Are fine lines and chapped lips stealing your peace? Lip products might just be the solution to reviving that smile and foregoing expensive procedures. As we age, the skin around our mouth starts thinning and losing collagen, while fine lines begin emerging from the sidelines. Regardless of the season you're in, caring for your lips should be part of your daily skin care routine.
"We start to see signs of aging in the lips in our mid-20s to early 30s. This, of course, varies with not just genetics, but lifestyle habits like sun exposure, smoking or oxidative damage," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kiran Milan. It's no wonder why there's a wide range of peptide lip treatments on the market promising a plumper pout, bouncier skin and smoother texture. But do they actually work? Dermatologists reveal which products (along with their promising blends of ingredients) are here to smooth and deliver a plumping effect.
So pucker up and treat your lips with these editor-loved and expert-approved formulas that will smooth the borders of your mouth.
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What is a peptide lip treatment?
Peptide lip treatments are collagen-boosting products that are designed to hydrate, plump and restore youthfulness to the lips. "They are short chains of amino acids that act as messengers, signaling skin cells to ramp up collagen and elastin production," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kristina Collins.
"In lip care, they can help support a smoother, firmer appearance, improve hydration and reduce the look of fine lines around the mouth," she adds.
Do peptide lip treatments actually work?
Yes! As we age, our lips mature with us, and they "lose collagen and elastin, making vertical lines often referred to as smokers' lines, but from the kissing motion of our mouth or using a straw," says Milan. Lip peptide treatments exist to help improve firmness and hydration as fine lines become more prominent, skin turns drier and a less-defined smile appears.
"Peptides are a long-term volumization treatment for aging lips and are a great complement to more intensive in-office procedures. Over time, our oil production also decreases, making our lips more prone to dryness. Peptides are often combined with skin barrier-strengthening ingredients to help with hydration," says Milan.
While peptide lip treatments don't have the long-term effects of injectables, they can enhance the appearance of the lips and revive that youthful pout. Below are a few products approved by our experts and other editor-loved lippies to shop.
Peptide lip treatments, approved by experts
The compound of peptides, squalane and micro-encapsulated hyaluronic acid works in unison to "improve collagen production and boost lip hydration," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp. And when lips are aging, hydration is a must. The non-sticky texture is proof that this formulation is meant for deep hydration and nourishment. According to the brand, 100% of the participants noticed immediate results after use, and agreed their parched lips felt smoother. So, if you're looking to lock hydration while out in the sun, this lip treatment is designed to deliver ultra-glow and a juicy appearance.
This formula is beloved by editors and experts for its high-shine finish and long-lasting hydration. Founded by model Hailey Bieber, Rhode has been a game-changer in the peptide lip department for delivering a glazed effect. While peptide is the star ingredient, the formula is also stacked with shea butter, Vitamin E, babassu and cupuçau.
"I really like Rhode’s Lip Peptide treatment for its combination of palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 to build collagen with nourishing fatty acids from cupuçau, vitamin E and shea butter," says Milan. Editor Vivien Moon is also a fan and says, "This lip gloss is one of my top five of all time because of the scent/flavor and the way I continue to reach for it."
Camp says that "Collagen and elastin are structural proteins that give skin firmness, rigidity and elasticity." This balmy formula delivers just that — a juicy texture loaded with hyaluronic acid and collagen to moisturize lips and "visibly diffuse fine lines." Quenched lips will be instantly repaired when you slather this formula on your lips. Only one coat is necessary to give your dry pout a nice revival, with glossy and smooth results as promised.
"I’m also a fan of Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Gloss Balm as it has a trio of peptides, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and -38, and Tricapeptide-1 for support in smoothness, plumpness and hydration, along with sesame seed oil, shea butter and lactic acid," shares Milan. According to clinical trials from the brand, it takes about four weeks to notice the difference visibly. With its non-sticky texture, sheer tint finish and non-irritating formula, this treatment is designed to gloss away your wrinkle worries.
This clear balm is designed to boost volume and softness on your lips, while instantly plumping them. “Hyaluronic acid and konjac root extract are included with collagen-boosting peptides to improve lip hydration and smoothness,” says Camp. Aside from the hydrating benefits, this formula is meant to reduce fine lines and treat chapped lips — especially during winter months. The treatment also bundles beeswax, castor oil, herbal extracts and peptides to promote long-lasting smoothness.
