A great lip balm is essential to a good skincare routine or no makeup makeup day. Along with quality sunscreen, it's one of those beauty items that's useful to keep in your bag year-round, but especially during these colder winter months. Lips can dry out quicker because they aren't able to retain water like other skin on our body. That's why finding the best lip balm is crucial for plump, hydrated lips.
Still, not all lip balms are created equal. I would know: I've tested numerous popular products. If I had to name an everyday go-to, I'd have to pick the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm. This best-selling product packs a powerful combo of nourishing emollients and boasts a thick, glossy texture with a visual plumping effect. The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is a great option for an overnight mask if you're searching for even deeper hydration.
On my tireless quest, I've found a handful of options that not only seal in moisture, prevent flaking, and protect your lips from the harsh elements — but also have a little extra je ne sais quoi, whether that's a glossy sheen that makes your pout look extra juicy, or a subtle tint that enhances your natural lip color.
Here are all the holy grail lip balms you're bound to reach for again and again.
Our 6 top picks for the best lip balms:
Compact in size, the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm is great to bring on the go. It offers all-day hydration and a slight glossy sheen.
This nourishing treatment packs a plethora of plant oils to make your lips feel soft and smooth — and the pleasant citrus scent doesn’t hurt, either. Thanks to the ultra-glossy finish, it looks just as great on its own as it does over lipstick.
Give your lips the gift of beeswax-based hydration with Burt's Bees Lip Balm. The best part? You can afford to collect them all.
This lip balm may be on the pricier side, it’s well worth the investment. The research-backed formula feels like a more luxurious chapstick — blending multiple plant-based butters and oils for maximum moisturizing power.
The star ingredient in this surprisingly lip balm is cupuaçu butter, an emollient that draws water to the skin. It offers a mega-glossy finish and subtle plumping effect — and can even be used as a treatment mask.
If you’ve long lusted after a super glossy formula with a subtle kiss of color, look no further. There’s a scent or flavor for everyone, and more importantly, the duo of plant-based butters in this vegan formula forms a hydrating barrier on your lips.
Best overall
Compact in size, the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm is great to bring on the go. It offers all-day hydration and a slight glossy sheen.
- Glossy but never sticky
- Nourishing with long-lasting hydration
- Compact packaging
- A bit pricey considering the amount of product in each tube
- No unscented option
You'll notice Laneige twice in this roundup because its lip balm formulations are truly out of this world. To me, the perfect lip balm keeps my lips so hydrated that I never have to apply more, but it has a delicious scent and comfortable feel that makes me want to. The Lip Glowy Balm, made with shea butter and murumuru butter that nourishes and moisturizes, is that ideal combination.
The unique cushiony, glossy feel of the Lip Glowy Balm makes this the best lip balm for me. It's as shiny as a lip gloss but with a thicker texture that smooths over lip lines and gives the illusion of a fuller lip without the sting of a lip plumper. I also frequently wear it over a lip liner or lip tint to lock in hydration, and it rarely messes with the staying power of either. The slanted applicator fits the shape of lips well, and you'll never squeeze out too much product because of its thicker consistency.
The various scents are delicate and not so fragranced that you can smell them throughout the day, but they are a wonderful addition to the application experience. Laniege also releases limited edition scents for the holidays that are fun to collect. Each scent has its own tint, but each is so sheer that it pretty much looks clear. I have one of these in almost every single bag, and I will keep repurchasing unless a better lip balm comes along. — Maiya Pascouche, Style & Beauty Editor
Best for extra dry lips
This nourishing treatment packs a plethora of plant oils to make your lips feel soft and smooth — and the pleasant citrus scent doesn’t hurt, either. Thanks to the ultra-glossy finish, it looks just as great on its own as it does over lipstick.
- Available in four different tints
- Can be used alone or on top of lipstick or lip stain
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines
- Can sometimes feel a tad sticky in cold weather
If I had to describe my skin in one word, "thirsty" would sum it up pretty well. My lips are no exception, especially during the frigid New England winters. Fortunately, I discovered this game-changing lip treatment, which contains a combo of rich, nourishing plant-based butters and oils to keep my lips feeling soft and smooth regardless of the season. Research has shown that certain plant oils — including sunflower seed oil, which is in this formula — can help repair the skin barrier while also preventing moisture loss.
I don't typically buy lip-plumping products because they often have a tingling or stinging sensation that I don't tolerate well. This product causes neither, but still somehow makes my lips look fuller. In fact, my esthetician recently asked me if I had lip filler — and since I haven't, I can only give the credit to Ole Henriksen's Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment, which I was wearing at the time. According to the company, an eight-week clinical trial showed that using this product can result in softer, plumper lips in just one week.
I've used the original translucent version on its own and on top of matte lip stains when I want a little more color. Even though I'm typically sensitive to fragrances, I have to admit I love this lip treatment's refreshing and subtle citrus scent. As far as I'm concerned, the only potential pitfall is that the formula seems to get a little tacky on my lips when it's particularly cold outside.
