The Best Lip Balms for All Your Lip Care Needs

5 Reasons Why Lip Balm Is a Must-Have

1. It Promotes a Healthy Lip Barrier

Just as you emphasize strengthening your skin barrier, you should do the same for your lip barrier. And that’s where lip balm comes in. “It strengthens your lip barrier and locks in hydration, protecting against wind, cold, and sun damage,” says triple-board-certified dermatologist Mamina Turegano, MD. Those environmental stressors take a toll on your lips, so use lip balm to help keep your skin barrier strong.

2. It Keeps Your Lips Moisturized

We know this is fairly obvious, but it’s still a major benefit of lip balm. “Because the skin on your lips is thinner and lacks oil glands, it dries out easily, so a good lip balm is essential for keeping them soft, smooth, and protected year-round,” says Dr. Turegano.

3. It Protects Your Lip Area

Your lip area is incredibly sensitive and vulnerable. Board-certified dermatologist Luke Maxfield, DO, FAAD, FACMS, explains further. “The lips are one of the most vulnerable areas on our entire bodies. It is exposed mucosa, a part of the inside of our body, as it transitions to the outside. The reason this is so important is that our inner lip lacks the stratum corneum, the top layer of our skin that acts as a barrier to keep harmful substances out and water in. Even as the lip transitions out, it only develops a skinny version of this layer, making it vulnerable to the environment and any other potent insults.” Lip balm helps keep this area safe from damage.

4. It Can Make Your Lips Appear Fuller

Hydrated lips are healthy lips. Keeping the lips hydrated and healthy naturally helps them look fuller and plumper,” says Dr. Maxfield. If you want fuller lips, use lip balm regularly. It may also make you appear more youthful, according to Dr. Maxfield. “Similarly, as we age, lips become thinner and lose the border of the lip and skin. This blending of what is called the ‘vermillion border’ makes the mouth look older, so hydrated, rich lips also just generally make the mouth appear more youthful.

5. It’s the Best Base for Other Lip Products

Just as you should apply a primer for your makeup products to last longer and go on smoother, you should do the same with your lips. “[Lip balm] creates the perfect, even base for lipstick or gloss so your color applies smoothly and lasts longer,” says Dr. Turegano. Lip prep is essential.

Key Ingredients to Look for in Moisturizers for Winter and Beyond

Winter is a critical time to seek hydrating and healing ingredients for your lip balm. But you should pursue these ingredients and others year-round to protect your pout. Here are some ingredients to look for, depending on what you’re hoping to get out of your lip balm.

• Hydration: “Add humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to draw hydration in, and barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides to strengthen and repair,” says Dr. Turegano.

• Healing: “Look for balms with occlusive and emollient ingredients like petrolatum, squalane, shea butter, beeswax, lanolin, or vitamin E to seal in moisture and prevent water loss,” Dr. Turegano recommends. “I also love formulas with antioxidants for extra protection against cold, dry air and environmental stress.”

• Sun Protection: Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide shield lips from UV damage even when the sun isn’t shining.

• Softness: In addition to shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil, ingredients like petrolatum, dimethicone, and squalane hydrate and provide softness to your pout, according to Dr. Maxfield.

20 Best Lip Balms Across Every Category

Most Hydrating Lip Balms

NUDESTIX Hydrating Peptide Lip Butter

Formulated with ripe avocado, shea butters, and a 2% Tripeptide Complex, this lip balm locks in moisture for all-day hydration.

GLOSSIER Balm Dotcom

Courtesy of GLOSSIER

A cult fave, this lip balm packs hydration into a small tube with antioxidants and natural emollients to nourish dry lips. It’s available in a range of flavors, and we always lean toward Birthday Cake.

PERSONAL DAY Emotional Support Lip Balm

Courtesy of PERSONAL DAY

“My go-to when my lips are dry and need real skincare ingredients,” says Dr. Turegano. “It’s made with hyaluronic acid and squalane to hydrate and lock in moisture, in a light, acne-safe formula that actually supports your skin barrier.” Thank you, Lili Reinhart.

