Aloe Vera for Lips: Benefits, How to Use & Side Effects
Traditionally, the aloe vera plant has been used for the treatment of different skin, hair, and even internal conditions for thousands of years.
Even before humans discovered how to include it in manufactured products and prolong its shelf-life, we have been scooping it put straight from the plant and slathering it on ourselves.
So how beneficial is it for our lips and how to use it correctly to get the maximum results?
Benefits Of Aloe Vera For Lips
Aloe vera is packed with amazing nutrients all of which can be used to help keep your lips healthy. And also treat and prevent specific conditions your lips may suffer from such as chronic dryness and hyperpigmentation.
1- Helps to Prevent & Treat Dry Cracked lips
Aloe vera is very hydrating. This makes it very effective both at preventing and treating dry and cracked lips.
It works by increasing the moisture in your lips by adding some of its own and by binding and holding the water molecules that are already there, preventing water loss. This makes your lips less dry.
Aloe vera is also lightweight and soothing. The gel is thin and not heavy. It glides onto the skin and eventually absorbs without feeling greasy.
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2- Lighten Dark Lips & Reduce Hyperpigmentation.
When used consistently over time, aloe vera has been known to lighten lips.
A 2018 study has shown that Aloesin in aloe vera inhibits melanin production in the skin and by doing so decreases the pigmentation of the skin.
However, only this one study has been conducted and further ones need to be done to prove how effective this compound is for hyperpigmentation.
On the other hand, many people have used aloe vera on their lips over time and have reported lip lightening. This can be due to its effect on collagen production, its hydrating and healing effects, its inflammatory effects, and its anti-aging effects.
All of these indirectly help to lessen hyperpigmentation over time as the skin of the lips regenerates.
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How long does aloe vera take to lighten lips?
Aloe vera is a natural remedy and not a lightening agent. Therefore, depending on the severity of your lip pigmentation, it could take weeks to months to lighten your lips.
This will also depend on the cause, your lifestyle, and the overall condition of the skin of your lips.
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3- Prevents and Treats Lip Infections
The phenolic compounds aloin and emodin directly affect the infecting agent (viruses, bacteria, and fungi) by inactivating them.
They also indirectly help to get rid of infections by stimulating the immune system to attack the infecting agents.
Aloe also contains 6 antiseptic agents: Lupeol, salicylic acid, urea nitrogen, cinnamonic acid, phenols, and sulfur. These directly inhibit fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
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4- Reduces Lip Inflammation & Heal Wounds
Aloe Vera has strong anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to boost collagen production which speeds up wound healing.
Related Article: Vitamin C Serum on Lips: Benefits & How to Use
5- Reduces Lip Aging and Wrinkles
Aloe increases the production of collagen and elastin fibers, which make the skin more elastic and less wrinkled.
Additionally, by adhering the surface flaky epidermal cells together, it exerts cohesive effects that soften the skin.
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3- Heal Burnt Up Lips
Whether your lips are burnt from sipping a too-hot drink or from sun exposure, aloe can be applied to soothe and heal them.
Scientific research also suggests that when applied to the skin (as well as the lips) aloe vera encourages the production of an antioxidant protein called metallothionein which protects the lips from UV and gamma radiation.
So not only does it help to soothe and heal sunburns, but it also provides some protection from further exposure.
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How to Use Aloe Vera For Lips
Aloe vera can be scooped from the plant and applied directly on your lips, or it can be mixed with other ingredients to make lip balms and lip treatments.
Always remember to do a patch test before applying aloe to your whole lip. Even though this is a natural ingredient that is expected to be versatile, you can still experience some side effects.
Can you apply aloe vera on your lips daily?
Yes, you can apply aloe vera on your lips daily.
You can apply it as many times as you need throughout the day.
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Can you apply Aloe vera on your lips overnight?
Yes, you can apply aloe vera to your lips and leave it overnight.
It is not expected to cause any problems if left on for so long other than initially getting on your bedding if you toss and turn before it is absorbed into your skin.
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Best DIY Aloe Vera Recipes For Lips
1- Pure Aloe Vera Lip Mask
Ingredients/materials:
- Fresh Aloe Vera plant (or store-bought aloe vera gel)
- Spoon
- Bowl
Directions:
- Wash the aloe vera leaf well and use the spoon to scoop some of the gel out and put it in your bowl.
- If you cannot obtain fresh aloe, you may use a spoon of any store-bought aloe vera gel that is organic.
- Cleanse your lips then use your fingers to spread the aloe vera gel all over your lips.
- If you can stand the taste, you can keep the aloe vera gel on your lips for as long as you want. If you want, you can keep it on for a few minutes to a few hours and then wash it off.
- You can reapply the aloe to your lips as often as you feel is necessary.