Best drugstore
Give your lips the gift of beeswax-based hydration with Burt's Bees Lip Balm. The best part? You can afford to collect them all.
- Affordable
- Petroleum-free an 100% natural ingredients
- Not shiny or sticky
- Texture varies slightly with some flavors
What are you doing with your life if you don't have a tube or 10 of Burt's Bees Lip Balm lying around? I always have so many of them in my house that I basically hand them out like Halloween candy.
There's a lot to love about Burt's Bees. The brand's classic lip balm comes in many different flavors. However, my favorite is the original one formulated with vitamin E and peppermint oil — the ingredient responsible for that energizing tingle when you apply it to your lips. Other popular variations include Vanilla Bean and Pomegranate.
Burt's Bees is a great lip balm to reach for during the day or when you're wearing other lip products because it's not very shiny or thick. I love adding this on top of lipstick if I'm feeling dry — so, always. The beeswax and fruit extracts in the formula subtly moisturize without making you look like you're wearing lip gloss. It's also 100% natural, made without parabens, SLS, or petroleum.
Best luxury
This lip balm may be on the pricier side, it’s well worth the investment. The research-backed formula feels like a more luxurious chapstick — blending multiple plant-based butters and oils for maximum moisturizing power.
- Formulated with multiple humectants to help the lips retain moisture
- Free of synthetic fragrances, irritants, parabens, sulfates, silicones, DEA, heavy metals, talc, and petrolatum/paraffin/mineral oil
- Vegan
- Higher price tag
- No tinted options, only available in translucent
While $42 may seem steep for lip balm, I can confidently say this product is worth the price. My beef with many lip balms is that it feels like they're sitting on top of my lips rather than actually seeping into my skin — but that's not the case with this product. My thirsty, dryness-prone lips absorb this balm in minutes. More importantly, I don't find that I have the incessant urge to re-apply it a dozen times during the day, which can only mean it's working.
What makes this product stand out is that it features Augustinus Bader's patented TFC8® technology. Based on three decades of research, this complex fuses high-grade vitamins, amino acids, and other natural substances aimed at protecting and nourishing the skin. It also features several soothing plant-based butters for smoother, softer lips.
This is one of the best lip balms for anyone with sensitive skin, like me — because the fragrance-free formula is void of common irritants and allergens.
Did I mention that the subtle, colorless sheen it imparts provides the perfect canvas for lipstick and lip liner?
Best plumping
The star ingredient in this surprisingly lip balm is cupuaçu butter, an emollient that draws water to the skin. It offers a mega-glossy finish and subtle plumping effect — and can even be used as a treatment mask.
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Dermatologist-tested
- Contains multiple moisturizing ingredients
- Versions with fragrance may be irritating to some with ultra-sensitive skin
There's lots to love about this trending lip balm — from the reasonable $18 price tag to the slick glossy finish. And is it any wonder? Rhode is Hailey Bieber's line, and she is the queen of the glazed donut lip.
One ingredient worth calling out is cupuaçu butter, an antioxidant-rich emollient that studies show can hydrate the skin while improving its elasticity.
This lip balm also doubles as a mask that can lend a subtle visual plumping effect — just apply a thicker layer of the treatment, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then carefully wipe away any excess product before putting on any lip liner or lipstick.
Something to note: If you have ultra-sensitive skin, you may want to opt for the unscented, translucent version, as fragrances can sometimes irritate.
Best glossy
If you’ve long lusted after a super glossy formula with a subtle kiss of color, look no further. There’s a scent or flavor for everyone, and more importantly, the duo of plant-based butters in this vegan formula forms a hydrating barrier on your lips.
- Cruelty-free
- 100% vegan
- Pleasant scents/flavors
- Ingredients only really address dryness
If you spend literally any time at all on BeautyTok, you've likely come across these viral lip balms. Across the board, reviewers insist it lives up to the hype — delivering plenty of moisture and shine. In a small independent clinical study, 97% of users said their lips felt softer and more hydrated after using this product.
This product comes in eight different scents/flavors, six of which are tinted. However, note that the tinted shades only offer a faint hint of color. So, if you're going for a bolder lip, you'll probably want to use this as a top coat over lipstick, a lip stain, or lip liner. Cherry has the biggest color payoff, but Pink Sugar is a fan favorite for its subtly sweet taste. If you prefer a translucent lip balm, go for Vanilla or Sweet Mint, both of which are a sheer nude shade.
Best unscented
If you're sensitive to fragrance, try Aquaphor Lip Repair. The gentle formula works on even the most delicate lips.
- Affordable
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free and paraben-free
- Nothing
There's nothing fancy about Aquaphor Lip Repair, but that's what makes it so great. If you hate frills like fragrance, tint, or shimmer and just want that hydrating goodness, this is a fantastic option.
Aquaphor is the number one dermatologist-recommended lip brand, and it's also the number one mom-recommended lip brand. In my personal opinion, both endorsements have equal weight. This is the stuff my mom always digs out of her purse when I ask her if she's got lip balm. It feels like Vaseline, only less slimy.
