Dermatologist reveals the $33 lip balm that’s ‘scientifically proven’ to plump lips

Lip filler is on the way out. 

According to polls of US plastic surgeons, the past three years has seen a significant uptick in filler removal – and a 14 percent decline in requests for the procedure.

Instead, customers are opting for a more natural look, seeking out treatments like the ‘lip flip’ – where a tiny amount of Botox is injected above the top lip, making it ‘flip’ outwards, appearing fuller.

But New York City based dermatologist Dr Charles Puza has taken to TikTok to share the ultimate low-key lip pumping treatment.

The Harvard-trained skin expert told his 1.7 million followers that certain types of lip balms are ‘clinically proven’ to add fullness to the lips.

 In a clip posted to his channel, Dr Puza can be seen sitting in his car looking non-chalant. The caption reads: ‘When I tell my patients that using lip balm with hyaluronic acid and peptides 3 times/day is clinically proven to plump the lips (AKA filler without filler).’

A top dermatologist has suggested that using two key ingredients on the lips daily for several weeks can have a plumping effect

 Hyaluronic acid is a substance that’s found naturally in the eyes and joints. It acts as a cushion and lubricant, and is an effective moisturizer.

It is also the main ingredient in dermal fillers that are injected into the face to add volume. 

Peptides are strings of amino acids, which are the ‘building blocks’ of protein. However, peptides feature a smaller amount of amino acids, compared to protein. 

Studies have shown that peptides play a role in making helping to make elastin and collagen; proteins in skin that give it elasticity.

Adding to his clip, Dr Puza supplied a list of recommended brands including: Clinique, Tatcha and Cetaphil.

Tiktokers commenting on the post seem to agree. 

‘Paula’s Choice has a good one. My nail tech asked if I got filler,’ wrote one woman while another added, ‘been doing this and omg it works a little too well.’

‘Been using hyaluronic acid on my lips everyday…results are just like a filler. This is true.’

Several of the commentors said they’d seen plumping results from Paula’s Choice lip booster, $33, which contains both hylauronic acid and peptides.

Hylauronic acid has long been a hero product for naturally enhancing lip volume. 

Last year, another dermatologist popular on TikTok suggested combining a hylauronic acid treatment with Vaseline, claiming a ‘scientific study’ proved the pairing can plump lips.