Have you been looking for a way to have plumper lips without using harsh products?
Retinol has long been a skincare favorite, with dermatologists urging patients to make sure they’re using either a prescription or product that has the so-called miracle ingredient.
It boosts the production of elastin and collagen, which works to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, and uneven skin tone.
Retinol also speeds up new skin cell production and reduces the appearance of wrinkles – so should you also be using it on your lips?
FEMAIL talked to experts to find out who would benefit from adding retinol to their pout products, whether there’s a risk, and exactly how beauty lovers should best go about it.
Retinol boosts the production of elastin and collagen, which works to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, and uneven skin tone (stock image)
Primera makes a retinol lip serum in a clear and rosy tint that’s available on Amazon for $23.
PRMR Brand Manager Jin-kyung Park told DailyMail.com that this product can be a great lip plumping product for people with sensitive skin, as it ‘combines retinol and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and firm your lips,’ and increases volume, especially after extended use.
‘The more you use it, the plumper and bouncier your lips become,’ Jin-kyung said, which is also because the serum contains plant-derived collagen and is designed to improve lip lines by promoting the production of natural collagen.
VERSO Lip Serum is another retinol infused lip treatment for $68, that’s a combination lip gloss, lip balm, and lip plumper.
The serum includes Retinol 8, an anti-aging ingredient that helps with uneven skin tone and fine lines around the lip while delivering hydration with hyaluronic acid and peptides.
Esthetician Danuta Mieloch, the founder of celebrity beloved Rescue Spa in New York and Philadelphia, told FEMAIL, ‘Retinol is a powerful anti-aging ingredient known for its ability to promote cell turnover and boost collagen production, which can be beneficial for maintaining youthful skin.’
However, Danuta worries that ‘the skin on the lips is much thinner and more delicate than other areas of the face, making it more susceptible to irritation and dryness.’
‘If you’re considering adding a retinol lip product to your routine, start slowly by applying it every few nights and monitor how your lips respond,’ Danuta advised.
Esthetician Danuta Mieloch, the founder of celebrity beloved Rescue Spa in New York and Philadelphia, told FEMAIL the pros and cons of retinol lip products
Primera makes a retinol lip serum in a clear and rosy tint that’s available on Amazon for $23 (left) and VERSO Lip Serum is another retinol infused lip treatment for $68, that’s a combination lip gloss, lip balm, and lip plumper (right)
‘If you notice excessive dryness or irritation, it might be better to opt for gentler alternatives, like peptides or hyaluronic acid, which can also provide anti-aging benefits without the risk of irritation,’ Danuta continued.
Dermatologist Dr. Hannah Kopelman at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery in New York told DailyMail.com that her patients often ask about using retinol lip products, especially if they want to reduce fine lines around their mouth.
Dermatologist Dr. Hannah Kopelman told DailyMail.com that her patients often ask about using retinol lip products
The Derm Club podcast host said while she’s ‘seen many patients benefit from incorporating retinol into their skincare routine and using it in a lip product can help smooth and rejuvenate the delicate skin in this area’ she always advises caution.
‘The skin on our lips is much thinner and more sensitive than the rest of our face, so retinol can sometimes be too harsh, especially for those with sensitive lips or a history of cold sores,’ Dr. Kopelman said.
‘In these cases, retinol might trigger irritation, dryness, or even a flare-up of cold sores, which is something no one wants to deal with.’
If you are considering a retinol-based product, Dr. Kopelman suggested starting slowly and using it every other night while pairing it with a hydrating lip balm to avoid dryness or peeling.
‘I’ve found that retinol lip products can be a great tool for those looking to reduce fine lines and maintain youthful-looking lips, but it’s important to use them wisely,’ Dr. Kopelman said.