The 24 Best Lip Balms to Nourish Chapped Lips
Updated: May 26, 2023
It's time to kiss chapped lips goodbye.
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On a scale of annoying to irritated and aching, a parched pout can be a pain in the mouth. Your lips have fewer layers of skin than the rest of your face, so they are extremely sensitive and can easily crack, chap, split, or redden. Our lips also lack sweat glands, which produce moisture and natural oils that protect your skin from the elements. This is not only painful, but it can also potentially ruin your lipstick and your look (you didn’t apply your favorite nude lipstick just to have it go to waste!) That’s why choosing the right moisturizing lip product is so important. While your specific situation and preference will determine what that is, the best lip balms all have one thing in common: quality ingredients.
“Top ingredients to be on the lookout for include hyaluronic acid, which can attract up to 1,000 times its weight in water, as well as glycerin—two top humectants,” explains Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist. She adds that the best lip balms have strong occlusives to seal in moisture. including shea butter, cocoa butter, petrolatum, or beeswax.
From moisturizing creams and nourishing oils to balms with a splash of color, this list has something for everyone. It may take a little trial and error to find your perfect match, so we compiled the top picks to suit any situation. Want to try your hand at a little DIY while you’re waiting for your order to be delivered? These homemade remedies can also help cure dry lips fast. Plus, take note of these lip balm hacks that go way beyond just healing chapped lips. These essential makeup rules to know by age 40 and the best Black makeup brands will also help you put your best face forward.
Best overall lip balm: Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1
A Kiehl’s classic since the 1960s, this deeply moisturizing balm is infused with squalane, aloe vera, and vitamin E to alleviate dry-lip-related discomfort. It dispenses as a thick gel but quickly melts on contact, leaving lips soft, smooth, and hydrated. It’s simple but effective, which is why it’s a customer favorite. One reviewer raves: “I’m a lip balm fanatic and have been using this for 20 years, and it’s still the best formula that keeps your lips moist for a long time, without having to reapply often. And believe me…I’ve tried about 100 other brands.” Another calls it the “holy grail” of lip products, adding, “I honestly can’t go a day without having it on my lips!” Try the original fragrance-free tube, or the cranberry, mint, and mango scents.
Best ointment: Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment
This formula is so effective, it’s been clinically proven to elevate lip moisture, help heal severe dry lips, and improve overall lip condition. It contains four medications to provide relief from pain, itching, and discomfort. The catch? The white ointment does not easily blend in—it’s like a thin layer of icing. The solution? Apply it liberally before bed to wake up with seriously soft lips. Having seriously soft lips, by the way, is one of the makeup secrets of women who always look put together.
Best lip balm with SPF: Supergoop! PLAY Lip Balm SPF 30 with Acai
Your skin isn’t the only thing that needs protection from the sun. Your lips are actually one of the most sun-sensitive parts of your body, and this balm, made with moisturizing shea butter, will keep them safe while also locking in hydration. The SPF 30 provides high-performance protection from UVA, UVB, and IRA rays. Plus, the formula is lightweight, never sticky, and comfortable enough to wear whether you’re picnicking at the park, running outside, or lounging at the beach. And like all Supergoop! products, it’s cruelty-free, vegan, and reef-safe.
Best tinted lip balm: Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm
When you want a hint of color but don’t want to bother with lipstick, these conditioning lip balms provide the perfect amount of shade, without any shimmer or shine. No mirror needed—just swipe one on for a sheer, natural look anytime, anywhere. The smooth, buildable texture will flatter and nourish lips, while shea butter and botanical waxes will provide eight hours of moisture. Available in eight hues, they’re formulated without parabens, phthalates, and petrolatum, and made with recyclable packaging. While you’re shopping, you might also want to pick up this other beloved Burt’s Bees lip balm, which has nearly 50,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.
Longest-lasting lip balm: Goop Beauty GOOPGENES Clean Nourishing Lip Balm
This formula was three years in the making, and it was well worth the wait: Goop sold one lip balm every minute after launching in December. Since we consume much of what we put on our lips, Goop’s goal was to create a product with the highest quality clean ingredients. Dermatologist-approved, it’s made with rich botanical oils—coconut, argan, castor seed, jojoba, and sunflower—plus pomegranate extract and shea butter for ultimate nourishment. Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow explains, “There’s so much we wanted to get right: It had to be super cushy and nourishing. It had to feel amazing and perform even better. It had to have the perfect slip, the perfect finish, a subtle scent, just a whisper of a taste, the softest glide. My lips really get dry in the winter especially, and this balm soothes and moisturizes like nothing else.”
