There are only a few common truths, however one in every of them must be that everyone hates chapped lips. That’s why there are seemingly infinite lip balms to select from, all claiming they will do away with your dry, flaky, cracked pores and skin. So how are you aware which of them actually work (and that are only for present)?
That will help you discover lip balms which might be actually hydrating and therapeutic, we spoke with dermatologists, chatted with SELF staffers, and combed via our previous Wholesome Magnificence Award winners (all of which we extensively examined). Store our favourite multitasking lippies and soothing balms beneath.
Our prime picks
- Greatest General: Summer time Fridays Lip Butter Balm
- Greatest Price range: Vaseline Lip Remedy Cocoa Butter
- Greatest for Delicate Pores and skin: CeraVe Therapeutic Ointment
- Greatest Lipstick Different: Tower 28 JuiceBalm Tinted Lip Balm
- Greatest Lip Oil: Ami Colé Lip Therapy Oil
- Greatest Lip Masks: Fenty Pores and skin Plush Puddin’ Intensive Restoration Lip Masks
- Greatest Shiny Lip Balm: Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Shiny Lip Balm
- Greatest with Lanolin: Lanolips 12-Hour In a single day Lip Masks
- Greatest Tinted Lip Balm: Yves Saint Laurent Sweet Glaze Lip Gloss Stick
- Greatest Cracked Lips: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Lips
FAQs about shopping for hydrating lip balms
Which components do you have to search for in a lip balm?
“Lip balms can ship a wide range of moisturizing brokers, together with shea butter, squalane, and hyaluronic acid,” Audrey Kunin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founding father of DERMAdoctor, tells SELF. “Ideally, along with hydrating [the skin], a lip balm can even assist restore dry lips. This will contain the inclusion of delicate exfoliating components—suppose AHAs or PHAs—that assist elevate away useless or dry pores and skin, or ceramides that rebuild the pure pores and skin barrier.” Simply notice that folk with delicate pores and skin may discover exfoliants like these irritating.
An excellent balm also needs to have an occlusive ingredient, like petrolatum, which is able to shield your lips and assist them retain moisture, Nicole Hayre, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founding father of the Beauty Dermatology Heart in McLean, Virginia, tells SELF. She additionally recommends utilizing a balm with SPF throughout the day to dam dangerous UV rays. And an antioxidant like vitamin E is a pleasant bonus, because it’s not solely nourishing however wards off solar injury too.
How do you select a hydrating lip balm for delicate lips?
It may be tempting to choose up a lip balm that smells like watermelon or vanilla, however avoiding perfume is a should as a result of it could irritate delicate pores and skin, Mara Weinstein Velez, MD, board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor on the College of Rochester Medical Heart, tells SELF.
As for the good things, Dr. Weinstein Velez recommends on the lookout for a balm made with petrolatum or lanolin—a moisturizing ingredient that comes from sheep’s wool. Nonetheless, lanolin might be irritating for some individuals and a miracle employee for others. In case you haven’t used the ingredient earlier than, Dr. Weinstein Velez suggests making use of the lip balm to your interior arm as a patch take a look at and protecting the realm for a couple of days to see the way you react to it. No irritation? No drawback.
Does Vaseline really hydrate lips?
The one ingredient in Vaseline is petrolatum, an occlusive ingredient that seals in any moisture your lips have already got with out including any water, as SELF has beforehand reported. That’s nonetheless useful—however ideally you’ll use a product that additionally has hydrating components to assuage your cracked pores and skin.
In case you’ll want Vaseline pried out of your chilly, useless arms, attempt making use of a hyaluronic acid serum to your lips earlier than jelly. Or swap to one thing like Aquaphor, which has petrolatum plus humectants that attract water, like glycerin and panthenol.
Store the very best hydrating lip balms
Between on a regular basis life and our annual Wholesome Magnificence Awards, we’ve examined dozens of lip balms. Now we’re able to allow you to in on the perfect of them. Drum roll please….
Greatest General: Summer time Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Execs
- Very creamy texture
- Hygienic, moveable packaging
- Out there in clear and tinted shades
Cons
I attain for this shea-butter-based lip balm day by day. It has a velvety texture and provides my lips a healthy-looking sheen with a couple of swipes. I like that it feels as thick and moisturizing as a lip masks—which additionally means it doesn’t put on off instantly—however is available in a slim tube that makes the product simpler to use (and is extra moveable than a cumbersome jar).
There are many sheer shades and smells to select from: My favourite is the clear vanilla balm, which smells subtly candy, whereas SELF’s senior commerce editor adores the purple, fruity-scented Cherry shade.