BLISTEX Repair & Protect Lip Balm

Courtesy of BLISTEX

A budget-friendly option, Dr. Maxfield says this drugstore lip balm “combines petrolatum and wax along with other hydrating ingredients” to nourish your lips to their plumpest potential.

Best Tinted Lip Balms

DR. PAW PAW Tinted Lip Balm

Formulated with papaya, aloe, olive oil, castor oil, and paw paw extract, this peachy-pink balm delivers moisture and color to your lips, eyes, and even cheeks. Your ordinary Chapstick can’t do that.

BURT’S BEES Tinted Lip Balm

Courtesy of BURT’S BEES

Delivering eight hours of moisture and the perfect pop of color, there’s a soft, tinted shade for any skin tone out there.

RHODE Peptide Lip Tint

Courtesy of RHODE

It’s viral for a reason. Available in 12 sheer-but-buildable shades, the Hailey Bieber lip balm nourishes, hydrates, and replenishes dry lips to leave them pillowy-soft with the perfect tint.

TOWER 28 BEAUTY LipSoftie® Lip Treatment

Courtesy of TOWER 28 BEAUTY

The hydration of a lip mask with the sheer tint of a lip gloss, this lip treatment comes in eight yummy flavors that instantly hydrate and deliver a soft-shine finish.

Best Lip Balms With SPF

VACATION After Dinner Mint SPF 30 Lip Balm Sunscreen

Courtesy of VACATION

A cooling, peppermint-flavored lip balm inspired by the signature after-dinner mint, this is hydrating, delicious, and even water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

LANOLIPS Sun Balm SPF 30 Tropical Lip Balm

Courtesy of LANOLIPS

People swear by the LANOLIPS The Original 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm, but we also want to highlight the Sun Balm SPF 30 Tropical Lip Balm for its multi-hyphenate benefits. It hydrates like a balm, shines like a gloss, and protects your lips from the sun like a sunscreen.

COOLA Original Liplux® Lip Balm Sunscreen

Courtesy of COOLA

An affordable option for all, this SPF balm is infused with an antioxidant-rich Plant Protection® complex, including cupuaçu butter, raspberry, and jojoba seed oil, to nourish and hydrate lips.

BONDI SANDS Sunny Kiss SPF 60 Coconut Crush Lip Balm

Courtesy of BONDI SANDS

If you’re looking for a lip balm with a little higher SPF, look no further. This sunny-day fave from BONDI SANDS protects against UVA & UVB rays with SPF 60.

Best Healing Lip Balms

CONTEXT SKIN Lip Balm

Heal your pout with vitamins C and E, prickly pear, and watermelon extracts. The non-sticky formula keeps your lips feeling soft, hydrated, and totally kissable.

LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm

Courtesy of LANEIGE

Inspired by the brand’s top-selling lip treatment (you know the one), this lip balm is powered by Korean skincare. With shea and murumuru seed butters, you’ll achieve nourishing, on-the-go hydration at your fingertips.

AQUAPHOR Lip Repair

Courtesy of AQUAPHOR

No one does it better than AQUAPHOR®; just ask Dr. Turegano. “The petrolatum base seals in moisture while shea butter and glycerin help restore softness—perfect for dry, cold, or windy days.” Proven to relieve dryness and soothe chapped lips, it’s no surprise this baby hails from the No. 1 dermatologist-recommended lip care brand.

LA ROCHE-POSAY Cicaplast Lip Balm

Courtesy of LA ROCHE-POSAY

Both Dr. Turegano and Dr. Maxfield recommend this lip balm, with Dr. Maxfield sharing that it’s a great “petrolatum-free option for anyone who has concerns with the ingredient.” Dr. Turegano classifies it as a “true repair balm with shea butter and panthenol (vitamin B5) to soothe, replenish, and strengthen cracked or irritated lips.”

Best Vegan and Cruelty-Free Lip Balms

SUMMER FRIDAYS Lip Butter Balm

Courtesy of SUMMER FRIDAYS

Dr. Turegano swears by this vegan lip balm for clients. “[It] uses shea butter, vegan waxes, and plant oils to nourish and smooth without feeling sticky.” She notes that “it’s more of a daily comfort balm than a barrier treatment,” but it's still just as nourishing.

