Can I Use Hyaluronic Acid on My Lips?
With the winter chill, slowing creeping in you may find yourself reaching for your lip balm on a constant basis. Chapped and dry lips are a concern for many of us, and even with our trusty balm, the problem never seems to completely go away.
This will no doubt explain why we have seen the question “can I use hyaluronic acid on my lip?” appear in our inbox on a regular basis. So, today we will be discussing how this clever, and popular humectant works and how it can be used on your lips. Before we dive right in, let’s quickly have a refresher on what this acid does for the skin, by all means, if you’re a skin pro you can skip this next part.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (also known as HA) is a natural occurring sugar found in the body and can also be derived from sugar cane for skincare formulas. Known as a humectant, it is able to hold a thousand times its weight in water. When applied topically to the skin it can draw water in from the atmosphere surrounding the face and other skincare formulas, locking them into the lower layers and leaving the complexion, plumped, and hydrated with the skin’s barrier protect from exposure to free radicals, such a UV rays, pollution, and other environmental aggressors, all of which causes damage to the skin. This damage can be hyperpigmentation, premature signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as skin sagging. You’ll find that the latter is also helped by hyaluronic acid as it is able to reach down into the lower layers of the skin and boost the production of collagen and elastin leaving you with a plumped, youthful complexion that is full of bounce.
If you wanted to know more about hyaluronic acid, check out our dedicated blog post about all its benefits and what it does for the skin.
What happens if you put hyaluronic acid on your lips?
Just like the rest of the face, our lips are prone to loosing moisture throughout the day. By dabbing some hyaluronic acid onto your lips, you are ensuring this clever ingredient draws moisture into your lips and locks it into place. This results in a softer, smoother, hydrated pout with all signs of dryness, cracks, and irritation significantly reduced. You may also find that your lips feel and looking slightly plumped thanks to the collagen boosting results of HA. This probably explains why injectable treatments, such as fillers, are achieved using a form of hyaluronic acid. Admittedly, if its bigger lips you are craving, topical HA will not give you the same results, but is a great alternative if you’d prefer to avoid using injectables.
Is hyaluronic acid good for lip lines?
Absolutely! Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient to use to combat lip lines. By applying HA to your lips and the area around the mouth you are boosting the hydration which will result in lines becoming ironed out with an overall improved smoother, line free appearance. As for lines that are significantly deeper and have become static, meaning they are visible even when your mouth is relaxed, this may require a more potent, anti-ageing treatment or product formulation. Before you try anything new, consult with a doctor, medical professional, and trained practitioner, to find the best treatment or product for you.
How do I use hyaluronic acid to plump my lips?
If you imagine your skin and lips are like a balloon that has started losing the air, it appears smaller, lost its firmness, and looks wrinkly, exactly how your skin will appear when it is lacking in the hydration it needs. You can use a hyaluronic acid enriched serum or specifically formulated lip product to plump your lips. By applying topical HA onto your lips will fill every skin cell with essential moisture which will result in them looking plumped and naturally fuller, with fine lines, wrinkles and cracks significantly improved.
Luckily for us all, the bee-stinging lip plumping formulas of years gone by have been knocked off their throne. Instead, you will find a plethora of formulas containing hyaluronic acid have proven results in hydrating and plumping the lips without any discomfort or trauma cause to the lips.
Does hyaluronic acid lighten lips?
Yes, if pigmentation around the mouth and lips is an area of concerns for you, HA can combat this and brighten the skin. It can do this by working in the lower layers of the skin and ensuring the protective skin barrier is strengthened and functioning correctly, meaning it is able to combat free radicals that creates dark spots and hyperpigmentation. By counteracting this damage and keeping the skin hydrated, over time you’ll find that areas of pigmentation appear lightened and brighter with dark spots becoming a lot less noticeable to the naked eye.
Will putting hyaluronic acid on my lips make them bigger?
Yes, indeed it will! As I have previously mentioned hyaluronic acid is the ingredient found in injectable lip fillers used to give the lips a bigger, plumper appearance. This can also be achieved when you apply HA onto the lips topically, however not quite as effective. If you are looking to use a lip product enriched in hyaluronic acid daily you will find the lips appear smoother, softer, with fine lines notably reduced. This will fade each evening and will require you to reapply each morning, if it is a more prominent look you are wanting, I would suggest doing your own research in finding an aesthetic practitioner with the most experience and qualifications that will guide you with the next steps.
Can I use face serum on my lips?
Yes, you can, serums are formulated to penetrate further into the epidermis compared to moisturisers and balms. Many have found doing this deliver impressive results and ideal for combating chapped lips, particularly in the winter. If you would prefer not to use a face serum to your lips, there are plenty of lip care formulations that contain the popular humectant.
There you have it, a little more information about whether you can use hyaluronic acid on your lips. Don’t forget you can come and ask us a question over on Procoal’s Instagram, just give us a follow!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