Measurement: 0.5 fl oz | Colours: 9 | Different notable components: Diisostearyl malate (an emollient)
Greatest Price range: Vaseline Lip Remedy Cocoa Butter
Execs
- Good for delicate pores and skin
- Container lasts a very long time
Cons
Common ol’ Vaseline is nice for stopping hydration loss, nevertheless it’s not going to make an enormous distinction in case your pores and skin is already dry and flaky. That’s why we advocate making an attempt this model that has moisturizing and soothing cocoa butter along with barrier-reinforcing petrolatum. “It’s been my tried and true for years,” one SELF tester says. “The little container lasts me ceaselessly.”
Measurement: 0.25 oz | Colours: N/A | Different notable components: N/A
Greatest for Delicate Pores and skin: CeraVe Therapeutic Ointment
Execs
- Can be utilized on any dry pores and skin
- Received’t irritate delicate pores and skin
- Price range-friendly
- Perfume-free
Cons
- Some would possibly discover it too greasy
When your lips are actually indignant, easy merchandise are greatest. Dr. Kunin swears by CeraVe’s Therapeutic Ointment, and one in every of our testers says it’s the one product she’ll use when her lips are ultra-dry, chapped, or in any other case irritated. It’s loaded with ceramides to assist restore broken pores and skin, whereas petrolatum seals in moisture—plus, it’s fragrance-free, so it received’t trouble delicate pores and skin. Bonus: You’ll be able to apply this ointment virtually anyplace in your physique, like parched patches in your face, dry cuticles, and even cracked heels.
Measurement: 3, 5, and 12 fl oz | Colours: N/A | Different notable components: Pores and skin-softening mineral oil, hydrating hyaluronic acid and panthenol
Greatest Lipstick Different: Tower 28 JuiceBalm Tinted Lip Balm
Execs
- Very pigmented
- Straightforward to use
- Skinny, creamy formulation
Cons
- Won’t be moisturizing sufficient for some
Typically, you desire a pop of coloration that’s much less drying than a standard lipstick. That’s the place a tinted lip balm is available in, like this Wholesome Magnificence Award winner from Tower 28. One among our testers calls the JuiceBalm “phenomenal” and “very hydrating,” on account of a combo of shea butter and marula oil.
This stick requires zero fuss. “You don’t have to fret about harsh or imperfect strains—you’ll be able to swipe it on and not using a mirror, smack your lips collectively, and belief that it seems nice,” they stated. “I’ll rebuy this—which I’ve by no means stated a couple of balm, not to mention a tinted one.” It’s out there in 4 fairly shades: nude (a pinky brown coloration), berry, pink, and coral.
Measurement: 0.09 fl oz | Colours: 4 | Different notable components: Vegan beeswax (an occlusive)
Greatest Lip Oil: Ami Colé Lip Therapy Oil
Execs
- Very shiny end
- Massive applicator holds plenty of product
Cons
Our tester appreciated how simple this Wholesome Magnificence Award winner was to make use of, due to its giant doe foot applicator that holds a load of product. “I LOVED that. It made placing on the gloss even simpler and faster, and [it] meant {that a} single dip into the bottle was sufficient to use throughout,” they wrote. It incorporates a nourishing combo of baobab, ardour fruit, and camellia seed oils to depart your lips feeling delightfully comfortable.
Measurement: 0.15 fl oz | Colours: 7 | Different notable components: Pores and skin-softening polybutene (an emollient)
Greatest Lip Masks: Fenty Pores and skin Plush Puddin’ Intensive Restoration Lip Masks
Execs
- Thick, creamy texture
- Helps with flakiness
- Hygienic packaging
Cons
- A bit sticky
- On the dear aspect
This restorative masks is full of moisturizing fruit and plant oils that helped our tester, who was coping with “hella chapped” pores and skin from a prescription retinoid, preserve flaking and cracking at bay. “That is the one factor in addition to my favourite cocoa butter stick that legitimately moisturizes my lips,” they are saying. “Rihanna put her entire Rihannussy into this, and I want to personally thank her for it.”
Measurement: 0.5 fl oz | Colours: 4 | Different notable components: Moisturizing castor seed and coconut oils
Greatest Shiny Lip Balm: Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Shiny Lip Balm
Execs
- Very shiny end
- Creamy texture
- Sheer, buildable coloration
Cons
- Makes lips tingle at first, which some would possibly discover irritating
- Very dear
In case you love a glassy-lip look however can’t stand sticky lip gloss, you must do this luxurious balm from Hourglass. I’ve three shades, and a minimum of one is with me always. They glide on with out ever trying patchy, and you may construct up the pigment and shine with extra swipes. Plus, as a result of it consists of shea butter and a variety of plant oils, this balm meets gloss will make your lips really feel simply as juicy and hydrated as they give the impression of being.
