One of many extra widespread online theories means that Dior’s lip oil acts as a “cooking agent” of types, catalyzing irritation. Dobos dismisses this as an exaggeration: “[On an average day,] you’re not attending to any kind of temperature the place you’ll be ‘cooking’ the pores and skin.” Dr. Gohara, however, says, “Shiny lip merchandise can intensify UV publicity by performing like a magnifying glass. With out SPF, this will result in sun-induced pigmentation.” (The Dior lip oil doesn’t embrace sunscreen elements.)
Some TikTok customers theorize the lip oil is inflicting “margarita burns”—a nickname for phytophotodermatitis, a pores and skin situation whereby sure elements (like lime juice) uncovered to gentle trigger a burn-like rash. That’s what Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist, and Chesahna Kindred Weaver, MD, a Maryland-based board-certified dermatologist, each imagine is occurring to those Dior clients. “Sure crops—particularly citrus fruits, celery, and carrots—may cause pigmentation modifications when uncovered to daylight,” Dr. Weaver says. “It’s the identical factor that occurs when somebody spills lime juice on their pores and skin whereas vacationing within the solar and develops a rash in that space.” The signs of the pores and skin situation Dior clients are reporting align tremendously with the signs of the sort of rash, they each say.
However right here’s the place issues get a bit complicated: Dior’s formulation doesn’t comprise lime juice or another comparable fruit or vegetable juices, as Dobos factors out. In the event you ask her, “That is extra doubtless about how sure elements are interacting with particular person sensitivities and solar publicity over time.”
What’s sure, although, is that continued use of the product even after delicate irritation has occurred is making the situation harder to deal with. “In melanin-rich pores and skin, something that irritates—zits, bug bites, or on this case, a lip oil—may cause hyperpigmentation,” Dr. Weaver says. “When somebody continues to use the issue, the pigmentation deepens.” Dr. Mariwalla agrees: “The longer it persists, the more durable it’s to deal with.”
To stop lip irritation like this, Dr. Gohara recommends carrying a lip balm with SPF each day, particularly below shiny lip merchandise. If you’re experiencing hyperpigmentation you assume is perhaps attributable to extended use of Dior’s lip oil, she and Dr. Weaver each advise ceasing use and getting in contact with a physician. Dr. Mariwalla warns towards the temptation to deal with the issue with aggressive exfoliants. “That always worsens the pigmentation,” she says.
