Why Do All My Favourite Lip Products Suddenly Have Peptide in Them?

Skincare is all about learning the complex names for various different ingredients, falling in love with them and basically becoming a skincare pro if anyone asks about them. For example, the pronunciation of hyaluronic acid or the difference between retinal and retinol. When it comes to skincare ingredients, being clued up is the in-thing.

So when peptides started appearing in my lip products, I had to do my research. What is this ingredient and what does it do aside from making my lips glossy and moisturised? Surely Hailey Bieber, the Inkey List and Paula’s Choice have a reason for making this skincare ingredient front and centre in the viral products?

I consulted the experts to find out exactly what peptides are, why they’re so popular and why I want, like, six of them.

Experts Featured in This Article

Dr Selena Langdon is the medical director and founder of Berkshire Aesthetics.
Dr Emma Cunningham is an aesthetic doctor and the founder of Dr Emma Clinics.
Dr Vanita Rattan is a global skin doctor and a cosmetic formulator at SkincarebyDrV.

What Are Peptides?

According to aesthetics doctor, Dr Emma Cunningham, peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.

“In skincare, peptides signal the skin to perform functions like producing collagen, which keeps skin firm and elastic,” Dr Cunningham tells PS UK. “They can penetrate the outer skin layer and promote repair, healing, and rejuvenation, making them a key ingredient in many anti-aging and hydrating skincare products.”

What Are the Benefits of Peptides?

Delving deeper into the benefits of this skincare ingredient, global skin doctor and cosmetic formulator Dr Vanita Rattan explains that using peptides will help boost hydration and avoid chapping, a must-have feature in a good lip product.

“For the lips, peptides help to boost hydration by stimulating the skin’s natural hyaluronic production (a molecule for water retention). This helps to make the lips’ skin barrier stronger and keep them hydrated for longer to prevent chapping,” she tells us. “Peptides are also excellent in lip creams or balms, they help to stimulate and prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin production. This can help to smooth fine lines and wrinkles around the lips by promoting skin regeneration.”

Dr Rattan shares that peptides also reduce antimicrobial activity, such as bacteria on the lips, so you can be protected from infections or irritations and therefore have healthier lips. I’ll take six peptide lip treatments please!

She says: “Peptides can provide a soothing effect due to their anti-inflammatory properties, which help even out lip tone and heal the lips faster. Lip treatments may also contain antioxidants, vitamins and hydrators so the product works more effectively. By incorporating peptides, these active ingredients penetrate into the skin easier, aiding better absorption.”

“However, peptides can’t replace the need for good moisturising ingredients like emollients and humectants,” Dr Rattan warns, so be sure to look for lip products with peptides that also contain these ingredients to lock in moisture and enhance the product’s hydrating effects.

Why Are Peptides So Popular?

The benefits are pretty clear to see, if your lip product doesn’t have peptides in them you’re missing out, but Dr Selena Langdon medical director and founder of Berkshire Aesthetics explains that peptides have been around for decades and, as with any trend, are having their moment again with Gen Z.

“Peptides have been used in skincare since the 1990s, and with further research, more targeted peptides have been developed,” she informs us. “Consumer acceptance and scientific research have driven the increased use of peptides in the 2010s and now mass market appeal, as shown by the growing range of products that utilise peptides, particularly as they help to improve lip moisture, skin hydration, and barrier function.”

Lip Peptide Recommendations

Now that you’re clued up on what peptides are, how they work, why they’re great and why everyone on TikTok wants them, here are six expert-approved lip products with peptides in them for your next beauty haul.