Top 10 Life-Changing Lip Balms

Create a soft, come-hither pout with these luscious lip balms.

If you’ve been feeling less-than-excited about wearing lip color due to the fact that, well, you can’t see a lipstick covered mouth while wearing a face mask — perhaps use this opportunity to invest in your lips’ health with an array of hydrating balms. 

Not only do they add a high dose of shine, but lip balms can also improve the overall health of the skin around your lips, especially if you suffer from chronically dry or cracked lips. You may have noticed that lip oils are quite buzzy right now — that’s because they’re very moisturizing. Beautytap spoke with Mamina Turegano, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist who works with the online dermatology clinic Apostrophe, to find out what people should be looking for in balms and oils. 

“Oils can get into the skin and hydrate more effectively, but they may not lock in the moisture the way lip balms do,” says Turegano. “Many lip balms, on the other hand, have a combination of both oils and barrier protective ingredients such as waxes, shea butter, and lanolin that help lips stay hydrated.”

So, bid farewell to chapped lips with these 10 winning lip balms…

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

This billowy mask has boasted a cult following for a while now, and it’s with good reason. While it’s a treat to use as a sleeping mask, this decadent formula (available in a variety of scents including mint, berry, and vanilla) can also be used anytime for a decadent boost of moisture. Boasting Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, your lips will feel soft and smooth all day long. 

Bioderma Atoderm Lip Stick

From the famed brand founded by a French pharmacist in the 1970’s, this trusty stick keeps lips moist with an effective blend of shea butter and Vitamin E. It instantly relieves dry lips, has a subtle alluring scent, and even stays put while drinking. 

Bali Body Coconut Lip Balm

If you find yourself in a park or on a hike where you can rid yourself of your face mask, this is the perfect balm for you as it contains SPF 15. It’s also packed with coconut, castor, and jojoba oils to give your lips an extra-large dose of much-needed moisture. It smells like the beach and has a rich consistency that stays on your lips for a long time.

FarmHouse Fresh's Blackberry Crush Hydrating Lip Balm

Not only does the blackberry crush flavor of this lip balm remind me of fall due to its woodsy notes, which combines blackberry and other crisp fruits, but it’s also seriously nourishing - jojoba oil deeply moisturizes your lips and shea butter locks it in. A little goes a long way too.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Lip Oil Crystal Elixir

Feel a touch fancier while applying this goodness, thanks to its gold lid and iridescent packaging. Doses of hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and plant adaptogen extracts enhance moisture and help lips appear more full. The consistency is super light, so you’ll be extra pleased with the lip-softening results. It also has a very faint, sweet scent that makes it even more delightful to roll across your pout. 

Huda Beauty Silk Balm Hydrating and Nourishing Lip Balm

Available in a lovely and universally flattering shade of light pink, this balm will quickly become your new go-to. It has a creamy texture, along with soybean and licorice root extracts and raspberry seed oils to shower your lips with moisture and plumpness. This one doesn’t have much of a scent, which is perfect for those who prefer to avoid that aspect in lip balms. 

Glossier Balm Dotcom

This playful balm comes in eight fun flavors including mango, rose, and birthday. There’s also mint and coconut which go on clear, while the other six are said to have a sheer tint. Packed with castor oil, beeswax, and lanolin, this balm provides much-needed moisture and locks it in. The scents correspond with the flavor names and leave a rich feel on the lips. 

LANO Watermelon Lip Water

If you’re still dreaming of those sweet summer days, opt for this balm. It contains lots of lanolin, which adds and locks in moisture. The stunning sheer pink shade also features a holographic shimmer to make your lips look full and nourished. Of course, the scent is like a watermelon explosion and highly irresistible. 

Iris&Romeo Power Peptide Lip Balm

Peptides to the rescue! This lip balm comes in a few different colors, all of which feature buildable coverage. The formula also contains collagen-boosting peptides, as well as biomimetic peptides which are said to stimulate collagen production. The understated scent is slightly sweet and it goes on as a thick gloss, leaving your lips feeling ultra dewy. 

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm

This is one of those products that’s so good you remember the first time you used it. It promises to hydrate for 24 hours and feels like silk. The formula contains sugar to help prevent moisture loss, sea fennel to smooth and define the lip area, and orange extract for added protection. Ideal for super dry or cold weather, it also has a slightly sweet fragrance that’s not overpowering.