The 10 Best Peptide Lip Balms Worth the Hype (2024)

Robinson may be partial to this popular pick as he's the cosmetic chemist in residence for Rhode, but there's no denying the product's influence. "I love that it’s rich and balmy and the peptides help to plump," he says of the It lip treatment, which is now available in a limited-edition cinnamon roll flavor, inspired by the treats founder Hailey Bieber bakes for friends.

• Number of shades: nine
• Key ingredients: shea butter, cupuaçu, babassu

Customer review: "I’m obsessed with all the Rhode products. I have to stop myself every day from buying 5+ items every day. I just tried your lip peptide and now I’m afraid I’ll have to buy them all. Love you Hailey! Keep it up." —Jess M.

"Not only are there so many shades of this peptide lip balm, but the cooling metal applicator feels like a trip to the spa on dry, chapped lips," says Bazaar beauty director Jenna Rosenstein. Robinson is a fan as well, saying "I love how this gently smoothes as it plumps the lips."

• Number of shades: 17
• Key ingredients: shea butter, ceramides, AHA

Customer review: "Since I started using this serum my skin was never this soft and my texture looks amazing. Here’s to 51." —Erica T.

"Every time I try a new lip balm, I wonder how different this one could be from every other formula I’ve tried, but the Olehenriksen Pout Preserve quickly earned a prime spot in all of my bags," says Bazaar associate beauty editor Katie Intner. "The balm is very silky-yet-plush and hydrates the lips for hours, while many balms often perform a disappearing act an hour after you apply them." Although there is a range of shades and flavors, her favorite at the moment "is the Strawberry Sorbet Pout Preserve, made in collaboration with Anine Bing, that boasts a bronzy shimmery hue that can be worn day or night."

• Number of shades: five
• Key ingredients: kokum butter, mango seed butter, cloudberry oil

Customer review: "I bought this product and fell in love with it. I have every flavor, It smooths my lips and heals them when dry with ease. I love the creamy texture and the smell is nice as well." —Jillian P.

If you prefer a gloss, Robinson recommends this moisturizing formula from Kosas, made with peptides and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. "I like its sheerness, but it also hydrates and plumps," says the cosmetic chemist.

• Number of shades: nine
• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, evening primrose oil, avocado oil

Customer review: "It's very pigmented and not uncomfortable or sticky. It does not dry my lips at all. The only thing is that you need to reapply it every few hours if you want more color, but even as it fades it leaves a nice color." —Sophie05

“This no-frills balm from Biba de Sousa is one of my favorite peptide lip balms of all time," says Bazaar associate beauty commerce editor Tiffany Dodson Davis. "A little goes a long way with its formula, which immediately sinks into my lips and keeps them hydrated for hours on end.”

• Number of shades: one
• Key ingredients: squalane, vegetable collagen, vitamin E

Customer review: "This is a great lip balm that creates a nice moisture barrier and makes my lips feel protected in dry weather. I like to use a lip scrub and then put this on to help with the healing process and for cellular turnover. It looks like a lip gloss but actually is very long-lasting and doesn't irritate my lips even when I wear it all day." —Anonymous

Smoothing, moisturizing, and plumping, this best-selling tube from Eadem does it all (in a sleek silver tube at that). The sheer, glossy shades are perfect to wear as your daily lip color, or if you want an unscented clear balm, go for the adorably named Butter Mochi.

• Number of shades: five
• Key ingredients: acai butter, African mongongo butter, moringa oil, lactic acid

Customer review: "Very moisturizing and smoothing on the lips. The texture is thick but not greasy. The color is pretty. Sheer to start but buildable." —Mary

This little lip balm is the "if you know, you know" formula for those seeking a no-frills formula that works and works incredibly well. Not only does it instantly soothe chapped lips, but the polypeptide complex also plumps over time.

• Number of shades: one
• Key ingredients: avocado oil, vitamin E

Customer review: "This stuff seriously works! It has a super pleasant citrus scent that is unobtrusive and most importantly, it works! I feel like my lips are constantly dry and this is one of the only products I’ve found that keeps my lips from getting chapped. Can’t recommend it enough." —Anonymous

Forget the tingly, spicy lip plumpers of long ago—this formula from Paula's Choice helps boost fullness without any discomfort and supports collagen the more you use it. In a universal pink tint, it's also the perfect glossy balm texture for everyday use.

• Number of shades: one
• Key ingredients: plant emollients

Customer review: "I recently tried my hands on Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm and it is incredibly hydrating, leaving my lips smooth and plump without feeling sticky. It has a beautiful, subtle shine that enhances the natural color of my lips. Plus, the peptide blend feels like it's giving my lips some extra care, making them feel soft and moisturized throughout the day. " —khush

A swipe or two of this glossy balm is all you need for sheer color, a bit of shine, and a subtle plumping effect that lasts up to 12 hours. And because it's in a traditional stick form, as opposed to a tube, you don't have to worry about any product spillage in your bag.

• Number of shades: four
• Key ingredients: sweetbriar rose oil, jojoba oil

Customer review: "I’m loving this lip balm! It’s very pigmented and makes my lips feel so soft and hydrated. I also love how a little product goes a long way, and it’s very long-lasting. It’s the perfect balm for summer, and I’m really liking the natural finish." —okam28

With two percent peptides, this lip butter has serious plumping and smoothing magic. The formula is also on the richer side, so those with especially chapped lips can wear it without worrying about having to constantly reapply.

• Number of shades: four
• Key ingredients: avocado butter, vitamin A, vitamin E

Customer review: "I am a lip product junkie. Months ago I found my lips very dry and nothing seemed to make a difference. I took a chance on this lip butter and it healed my lips quickly and now they feel great!" —hooplvr23

• Ron Robinson is a cosmetic chemist and founder of the skincare brand BeautyStat. He is also the cosmetic chemist in residence for Rhode.

• The Best Tinted Lip Balms of All Time
• The Best Lip Glosses of All-Time
• How Lip Gloss Became a Status Symbol
• Sofia Coppola Gives Augustinus Bader’s Lip Balm an Effortlessly Cool—and Tinted—Twist