chemicals whatsoever
Cons
- Only mixed flavor sets. You cannot buy a pack with all the same flavor
23. Kiehl’s Lip Balm Classic
This lip balm formula has been around since 1969 and is made in the USA. It uses squalane, aloe vera and antioxidant vitamin E to help soften dry lips and keep lips moist. Squalane is derived from olives and is absorbed easily into your lips. It helps your lips by replenishing its barrier in order to keep your lip’s softness and suppleness.
Pros
- Works well with sensitive lips
- Encourages healing of chapped lips
- Made in the USA
- Intensive moisturization
Cons
- Pricey
- Some customers find the consistency too thin compared to a thicker waxier lip balms
Lip Balm for Dark Lips Buying Guide
What do you need the lip balm to do?
How do I find a good lip balm for dark lips?
Firstly, you need to determine what function you primarily need the lip balm for. Do you need it to perform tasks such as:
- lock in moisture
- protecting lips from harsh winds or dry weather
- protecting your lips from the sun
- repairing chapped lips
- and more!
For example, one of the causes for dark lips is excessive exposure to the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. If you are always outdoors, you might want to consider a lip balm that has SPF sun protection. The common causes of dark lips outside of hyperpigmentation (excess melanin in skin) include:
lots of sucking or licking of your lips (the saliva dries out your lips)
- Excess exposure to the sun
- Excessive smoking of tobacco
- Excessive dead skin
- Reactions to lipsticks and toothpaste
- Consuming too much-caffeinated drinks e.g coffee.
Think about the ingredients you need
A good lip balm should be produced in such a way that it introduces a moisturizing feel into the delicate skin of your lips. Always make sure that the ingredients mentioned below are well represented in the product you are buying.
Here is what to look for when buying your favorite lip balm for dark lips for optimum results.
- Your lip balm should be made up of plant oils like castor and sunflower to help moisturize and soften dry lips, making them lip-healing heavy hitters.
- A great balm should also contain protectants to save all the lips nourishment and moisture. These protectants include petrolatum, beeswax, plant waxes, shea, and cocoa butter.
- A good lip balm should contain antioxidants vitamin extras such as vitamin A and vitamin E.
- Avoid lip irritants such as alcohol, salicylic acid, and chemical sunscreen.
- For heavy duty treatment, you may need to consider something medicated
- If you have sensitive lips, you may want to consider something that is organic and more natural
If lip balm brands are not being transparent, or your cannot find the combination of ingredients you want, you can also consider making your own so that you know what ingredients go into it.
Choose a lip balm that suits your personal preferences
Once you have an idea of what you need from the lip balm and the ingredients you’d like, the last part is your personal preference. Think about the following:
- Are you looking for something that has a matte or gloss look on your lips when you apply it?
- Do you want a tinted lip balm to slightly color your lips or a clear lip balm?
- Do you want any flavoring in your lip balm or scent? Or do you prefer something that is fragrance free?
- Do you want to apply it from a chapstick or do you prefer using your hands from a tin or container?
- Are you ok if the brand claims to be organic but does not have any certification such as USDA Organic certification?
- How thick do you want the lip balm to feel when you apply it? Something more waxy and heavy or do you prefer something lighter on your lips?
Hopefully these thought starters give you a better idea of what you want! The good thing is that most lip balms are reasonably priced and so sometimes it means trial and error until you find the lip balm that suits you!
Frequently asked questions
Which lip balm is best for dark lips?
Lip balms which address the cause of your dark lips will be the best for you. If it’s genetics, you may want to consider lip balms which try and lighten your skin tone. If it is from harsh weather, you want a lip balm that has lots of vitamins and a solid protective layer of ingredients like beeswax. If you have sensitive lips, then an organic lip balm that is chemical free can help you. If your lips are dark because of excessive sun exposure, then you need to make sure you get a lip balm with SPF sun protection.
Which lip balm makes lips pink?
Lip balms which contain more vitamins and minerals will keep your lips healthy and help make them its natural pink color. You generally want to look for lip balms which contain ingredients such as berries, pomegranates, lemon, honey or aloe vera. These ingredients have been known to help make your lips pink if you are consistent at applying it.
Alternatively, you can consider using a tinted lip balm to help add a bit of color to your lips or accentuate your lip tone. A couple of examples are:
- Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm (check price on Amazon)
- Sky Organics Tinted Lip Balms (check price on Amazon)
- Biotique Bio Berry Plumping Lip Balm (check price on Amazon)
Is there any medical treatment for dark lips?
There are medical treatments for dark lips if the cause of your dark lips is due to hyperpigmentation. Laser and chemical treatments using hydroquinone or kojic acid, in general, aim to inhibit your lips’ production of melanin. Excessive melanin is what causes hyperpigmentation, i.e. dark lips.
Can lip scrubs remove dark lips?
Lip scrubs can help remove dark lips if the cause of your dark lips are due to excessive dead skin on your lips. Excessive dead skin sitting on your lips can cause them to look dark and the lip scrubs function as an exfoliator in order to remove the dead skin on your lips as well as allowing for circulation of blood to your lips which ultimately help give it its natural color. If the cause of your dark lips is due to other factors such as hyperpigmentation, then they may not work.
What are the best lip balms to lighten lip tones?
The best lip balms that lighten lip tones will contain ingredients that hydrate, moisturize and protect your skin from the elements and the sun. There are some lip balms which have been specifically designed to lighten lip tones. They generally contain extracts that are known to lighten lips (such as pomegranate or pineapple) and combine it with moisturizing ingredients, a protection layer and sometimes SPF. A couple of examples of these types of lip balms include:
- Omorfee Organic Lip Lightening Salve Lip Balm (check price on Amazon)
- Jaowying Jujub Lip Balm – Pineapple or Pomegranate (check price on Amazon)
- Biotique Bio Berry Plumping Lip Balm (check price on Amazon)
What else can you do for your dark lips to keep them pink soft and supple?
The best way to keep your dark lips pink soft and supple is to keep them healthy and look after them! It can mean stopping bad habits such as excessively licking them or it can be establishing a good routine to look after your lips just like you would your body. A good routine can mean nourishing and moisturizing the lips with a good lip balm or using a lip scrub to remove excessive dark skin. It also may mean reducing lip irritants such as alcohol or caffeine.
What causes dark lips?
The common causes of dark lips include:
- lots of sucking or licking of your lips (the saliva dries out your lips)
- excess exposure to the sun
- excessive smoking of tobacco
- excessive dead skin
- reactions to lipsticks and toothpaste
- consuming too much-caffeinated drinks e.g coffee
- hyperpigmentation – some people’s lips produces excessive melanin which causes dark lips
How does a lip balm help lighten lips?
A lip balm helps to lighten lips in three ways: use ingredients that help lighten skin tone; provide vitamins and nutrients to lips; moisturize the lips; protect it against external factors like wind and sun. Ultimately if your lips are not healthy, you cannot expect them to be its natural color. It is best to understand the cause of your dark lips and buy the lip balm that helps to address it.
