Nov 27, 2025
Hyperpigmentation around mouth—practical ways to fade dark spots and even tone. Learn causes, easy home care, and when to see a doctor.
If the skin around your lips looks darker than the rest of your face, you are not alone. Hyperpigmentation around the mouth is common in Indian skin. The good news is that with steady sun care, gentle actives, and a patient routine, tone can look more even.
Quick take: Identify the trigger (sun, friction, breakouts, hormones), protect daily, treat slowly, and support skin from within.
Hyperpigmentation means extra melanin collects in the perioral area (skin around your lips). This appears as brown or grey-brown shadows that make the face look uneven. Melanin acts like natural ink. When skin receives signals—sun, heat, irritation—it produces more ink in that zone.
Sun and heat: UV and heat stimulate pigment cells.
Post-inflammation: Pimples, lip licking, dermatitis, or shaving leave marks.
Friction: Tight masks, rubbing, or harsh scrubs worsen darkening.
Hormonal shifts: Periods, pregnancy, or contraceptives can deepen shadows.
Dryness: A weak barrier gets irritated easily, triggering pigment.
Genetics: Brown skin tones make pigment faster.
Perioral pigmentation refers to darkening specifically around the mouth. Melanin imbalance means pigment production becomes uneven or higher in certain spots. The aim is not to remove melanin but to calm the triggers and even out tone.
Daily sunscreen: Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every morning; reapply every 2–3 hours outdoors.
Gentle cleanser: Twice daily; avoid harsh foaming cleansers.
Night actives: Start with one—azelaic acid, niacinamide, liquorice, or a mild AHA.
Moisturise: Protect barrier and reduce irritation.
Avoid friction: Stop lip licking, picking, and over-scrubbing.
Track progress: Same-light selfie every 2 weeks.
AM:
Cleanser → Hydrating serum/niacinamide → Moisturiser → Sunscreen
PM:
Cleanser → Azelaic acid or liquorice/kojic derivative → Moisturiser
Tip: Introduce only one new active every 2 weeks.
If it fades after a week of strict sunscreen, sun exposure is the main cause. If not, consider friction, shaving, toothpaste irritation, old acne lesions, or hormonal changes.
A dermatologist may add peels, prescription creams, or procedures. Sunscreen remains essential during any treatment.
Ayurveda links pigmentation to heat, inflammation, and digestion-related imbalance. Herbs, calming routines, and lifestyle support aim to stabilise internal processes. This pairs well with modern sunscreen and gentle actives.
Amiy formulas are doctor-formulated and 100% natural, based on:
Bio-Neuromodulation™: Supporting balanced nerve communication that may influence stress-linked skin responses.
Complex Plant Elixir™: Synergistic botanicals for deeper support.
Where dark marks follow breakouts, Acne SOS may help reduce new post-inflammatory spots.
If bloating or indigestion affects your skin, Gut Reset supports the gut-skin link.
For cyclical darkening around periods, Period Pacifier may support balance.
Use internal support along with sunscreen and gentle topicals.
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Acne Scars Treatment: Fade Marks Safely at Home | Amiy Naturals
Cystic acne treatment: calm deep, painful pimples safely | Amiy Naturals
8–12 weeks of consistent sunscreen and gentle actives. Deeper marks take longer.
Azelaic acid (10%), niacinamide (4–5%), liquorice, or mild AHAs—one at a time.
Yes. Reduce friction, prep skin properly, and soothe afterward.
Yes if near windows or screens. UV and visible light affect pigment.
Repair the barrier first. Patch test. Avoid acids during active eczema.
Balanced meals and gut support help the skin manage inflammation better.
If marks around your mouth follow breakouts, consider Acne SOS as a support step to reduce new post-inflammatory marks.
If stress, bloating, or menstrual changes worsen skin tone, pair your routine with inner supports like Gut Reset for digestion balance and Period Pacifier for cyclical variations.
