As someone with perpetually dry lips, lip balms have always starred heavily in my beauty routine. Alongside a nightly ritual, which involves slathering on a thick lip mask, I also like to keep a selection (read: far too many) balms and treatments handy for topping up throughout the day. Because of this, I’ve always thought of myself as a bit of an expert when it comes to the best formulas for ensuring a super-soft pout. Then, Hailey Bieber launched her Rhode lip treatments, and suddenly there was a new buzz word on the lip balm block (not a real place, but I can dream)—the peptide lip balm.
Hailed as the holy grail of lip formulas, these hardworking balms not only promise to keep your lips soft and hydrated but they also aim to firm fine lines and leave things looking fuller and plumper too. They do this through a combination of peptides and the nourishing ingredients we’ve come to expect in our lip balms, like shea butter and ceramides. But, can they be better than a traditional lip balm? To find out, I spoke to Dr Simon Ourian, co-founder of Simon Ourian MD and celebrity cosmetic dermatology doctor, to find out…
What Are Peptides?
“Peptides are short chains of amino acids,” says Dr Ourian. “These amino acids signal the skin to boost collagen and elastin production.”
What Do Peptide Lip Balms Do?
“Peptide lip balms go beyond traditional formulas by incorporating advanced ingredients that stimulate collagen production, visibly enhancing lip volume and texture over time,” says Dr Ourian. “Unlike standard lip balms, which primarily provide surface-level hydration, these treatments work deeper to improve elasticity, smooth fine lines and support the natural barrier of the lips. They’re a great option for anyone looking to maintain a youthful, hydrated pout while enjoying long-term benefits.”
While Rhode may have made peptide lip balms mainstream, she’s not the only one creating super potent peptide lip balms. To help you decide which formula is best for you, I’ve created an edit of my favourite options below which deliver on both the hydration we’ve come to expect as well as a little added plumpness too.
Shop the Best Peptide Lip Balms
1. Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment
Rhode
Peptide Lip Treatment
Against
- Some complain of gritty formula (although, I think the brand has rectified this issue)
2. Nudestix Hydra-peptide Lip Butter
Nudestix
Hydra-Peptide Lip Butter
For
- Seriously nourishing formula
