I Went on a Mission to Find the Best Lip Balms, and These 17 Made the Cut
Photo:
I'm a little bit obsessed with lip balm. Currently, I have upwards of 20 tubes, bullets, and tins. Some of them are littering my nightstand. Some of them are strewn across my bathroom vanity. Others are in the bottom of my bag or sitting in the console of my car. As a beauty editor, this isn't exactly unheard of, but it's about more than that. Unfortunately, I have always had dry lips that feel tight and uncomfortable if I go a day or two without applying a cushiony, moisturizing salve. If I go longer than that, they start to look thin and dull. After that, my fine lines look more pronounced.
To stop this cycle, I took it upon myself to test every opened and unopened lip balm I had on hand. My goal was to pit each formula against one another until I found the ones that moisturized, softened, smoothed, and plumped my lips long-term. If a formula didn't drench my lips in moisture, I didn't want it. If it didn't smooth roughness, I tossed it aside. If it didn't last long enough, I didn't give it a second thought. At the end of my testing, I was left with 17 formulas. Keep scrolling to see the winners across every category and concern.
This lip balm is next level. It's formulated with only five ingredients, including ghee (a type of clarified butter), beeswax, coconut oil, mango seed butter, and vitamin E. This lip balm doesn't disappear after only a few minutes, unlike other ones I've tried. Instead, it coats my lips in a lightweight veil of moisture. While I like the original scent, which is fragrance-free, my personal favorites are mango-papaya and chai. The former smells fresh and energizing, and the latter smells like autumn in a tube. I'm obsessed.
Promising review: "This is the best lip care product I've ever used. Then to top it off, I had chapped lips last week, and this healed them so quickly!" — Ghlee customer
This French lip balm is a forever favorite of mine. It's thick and rich, almost like a lip mask, and as such, cures my chapped lips overnight. It's all thanks to honey, plant oil, and shea butter, which make lips feel soft and supple.
Promising review: "The very first application made a noticeable difference - my very parched lips were softer & more moisturized right away, which doesn't happen for me with a lot of lip products. I barely had to use any of this balm. My lips remained soft all day, even after drinking coffee and eating lunch. I didn't need to apply anymore the rest of the day." — Amazon customer
Most tinted lip balms provide an ever-so-sheer wash of color that melts off within a few minutes. This one is different. It packs a punch of color for bright, full-looking lips while simultaneously moisturizing them with shea butter and marula oil.
Promising review: "This is surprisingly pigmented for a balm. Perfect for when you don't need the full effect of lipstick but want some color. It's very moisturizing and long-lasting." — Sephora customer
Take it from someone with chronically dry and dehydrated lips: this lip balm works wonders, especially when you consider it costs less than a morning latte. Made with beeswax, vitamin E, and a hint of peppermint oil, it transforms my chapped lips faster than other formulas that cost 10 times more.
Promising review: "I love Burt's, and I own a lot of its products! This is my favorite! It's very moisturizing! 10/10 would recommend it!" — Ulta customer
Not only does this lip balm offer SPF 30, but it also offers antioxidant-rich moisture thanks to organic Cupuaçu butter and raspberry and jojoba seed oils. It's 70%+ organic, and it's also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Promising review: "I'm obsessed with protecting and preserving all aspects of skin but somehow never thought about lips until recently. Thanks to COOLA for making this wonderful, hydrating lip balm for summers and winters. Sometimes I'll reapply multiple times a day (and if needed, layer with my trusty Burt's Bees lip balm). Highly recommend this as part of everyday skincare routine!" — Dermstore customer
For severely dry lips, look no further than this iconic tin of pain-relieving and moisture-infusing goodness. It offers a cooling sensation along with barrier-boosting ingredients to turn chapped and cracked lips into soft, smooth ones.
Promising review: "I have been using these little blue pots for several years. I have tried others when I would see them on sale but always come back to these. This makes your lips feel so good!" — Amazon customer
Yes, this one has a luxurious price, but it also has a luxurious formula. It's rich and soft at the same time, with a lightweight texture. Since it uses beeswax and candelilla wax to lock in moisture, it makes my lips feel soft, smooth, and protected. Plus, thanks to the chic, heavy-in-your-hand tube, it feels so sophisticated to use, even if it's just lip balm.
