Key ingredients: shea butter, peptides, capuaçu butter | Who it’s for: people looking for a lightweight option
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of a lip treatment?
Lip treatments take the best, most skin-loving elements of your favorite nourishing lippie to the next level. “Lip treatments offer longer-term benefits to this area of skin that deserves much more love and attention than it gets,” says Dr. Gohara. “Think hydration and plumping.”
What are the ingredients I should look for in a lip treatment?
According to Dr. Lee, high on the list of lip treatment ingredients is collagen peptides. “Collagen peptides focus on the production and maintenance of collagen, which is essential for the firmness and elasticity of the skin. When used regularly on the lips, collagen peptides will improve and help maintain the shape, volume, and texture of the lips,” she previously told Allure. “Shea and hyaluronic acid are my favorites,” Dr. Gohara puts it simply.
Peptides are another winner. “Lip peptides are effective for enhancing lip appearance by boosting collagen production, which helps keep lips firm and smooth,” Dr. Lee explained. “They also improve hydration, making lips plump and well-moisturized, and reduce the appearance of fine lines while supporting overall repair. Essentially, [peptide lip treatments] help maintain youthful and healthy-looking lips.” However, it’s a good idea to avoid ingredients like menthol and camphor because, despite the cooling, satisfying tingle, those ingredients can irritate the skin.
What’s the difference between a balm and a treatment?
The difference between a lip balm and a lip treatment comes down to longevity. “Lip balms are for right now, while lip treatments are for now and later,” says Dr. Gohara. In other words, you don’t just get immediate comfort, but long-term perks, too.
Plus, lip balms are often packed with less skin-forward ingredients that may actually be the source of chapping. Balms commonly contain irritants like fragrances and menthol. “They just add cosmetic appeal to the product but are irritating to the skin barrier, causing more dryness and irritation,” Dr. Gohara previously explained.
Meet the Experts
- Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Jersey
- Nicole Lee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.