Dermatologists: I have rashes on my lips - what should I do next?

Pimples are no stranger to your chin, jawline, and around your nose, but can they also appear on your lips? According to a Skincare.com expert,  Karen Hammerman, MD, Schweiger Dermatology Group in Garden City, New York, sort of. Pimples around and near the lips are extremely common due to the large size of the sebaceous glands in this area. While you can't get a pimple on the skin of your lips itself (there are no sebaceous glands on the lips), you can certainly get a pimple very close and almost on them. Ahead, Dr. Hammerman will tell you what you need to know.

Do I really have rashes on my lips?

“Pimples on the lips can be thought of as just like any other pimples, and they form for the same reasons,” says Dr. Hammerman. “Oil gets trapped in the pores in the lip area, leading to an overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria, which promotes inflammation and results in red, painful bumps.” Since you use your lips all the time, pimples in this area can be very fragile. "The sensitive area of ​​the mouth tends to make acne more painful due to the amount of movement our lips constantly make while talking, chewing, etc."

What causes pimples near the lips?

There are several reasons, including diet and hair removal, that you may develop breakouts very near and almost to the top of your lips. Dr. Hammerman also adds that you should be careful with lip products, as some of the wax in lip balms can clog pores if the lip balm is applied to the skin very close to the lips. 

How to deal with breakouts on the lips (without sacrificing moisture)

Treating lip rashes can be tricky if you have especially dry lips. "When choosing a lip balm, check the ingredients and try to avoid products that clog pores," says Dr. Hammerman. We recommend Kiehl's #1 Lip Balm which includes squalane, aloe vera and vitamin E. For a tinted balm, try Glossier Balmdotcom in Mango.

"Pimples in the mouth and lip area should not be confused with cold sores, which usually start with a burning or stinging sensation followed by a cluster of small blisters," adds Dr. Hammerman. “Another skin condition that can resemble acne is perioral dermatitis, an inflammatory rash that affects the skin near the mouth and appears as a scaly or red bumpy rash. If you notice that your acne does not respond to treatment, resembles a rash, causes pain or itching, consider consulting a dermatologist.