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Never have I ever seen a more genius marketing move than Hailey Bieber’s new Rhode phone case. ICYMI: the celeb beauty founder launched an unexpected product in her viral skincare brand (and yes, we’re all obsessed). But it’s not just any phone case. On the back, it has a built-in holder for your Rhode Lip Treatment. This product placement isn’t just convenient—like any product geared to Gen Z and millennials, it looks good in selfies. All over the internet, fans have been posting their own mirror selfies showing off their Rhode phone cases and Rhode-treated pouts. Talk about organic product marketing.
But the lip treatment itself has received a similar amount of frenzy. Before the phone case dropped, I watched everyone on my feed post “candid” pictures of them reapplying their lip treatment at brunch or tucking it into the string of their bikinis. A good lip treatment is an essential, these pictures implied. And as a beauty editor, I love a good non-negotiable product. Think of it as a desert island pick that you never leave the house without. Today, I’m making the argument for adding lip treatments to your short list of beauty must-haves.
Featured image from our interview with Catt Sadler by Michelle Nash.
The Expert on Lip Treatments Breaks Down the Buzzy Trend
When you imagine a lip treatment, you might think of Medspa treatments like lip flips and filler. But this latest buzzy beauty product is all about prioritizing lip health. With the rise of trendy makeup must-haves like lip oils, lip glosses, and lip stains, lip treatments are the foundation for a healthy, hydrated pout. For more insights, I spoke with celebrity dermatologist and founder of Macrene Actives Dr. Macrene Alexiades, to hear what’s behind the hype.
What are lip treatments?
Similar to our eyes, the skin on lips is different as it abuts the mucosal layer. It is thinner and more delicate than other areas of the body, making it more prone to damage.
Lip treatments are designed to not only cover and protect lips but also rejuvenate, repair, and nourish them.
Lip Treatments vs. Lip Balms
Lip balms typically have a lighter texture and feel and can be used daily to offer relief and comfort to the lips but sit on top of the lips without delivering active ingredients. Lip treatments are formulated to target deep hydration and repair of the lips and have richer textures compared to lip balms.
Depending on the product, some treatments should be used once a week, while others can be used multiple times a day to achieve naturally plump and moisturized lips.
What about plumping lip treatments?
Lip treatments in the office include injectable fillers. Macrene Actives High-Performance Lip Filler replaces the need for injections by delivering peptides and micro-encapsulated hyaluronic acid. This achieves a healthier, more natural result.
Other formulas work by irritating the lips—the lips swell in response to an irritant—this is not a good way to plump.
Can lip treatments make your lips dry over time?
The lips’ skin is more sensitive, and people naturally experience dryness and irritation in this area. Most lip treatments are formulated with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients. However, dryness or sensitivities may occur after using a lip treatment if you are allergic to or have intolerances to certain ingredients.
If ceramides are included, these work to repair chapped lips. If someone overuses, this could over-repair some individuals, so keep usage to three to five times per day.
Ingredients to Look for in Lip Treatments
When searching for a quality lip treatment, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and topical ceramides. These ingredients work to deliver hydration and anti-aging benefits and boost collagen while healing the skin’s lips. Organic ingredients are also a plus.
My preference in formulation is an oil-based formula for lips. I use essential oils including coconut oil, goldenrod, and plantageum which are known to be lip-therapeutic. Avoid parabens, fragrances, alcohol, and synthetic colors. These ingredients can trigger dryness, dehydration, and irritation.
What is the best lip care routine?
Taking care of your lips should be a daily habit. This can be done by wearing a daily lip balm (with SPF!) that protects your lips’ skin from external elements like harsh weather conditions and the sun and staying hydrated with a healthy water intake regimen.
Lip treatments are great for giving lips an extra boost of TLC during the week to rehydrate and repair them.
How do you heal damaged lips?
Repairing of skin, including lips requires time and a consistent and effective routine. The more consistent you are, the sooner you can see progress in damaged lips. Prioritizing hydration and moisturization of damaged lips and avoiding products that may irritate the lip’s skin is the best method to practice.
