Here's Why You Keep Breaking Out Along Your Lip Line - Byrdie

Key Takeaways

• Lip pimples commonly occur due to clogged pores with bacteria and oil, leading to painful, tender bumps.
• Differentiating between lip pimples and cold sores is essential, as they have distinct causes and appearances.
• To prevent lip pimples, avoid occlusive skincare products, maintain facial cleanliness, and minimize sugary and starchy foods.

Acne can pop up seemingly anywhere, but certain areas are more frustrating (and more painful) than others. This is certainly the case for lip pimples—those pesky little (or big) pimples that pop up on the corners of our mouths or along our lip line are not only a nuisance, but they can downright hurt. Every time you talk, smile, chew, or yawn, it's an unfriendly reminder of the irritation and inflammation that popped up out of nowhere and just isn't going away fast enough. To better understand these blemishes, we got board-certified dermatologists' insights on the common causes as well as prevention and treatment options. Below, learn all about how to get rid of lip pimples and keep them from coming back to bother you.

Meet the Experts

• Rachel Nazarian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She specializes in cosmetic treatments, skin cancer, and dermatologic surgery.
• Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, where he serves as the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

What Are Lip Pimples? 

Lip pimples are like any other pimples—and form for the same reasons, too. "Essentially, they are clogged pores, or glands, that often mix oil with bacteria to create painful or tender bumps along the lip line," board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD says. 

If you haven't experienced many lip pimples and are feeling alarmed, rest assured that it's a normal occurrence: "Pimples are common in this area because of the high concentration and large size of oil glands around the lips," board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD says.

As with most pimples, "Oil gets trapped within the pores and promotes the overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria, which contribute to inflammation and lead to the red, painful bumps we are all used to," Zeichner says. In this sensitive area, they tend to be more painful, likely because of the large amount of movement that our lips and mouth are constantly performing—talking, chewing, etc.

Lip pimples appear along the lip line and corners of the mouth as red or pink bumps that may or may not have a white head. "They usually sit around the outermost border of the lip, where glands are the densest," Nazarian says. "Typically, [they present in] one of three ways: a deep, tender red bump, a small whitehead, or a blackhead." 

Lip Pimples vs. Cold Sores

Lip pimples are not to be confused with cold sores, as they both look fairly different and have different causes. (Though at first, they may have a similar sensation, it's usually pretty easy to differentiate between the two.) "Cold sores tend to start with a burning or stinging sensation followed by a clustered group of small blisters," Zeichner says. "In some cases, patients may develop pus bumps rather than clear blisters."

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, while pimples are caused by bacteria. Lip pimples may also appear red and irritated, but upon a closer look, they are "usually a solitary, red bump." Lip pimples are equally likely to affect people of any gender, so if you're experiencing them more than most, it's likely due to a factor like your skin type, hormones, or something in your routine—more on that below.

Common Causes of Lip Pimples

Most lip pimples are caused by the same pore-clogging bacteria as regular breakouts that you find elsewhere on your face and body. "There are many different causes to lip pimples—some are the same as sources of classic pimples found elsewhere on the body (like oil glands, clogged pores, bacteria, medications, and stress)," Nazarian tells us.

There's no special type of pimple reserved for the lip area—they just look and feel a little different because the skin is more sensitive and constantly in use, rather than "resting" comfortably on your cheek or nose. That being said, "lip pimples have many specific triggers of their own, such as [overuse of] occlusive products," Nazarian explains. "They are also more prone to exposure to moisture—generally saliva—and because of this can even occasionally harbor yeast-derived, pimple-like bumps."

Sugars and Starches

Because they're around the mouth, it's only natural to think that perhaps what we eat may be a contributing factor to our pimples. In a way, that's true, but "contrary to popular belief, oily and greasy foods are not the cause of acne breakouts," Zeichner clarifies. "It is really sugars and starches that have shown to be the culprits."

Residue from Greasy Foods

Eating greasy food might not cause breakouts internally (the way that sugars and starches do), but if oil and grease come into contact with your lips and the surrounding area, they could cause external breakouts. Similar to how pores can get clogged with oil and grease elsewhere on the skin, "the oily and greasy foods may physically block the pores and cause breakouts," Zeichner explains.

Hair Removal Irritation

Hair removal is another common cause of lip pimples. According to Zeichner, whenever you pluck, wax, or shave around your mouth, it can cause inflammation within the follicles, which can then promote breakouts in the surrounding areas. Following tips on how to properly shave your upper lip can go a long way in minimizing irritation and any resulting breakouts.

Occlusive Skincare and Cosmetics

Your skincare and cosmetic products may be contributing factors, too. "Occlusive items, like lipgloss, lipstick, and balms, irritate or clog these delicate glands," Nazarian says. Anything else that gets in the area—like sunscreen or face makeup—can have an impact, too, so pay attention if a new product seems to be making your lips break out. "While [occlusive lip products] may be effective in hydrating the lips, they may block the pores if they cross over to the skin," Zeichner adds.

