Coronavirus, or COVID-19, hasn’t just kept nonessential workers away from the office, it’s also forced dermatologists and plastic surgeons to hunker down in the safety of their own homes. While many doctors are utilizing telemedicine to treat their patients, in-office elective cosmetic treatments have been postponed until further notice—and that includes lip filler appointments.
We won’t pretend that there are any at-home products on the market that can offer the much-fuller pout and long-lasting results that a great lip filler appointment can give, but if you’re in need of a temporary fix, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find the best lip plumpers and outside of the doctor’s office, according to dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and beauty editors.
PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster ($45)
“I like this product because it plumps without causing irritation, and regular use can help collagen production and reduce the appearance of lip lines. However, it does not contain the tingly essential oils and other irritants that many lip plumpers use to cause swelling. I don’t like the use of these, because they generally irritate the skin and, although they do cause temporary swelling, they usually leave the lips dry, irritated, and flaky. But if you love that tingly swelling, then this might not be the product for you.” —New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King
“I suffer from chronically chapped lips, no matter the season. I’m that person with a lip conditioner in every possible pocket/bag/room because, should I ever leave home without it, it sends me into full panic mode. This PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster is as deliciously conditioning as any good lip formula should be, but with the added benefit of making lips appear fuller and smoother in seconds—it even fills in the little wrinkles in my lips. It’s formulated with a special blend of sodium hyaluronate and konjac root, which gently plumps and conditions so you get all the benefits without any irritation—and believe me, my lips are sensitive. If you’re petrified of needles—guilty!—this will get you comparable results, although temporary, with zero pain. And you definitely won’t mind applying and reapplying, to keep that fuller lip look.” —Lindsay Colameo, principal beauty editor for YouCam Makeup
“Although self-applied lip plumpers are not my favorite product category, to be honest, I do like the PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster because it doesn’t contain irritants to make the lips swell but works by hydrating the skin of the lips to make them appear smoother and fuller.” —New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kenneth Howe
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Fuller Lips—From Plumping Glosses to Silicone Implants
Devgan Scientific Beauty Platinum Lip Plump ($50)
“I almost never reach for a lip plumping product, because my lips are naturally on the fuller side. Despite this, I usually keep a tube of Devgan Scientific Beauty Platinum Lip Plump close by, because this product not only enhances the shape and size of my lips [but] also hydrates, softens, and adds a beautiful natural-pink flush. The formula is enhanced by nourishing and antioxidant ingredients such as vitamin B, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and a peptide complex to support collagen production. The lip treatment provides a couple of hours of hydration and has a juicy watermelon scent—so I never mind reapplying.” —RealSelf head of content Carolyn Hsu
DuWop Cosmetics Lip Venom ($16)
“This is really the classic formula and the first plumper I ever used. It has cinnamon, ginger, and wintergreen, which all cause slight irritation to your lips, increasing circulation and swelling of the lips—this accounts for the tingling sensation.”—New York City board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Melissa Doft
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss ($34)
“There is a great variety of lip plumper products and devices on the market—all of them provide only temporary plumping effects. If I have to pick only one product among them, Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss would be my favorite. There are many products and devices on the market that rely on mechanical and chemical irritation to achieve a plumping effect, and prolonged use of such products could eventually lead to premature aging and thinning of the lips. That’s why my favorite products rely on the naturally hydrating effect of hyaluronic acid, and frequent use of this product not only results in an attractive pout, it also helps to keep the lips healthy and youthful for years to come.” —New York City board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Konstantin Vasyukevich
“I personally love Dior Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss because it gives a plumper look without stinging or tingling and makes the lips smoother, with some [added] color. I think it’s a good idea to use a lip scrub at night as well—like one or two times per week—to smooth out the lips and get rid of dry. flaky skin. If you don’t have a scrub, you can lightly brush the lips with a soft toothbrush.” —New York City board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Levine
It Cosmetics Je Ne Sais Quoi Hydrating Lip Balm Treatment ($25)
“Packed with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, this is a very soothing and hydrating lip booster [that] enhances the natural color of your lips.” —New York City board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Melissa Doft
Related: Can Lip Flips Be a Better Option Than Filler?
Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen Lip ($35)
“I had never considered getting lip filler, even as a beauty editor who has access to all the best injectors. That being said though, it doesn’t mean I would go out of my way to avoid a product with lip-plumping benefits—who wouldn’t want a fuller-looking pout? So when I got my hands on this product to test, months ahead of its launch, I tried it immediately. After, I had multiple coworkers stop and ask me if I had gotten my lips done. The formula is nice and doesn’t sting, like some other lip-plumping formulas can, and not only does it enhance the size of lips, it also has anti-aging benefits that help smooth fine lines and even out texture. Since then—about two years ago—I have gotten actual lip filler. But I still use this to maintain my results.” —Lisa DeSantis, deputy beauty director of Health and Real Simple magazines
Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Polish Gloss ($21)
“I recommend this [lip gloss] because it’s affordable, above all else. It comes in so many shades and makes your lips equal parts plump, hydrated, and shinier than a gem. It’s not a lip injection, of course, but the difference in size is more noticeable than [with] almost every other lip plumper I’ve tried.” —Theresa Massony, senior style editor at Elite Daily
Buxom Power-full Plump Lip Balm ($18)
“I love this balm, which I find very moisturizing. It is filled with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamins A and E.” —New York City board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Melissa Doft
