The best lip serums, expert-recommended and editor-tested

If you’re still swiping on the balm that’s been at the bottom of your bag whenever your lips are feeling dry or chapped, you could be missing out on a major opportunity to actually treat the skin on (and around) your lips with nourishing serums.

Sure, adding one more product to your skin care routine might seem a little stressful, but your lips should never go unnoticed. Why? Just like the eye and neck areas, the skin surrounding your lip line is very delicate and can show signs of aging.

In fact, wrinkles that naturally occur from drinking through a straw or simply pursing your lips can be so aggravating to deal with once they’re there — but with a lip serum, you can treat existing lines and prevent future ones from happening.

Here’s everything you need to know about shopping for a lip serum and what ingredients to look for in one, according to dermatologists and estheticians — plus a few editor-favorite picks as well.

“A lip serum is a targeted treatment designed to nourish and enhance the health of your lips at a deeper level,” explains Dr. Shuting Hu, cosmetic chemist and founder of Acaderma.

Instead of just offering momentary comfort from dry, cracked lips, “a lip serum delivers active ingredients that work to improve the overall condition of your lips,” says Hu. “It hydrates, repairs and rejuvenates, giving your lips long-lasting benefits.”

Shades: 1 | Key ingredients: Shea butter, SPF

“This is my top pick because it not only moisturizes but also provides sun protection — an essential but often overlooked part of lip care,” says Brownlee. Just like with your skin care, lip care should include a daily SPF. You can even use it if you have sensitive skin.

Shades: 1 | Key ingredients: Sugar, ceramides

The inclusion of sugar in this formula can actually help produce a lasting hydration effect on lips. Plus, according to Dr. Gary Goldenberg, a cosmetic dermatologist, this Fresh serum has an “anti-aging formula with acmella flower extract, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines around the lips, and Kigelia Africana fruit extract to improve firmness.”

Colors: 1 | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides

Hu says hyaluronic acid is a must-have ingredient in any lip serum you choose. This one from Paula’s Choice is affordable and contains both hyaluronic acid as well as peptides. The formula also includes squalane for hydrating, soothing and reparative effects.

Shades: 1 | Key ingredients: Peptide-like carob extract

The Tatcha Kissu lip treatment is packed with carob extract that mimics peptides and sea fern to help plump and restore lips over time. Sylvia Brownlee, esthetician and founder of Skin By Brownlee & Co., says, “I love this serum for its luxurious feel and how it delivers lasting moisture, leaving lips soft and smooth.”

Shades: 1 | Key ingredients: Liquid crystal base

This is one of my favorite lip serums on the market. It’s made with a clean formula so you don’t have to worry about ingesting any gross toxins or chemicals, and it contains a 90% pure liquid crystal base along with peptides that help plump your lips.

Shades: 1 | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, shea butter, peptides

Adrianna Brach, the editorial director at Shop TODAY, recommends this lip treatment that's packed with all of the ingredients you should want in a lip serum. Not only do the ingredients work for help reduce fine lines in your lip area, but they also help with plumping.

When shopping for a lip serum, Dr. Hu says to look for a few stand-out ingredients:

While both a lip balm and a lip serum help hydrate and condition the lips, there are a few key differences.

“A lip balm provides more of a protective, temporary sheen and often requires reapplication throughout the day to maintain moisture,” explains Brownlee. “A lip serum is more treatment-focused. I would use a lip serum a few times at night to deeply nourish and repair the lips while using a balm daily to lock in moisture and protect them from environmental factors,” she says.

Before choosing the best lip serums, we spoke with an esthetician, a cosmetic chemist and a cosmetic dermatologist to learn about the product benefits and ingredients to look for. The experts then recommended their go-to lip serums to shop.

Brittany Leitner is a journalist and an award-winning poet. She's also a freelance writer and editor with an impressive resume of work across various websites including Elite Daily, Bustle and more.