how does lip plumping gloss work

How Does Lip Plumping Gloss Work and is it Actually Safe?

2 min read
Lip plumpers usually work by using ingredients that cause irritation and swelling of the lips. But, are they safe? We investigated!

Do you want the look of lip fillers without the actual injections? Injectable lip filler is expensive and painful and that's why beauty enthusiasts are looking for other solutions to get lip volume.

Lip plumping gloss is one of the hottest trends in beauty right now - thank you Mikayla Nogueira and TikTok! But how does it work? And is this lip gloss safe?

We did a deep dive into the science to find out. Here's what we learned.

How Does Lip Plumping Gloss Work?

The majority of products on the market use temporary methods to achieve fuller lips. This is typically done by using lip plumping ingredients that cause irritation and swelling of the lips.

The most common ingredient in these glosses is capsaicin, which is the compound that makes chili peppers hot.

When applied to the lips, lip plumpers work by causing lips to swell and appear fuller. They increase blood flow and also cause a tingling sensation. And that's how you get plump lips.

Other ingredients in plumping lip gloss include menthol, cinnamon, and ginger. These ingredients work by irritating the nerve endings in the lips, which causes them to swell.

While these ingredients can provide temporary results, they can also be very drying and uncomfortable. In some cases, they may even cause blistering or burning sensations.

Some lip plumping glosses uses an ingredient call hyaluronic acid to temporarily hydrate your lips.

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that's found naturally in your skin. When applied topically, it draws water into the lips, making them appear fuller and more hydrated.

Is Lip Plumping Gloss Safe?

Yes! Lip plumping gloss is safe to use. However, as with any cosmetic product, it's important to perform a patch test before using it on your lips.

To do this, apply a small amount of gloss to the inside of your elbow and wait 24 hours to see if you have any adverse reaction.  If you experience redness, swelling, or itching, discontinue use immediately.

We did see a few people on TikTok who got a little more plumping than they hoped for. Luckily, lip plumper causes just a temporary effect. So, they weren't swollen for too long.

Pucker Up!

Lip plumping gloss is a safe and effective way to temporarily plump up your lips without dermal fillers. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to get fuller, hydrated lips, lip plumping gloss is definitely worth trying!

Just be sure to do a patch test with your plumping lip glosses before using it on your lips to ensure that you don't have any adverse reactions.

You might be wondering which lip plumping glosses are the best. We wondered the same thing. So, we tested them to find out! Tap the button below for our short list of the best lip plumpers.

related stories