Hyaluronic Acid for Lips – Benefits, Recommendations, Dangers

I haven’t met any girl who doesn’t dream about fuller lips! Many women, including me, seriously consider getting lip fillers. And among the best lip filler options, I would like to point out the hyaluronic acid lip injections.

In this guide, I’ve collected many scientific viewpoints from doctors and researchers as well as “before and after” cases to help you make the right decision about whether hyaluronic acid lip fillers are worth your investment. I know it’s a very sensitive topic to discuss, so this article intends to supply you with as much information as possible, especially if you know little to nothing about this procedure.

So, let’s dive in!

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid, also known as HA, is a category of a carbohydrate chain composed of separate disaccharide units. This substance naturally occurs in the body (tissues, joints, and eyes) and attracts water, leading to firm and hydrated skin. So, it basically acts as a lubricant for joints. There are two sources of HA – plant and animal origins. 

Many hyaluronic acid lip fillers are FDA-approved for adding volume to the lips. But how does this substance work? 

First, HA has the ability to bind to water molecules. In fact, hyaluronic acid can absorb above 1,000 times its weight in water. This is why the secret to moisturized and healthy skin lies in HA. To better understand how this popular skincare ingredient works, watch this insightful video. 

Benefits and dangers of hyaluronic acid

Now you know how HA works and delivers its plumping effect. However, it’s important to learn the basic pros and cons of the ingredient itself before introducing it to your skincare routine or injecting it into your body. 

What do credible sources say about the safety of hyaluronic acid?

Here are some insights from WebMD:

Pros

• Helpful for swelling and cataracts.

When you apply FDA-approved HA gel in the mouth, it can help treat sores. Likewise, hyaluronic acid is also used during cataract surgery, so its application is diverse.

• Useful for dry eyes, aging skin, and osteoarthritis.

The results of using injection with HA in facial wrinkles last approximately one year. Applying eye drops with HA can cure symptoms of dry eyes. Similarly, you can alleviate joint stiffness and pain using HA injections. 

• Fixes for acid reflux.

According to one clinical study, you can reduce acid reflux symptoms by consuming a supplement containing chondroitin sulfate and HA along with an acid-reducing medicine.

• Results in hydrated hair.

Tons of hair care products are now incorporating this naturally occurring molecule in their ingredients list. The reason? HA reduces frizz and boosts the amount of moisture in your locks.

• Relief from bladder pain.

According to a PubMed study, HA improves bladder health and serves as a critical barrier to protecting the organ. 

Cons

Dermatologists agree that hyaluronic acid can produce the opposite effect – dry skin, but only if you don’t use it properly.

According to Mary Schook, an aesthetician and cosmetic formulator, side effects aren’t common, but they still can happen and include pain, redness, swelling, and itching. Mary also told Harper’s Bazaar that she actually recommends her clients to remove HA completely from their daily routine.

Finally, a dermatologist I really admire, Dr. Davin Lim, explains the formulations of HA topical products. His video contains all the information to help you decide whether you should go for hyaluronic acid cream, serum, or injection.

Is it Safe to Use Hyaluronic Acid on the Lips?

Definitely! According to Procoal London, a skincare brand and Skin Academy, you should consider HA as your lips’ new best friend. This extremely hydrating ingredient can work wonders for your body, especially your lips. Also, the research results from PubMed prove that HYC-24L is safe and effective for aesthetic lip augmentation, with results lasting up to one year.

With age, the decrease in collagen production results in the thinning of lips. But if you use lip products including HA, it automatically binds to water molecules from the skin, resulting in plumper and more hydrated lips. 

In other words, hyaluronic acid is basically a sponge that draws in moisture. That’s why it’s called the ‘key molecule’ in skin hydration.

Will your lips get bigger?

Lips facing a loss of volume can definitely get bigger with HA lip injections. Similar to other dermal fillers, cosmetic surgeons use these injections to produce the following results:

• Fuller lips

When experienced and licensed experts take this job into their hands, they can make lips bigger in a very short time. If you want to redefine shape, it is possible to do that by accentuating the border around the lips.

