Two major things happen in our skin as we age—we naturally produce less elastin and collagen (proteins that keep skin firm) and hold onto less hydration. This is why we see a loss in volume, definition, and color, along with more-frequent flakiness. The latest lip gloss from Dr. Dennis Gross addresses all four of those changes both immediately and over time.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DermInfusions Plump + Repair Lip Treatment ($45) leaves your lips feeling cared for and looking fuller, thanks to a smart blend of moisturizing and restorative ingredients.
First up, it contains a complex of peptides that increase lip volume, hydration, and softness while enhancing cellular function and stimulating fibroblasts to produce more collagen and hyaluronic acid, resulting in firmer lips.
“The thing about peptides is that they can stimulate collagen,” explains brand founder and board-certified dermatologist Dennis Gross, MD. “The way they do it is because the skin has a receptor for peptides. Receptors are these things that sit on the outside of a skin cell that the peptide connects to. If you think about peptides as the key, our receptors are like a lock—and the peptide goes into the lock, turns, and then once that receptor gets into the peptide, it opens up and allows it to enter the cell, as if the receptor was a gateway.”
The DermInfusions Lip Treatment also contains four different weights of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a humectant, meaning it draws water to the skin, improving hydration. Each one of these different weights of HA penetrates a different layer of the lip, providing deep hydration and plumping.
“The skin is four layers thick, and the cells themselves can uptake water,” says Diedre Hooper, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Orleans, Louisiana. So when the skin cells aren’t hydrated, “it’s like a plant leaf that’s deflated. Water’s a great plumper—that’s why hyaluronic acid is such a great moisturizer.”
The HA gets a helping hand from trehalosel, a plant-derived sugar that’s also a humectant (and an antioxidant) that increases lip volume, hydration, and softness.
Finally, the formula is made with a restorative blend of squalane, bisabolol, ectoin, and centella asiatica that deeply moisturize the skin to repair chapped, dry lips. They’re also rich in antioxidants, to protect against environmental damage while repairing past damage.
What it’s like using the DDG DermInfusions Lip Treatment
Full disclosure—this is the first lip plumper I’ve ever used. I’ve been blessed with what my mom refers to as “Bratz-doll lips,” so a plumping gloss has never appealed to me. However, I was intrigued by this treatment because it goes beyond the instant plump, and actually provides long-term benefits.
I applied the product, waited a few minutes, and truly saw a difference. My cupid’s bow was more defined and plump, the dehydration lines disappeared, and my lips felt really soft. There was a subtle tingle, but it wasn’t very noticeable and it went away after a bit.
Dr. Gross says you can apply this product once a day as a treatment product or throughout the day to keep them super plump. You can also wear it under your favorite lip color. If you’re in the market for a daily lip product to incorporate into your routine that also gives you a bit of instant gratification, the Dr. Dennis Gross DermInfusions Lip Treatment is perfect.
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