Best oil-based lip balm: Kopari Beauty Coconut Lip Glossy
Kopari Beauty’s unique blend of coconut oil and squalane will help you kiss dehydration goodbye. The brand searched the world for the freshest, richest, most premium organic coconuts and found them on a small family farm in Davao, Philippines. The result: an uber-hydrating gloss with the perfect amount of shine. This non-sticky lip balm looks and feels great at any time of the day or night. The company never tests on animals, and its products are free of parabens, sulfates, and silicones. Here are more impressive beauty benefits of coconut oil.
Best new lip balm: PÜR Forever Soft Lip Treatment
Chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, superfoods boost a healthy diet—but you may not realize that these good-for-you ingredients can also be worn topically. This brand-new rejuvenating lip treatment uses a nutrient-rich formula to instantly nourish and moisturize your lips. It’s packed with an advanced blend of superfoods, including sunflower seed oil, vitamin E, aloe juice powder, watermelon extract, apple extract, and lentil extract. And the innovative metal tip dispenses the clear gel to lips, creating a cooling effect with each application.
Best CBD-infused lip balm: Lord Jones CBD Lip Balm
True to its name, Lord Jones reigns supreme in the CBD world. They’re the best at infusing CBD into everything from skin-care products to gummies, and their very first foray into lip products doesn’t disappoint. This nourishing lip balm has 25 mg of premium, full-spectrum CBD, which restores moisture and soothes dry lips. That’s combined with potent natural ingredients, including shea butter, mimosa wax, beeswax, and 18 percent extra virgin olive oil to deeply hydrate, protect, and soften. There’s also grapefruit and rosemary oils that supply an abundance of antioxidants, as well as its light scent.
It’s an ideal everyday balm, and reviewers rave that it’s great even in extreme conditions: “I live where we experience 20 below zero or more during the winter months, and good lip products are essential to prevent pain and suffering. It’s very soothing and moisturizing—an exceptional lip balm.”
Best drugstore lip balm: Nivea Moisture Lip Care
For more than 100 years, Nivea has helped people feel good in their own skin. They know that just like your body, your lips need nourishment, too. That’s why you can rely on this trusted drugstore brand to be one of the best lip balms and to provide your pout with the care it deserves. Enriched with nourishing natural oils like shea butter, jojoba oil, and avocado oil, this affordable product helps chapped lips feel soft and smooth all day long.
Best multitasking lip balm: Lano Strawberry 101 Ointment
Supermodel Gigi Hadid recently revealed to Vogue that she adores LANO’s Strawberry 101 Ointment—and not just for her pucker. In addition to applying the multi-balm to her lips, she’s been seen dabbing it on her cheekbones and patting onto her eyebrows. Hadid isn’t the only one who loves LANO; the brand’s classic 101 Ointment sells once per minute globally.
What’s its allure? This little tube of magic has 101 uses, including keeping eyebrows in place; healing brittle nails, paper cuts, and insect bites; applying it to cuticles, cracked heels, dry nasal passages, or windburned cheeks; mixing it with foundation for a natural, dewy look; and so much more. The formula is packed with alpha-hydroxy acids, which helps slough off dead cells, revealing new, healthy skin. It is dermatologically tested, vegetarian, and even baby-friendly.
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Best lip balm for cold sores: eos The Fixer Medicated Lip Balm Ointment
This medicated lip treatment heals and repairs painfully dry lips in a flash. A natural mint extract provides a fresh flavor and instant cooling relief, while shea butter ensures a seriously soft texture that never feels greasy or tacky. Dr. Nussbaum recommends it to her patients with cold sores or fever blisters. “It contains menthol, camphor, and allantoin to provide pain relief, as well as super hydrating ingredients to further moisturize and protect the lips,” she explains.