How to Prevent Lip Pimples

As you might expect, preventing pimples on your lips usually involves minimizing the things that cause them as well as you can. Some of these are tips that also go for your face in general, while others are specifically tailored to what your lips are likely to get exposed to.

Wash Your Face Regularly

Since many lip pimples are caused by excess oil by way of skin type, environmental factors, or greasy foods, washing your face twice a day can work wonders for keeping your pores clear. At night, a double cleanse may be a good idea: "[You want to] make sure that you effectively remove any makeup that could be sitting in this area every night before you go to bed," Nazarian tells us. Make sure to follow your cleansing routine with a gentle, noncomedogenic moisturizer to make sure you don't dry out your skin (which can also cause breakouts).

Don't Touch Your Face

You've probably heard not to touch your face in order to prevent pimples in general, and the same advice goes for the skin surrounding your lips. Of course, this area gets more exposure for reasons like eating, applying products, and wiping your mouth, so just keep your hands clean and try to be conscious of only touching your face when necessary.

Use Occlusive Products Sparingly

"Avoid applying super goopy, sticky or heavy products on your lips," Nazarian tells us. "Lightweight, oil-free products are less likely to block the delicate glands and pores around the lips, and less likely to trigger acne pimples.

Eat Less Sugars and Starches

Since Zeichner mentioned that sugars and starches can cause breakouts internally, you may want to try cutting back on these and seeing if it helps the skin around your lips to stay clear.

Remove Potential Irritants

Since hair removal and certain skincare products can cause irritation and, by extension, breakouts, be wary of if anything in your routine seems to be affecting your skin and adjust your routine accordingly. Making sure you follow proper hair removal steps (like exfoliation, moisturizing, and using a razor meant for your face) can go a long way, as can choosing products suitable for sensitive skin.

How to Treat Lip Pimples

Just like with other acne, there are several potential treatment options for lip pimples, and which to go with depends on what works for you. "Get on a consistent acne-fighting regimen," Nazarian advises. "Being proactive is really key here. If you are prone to breakouts in this area, getting on a steady daily regimen can keep pores clear, decrease acne-causing bacteria, and even decrease oil production so you’re less likely to get pimples." Just be sure to follow proper instructions with each so you don't end up accidentally hurting instead of helping the situation.

Gently Pop It

If you're tempted to pop your lip pimple, you're not alone—and you may not even be in the wrong. "Some are pickable and some are not," Zeichner says. "A red, painful bump without a head is not pickable, and attempting to pick it may cause more harm than good, leading to scabbing and potential scarring." However, if you see pus or a blackhead on the surface, he says that you may carefully and gently apply even, downward pressure to express the contents. Just be sure both your hands and skin are properly cleansed. 

Use Acne-Fighting Products

If there isn't a visible whitehead or blackhead, Zeichner says you should avoid trying to pop the lip pimple and instead suggests using a spot treatment. "For red, angry pimples, spot treat with a benzoyl peroxide acne treatment," he says. "It lowers levels of acne-causing bacteria, calms inflammation, and dries out the pimple itself."

Face washes containing salicylic acid, which works to remove excess oil and dead cells from the skin's surface, are also helpful to treat and prevent lip breakouts.

Nazarian agrees that benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are effective treatments, saying that the former is good for targeting bacteria and the latter is a gentle solution. She also says that retinoids can help keep lip pimples and other acne in check, but cautions that they "are super strong and should be used sparingly."

Visit a Dermatologist

"If you’re finding yourself unsuccessful, you should discuss with a board-certified dermatologist," Nazarian says. "They’ve got a menu of options that are safe and gentle that can prevent pimples around the lips, or anywhere else. Because lips are so sensitive and delicate, sometimes this area requires a gentler acne-fighting ingredient, but thankfully, there are plenty to choose from."

The Final Takeaway

At the end of the day, lip pimples can be a real pain—both literally and figuratively. Because of their less-than-ideal location, you might notice their presence every time you move your mouth, which only adds to the frustration. The good news is that with the right skincare ingredients and some TLC, pimples on and around your lips can be treated and prevented in many of the same ways as any other breakout. Now that you have some tools in your arsenal, go ahead and smile, eat, yawn, and smooch.

FAQ

• Can oils cause pimples on lips?

  Yes—oils can clog pores anywhere on the skin, and the lips are no exception. One such example is coconut oil.

• Is the pimple on my lip an allergy?

  It could be. See a doctor if you're concerned about a pimple or breakout around your mouth area, especially if you're suddenly having more lip pimples than normal.

• Can I pop a pimple on my lip?

  It's not recommended to pop a pimple as it can cause scarring or even infection, although Zeichner says you can attempt to gently pop lip pimples if they're whiteheads or blackheads. Still, it's typically best to avoid it and go for a safer method.