CONTEXT SKIN Lip Balm

Infused with vitamins C and E, prickly pear, and watermelon extracts, this vegan, cruelty-free, and clean lip balm helps smooth and soothe while delivering a sheer tint.

PACIFICA Complex Lip Balm

Courtesy of PACIFICA

One of our faves, this vegan lip balm delivers instant nourishment with a blend of vegan squalane, vegan collagen, sunflower seed, and jojoba seed oils for cushiony coverage, plus a juicy shine.

ILIA BEAUTY Lip Wrap Reviving Balm

Courtesy of ILIA BEAUTY

This moisturizing lip balm contains hyaluronic acid and sea succulent to provide everyday, barrier-building coverage that’s never sticky.

5 Tips for Maximizing the Effectiveness of Your Lip Balm

Apply It Throughout the Day

Don’t just apply it before you head out the door and never again. Be sure to reapply as needed throughout the day to keep your lips hydrated and healed.

Use It as a Lip Mask

Apply lip balm before bed to wake up to hydrated lips. For those who don’t struggle with perpetually dry lips, Dr. Turegano says, “If your lips don’t feel dry or aren’t prone to dryness, I recommend applying just once a day at bedtime.”

Be Proactive

Rather than waiting for your lips to chap, incorporate lip balm into your routine. “Keeping the lips constantly healthy and preventing them from becoming too dry will minimize the amount of catching up or healing that the skin has to overcome. Being proactive as seasons change is better than reactively trying to repair damage done,” reminds Dr. Maxfield.

Use It as a Base

“You can also layer it under lipstick to keep color smooth and lips protected,” shares Dr. Turegano. Treat it like a primer for your lip products.

Layer for Hydration

“Another tip, especially for someone just using Vaseline as their lip product, is layering hydration, otherwise known as slugging,” says Dr. Maxfield. “By applying a hydrating serum onto the lips and then following it with Vaseline, this locks in that moisture for even deeper hydration.” Bottom line: Slugging isn’t just for your face.

Your Biggest Lip Balm Questions, Answered

How Often Should I Apply Lip Balm?

It all depends on your lips and their needs. Dr. Turegano says to “apply lip balm as often as your lips feel dry (usually a few times a day), and always after eating, drinking, or before bed to keep them hydrated and smooth.” Dr. Maxfield agrees, also noting that “as a person's lips heal and get healthier, they may find that they need to use it less frequently, and that’s also acceptable.”

Can I Use Lip Balm Under Lipstick?

Absolutely! This creates a base for your lipstick to last longer and remain hydrated. This is especially beneficial if you’re wearing any matte products.

What’s the Best Lip Balm for Extremely Chapped Lips?

Numerous lip balms help repair extremely chapped lips, though the experts have a few recs. “If I were to pick one best for extremely chapped, cracked lips, I’d go with LA ROCHE-POSAY Cicaplast or AQUAPHOR Lip Repair because they have the heavy-duty repair ingredients and occlusive bases that help restore the barrier,” says Dr. Turegano.

Dr. Maxfield recommends REMEDY for dry lips. “It not only locks in moisture expertly but also has ceramides, peptides, squalane, and shea butter. This is the trifecta of addressing water loss, lip barrier, and hydration.”

Can You Put Lip Balm on Dry, Cracked Lips?

Even on extremely chapped lips, you can and should use a lip balm. “Once the lip barrier is compromised, just like the skin barrier, it wants to try to heal itself. And just like wound care for the skin, adding hydration and occlusion not only softens and moisturizes, but also helps lock in all of your body's own healing signals and cells to help it heal more quickly,” explains Dr. Maxfield.

Can I Use Lip Balm With Other Lip Products?

Yes! “Lip balm layers beautifully with other lip products,” says Dr. Turegano. “Apply it first to smooth and hydrate, then blot any excess before adding lipstick or gloss so your color stays even and comfortable.”

Final Thoughts: Protect Your Lips

Your lips are a sensitive, vulnerable area on your face. Applying and reapplying lip balm will help them remain hydrated. And should they ever become dry or cracked, load up on a lip moisturizer to help keep them supple. 

Head over to the IPSY Shop to stock up on lip balm, lip masks, and other lip products to protect your pout, rain or shine.