Take a look at any skincare lover’s beauty cabinet and you will likely find a plethora of products with hyaluronic acid as the star ingredient. The hydrating powerhouse is a staple in many successful creams and serums and is loved by dermatologists because it is an excellent moisturizer and has few or no side effects.
But recently, we’ve seen the ingredient pop up in celebrities’ beauty routines in an unlikely way – in their favorite lip products. In one recent interview with “Allure”, Kristen Bell cited Charlotte Tilbury’s Happikiss Hyaluronic Balm as a staple in her daily makeup routine. And before that, Gwyneth Paltrow revealed that one of her favorite lip formulas is HA-infused Ilia Balmy Gloss Tint Lip Oil.
And, it turns out these celebrities have the right idea. The ingredient can be just as beneficial for your pout as it is for your skin. “Just like the rest of our skin, our lips are sensitive to moisture loss, as well as becoming dry, cracked and irritated,†said Dr. Marisa Garshick, a certified dermatologist in New York City told Shop TODAY. “What hyaluronic acid does, because it’s a humectant, is that it attracts moisture.” This leaves your lips softer, smoother, and more hydrated.
In addition to that, it can also have a subtle plumping effect. “Hyaluronic acid is one of the most common filler ingredients we use for the lips,†Garshick said. “But locally, although it will obviously not have the same effect as an injectable, it has excellent moisturizing properties.” As a result, after applying a product that contains HA, you may notice that your lips naturally appear fuller and fuller.
Below, Garshick has shared with us the hyaluronic acid lip products that she has tried and loved. Plus, we’ve found a handful of other popular options that you can add to your beauty cabinet as well.
Hyaluronic lip balms
Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss Lip Balm
You can keep this formula in your purse to apply it whenever your lips need a quick boost of hydration and color. Available in 10 flattering shades, like light pink or dark red, there is a shade to match every makeup look.
Biossance Squalane + Vegan Rose Lip Balm
This lip balm combines hyaluronic acid with other moisturizing ingredients, like ceramides and squalane, to smooth and soften your pout. Best of all, it contains wakame seaweed, which the brand claims can help visibly improve your lip volume with repeated use.
Kosasport LipFuel Hyaluronic Acid Lip Balm
This is not your average lip balm. LipFuel Hyaluronic Acid Balm from own beauty brand Kosas is packed with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, konjac root, and vitamin E, which visibly improve the appearance of your lips with every use. The stick design is made to mimic the shape of your lips, so you can cover all the corners and crevices. Get it in a light shade or try one of the lightly tinted shades.
Hyaluronic lip gloss
Colorescience Sunforgettable Lip Shine SPF 35
Garshick loves this Lip Shine, which not only contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, but also sun protection. Since hyaluronic acid absorbs moisture, when looking for a product that contains HA, she said you also want to make sure there are ingredients that will hold it in. She recommended looking for occlusives like shea butter or vitamin E – this formula contains the latter.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Gloss
The bold color of a lipstick, the shine of a gloss, and the moisturizing qualities of a balm, all for under $ 10? Yes please! This all-rounder lip gloss provides up to 24 hours of hydration with the addition of hyaluronic acid. Reviewers say they love how the gloss applies smoothly, doesn’t feel sticky, and provides an instant dose of hydration.
Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil ILIA
Not only is this formula a celebrity favorite, it’s dermatologist approved as well. It can be applied over your favorite lipstick shade or on its own to add color, moisture and shine to your lips. One Shop editor TODAY said that “it glides on smoothly, giving my lips a fuller experience and a more cushiony feel.”
Other hyaluronic lip products
PCA SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster
Garshick stated that this Lip Booster is a good choice for someone looking to achieve that plumping effect as well as increased hydration. “It also contains peptides, which are believed to help stimulate collagen production, which can also be helpful for lip wrinkles,†she said.
Indeed Labs Hydraluron + Volumizing Lip Care
Garshick also recommended this treatment, which she described as “very soothing.” It contains the moisturizing ingredient along with fruit extracts to relieve dryness and boost the shine and smoothness of the lips.
Glossier Bubblewrap Eye + Lip Plumping Cream
This cream can be applied to your lips and under the eyes to give both areas an instant dose of hydration. The fast absorbing formula is designed to be applied morning and night after cleansing and before hydration.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy
Free from alcohol, artificial colors, artificial fragrances and other unwanted ingredients, this lip treatment is made up of only the good stuff. The formula includes moisturizing shea butter, glycerin and hyaluronic acid as well as soothing colloidal oatmeal to instantly relieve dry lips.
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