• Instant results

Hyaluronic acid lip injections offer immediate results. This can be tempting if you desire a quick outcome.

• Wrinkle reduction

PubMed Central has reported that hyaluronic acid is useful for treating perioral rhytids, aka smoker’s lines surrounding the mouth. 

But similar to other cosmetic procedures, HA lip injections can result in the following side effects:

• Temporary bumps that may arise around the lips.
• Mild bleeding or bruising around the injection site.
• Temporary lip swelling and redness.

Remember to discuss any medical condition you suffer from with your doctor beforehand.

Best Hyaluronic Acid Products for Lips

Now that we have covered the basic information on this hyped-up ingredient, it’s finally time to introduce you to the products you can use to apply hyaluronic acid to lips. 

I’ve gathered the top HA lip products and divided them into sections. And don’t worry, I didn’t forget to add the reviews with pros and cons. Let’s dive in!

Liquid hyaluronic acid supplements

HA supplements (also available in capsule form) are composed of an artificial variant of hyaluronic acid. These supplements offer a plethora of health advantages, especially for the skin. The cons can only be visible if you take an improper dosage or if ingredients are of bad quality. 

A popular YouTuber and dermatologist Andrea Suarez, also known as Dr. Dray, summarizes a few scientific studies conducted in Japan and Korea. The participants of these studies were given dietary HA supplements, and after the trial period, dry skin and wrinkles subsided. In conclusion, Dr. Dray says that using HA supplements is ‘low-risk’ if you choose the right and quality products. 

That’s why I’ve done the research and decided to single out two products that I found interesting because of their great ingredients and positive reviews.

1. NatureBell Hyaluronic Acid Supplements

NatureBell supplement boasts 25 mg of vitamin C. Paired with HA, both ingredients work together to revert the aging clock. Aside from the hydration boost, vitamin C serves as a shield against sun damage. Not only your skin but your nails and hair will be hydrated too. Below you can read the review from one woman who tried this supplement:

As you can see, this lady noticed positive results, especially on her forehead – the fine lines became less visible, and that delighted her! Most women are mega-satisfied with these fantastic supplements, and great reviews confirm that!

2. Amazing Formulas Hyaluronic Acid 100 mg

The second one on my list is Amazing Formulas Hyaluronic Acid. It’s a gluten-free and non-GMO product that contains 100 mg of HA. It supports healthy connective tissues and joints. And here’s what a satisfied customer says:

Other great options for HA supplements are: NOW Supplements Hyaluronic Acid, Jarrow Formulas Hyaluronic Acid, and Horbäach Hyaluronic Acid Capsules. Products with HA come in the forms of gummy bears, capsules, and pills to suit everyone’s preferences.

Hyaluronic acid lip balm

Among lip products, many ladies prefer lip balms because of the simplicity of application. Some women, including me, keep this product in their purses to apply throughout the day. Hyaluronic acid lip balm is ideal as it guarantees ultra-hydration to your lips. 

However, an HA lip balm won’t keep your lips plump for a long time, which is why it requires reapplication. If you don’t want to waste your money, this DIY recipe can help you craft a lip balm at home. You will only need the following ingredients:

• Jojoba butter (9 gram)
• Argan oil (2 gram)
• Refined lanolin (3 gram)
• Castor oil (2.2 gram)
• Cera bellina (3 gram)
• Warm gold mica (0.2 gram)

Just watch this YouTube tutorial to learn the whole process! 

But if you’re short on time, here are some products that I personally used and liked. 

1. Ilia Lip Wrap Reviving Balm

We’ll start this section with the daytime variant of the brand’s ILIA Wrap Lip Mask, which became a real hit in the market. 