Best all-natural lip balm: Noyah Food-Grade Natural & Organic Vanilla Lip Balm
It’s inevitable: Anything you put on your lips may wind up in your stomach. That’s why Noyah created the first-ever lip balm made from 100 percent food-grade ingredients, cooked up in a kitchen (not a cosmetics plant), in compliance with food regulations. Yes, that means it’s actually edible. Not only will your lips get all of the feel-good moisture they need, but you’ll also feel good knowing your purchase is friendlier to your body—and the planet. It’s also one of the only lip balms in the world made from 70 percent PCR (post-consumer recycled) material.
A fan favorite, reviewers rave that lips feel incredibly smooth and nourished after just one use. One says, “It left my lips moisturized without a waxy coating like a lot of lip balms. Nice and glossy with a slight sheen. Goes well under lipstick and leaves lips feeling hydrated. The ingredients are so safe and natural, I even put it on my 5-year-old.”
Best lip balm for fine lines and wrinkles: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Balm Lip Treatment
This leave-on lip treatment is formulated with plant actives that deliver all-natural antioxidant protection and all-day hydration in just one swipe. Its signature Lip Filler Technology enhances the volume and definition of lips with plumping, line-smoothing mustard sprout extract, a powerful ingredient with micro-circulation-boosting properties. That basically means you’ll get exceptionally soft, fuller lips with fewer fine lines. Sounds good to us! The lip-hugging, diamond-shaped applicator has a reservoir tip for ultra-precise application, ensuring the perfect amount of product every time. Plus, Thrive Causemetics is bigger than beauty, for every product you purchase, they donate to an organization (cancer, homelessness, domestic abuse, and more) to help women thrive. If you love this idea, you’ll definitely want to check out these other great products that give back.
Lip balm with the best packaging: Dr. KISS Lip Balm
Drawing upon 20-plus years of industry experience and amassing a celebrity clientele that includes Selena Gomez, Kelly Clarkson, Sienna Miller, and Taylor Swift, makeup artist Brett Freedman decided to take his expertise and create his own brand—a range of hypoallergenic, cruelty-free products that look as good as they feel. You definitely won’t mind leaving these super cute pill-shaped tubes on display.
Freedman tells us: “When formulating Dr. KISS, I wanted to create a lip product that hydrated but also had staying power. Full-bodied, but light and breathable on the lips.” His satin-finish balm is packed with vitamins A, C, and E, and infused with Kukui Nut oil to lock in moisture and promote healing. Add to that its unique color-enhancing technology, which mixes with your natural body chemistry to give the perfect flush of color to your pout, and it really is the total package.
Best lip balm that stays put: Glossier Balm Dotcom
This cult-favorite, do-everything balm has a dense, waxy texture that stays in place to seal in moisture. Formulated with heavy-duty hydrators (castor oil, beeswax, and lanolin), it won’t wipe away with food or drinks. Dermatologist-tested and available in nine fun flavors, there’s something for everyone. One fan, who says she never writes reviews, enthuses, “My lips have never been this blessed. This stuff is so worth it that I would give it a million stars if I could. My lips have seriously never been graced with such liquid gold in my entire life.” Now that’s a glowing endorsement!
Best lip balm for men: Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm
Jack Black is a leader in the luxury men’s skin-care market, but this balm isn’t just for dudes. Guys and gals alike will appreciate the no-frills, two-in-one solution that soothes and relieves dry, chapped, irritated lips while also providing SPF 25 protection. Unlike waxy sticks, this balm quickly penetrates for instant relief, leaving no sign of shimmer or shine. Named the number one Men’s Lip Treatment by The NPD Group, it also has more than 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon standing behind it.
Best budget lip balm: Carmex Classic Moisturizing Medicated Lip Balm
Uncap a classic: For more than 80 years, Carmex has been a go-to pick for clearing up dry, chapped lips. Its trusted ingredients simply work: Camphor and menthol help to cool and soothe, while cocoa butter softens and moisturizes. Plus, it only costs $1 (yes, you read that right!), making this the best lip balm for anyone on a tight budget.
And reviewers can’t get enough of it. One fan writes: “Once you have tried this super moist lip balm, you really can’t go back.” Another declares that she couldn’t live without it, saying, “I always used to get cracked lips and cold sores regularly, but using Carmex all the time keeps it all at bay. Plus, it makes your lips look plumper because of the menthol tingle. Beautiful shine. I use it instead of lip gloss, too.” At only a buck a pop, you can buy a bunch and put them in every bag and coat pocket.
