How to Remove Nicotine Stains From Lips

Cigarette smoking takes a toll on the body, accelerating the aging process by causing early wrinkles and discoloring the teeth, hair and skin. Nicotine also breaks down collagen and causes unsightly brown stains on the lips, resulting in a kisser that is anything but kissable. Quitting smoking is the only way to return nicotine-stained lips to their normal appearance. However, you can minimize the brown stains and improve the appearance of your lips until you are ready to break the habit for good.

Step 1

Exfoliate your lips with a mild scrub once every week. Although you can use a commercial scrub, you can make a scrub at home by mixing brown or white sugar, almond oil and honey.

Step 2

Apply a lip balm or lipstick containing sunscreen every time you go outdoors. Look for products with an SPF factor of at least 15. Use fresh, high-quality lipstick, and discard old, outdated products.

Step 3

Smooth a moisturizer such as petroleum jelly, vitamin E oil or lip balm on your lips every night.

Step 4

Make a paste of lemon or lime juice, honey, and plain, full-fat yogurt. Smooth the paste on your lips and leave it for 30 minutes, then rinse. Apply as needed to soften and lighten the lips.

Step 5

Drink at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your lips hydrated.

Things You'll Need

• Brown or white sugar

• Almond oil

• Honey

• Lip balm or lipstick containing sunscreen

• Petroleum jelly, vitamin E oil or lip balm

• Lemon or lime juice

• Honey

• Plain, full-fat yogurt

Tip

Minimize your consumption of coffee and tea, which often stains the lips.

Plain petroleum jelly is an effective scrub. Apply the jelly to the lips gently with a soft baby toothbrush.