This is also great if you've got an open wound like eczema or cold sores near your mouth. The formula is fragrance-free and chock full of shea butter and chamomile extract to soothe and repair cracked skin.
You can use Aquaphor Healing Ointment on your lips, but I'm partial to the Lip Repair because it comes in a portable, squeezable tube.
Best overnight lip mask
The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is like a lip balm version of the brand's cult-favorite Water Sleeping Mask. It deeply nourishes the lips and smells delicious.
- Extremely hydrating
- A little goes a long way
- No parabens or phthalates
- Jar packaging
- Some may find the texture too thick and glossy for daytime wear
I swear by the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask for giving my face a boost of hydration overnight, and I swear by the brand's Lip Sleeping Mask for soothing my angry, chapped lips. Every night, I apply a tiny amount of it instead of a regular lip balm and start the next day with minimal flaking.
This is the only lip treatment I've found that noticeably diminishes the chapping I experience daily. I use it nightly and wake up with a smooth canvas for lipstick and fewer bits of skin for my teeth to absentmindedly chew on while I'm distracted.
The formula's vitamin C, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid effectively salve my always irritated lips. The product comes in a jar with a tiny spatula, but I usually just apply it with my fingers.
I suppose you could use this during the day, but the texture is very thick and glossy with a slight pink tint, so I prefer to let it marinate while I'm sleeping. Sure, I still reach for other balms in my waking hours, but the effects of the Lip Sleeping Mask are long-lasting. A 0.7-ounce pot costs $20, but I've been using my first one for over a year and I only just dipped past the halfway mark.
With 4,300+ 5-star reviews on Sephora and our own Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask review, you really can't go wrong.
Best tinted
This tinted lip balm is available in 10 stunning color options — ranging from rosy pinks to universally flattering nudes and deeper berry hues — all with a lovely vanilla scent/flavor. Whichever you choose, you can expect your lips to feel super soft and supple.
- 10 color options
- Natural vanilla flavor
- Lightweight
- A little hard to squeeze out of the tube in colder temperatures
From nude Chai and rosy Petal to mauve-y Plum and coral-tinged Spritz, there's a tint for every skin tone, mood, and fit in Naturium's Phyto-Glow Lip Balm collection. There's even a clear option if that's more your jam. And the ultra-glossy finish looks equally amazing on bare lips as it does over lipstick.
The Phyto-Glow Lip Balm is lightweight yet long-lasting and never feels sticky. However, the one disadvantage, according to users, is that getting the product out can be a little tricky — you may need to squeeze it pretty hard for it to surface on the applicator. And some have even had the formula squirt out the back of the tube.
Still, it's well worth the effort. Beauty Editor Maiya Pascouche loves this balm's natural vanilla scent/flavor, which isn't too cloying or overpowering. More importantly, she insists that one swipe leaves lips looking juicy and feeling hydrated, soft, and supple. "It's one of my favorite lip balm formulas, and at a super affordable price point of only $10, I might have to get every single shade," she shares.
Best with SPF
With ultra-nourishing ingredients like shea butter, Supergoop!’s PLAY Lip Balm treats dry lips while also keeping them sun safe. The soothing formula goes on clear and comes in two flavors: acai and mint.
- UVA and UVB protection
- Two scent options
- Affordable
- Somewhat unpleasant taste
A lip balm with SPF is essential during the summer — or any time of year, especially if you spend much of your time outdoors. Dr. Peter Young, a board-certified dermatologist and medical director at Thirty Madison, recommends this lip balm because of its water-resistant formula and broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays — thereby helping to prevent sun damage to the lips.
"It also contains moisturizing ingredients, including shea butter, grapeseed oil, and avocado oil," he adds.
There are two scents to choose from: Mint and Acai. According to some reviewers, the only downside to this lip balm is the flavor — predictably, it tastes a lot like sunscreen. But if you can get past that, it has a pleasantly non-sticky, lightweight feel and offers a natural-looking shine without venturing into gloss territory.
Best medicated
Dermatologists love this no-frills, hypoallergenic lip balm, which contains inflammation-relieving hydrocortisone.
- Only four ingredients
- Hypoallergenic
- Dermatologist-approved
- No scent or flavor — which could be a pro if you have sensitive skin
No list of the best lip balms would be complete without a mention of this workhorse. It may not come in any fancy tints or have a fun scent or flavor, but that's not really what this healing balm is for.
"I would recommend this product because it doesn't contain the common allergens that are in many over-the-counter medicated lip balms," says Lucariello. "And the hydrocortisone included in the lip balm is excellent for repairing severely chapped or damaged lips."
Dr. Dan's CortiBalm is a dermatologist favorite — in part because it's the only truly hypoallergenic medicated lip balm that features hydrocortisone (1%). Hydrocortisone is a topical steroid with anti-inflammatory properties.
If you have sensitive skin, you'll appreciate that this gentle, fragrance-free formula only has three other ingredients — beeswax, petroleum jelly, and mineral oil. Petroleum is known to be one of the best moisturizing ingredients — in fact, it can prevent up to 99% of your skin's water loss.
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