How to Thicken Aloe vera Gel at Home to Apply to Skin & Lips
2- Aloe Vera Lip Balm
Ingredients/materials:
- 2 tablespoons pure coconut oil
- 1/2 tablespoon beeswax
- 1 teaspoon shea butter
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera
- 8 to 10 drops jojoba oil or almond oil
- Double boiler (or a glass bowl in a pot of boiling water)
- Spoon
- Dropper
- Glass jar or storage container
Directions:
- In a double boiler set over medium heat, melt the shea butter and coconut oil together first.
- As soon as these components are mixed, remove them from the fire and whisk occasionally. Allow the mixture to cool.
- Add the Aloe vera gradually to the cooled mixture.
- Lastly, add the essential oil using a dropper. Avoid menthol and camphor since they could make your lips even drier.
- Let the mixture set up in little glass jars in the refrigerator.
- When it has been set, use it as often as necessary as your lip balm.
- To avoid contamination and prolong shelf-life, use a clean q-tip to apply the lip balm each time instead of your fingers.
3- Easy Aloe Vera Lip Balm
Ingredients/material:
- 1 tbsp Aloe vera gel
- 1 tbsp petroleum Jelly
- 2-3 drops of food-grade mint extract (or any other flavor extract you prefer)
- Mixing bowl
- Storage container
Directions:
- In your bowl, melt down your petroleum jelly (this can be in a double boiler or the microwave).
- When it is still hot, add in your aloe vera and stir until it is well combined.
- Then add in your flavored extract.
- Keep stirring to make sure all the ingredients are mixed well.
- When well mixed, transfer it to your storage container and let it solidify.
- Use your lip balm as often as you need and store it in your refrigerator.
- To avoid contamination and prolong shelf-life, use a clean q-tip to apply the lip balm each time instead of your fingers.
4- Soothing Aloe Lip Gloss
Ingredients/materials:
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
- 1/2 teaspoon of food-grade sweet almond oil
- 2 vitamin E capsules
- A few drops of beet juice for tinting (optional)
- Mixing bowl
- Lip gloss tube and applicator
Directions:
- Combine the Aloe vera gel and food-grade almond oil in your mixing bowl. Stir to ensure that they are well combined.
- Use sterile scissors to snip the end of each vitamin E capsule, then squirt the contents into the mixture.
- Stir the ingredients gradually with a clean toothpick or spoon until they are thoroughly combined.
- Add one drop of beet juice at a time until you achieve the correct shade if you want to color your gloss. Just be careful not to overdo it otherwise your lip gloss may become too thin. You can also add more almond oil and aloe if you need to add more beet juice.
- You may also include a drop or 2 of a food-grade flavored extract to give your lip gloss a pleasant taste.
- When everything is well combined, transfer your mixture to your lipgloss tube and insert the applicator and cap.
- Store in the fridge and use as needed.
Best Aloe Vera Products For Lips
1- Sun Bum SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Balm
This lip balm not only contains aloe vera extract but also contains additional vitamin E and other moisturizing ingredients.
It provides an SPF of 30 which is great for protecting your lips from the sun and free-radical damage.
Click here to check out the Sun Bum SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Balm on Amazon.
2- LAPCOS Berry Lip Patch
Apart from containing a complex of berries that provide great antioxidants, these lip mask patches also contain Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder which gives it the hydrating and soothing properties of the aloe vera plant.
Click here to see the price for the LAPCOS Berry Lip Patch on Amazon.
Possible side effects of Aloe Vera on Lips
In sensitive people, it may result in redness, burning, stinging, and, very rarely, widespread dermatitis.
Anthraquinones, such as barbaloin and aloin, are primarily responsible for possible allergic responses. If you have a known allergy to plants in the Liliaceae family then you should avoid using aloe.
Additionally, if you are using any other medical topical treatments around your lips or on your lips, seek professional advice before also using aloe vera since it can interact with some other ingredients to either increase their absorption or inhibit them.
Related Article – How to Use Almond Oil for Lips: Benefits, Cons & Recipes
Does aloe vera darken lips?
Aloe vera has not been known to darken lips.
However, if you experience an allergic reaction or irritation from using aloe vera, the trauma of that experience could result in the darkening of the skin and scarring.
Related Article – Does Lipstick Darken Lips & Can it be Bad for Your Lips
Does Aloe vera irritate your lips?
Aloe vera is generally well tolerated and does not irritate most people’s lips.
However, every person is different so irritation is always a possibility to consider.
Related Article – Lipstick Allergies: How to Spot and Treat
Will aloe vera cause your lips to get dry?
Aloe vera may absorb into your lips but it will not dry them out. Instead, it retains moisture.
If your lips feel stiff after applying aloe, you may reapply some more or you may apply a lip balm over it.
Related Article – How to Use Turmeric to make Dark Lips Lighter & Pinker
Sources:
1-ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW – PMC
2-Are Natural Ingredients Effective in the Management of Hyperpigmentation? A Systematic Review – PMC