Peptide lip treatments, approved by editors
Neutrogena is one of my [Espinal] go-to drugstore brands whenever I need to upgrade my skin care routine quickly. This plumping serum is meant to condition your lips while slightly delivering a fuller appearance. The applicator features tiny silver beads that gently massage your lips when smearing on top. Its tasteless formula is ideal for those who are sensitive to tastes or scents. Overall, it is a no-fuss, easy-to-apply product that promotes nourishment and a smooth sensation. You need to make sure to twist the cap when you are about to open and close, so the formula doesn't leak.
"Tula has long been a go-to brand in the skin care space for me. Heading into the dry fall season, this newly-launched lip treatment has become the last step in my routine, both morning and night," shares production associate Audrey Ekman. Characterized by its glossy and lustrous tint, this mixture helps to improve smoothness and generates positive results when used consistently.
She continues, "It leaves my lips feeling nourished for hours at a time, thanks to peptides, hyaluronic acid and other key ingredients in the formula. No wonder a version of the formula won in Shop TODAY's Beauty Awards this year!"
This product is instrumental for those seeking high levels of hydration. Its straightforward buttery formula plumps, defines and smooths the lips. Senior editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil shares, "I've had this lip treatment in my bag for a couple of weeks now and I keep reaching for it. It glides on beautifully and has a lovely, rich texture. Plus, the Crème Brûlèe flavor is so delicious for fall!"
Ekman recently added this to her lip rotation for its glossy, non-drying and vibrant texture. "When I want a classic gloss that won't dry out my lips, I reach for this tube from Smashbox. The shade Gem is a sheer pink with a hint of shimmer that adds just the right amount of sparkle. The balmy formula contains a peptide, hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E, and it almost feels more like a lip oil than a gloss to me since it has a non-sticky cushion that's really hydrating. Because it's gently plumping, this has a subtle, cool tingle to it, too," she adds.
Ekman also reaches for her Buxom lip collection whenever she needs a glowy makeover. "One of the first products I ever stole from my mom's makeup bag was a Buxom lip gloss. A couple of decades later, I'm still completely obsessed with the brand's lip products. These days, I've been really into this peptide-packed plumping lip serum, which I own in a few shades — my favorite of which is 'Dolly Babe,' a universally-flattering mauve that gives a 'my lips but better' look. It smooths out any fine lines and keeps chapping at bay throughout the day," adds Ekman. Plus, the brightening shades (17 hues) offer a juicy yet flattering texture to the lips.
Frequently asked questions
You can use peptide lip treatments throughout the day, according to Milan. "Most peptide lip treatments are safe to use daily, often morning and night. Because peptides work gradually, consistency is key. Applying at least once a day ensures a steady supply of those messenger molecules to support collagen and hydration," adds Collins.
According to Collins, these peptide ingredients are the most used in lip formulas.
- Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7: "Often used together (known as Matrixyl 3000), they help stimulate collagen synthesis and reduce wrinkle depth."
- Acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline): "Can soften the appearance of fine expression lines, including those around the lips."
- Palmitoyl oligopeptide: This one is common in "lip plumping products, because it supports both collagen and glycosaminoglycan production, improving fullness and hydration," says Collins.
She emphasizes looking for formulas that combine peptides with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or shea butter so you get both short-term and long-term moisture.
How we chose
We chose the best peptide lip treatments based on advice from experts regarding their benefits, from hydration to results. We also considered specific ingredients that help with moisturizing, anti-aging, and more. Additionally, we asked our Shop TODAY editors for their personal reviews and favorite products.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on lip peptide treatments. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Kiran Milan is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in all things hair, skin and nails. She's a graduate of Rutgers University and serves as a volunteer faculty at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai University.
- Dr. Brendan Camp is a board-certified dermatologist and sees patients at MDCS Dermatology. He's the author of several scientific articles and has been published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the Journal of Cutaneous Pathology, and the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
- Dr. Kristina Collins is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in Mohs micrographic surgery, as well as surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She earned her M.D. as valedictorian from Vanderbilt University and completed advanced training in dermatology at Harvard.
