As someone with perpetually dry lips, lip balms have always starred heavily in my beauty routine. Alongside a nightly ritual, which involves slathering on a thick lip mask, I also like to keep a selection (read: far too many) balms and treatments handy for topping up throughout the day. Because of this, I’ve always thought of myself as a bit of an expert when it comes to the best formulas for ensuring a super-soft pout. Then Hailey Bieber launched her Rhode lip treatments, and suddenly there was a buzzy new phrase on the lip-balm block (not a real place, but I can dream)—the peptide lip balm.
Hailed as the holy grail of lip formulas, these hardworking balms not only promise to keep your lips soft and hydrated, but they also aim to firm fine lines and leave things looking fuller and plumper, too. They do this through a combination of peptides and the nourishing ingredients we’ve come to expect in our lip balms, like shea butter and ceramides. But can they be better than a traditional lip balm? To find out, I spoke to Dr Simon Ourian, co-founder of Simon Ourian MD and celebrity cosmetic dermatology doctor. Of course, I've also rounded up my favourite peptide lip balms below.
Shop the Best Peptide Lip Balms
- Best Overall: Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment, £20
- Best for Dry Lips: Nudestix Hydra-Peptide Lip Butter, £19
- Best Lightweight Balm: Simon Ourian MD Hollywood Tripeptide Lip Treatment, £35
- Best for Mature Skin: Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm, £26
- Best for Plumping: Rhode Peptide Lip Boost, £23
1. Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, shea butter
Rhode’s lip treatment needs no introduction, as I’m sure you’ve probably seen the grey (or tinted) tubes all over Instagram and TikTok. When it comes to the actual formula, however, it definitely delivers. Hydrating, non-greasy and with a glossy finish, it’s so easy to wear. Alongside the original (pictured above), I'm a big fan of the Espresso shade for a hint of rich, brown colour that still feels nourishing on the lips.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Nourishing
Cons
- Some complain of gritty formula (although, I think the brand has rectified this issue)
2. Nudestix Hydra-Peptide Lip Butter
Key Ingredients: Avocado butter, shea butter
My personal favourite peptide lip balm, Nudestix’s lip butter, feels almost creamy on the lips, making it incredibly comforting to wear. Alongside shea and avocado butter to nourish, it also contains a blend of tripeptides that stimulate collagen, so lips not only feel incredibly soft but appear fuller, too.
Pros
- Seriously nourishing formula
Cons
- Slightly thick texture
3. Simon Ourian MD Hollywood Tripeptide Lip Treatment
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, shea butter
If you’re looking for a formula that works hard but doesn’t feel too heavy or claggy on the lips, I’d recommend trying Simon Ourian’s Tripeptide Lip Treatment. Although it’s loaded with ceramides, peptides and nourishing fatty acids, it feels really lightweight with no stickiness. It also has a very slight menthol sensation, which feels cooling yet not tingly on the lips. As soon as this sinks in, I find myself wanting to reapply it.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Cooling sensation
Cons
- Expensive
4. Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, castor seed oil
First up, I need to talk about packaging: Paula’s Choice’s Gloss Balm may just have the nicest applicator I’ve ever used. Not only is it large enough to cover your lips in one swipe, but it’s curved to hug them for even application. If you’re someone who cares about how a product feels as you apply it, you’re going to want to give this a try.
The formula itself is nourishing, non-greasy and easy to wear. Although it’s described as a gloss-balm, I would say others on this list deliver higher shine (top spot goes to Byoma’s Lip Oil), but for a peptide balm with natural sheen, this is a great choice.
Pros
- Excellent applicator
- Hydrating
Cons
- Not as glossy as claims
5. Rhode Peptide Lip Boost
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides
"I've always loved Rhode's Peptide Lip Treatment, but the new Peptide Lip Boost is even better," says beauty contributor Grace Day. "It has a thick, serum-like texture which feels really balmy and nourishing, but isn't heavy or sticky whatsoever. It immediately plumps my lips, but without any tingling or irritation, and it lasts for hours."
Pros
- Non-sticky
- Non-irritating
Cons
- Currently only available online
6. Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment
Key Ingredients: Mango seed butter, cloudberry oil
Ole Henriksen’s Lip Treatment has been all over TikTok in recent months, so I had to see if it lived up to the hype. Citrus Sunshine is the clear shade, and the brand also has tinted and shimmer options. The formula is rich and moisturising and definitely works to make my lips appear plump and hydrated. I actually like to wear this balm overnight in place of a lip mask, as it does have a slight stickiness to it, and I wake up to soft, moisturised lips.
Pros
- Nourishing
Cons
- Sticky texture
7. The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm
Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, shea butter, mango seed oil
Affordable options don’t get much better than The Inkey List Plumping Lip Balm. The tripeptide complex works to give lips a fuller, more plumped appearance whilst also locking in moisture. It may not be the most exciting balm on this list, but for £11, it works hard and does what it sets out to do.
Pros
- Affordable
- Tripeptide complex
Cons
- Doesn't feel particularly luxurious
8. Byoma Liptide Lip Oil
Key Ingredients: Avocado, tamanu oil
Byoma describes its lip treatment as a lip oil rather than a balm, as it contains a blend of avocado and tamanu nut oil alongside ceramides and peptides. Rather than feeling greasy or slippery like traditional lip oils, however, this has a thicker texture with an almost jelly-like feel on the lips that I really enjoy. The wand applicator also makes it so easy to apply, making this the perfect oil-balm for use on the go.
Pros
- Handy wand applicator
- Jelly-like texture
Cons
- A heavier (but efficacious) formula
What Are Peptides?
"Peptides are short chains of amino acids," says Dr Ourian. "These amino acids signal the skin to boost collagen and elastin production."
What Do Peptide Lip Balms Do?
"Peptide lip balms go beyond traditional formulas by incorporating advanced ingredients that stimulate collagen production, visibly enhancing lip volume and texture over time," says Dr Ourian. "Unlike standard lip balms, which primarily provide surface-level hydration, these treatments work deeper to improve elasticity, smooth fine lines and support the natural barrier of the lips. They’re a great option for anyone looking to maintain a youthful, hydrated pout whilst enjoying long-term benefits."
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