Humans have always been obsessed with looking good and preventing aging. All the way back in 40 BCE, ancient Egyptians developed natural lip balms and skin remedies to moisturize and preserve their youth. Since then, lip care products evolved from beeswax and olive oil, to earwax (yes, really), Vaseline, Chapstick, and eventually to all of the lip creams and treatments we know today.
There are numerous companies dedicated to helping us keep plush, luscious lips for as long as possible. Some companies use more natural ingredients than others. Currently, the hot trend of lip care is peptide lip treatments. You may be wondering what peptide is and how it can be used for lips.
Read on to learn:
Within the human body, a peptide is a short chain of amino acids linked together through a peptide bond. When multiple peptides link together, or there is a longer chain, that is called a polypeptide. These polypeptides produce proteins inside of the cells.
When peptides (or polypeptides) are used in skincare products, it helps increase collagen production and elasticity. Collagen helps build and strengthen bone and skin, aiding the anti-aging processes. The main benefit of using peptides in skincare and lip care products is that they are absolutely tiny, meaning peptide-based products can actually penetrate the skin. The molecules in other skin products are too large to be absorbed into the skin, so they just rest upon it. Peptide has a much greater impact on your skin.
When we think of skincare we often forget about the lips, which is unfortunate because lips can also be very sensitive. Our lips do not have the same amount of oil glands as the rest of our skin, setting them up for dryness and breakage. So it is very important to take care of our lips, moisturizing them regularly.
Lip balms are an excellent way to keep your lips moist, but peptides add another layer of skincare or lip care with its perks. Peptide-infused products have many benefits to a skincare routine including:
Peptides help produce collagen, a protein that holds our skin together. When extra collagen is produced, it fills in any gaps in the skin– in this case: wrinkles.
Not only do peptides produce collagen, they also make elastin fibers, a different type of protein. Elastin makes the skin look firmer and tauter. If you press your skin, it’ll bounce back.
The skin is our protection from the sun’s harsh UV rays. There is evidence that suggests peptides help the skin barrier that protects us from UV rays. Additionally, UV rays can increase aging speed. Having extra protection is another way peptides can slow down the aging process.
Many peptides are antimicrobial, and kill microorganisms like bacteria. When peptides eliminate the bacteria, pores don’t get filled up, preventing and getting rid of acne.
The first (and largest) brand to introduce peptides into their skin and lip products was Rhode Skin, owned by Hailey Bieber. This brand sells a Nourishing Lip Layer that is supposedly Hailey Bieber’s secret to plump, moist lips. Priced at 16 dollars, the peptide-infused lip treatment has a 4.7 star rating out of over 6,000 reviews.
Unfortunately, the product will not make you look like Hailey Bieber. It’s a tragedy. However, 92% of customers reported their lips felt moisturized and protected after application. The product comes in flavors watermelon, caramel, and unscented. The packaging is also very minimalistic, so if there’s a man in your life self conscious about wearing lip balm, they won’t have to feel too emasculated by the tube.
Paula’s Choice is another company that produces lip care products with peptides. Their Hyaluronic Acid & Peptide Lip Booster is priced at 32 dollars, double the price of Rhode Skin. However, it is award winning and 82% of customers agree their lips feel smoother and softer.
The hyaluronic acid adds another layer of goodness to the lip care product. It expands moisture in the lips and volumizes the size of the lips.
The brand, Farmacy Beauty, has an Apple Peptide Lip Smoothie to plump and moisturize dry lips. Made of natural ingredients like apple extract, shea butter, and vitamin C, this lip balm is packaged sustainable in recyclable glass jars. The vitamin C reduces lines and firms your lips while the apple extract and shea butter moisturize and condition.
The lip balm is priced at 22 dollars, less than Paula’s Choice, more than Rhode Skin. Like the previous two products, it is recommended to apply whenever the lips feel dry or just before bed. It is also best to apply sunscreen to the lips during the day, after application.
Sadly, I cannot answer that question for you. It is up to you how to spend your money and where your priorities lie. What I will say is that peptide lip care products are proven to have numerous benefits: less wrinkles, more elastic skin, UV protection, and acne treatment.
The prices vary between 16 dollars and 32 dollars. I’m sure if you look around you can find even more expensive peptide lip treatments as well. Sugar Lip Balm by Fresh costs 25 dollars and doesn’t use any peptide products. So it all depends on what you value for your lip products.
If you are an avid skin care and lip care user or trying to prevent wrinkles, peptide-infused lip treatments may be worth the price.
Peptide lip treatments can be used to reduce wrinkles and increase skin elasticity– it is a great anti-aging ingredient. While products with peptide may be expensive, its benefits cannot be denied. Next time you’re looking for lip balms or lip care products, check the ingredient list for peptides.