Aside from the hydrating hyaluronic acid, you will reap the benefits of barrier-supporting and moisturizing ingredients, such as sea succulent extract and prickly pear oil. The product has five-star ratings and a lot of positive feedback. Below you can read a review from a satisfied customer:

The reviewer points out that her lips are hydrated the whole winter, and that’s definitely a thing that we women need to survive cold days, right?

2. Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid and Peptide Lip Booster

Let’s continue with another super-popular product that many women absolutely adore. First, I need to say that it’s not a balm but more of a hyaluronic acid lip booster. It’s called Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid and Peptide Lip Booster. It doesn’t only moisturize but also plumps the lines at the border. Read what satisfied consumer Jennifer says about this product:

The comment also mentions that the product is not sticky, so that’s one more reason why women love it. Squalane prevents moisture loss, which means your lips will remain soft afterward.

Volumizing lip serums

Hyaluronic acid lip serum can deliver the results closest to HA lip injections. A volumizing lip serum includes hyaluronic acid molecules with different formulations. The best thing about this product is that you can choose the one based on the level of lip fullness you want to achieve. But the only downside is that such serums tend to be costly. 

Let me show you the best options in my opinion.

1. The Pout – Hyaluronic Acid + Collagen Plumping Lip Serum

When it comes to serums, I have to first mention The Pout. It’s a special serum that resembles a high-quality gloss but presents many more perks. The clever formula attracts and retains hydration, giving definition and volume to the lips. As you can read in the review below, the product slightly irritates your lips to achieve the desired result.

Shea butter and sunflower seed oil are the other two components of this serum. The linoleic acid of the sunflower seed oil strengthens the skin barrier preventing moisture loss.

2. Indeed Labs Hyaluron+ Volumising Lip Treatment

The second product on my list is Indeed Labs Hyaluron. It’s a highly soothing hyaluronic acid lip treatment. Aside from the star ingredient, natural fruit extracts boost the softness and radiance of the lips. Check out the detailed review below to find out more about this product:

In my opinion, serums are very important in general, not just for the lips. They have many benefits for your face, so include them in your routine if you haven’t already. And if you’re not sure whether your skin needs a serum or a toner, check out my previous article.

Hyaluron pen

If you want the perks of a complete lip filler injection without going to a professional, a hyaluron pen will do that for you. In this method, HA molecules permeate the upper layers of the dermis to produce a plumping effect. 

But, according to cosmetologist Anil Rajani, this trend is a total scam. He points out critical negative points that you should be aware of before considering this in-home procedure. 

Okay, one thing is for sure – this isn’t the best hyaluronic acid for lips option, but it can still make a difference in your lip size, according to the opinion and experience of many satisfied users (read below).

It’s actually a case-by-case situation, but people love it as there are no needles involved.

1. Rotating Hyaluronic Pen

Let me first show you one interesting hyaluronic pen which works on a rotating system. This pen is great for diminishing wrinkles and blemishes and makes the lips fuller. It also facilitates skin rejuvenation since it boosts collagen levels. 

Many customers are satisfied with this product, so it has 4,7 stars. Below you can read the comment of one happy client:

But on the other hand, some buyers are not so amazed by this product. The customer below, for instance, had a problem with the rotating pen.

Maybe the reviewer got the defective product, or it really doesn’t work so perfectly. But if we sum it all up, it looks like people are generally satisfied with it.

2. 2 in 1 Hyaluron Pen 3 Level Pressure

Another product that I am going to show you is called 2 in 1 Hyaluron Pen 3 Level Pressure. 

So, the description of this product says that it has a lot of functions, such as skin rejuvenation, wrinkle removal, pigmentation removal, lip lifting, skin tightening, and anti-aging. And here’s the description one customer gave:

2 in 1 Hyaluron Pen 3 Level Pressure helps activate collagen cells, enhancing skin elasticity and brightness.

Hyaluronic acid lip injections

Hyaluronic acid lip injections consist of a gel-like substance with different levels of thickness. HA lip injections offer the most obvious plumping results that will last for 4-18 months. The duration depends on the lifestyle and thickness of the filler. 