The Best Hydrating Lip Treatments
lip treatments come in all shapes and sizes for different concerns. That’s right—there’s more to them than just delivering hydration. If you want a tinted lip treatment or an overnight mask, these are the best options to shop from.
Best Overall: Rhode Skin Peptide Lip Treatment
Believe the hype. The lip treatment that started it all is as good as it looks. With a silky texture and an ingredient list packed with peptides, this deeply nourishes your lips while giving you cool points from the Gen Z in your life.
Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Peptides, Cupuaçu, Babassu
Size: 0.3 fl oz
Best Hydrating: 19/99 Lip Ointment
When you think of an ointment, you might think of a sticky, tacky texture. Think again. This lip ointment slides on and seals in moisture with a weightless texture. Cupuacu seed butter, olive oil, and ceramides hydrate throughout the day or overnight. I keep this in my bag at all times.
Key Ingredients: Cupuacu Butter, Tripelargonin, Sunflower Seed Oil, Olive Oil
Size: 0.42 fl oz
Best Tinted: U Beauty The PLASMA Lip Compound
This lip treatment does it all. It exfoliates gently with AHAs and BHAs then hydrates with peptides, ceramides, and shea butter. Then beeswax acts as an occlusive to lock it all in. But the most impressive part is how the pigment stains the lips and doesn’t budge.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Salicylic Acid, Beeswax
Size:
Best Overnight: City Beauty City Lips Night Oil
This night oil is, hands-down, the most game-changing overnight lip treatment I’ve tried. I slather it all over before going to bed and wake up to plump, hydrated lips. Supercharged with nourishing ingredients, get ready for hydrated, plumper lips—AM to PM.
Key Ingredients: Portulaca Pilosa Extract, Plankton & Floral Extract, Hyaluronic Acid
Size: 0.23 fl oz
Best for Dry Lips: Typology Paris Repairing Lip Mask 1% Ceramides + Hyaluronic Acid
Mango butter, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid work together to repair even the driest lips. This oil-based treatment delivers visible results after just 15 minutes post-application.
Key Ingredients: Castor Oil, Macadamia Oil, Glycerin, Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Mango Butter
Size: 0.50 fl oz
Best Plumping: Macrene Actives High-Performance Lip Filler
“When I first created [this lip filler],” says Dr. Alexiades, “there was no other product like it on the market. The product includes several active ingredients to naturally plump and moisturize lips, protect them from stressors, and help reduce the appearance of lip fine lines and wrinkles.”
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E, Shea Butter
Size: 0.27 fl oz
Best for Repair: Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment
This hydrating lip mask instantly refreshes and gives you a soft, shiny finish. It also works deep in the skin to heal and repair even the driest, cracked lips. It is suitable for all skin types and safe for eczema. I like the clear finish, but it also comes in six different tints for a pop of color.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Shea Butter
Size: 0.38 fl oz
Best Oil-Based: Ami Cole Lip Treatment Oil
With a unique oil-to-gloss texture, this lip oil treats and tints to create a versatile product that deserves to be in your handbag and your makeup bag. It uses antioxidants like passionfruit seed oil, while baobab seed oil moisturizes and camellia oil deeply hydrates.
Key Ingredients: Baobab Seed Oil, Camellia Seed Oil, Passion Fruit Seed Oil
Size: 0.15 fl oz
Best Lip Butter: MUTHA Pucker Lip Butter
This lip butter shines with squalane and shea butter working together with natural seed oils to hydrate and prevent moisture loss. It also prevents fine lines by gently exfoliating and boosting collagen production.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Ceramides
Size: 0.28 fl oz
Best SPF: Cay Skin Deepwater Nourishing Lip Mask
SPF shouldn’t be an afterthought. Yet, many people forget to protect their lips. Hydrate and shield this delicate skin with this treatment that combines sunscreen with lip care. It hydrates with sea moss and aloe stem cells for softer, hydrated, and shielded lips. Bonus: This is one of the biggest lip treatments and will last you for months.
Key Ingredients: Hibiscus Extract, Aloe Stem Cells, Sea Moss, Vitamin E
Size: .7 fl oz