Promising review: "A lovely and luxe product. As a lip balm, it is quite nice, lightweight, and long-wearing. It also smells quite lovely. As a big fan of Hermes, I bought this mostly for the product and the packaging. I happen to like the magnetic cap and the heft of the product. The fact that this is refillable is a plus. Not a groundbreaking lip product but a lovely bit of Hermes everyday luxury." — Bloomingdale's customer
This sleek lip balm is loaded with hyaluronic acid to attract water to the lips. It also contains konjac root, which protects the lips from environmental aggressors, and wild mint, which provides a mild, stimulating scent.
Promising review: "The color looks natural, I can barely feel it, and it moisturizes my lips well. The packaging is great for throwing in a purse, although it takes some practice to get a good application on thinner lips. Super moisturizing and comfortable!" — Sephora customer
These tinted lip balms are incredibly underrated. Every time I use one, I'm surprised at how well they moisturize my lips and how pretty the sheer color they leave behind is. These are so good.
Promising review: "It goes on like silk and has a barely there feel. The packaging gives the lipstick a high-quality look and feel. You definitely wouldn't be able to tell it's a drugstore brand. The balm portion instantly hydrates, and the lipstick portion gives the lips a beautiful pop of color." — Ulta customer
I have five of these. If that doesn't tell you how much I love this moisturizing, shine-boosting formula, I don't know what will. I keep one on my desk, one in each bag I own, and one in my car. I love all the flavors, but the vanilla and the watermelon slice are personal favorites.
Promising review: "I love the Rhode lip treatments. I'm a bit of a lip balm connoisseur, and this is truly one of the best! It's moisturizing and glossy without being sticky. It smells great and definitely seems to help smooth fine lip lines—[it] just makes them look super healthy and hydrated. I've repurchased and will continue to!" — Rhode customer
The hero ingredients in this lip balm are sugar, hyaluronic acid, and sea fennel. Sugar offers a long-lasting hydration effect, hyaluronic acid also hydrates while providing a plumping effect, and sea fennel helps smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Promising review: "It is hydrating (long-lasting), has a very light citrus cream scent, and doesn't leave that annoying film on the corners of your mouth. It also isn't sticky, heavy, or waxy." — Sephora customer
This iconic lip balm and salve is made even better when it comes in a birthday cake scent complete with silver glitter packaging. Its emollient-rich formula never fails to moisturize my dry, lackluster lips.
Promising review: "My favorite lipgloss that's also hydrating! It's so pretty on the lips. It's very glossy but not too sticky. The color is subtle, so I layer it with other things." — Sephora customer
This lipid-rich balm helps support and repair the natural barrier of the lips, meaning it can prevent chapped lips before they even start. Plus, the lightweight, non-greasy formula is perfect for wearing under lipstick.
Promising review: "I bought this just to try it out. I own six other lip balms, and this one just became my go-to! It seriously worked as soon as I put it on. Even after it absorbs into the lips, it keeps them hydrated for a few more hours. I will buy more of these to keep them everywhere I go." — Ulta customer
This TikTok-viral lip balm reminds me of the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment. It's glossy and moisturizing and can even be used as a moisturizing lip mask in a pinch. It's all thanks to shea, murumuru seed butter, and a combination of vegan waxes that seal in moisture.
Promising review: "I was very skeptical [about] buy[ing] [this] due to the hype and price. But I caved, and I'm so happy I did. This is one of the only lip balms that actually leave my lips moisturized, and the smell is amazing." — Sephora customer
Count on Chanel to create a smooth, lightweight non-tacky tinted lip balm. I like that it delivers a sheer wash of color to brighten and define my lips whenever they look lackluster.
Promising review: "It's hard to put my finger on it, but I'm very happy with this lippy even though it's on the pricier side for a balm. I Never wear bright pink colors, but this somehow looks good on me. That's so exciting. The formula is not glossy, but is it a true balm that is pigmented. It's very comfortable on the lips. It feels like I'm not wearing anything on them." — Ulta customer
I've been a longtime fan of the brand's Lip Sleeping Mask ($24), so it's no surprise I love this daytime lip balm too. It's so lightweight and hydrating. Plus, it gives my lips the prettiest glow.
Promising review: "I don't really repurchase lip balms because whenever I run out, I see it as an opportunity to try out something new, but if I were to repurchase a lip product, this would be top three, for sure. [It has an] amazing scent, packaging, color, and it's glossy!" — Sephora customer
This product is a total blast from the past but one that still holds up to modern formulas. The green apple scent is addicting, and the formula keeps my lips soft and smooth. Every time I use it, I get a rush of nostalgia, and I love it.
Promising review: "The green apple chapstick was refreshing and moisturizing. I thought the scent was crisp and light." — Walgreens customer