But since this procedure involves a needle, you can experience swelling or bruising for a few days. The efficiency of HA lip injections depends on the filler ingredients and your preparation. However, experts agree that hyaluronic acid lip injections are among the best plumping methods. 

Also, before I continue with this section, I need to warn you that you should not try to use lip injections on your own. There are some beauty treatments that you can do at home, such as manicure, pedicure, or dermaplaning, but lip injections treatment isn’t one of them. Only professionals can do it, so please keep that in mind. 

Now we can move to products.

1. Juvederm

Juvederm Volbella XC and Ultra XC are the brand’s best offerings for lip injections. The former is adept at curing vertical lip lines, while the latter adds fullness to the lips. Here you can read one short and well-explained review from a satisfied buyer:

The Juvederm team sends warnings to their customers saying that the use of dermal fillers on damaged or infected skin should be postponed, as this may delay healing or make skin problems worse.

2. Restylane

Restylane Silk is another great brand if you’re interested in trying lip injections. It has a granular texture, is more budget-friendly, and takes more time for results. Reportedly, Healthline claims that this lip injection lasts between six and ten months. According to customer feedback from the Realself website, women are super-satisfied with it and the whole service in Restylane. For instance, read this review:

I personally love this brand and the story behind it. You really can see professionalism and love in everything these women do.

Hyaluronic Acid on the Lips – 9 Before and After Cases

I know how skeptical women get when it comes to cosmetic surgery, which is why I have attached eight authentic testimonials to prove that hyaluronic acid lips can look truly amazing!

You have read the scientific studies and approval from board-certified cosmetologists in the upper sections, guaranteeing that HA is totally safe. But to really convince you, I decided to collect real evidence from various sources. 

The first three images were posted on Healthline, and the work was done by Heather Weltner. Check out the image below, which shows the results of Juvederm lip fillers. It’s clear that it has made the lips fuller.

The cosmetic filler in the following image consists of simple HA. Again, the result we can see is plump and fuller lips.

In the following example, both lower and upper lips were injected with Restylane injections, so they got into a fuller and better shape.

Moving on, the image below comes from a patient who got her hyaluronic acid lip injection from Facileskin. You can see the definition in the upper lip the most. One more thing I want to point out is that Dr. Dara Liotta medically reviewed this article, so the results are legit.

The last five visual testimonials you’re about to see come from Refineme. The best part of these images is that they were taken immediately after the treatment, which means you’re viewing the raw, unfiltered aftereffects.

After using 0.5 ml of HA in a single session, the upper lip imbalance you can see in the picture below is corrected, and the doctor added a slight plumping effect.

In the picture below, the cosmetologist applied the same dosage of HA in one session and on the same targeted areas, so you can notice a better volume, mainly on the lower lip.

With 1 ml of injection used on the upper lip line and mouth corners, the picture below proves how this treatment can perfectly soften lips.

Using the same dosage as above, the client wanted to treat her philtrum, lip body, lip borders, and mouth corners to add volume. Here’s how it worked out:

Lastly, this single session used 2 ml in order to target mouth corners, the skin between the upper lip and nose, and the upper lip borders.

All in all, these images are an appropriate starting point to give you an idea of the expected results you might witness with this treatment. I suggest that you request work samples from your potential HA lip injection expert before initiating the treatment.

Over to You

Now, you are equipped with all the knowledge to plump your lips with the power of HA. 

I hope my guide was sufficient, and you’ve made up your mind about whether or not you should earn your dreamy lips through hyaluronic acid. To summarize, below are the pros and cons of using HA on the lips. 

Your lips will become plump, fuller, redefined, and hydrated. On the downside, you will have to set aside a few days for the healing process since the aftereffects include temporary mild bruising and bleeding.  

If you were impressed with the guide, there are many engaging beauty articles on my blog that will not only resonate with you but offer amazing skincare tips!