The Best Lip Balms For Dry Lips
Whether you’re a self-confessed balm addict who has a tube in every purse, drawer and pocket or just starting to explore the world of lip moisturizers, it’s important to find a formula that works for your lips. The skin on your lips is thin and more vulnerable to dryness than other parts of the face, especially when the temperatures drop. Luckily, there are tons of formulas to choose from to keep your lips looking and feeling hydrated all season long.
Lip balm is a soft wax-like substance that you apply to saturate and ease the itchy, cracking skin associated with chapped lips. The best formulas contain hydrating oils, soothing ingredients, and protective coatings to help your lips look soft and feel moisturized. Some of the most effective lip moisturizers include shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, beeswax, jojoba oil, and squalane. The addition of antioxidants, vitamin E, and other essential fatty acids also contribute to the health of your lips.
One of the best lip moisturizers is this all-natural formula from Sephora that swipes directly onto your pout. It’s free of phthalates, parabens, petrolatum and SLS and comes in fruity scents including pomegranate, coconut & pear, cucumber mint and more, or you can opt for a fragrance-free option. It also has a moisturizing shea butter, coconut oil and squalane blend for softening and conditioning and comes in recyclable packaging.
The cult-favorite brand Glossier recently refreshed their cheekily named Balm Dotcom, bringing some changes to this all-in-one multitasker. The new formula has dropped the petroleum jelly and lanolin for castor oil, which provides the same occlusive barrier without a greasy finish. It’s also formulated with a nourishing shea butter, squalane and natural emollients and now comes in nine flavors and the original unscented version.
Another great shea butter-infused option is this balm from Malin + Goetz, whose co-founder suffers from rosacea and a range of skin issues like eczema and seborrhea, so the brand specifically formulates their products to be safe for sensitive skin. It’s available in a clear and tinted option and contains shea butter, jojoba oil, and other essential fatty acids to nourish and protect your lips.
For a more sophisticated formula, try this lip treatment from Ogee, which comes in both a clear and tinted option. Its oversized pencil packaging makes it easy to use and the moisturizing ingredients (including shea butter, jojoba oil, beeswax and more) are designed to combat signs of aging like fine lines on your lips. The berry red shade even doubles as a tinted lip stain.
This ultra-hydrating lip oil is a game changer for anyone who’s struggled with super dry, flaky lips. It’s packed with moisture-boosting fatty acids and is non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. The hydration lasts all day and the non-sticky texture won’t transfer to your clothes or makeup. Plus, the light rose and hibiscus scent is so pretty. This is a must-try for lipstick wearers, too — it helps your color glide on smooth and won’t leave a weird residue behind.