Best designer lip balm: Dior Lip Glow
You may not be able to afford this Italian designer’s covetable clothing, but its popular (seriously, one tube is sold every three seconds!) Lip Glow is totally within reach. It’s beloved by celebs—Bella Hadid says it’s one of her “favorite products ever”—and customers, too. Just take a look at the thousands of five-star reviews everywhere it’s sold. Available in eight shades, Dior’s Lip Glow delivers a velvety finish, and thanks to the formula—enriched with mango butter and cucumber loofah—it moisturizes for 24 hours. The buttery soft balm also enhances your natural lip color thanks to its “Color Reviver” technology, which reacts to the unique chemistry of each person’s lips to give them a flattering flush of custom color.
Best vegan lip balm: Dr. Pawpaw Multipurpose Balm
Give your lips some love with this award-winning Dr. Pawpaw’s Multipurpose Balm, which is 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free. Packed full of natural ingredients like pawpaw (papaya) fruit, aloe vera, and olive oil, the fragrance-free formula is ideal for sensitive skin. And the balm goes way beyond just healing chapped lips—it’s also perfect to use on a sunburn, skin irritations, and as a hair conditioning treatment. Some customers even use it as a diaper cream!
One loyal user explains: “I am sooo in love with it. My lips healed overnight with this balm, and now I’m trying it on my cuticles for winter dryness. It’s amazing!” As an added bonus, it can be recycled. Simply cut the tube in half and clean it with water before disposing it in your recycling bin.
Best overnight lip balm: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
This leave-on lip mask should be a regular part of your nighttime skin-care routine. The thick, nutrient-rich balm has a softening texture that closely adheres to lips for quick absorption. Just use the included applicator to slather on a protective film that works its magic overnight. The hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and special blend of minerals and antioxidants ensure that you’ll wake up with a refreshed, supple, and soft-to-the-touch pout. Need more proof of its awesomeness? Along with being an Allure Best of Beauty award winner, it has nearly 13,000 glowing reviews on Sephora.com.
Best old-school lip balm: Vaseline Lip Therapy Original
Vaseline has been helping to heal dry skin since 1870, and thanks to the recent K-beauty trend, it’s back in the news. Slugging, which involves covering your whole face with a layer of petroleum, promises baby soft, seriously hydrated skin. Proponents say slugging locks water into the skin and plumps it up. If you’re not into a full face of thick jelly, reap the same benefits on just your pout. This pocket-sized Vaseline is designed just for lips, and it’s clinically proven to provide long-lasting relief from dryness. Find out why another affordable, old-school favorite is reportedly Meghan Markle’s skin-care secret.
Best splurge: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster
If you’re looking to avoid invasive injectables, this medical-grade lip booster instantly hydrates and plumps without irritation—or needles! Its potent ingredients (like peptides, hyaluronic acid, and sodium hyaluronate), stimulate collagen production to reduce lip lines and wrinkles while increasing lip volume. Long-term softer, fuller lips without pricey filler? You can thank us later. If you’re looking for other ways to turn back the clock, check out these anti-aging creams that dermatologists trust the most.
Best anti-aging lip mask: Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask
This ultra-soothing thick jelly mask feels like pure luxury on your lips. The chic golden spatula adds to the primping experience and also ensures you don’t have to stick your fingers in the tube. The rich, non-sticky formula quickly melts and instantly replenishes flaky, parched lips. Potent ingredients like Japanese peach extract help to boost suppleness and firmness, while rose extracts and olive-derived squalane plump fine lines and wrinkles. Slather it on before bed and wake up to smoother, younger-looking, and completely dreamy lips!
Best lip balm for the indecisive shopper: Lip Monthly Subscription Box
If you can’t commit to just one purchase, this monthly subscription service delivers four to five full-size lip products to your door, plus a cute collectible bag. It’s a great way to discover brands while trying out new lip balms, lipsticks, glosses, scrubs, masks, gels, and more to keep your kisser in tip-top shape. You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck, too, as each month’s value is guaranteed to retail for more than $50—while you’ll pay just $6.98 for your first box and $13.95 for each month after. Shipping is free, and you can skip or cancel at any time.
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Source:
- Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a New York City–based dermatologist
