The moment a chill in the air hits, dry lips crop up again as a seasonal buzz kill. The best lip peels are the treatment you didn’t know you needed to keep rough patches at bay—no elbow grease required, just swipe right. It’s a category I was whole heartedly unfamiliar with until Dr. Idriss’s lip baste balm came across my desk. “A lip peel? Like a chemical peel… but for your lips?” I thought out loud (yes, I talk to myself at work). It’s exactly that—unlike traditional lip scrubs that rely on gritty particles for exfoliation, these formulas use the power of gentle acids to dissolve dead skin cells without irritation. Think of it as a mini chemical peel, formulated specifically for the delicate skin on your pout.

“Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips don’t have oil or sweat glands to keep them moist, and with such a thin barrier they lose water quickly, that’s why lips are uniquely prone to dryness and need extra care,” clinical professor Dr. Rebecca Small tells Vogue. “A lip peel uses gentle exfoliants, either acids (like salicylic or mandelic) or enzymes (like papaya, rice bran or pineapple), to dissolve dry skin and flakes.” Once properly used, you’re left with a smooth, even canvas that makes lip products—from bold matte lipsticks to glossy stains—go on seamlessly, with no patchy buildup in sight.

Vogue’s Favorite Lip Peels

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What makes lip peels so transformative is how they go beyond surface-level exfoliation. Instead of just buffing away at chapped lips, the formulas work to restore balance and hydration, leaving lips supple and comfortable. Regular use helps prevent the cycle of dryness and peeling, so your lips feel consistently nourished and refreshed. The payoff is more than cosmetic: soft lips not only look better but also feel healthier—proof that a chemical solution can often succeed where physical scrubs fall short.

Best Skincare-Makeup Hybrid: U Beauty The PLASMA Lip Compound

• Why We Love It: Why We Love It: U Beauty’s Plasma Lip Compound isn’t a peel in the traditional sense—but it delivers similar results thanks to built-in chemical exfoliants, all while doubling as a luxe balm. A favorite of Dr. Azideh Shirazi, the formula is powered by stem cell technology that “deeply nourishes while subtly firming without feeling heavy,” she previously told Vogue. Dr. Small agrees, noting that this pick is ideal for visibly flakey lips. “Salicylic acid is a stronger, oil-soluble exfoliant that penetrates deeper—but may be too strong for sensitive lips,” she says. Beyond its smoothing benefits, a thoughtful mix of peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid spheres, and plant extracts floods lips with hydration.
• Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter, beeswax, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, salicylic acid, mandelic acid
• Type: Exfoliating lip balm
• How To Use: Apply to bare lips any time of day—or wear above lip liner as a skincare-makeup hybrid.

Best Lip Oil Treatment: Osea Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster

• Why We Love It: Osea’s Hyaluronic Lip Oil Booster isn’t just another glossy balm—it cleverly straddles the line between a hydrating oil and a gentle lip. “This is the mildest option for a lip peel, utilizing enzymatic exfoliation from rice bran extract. Paired with hyaluronic acid, it smooths while boosting hydration, good for daily use or sensitive lips,” says Dr. Small. Lips feel instantly softer, appear plumper, and catch the light with a healthy, natural shine—perfect on its own or layered over lipstick.
• Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, sunflower seed oil, hyaluronic acid, seaweed extract, rosemary leaf extract
• Type: Exfoliating lip oil
• How To Use: Sweep across lips to hydrate, smooth, and gently exfoliate dry patches for soft, supple results.

Best Serum Peel: Stacked Skincare Hydrating Lip Peel

• Why We Love It: Stacked Skincare’s Hydrating Lip Peel is a gentle yet effective chemical exfoliant designed specifically for the delicate skin of your lips. “Formulated with AHAs and glycolic acid, it works as both an exfoliant to restore smoother lips,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Noah Gratch. “It’s user friendly allowing for a quick application that can be followed up with a hydrating lip balm for best results.” Unlike traditional scrubs that rely on physical abrasion, this vegan formula uses a blend of mandelic and lactic acids to dissolve dead skin cells, revealing a smoother, more supple pout. Ideal for daily use, it preps lips for flawless lipstick application and maintains hydration without the risk of irritation.
• Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, lactic acid, phytic acid, mushroom axtract, annatto leaf extract
• Type: Leave-on treatment
• How To Use: Apply a thin layer to clean, dry lips as needed. Allow it to dry—there’s no need to rinse. Follow up with your favorite lip balm to lock in moisture and keep lips soft and smooth.

