Pimple On Your Lip? Here’s How To Treat It Without Popping

Pimples are a type of acne, and can develop almost anywhere on the body, including on the lip. They form when clogged pores, usually with hair follicles, become inflamed. Bacteria grows inside, which causes white discharge or more serious infections if left untreated.

Any teen (former or current) knows that popping pimples is both satisfying and less than helpful in the long run. There are better ways to get rid of pimples than popping them, especially a pimple on the lip (which is a very sensitive strip of skin).

Some of the ways to remove pimples besides popping them include:

• soaps, creams, and astringents
• compresses
• castor oil
• lemon juice
• turmeric paste
• honey
• tea tree oil
• face masks

How to get rid of a pimple on your lip without damaging the skin

Use a mild alcohol-free cleanser twice per day and avoid astringents and exfoliants that can dry out and irritate your skin.

The same applies when it comes to skin creams — the gentler the better. Look for moisturizers made for acne-prone skin.

A cold compress can relieve swelling and redness, as well as reduce pain felt from the pimple. A warm compress, alternatively, can help soften the pimple and draw out the debris inside it. If the pimple gets infected, you’ll definitely want to use a warm compress to help drain the pus.

Castor oil can also help naturally relieve pimples, as it is a natural moisturizer that contains ricinoleic acid (known for its anti-inflammatory benefits). Castor oil is also used in treating wounds since it promotes tissue growth and prevents the buildup of dead skin.

Maybe you’d rather try some simple lemon juice instead, which contains a significant amount of vitamin C. This vitamin is deeply connected to the production of collagen in skin. It’s also thought that lemon juice may naturally dry out a “soggy” pimple, but some people don’t react well to straight citrus on their face, so be careful.

Turmeric and honey both contain strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which makes them good for cleaning skin conditions like psoriasis and acne.

What causes acne on the lip line?

Excess oil production, bacteria, and hair follicles that are clogged by oil, dead skin, and debris can cause pimples on the lip line. Stress, hormones, and certain medications can increase your risk for pimples and worsen acne, too.

As for skin products, reports of people developing acne around the lips after repetitive use of lip balm and petroleum jelly do exist. Excessive use of any product could potentially clog pores and cause pimples on the lip line, so take it easy on your face, folks.