Measurement: 0.05 fl oz | Colours: 20 | Different notable components: Nourishing mango seed butter
Greatest Longevity: Lanolips 12-Hour In a single day Lip Masks
Execs
- Stays in place for hours
- Very moisturizing
- Perfume-free
Cons
- Doesn’t have a standard applicator
No person has time to use lip balm a zillion instances a day—and this Lanolips masks is proof {that a} good balm can keep put. Its star ingredient is lanolin, which is understood for its main soothing skills. It’s additionally loaded with moisturizing components, like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin E, to ensure your lips keep plump and guarded.
It’s been a critical recreation changer for one Wholesome Magnificence Award tester: “I work in a hospital and must put on a masks for a lot of hours, which dries out my lips,” they are saying. “After having this on all day, my lips stayed moisturized, due to its tremendous thick consistency.”
Measurement: 0.52 fl oz | Colours: N/A | Different notable components: Vitamin C (antioxidant)
Greatest for Cracked Lips: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Lips
Execs
- Non-greasy
- Provides lips a wholesome sheen
- Perfume-free
Cons
This balm “made an evening and day distinction” in a single tester’s “chronically chapped lips.” It has an ointment-like texture however with zero greasiness, which additionally means it doesn’t look too shiny. It gives immediate aid to cracked lips, with calming components like panthenol. “It labored so effectively that I barely needed to reapply,” our tester provides.
Measurement: 0.25 fl oz | Colours: N/A | Different notable components: Shea butter
Greatest Tinted Lip Balm: Yves Saint Laurent Sweet Glaze Lip Gloss Stick
Execs
- Good vary of colours
- Delicate however buildable tint
- Shiny end
Cons
“I personally like this after I need my lips to look slightly extra alive, however not makeup-y,” one tester says. “It’s tremendous hydrating—one or two swipes does the trick for the work day.” You can even simply construct it up in order for you extra coloration—the “glassy shine,” as YSL calls it, will keep.
Measurement: 11 oz | Colours: 13 | Different notable components: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, mango seed oil
Extra nice lip balms
Is it cool if we preserve going? Store much more editor-favorite lip balms beneath.
Contemporary Lip Sugar Hydrating Lip Balm
Execs
- Very moisturizing formulation
- Tastes good
Cons
- Jar packaging isn’t as sanitary
Hear us out: Nobody is suggesting that you just eat your lip balm, however a product’s taste can play an enormous function in how a lot you prefer it. Not less than, that’s why this balm caught one tester’s consideration. “It’s actually hydrating and tastes good, which I feel is uncommon,” she says about her favourite model (caramel). She additionally confirms that it’s extremely moisturizing, with a lot of vitamin E.
Measurement: 0.2 fl oz | Colours: 3 | Different notable components: Anti-inflammatory apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil
Aquaphor Lip Restore Lip Balm with Sunscreen SPF 30
Execs
- Protects lips from the solar
- Perfume-free
Cons
- Chemical sunscreen would possibly irritate delicate pores and skin
In case you suppose chapped lips are unhealthy, you positively don’t need to take care of sunburnt ones.This model of Aquaphor has the identical holy grail formulation as the unique, however with added sunscreen components (avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone) to battle UV rays. “I preserve a tube subsequent to my keys—that approach, I’ll all the time keep in mind to place it on earlier than leaving the home,” one tester stated throughout our Wholesome Magnificence Award trials. “That’s how a lot I like this product!”
Measurement: 0.35 fl oz | Colours: N/A | Different notable components: Glycerin, panthenol, castor seed oil, shea butter, beeswax
Eos Watermelon Frosé & Lychee Martini 2-Pack Lip Balm
Execs
- Nice scents
- Price range-friendly
- Stays put for a very long time
Cons
- Ulta buyers say it may not be moisturizing sufficient for some
Anybody else have a handbag filled with these egg-shaped, pastel-colored EOS balms from again within the day? Properly, they’re nonetheless round—sans the spherical form (however simply as enjoyable). “The [twist-up] packaging is sensible in all of its childlike glory,” one SELF tester says, including that the flavors and smells are “divine.” These balms can even preserve your lips juicy, with nourishing sunflower seed and coconut oils.
Measurement: 0.14 oz | Colours: N/A | Different notable components: Shea butter, moisturizing jojoba seed oil
Sunnie The Protector SPF 36
Execs
- Mineral SPF received’t trouble delicate pores and skin
- Smooths lips
Cons
- Comprises perfume that may be irritating
This Wholesome Magnificence Award–successful balm incorporates UV-blocking zinc oxide, a mineral-based sunscreen that received’t irritate delicate pores and skin. It’s additionally full of moisturizing components like olive and avocado oils (good sources of vitamin E), in addition to protecting petrolatum.