Best Balm: Dr. Idriss Barrier Baste Lip Peel

• Why We Love It: Dr. Idriss’s Barrier Baste was the product that first introduced Vogue’s beauty shopping writer Conçetta Ciarlo to the world of lip peels. “My pouty lips get dry the second it gets chilly—and my lack of water intake doesn’t help,” she says. “A swipe of this followed by a nourishing lip balm, and my lips went from chapped to supple overnight.” For those who fear irritating their skin, Dr. Small considers this pick a more gentle option. “Mandelic acid is a larger-molecule AHA that works more slowly and with less irritation and gluconolactone provides mild exfoliation plus added hydration,” says Dr. Small.
• Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, gluconolactone, glycerin, sucrose
• Type: Leave-on exfoliating treatment
• How To Use: Apply a thin layer to clean, dry lips as needed and top it off with your. Fully allow the formula to dry, then top it off with your favorite lip balm to lock in moisture.

Best with Mandelic Acid: Typology L38 — Lip Peeling

• Why We Love It: Typology keeps their lip peel formula clean and focused, combining 2% mandelic acid with pomegranate enzymes to gently lift away dead skin cells. Dr. Gratch notes that despite the seemingly low percentage, this uses high concentration of exfoliating active ingredients. “One thing to note is that because you’re using active ingredients (AHA and pomegranate enzyme), you may feel some tingling,” Dr. Gratch, who notes the tingly sensation is normal but should be monitored if you hav sensitive skin. This precise blend delivers the benefits of a chemical exfoliant without ever feeling harsh or abrasive.
• Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, pomegranate enzyme, trehalose
• Type: No-rinse lip exfoliating serum
• How To Use: Apply a thin layer to clean, dry lips as needed. Allow it to dry, and follow up with an occlusive layer for hydration.

Best Enzyme Exfoliator: Stila Buff & Blur Lip Enzyme Exfoliator

• Why We Love It: Stila’s Buff & Blur Lip Enzyme Exfoliator redefines lip care with its innovative, non-abrasive formula that combines the benefits of enzymatic exfoliation with a soothing, gel-like texture. Infused with papaya and pineapple enzymes, this vegan lip treatment gently dissolves dead skin cells, leaving lips feeling soft and smooth without the need for harsh scrubbing. Its unique applicator tip allows for precise application, ensuring an even and controlled exfoliation process.
• Key Ingredients: Papaya enzyme, pineapple enzyme, natural astringents
• Type: Rinse-off gel exfoliator
• How To Use: Squeeze a small amount of product onto the applicator tip. Apply in a circular motion to the lips for at least 15 seconds, ensuring even coverage. Rinse with warm water and gently wipe off with a soft towel or cotton pad. Use up to 2–3 times a week for optimal results.

Best Peeling Scrub: Tatcha Kissu Lip Scrub

• Why We Love It: You’ve likely heard of Tatcha’s Kissu Lip Mask—but consider the lip scrub step one, clearing the way for supple lips. The formula combines konjac and peach seed granules to gently buff away dead skin, offering an effective polish without abrasive grit; Japanese camellia oil locks in moisture instead of stripping it. The result? Lips that feel smooth, hydrated, and perfectly prepped for whatever product comes next.
• Key Ingredients: Konjac scrub, peach seed powder, japanese camellia seed oil, sucrose, polybutene
• Type: Exfoliating balm
• How To Use: Massage a small, pearl-sized amount onto clean, dry lips with the applicator tip. Remove with a damp cloth or wipe. Use up to a few times a week—especially when lips feel dry or flaky.

Best Buffing Balm: Refy Lip Buff

• Why We Love It: Refy’s multitasking formula doesn’t just coat lips—it smooths, buffs, and conditions all at once. The secret lies in the small nylon bristles of its tiny applicator brush, which gently lift away dead skin while delivering a surge of hydration for soft, plump lips prepped for lipstick or gloss. “This is the perfect option for a quick fix,” says Ciarlo. “Say you’ve gotta run out the door, but your lips are in need of some instant TLC—this does that ASAP.”
• Key Ingredients: Glycerin, propanediol, aloe leaf juice, pomegranate peel extract, hyaluronic acid
• Type: Buffing balm with exfoliating and conditioning benefits.
• How To Use: Apply directly to bare lips and massage in with the metal applicator tip. Let the formula sink in, then blot or layer with your favorite lip color.

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