I Tried A Lip Filler Alternative & Didn’t Know My Lips Could Look So Plump & Smooth 

Here’s a beauty market trend to bring up at your next cocktail party: The topical lip filler space is capital-B Booming. In the past, a lip balm that promised to give you the same pillowy results as an in-office injection might have made you raise a brow—but these days, a pain-free plump is not a pipe dream. 

Now, you can find a smattering of high-tech products that infuse hyaluronic acid into the lips (sans needles) to smooth lip lines, increase definition, enhance color, and, of course, encourage va-va-voom volume. One of these nifty new products comes from Dr. Dennis Gross, the famed dermatologist known for his innovative, high-quality beauty tools. 

As I mentioned, most topical lip filler treatments call upon small molecules of hyaluronic acid, the buzzy humectant that draws water into the surface of the lips, which increases volume and delivers much-needed hydration. The DermInfusions treatment contains four molecular weights of HA to usher water into each layer of the lip skin. Trehalose, another humectant, adds even more water-binding properties to plump the lips with moisture. 

As for the goop itself, the treatment has a high-gloss finish that enhances the natural color of your lips. It’s basically a hydrating lip oil you can apply multiple times a day—as Gross tells me during a brand event, you can feel free to swipe it on as many times you’d like without fear of irritation. 

As you can see from my before-and-after photo above, the DermInfusions treatment works pretty immediately. I’ve tried a few topical lip fillers, and I have yet to find one that works this quickly. In about three minutes, my lips became instantly fuller and more vibrant in hue. No additional lip color in the “after” photo, I swear!

I also don’t have any lip filler; I’m not against it (and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it), but I’m sort of a wimp when it comes to needles. The fact that this “lip filler alternative” provides similarly enhanced results is perfect for someone like me. And if you do already have filler, Gross notes DermInfusions can prolong the life of the in-office treatment, resulting in less frequent touch-ups. 

Not to mention, I can totally see a difference in the health of my lips for the long haul. I typically struggle with chapped lips no matter the weather, but after using the DermInfusions treatment for about a month, I’ve noticed way less flakes and cracks.