Buzzapp Master 
There are very few universal truths, but one of them has to be that everybody hates chapped lips. That’s why there are seemingly endless lip balms to choose from, all claiming they can get rid of your dry, flaky, cracked skin. So how do you know which ones really work (and which are just for show)?
To help you find lip balms that are truly hydrating and healing, we spoke with dermatologists, chatted with SELF staffers, and combed through our past Healthy Beauty Award winners (all of which we extensively tested). Shop our favorite multitasking lippies and soothing balms below.
Our top picksBest Overall: Summer Fridays Lip Butter BalmBest Budget: Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa ButterBest for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Healing OintmentBest Lipstick Alternative: Tower 28 JuiceBalm Tinted Lip BalmBest Lip Oil: Ami Colé Lip Treatment OilBest Lip Mask: Fenty Skin Plush Puddin’ Intensive Recovery Lip MaskBest Glossy Lip Balm: Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip BalmBest with Lanolin: Lanolips 12-Hour Overnight Lip MaskBest Tinted Lip Balm: Yves Saint Laurent Candy Glaze Lip Gloss StickBest Cracked Lips: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast LipsFAQs about buying hydrating lip balmsWhich ingredients should you look for in a lip balm?
“Lip balms can deliver a variety of moisturizing agents, including shea butter, squalane, and hyaluronic acid,” Audrey Kunin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of DERMAdoctor, tells SELF. “Ideally, in addition to hydrating [the skin], a lip balm will also help repair dry lips. This can involve the inclusion of mild exfoliating ingredients—think AHAs or PHAs—that help lift away dead or dry skin, or ceramides that rebuild the natural skin barrier.” Just note that folks with sensitive skin could find exfoliants like these irritating.
A great balm should also have an occlusive ingredient, like petrolatum, which will protect your lips and help them retain moisture, Nicole Hayre, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of the Cosmetic Dermatology Center in McLean, Virginia, tells SELF. She also recommends using a balm with SPF during the day to block harmful UV rays. And an antioxidant like vitamin E is a nice bonus, since it’s not only nourishing but wards off sun damage too.
How do you choose a hydrating lip balm for sensitive lips?
It might be tempting to pick up a lip balm that smells like watermelon or vanilla, but avoiding fragrance is a must because it can irritate sensitive skin, Mara Weinstein Velez, MD, board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, tells SELF.
As for the good stuff, Dr. Weinstein Velez recommends looking for a balm made with petrolatum or lanolin—a moisturizing ingredient that comes from sheep’s wool. However, lanolin can be irritating for some people and a miracle worker for others. If you haven’t used the ingredient before, Dr. Weinstein Velez suggests applying the lip balm to your inner arm as a patch test and covering the area for a few days to see how you react to it. No inflammation? No problem.
Does Vaseline actually hydrate lips?
The only ingredient in Vaseline is petrolatum, an occlusive ingredient that seals in any moisture your lips already have without adding any water, as SELF has previously reported. That’s still helpful—but ideally you’ll use a product that also has hydrating ingredients to soothe your cracked skin.
If you’ll need Vaseline pried from your cold, dead hands, try applying a hyaluronic acid serum to your lips before jelly. Or switch to something like Aquaphor, which has petrolatum plus humectants that draw in water, like glycerin and panthenol.
Shop the best hydrating lip balmsBetween everyday life and our annual Healthy Beauty Awards, we’ve tested dozens of lip balms. Now we’re ready to let you in on the very best of them. Drum roll please….
Best Overall: Summer Fridays Lip Butter BalmSummer Fridays
Lip Butter Balm for Hydration & Shine
ProsVery creamy textureHygienic, portable packagingAvailable in clear and tinted shadesConsA little priceyI reach for this shea-butter-based lip balm every day. It has a velvety texture and gives my lips a healthy-looking sheen with a few swipes. I love that it feels as thick and moisturizing as a lip mask—which also means it doesn’t wear off right away—but comes in a slim tube that makes the product easier to apply (and is more portable than a bulky jar).
There are lots of sheer shades and scents to choose from: My favorite is the clear vanilla balm, which smells subtly sweet, while SELF’s senior commerce editor adores the red, fruity-scented Cherry shade.
Size: 0.5 fl oz | Colors: 9 | Other notable ingredients: Diisostearyl malate (an emollient)
Best Budget: Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa ButterVaseline
Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter
ProsGood for sensitive skinContainer lasts a long timeConsA little greasyRegular ol’ Vaseline is great for preventing hydration loss, but it’s not going to make a huge difference if your skin is already dry and flaky. That’s why we recommend trying this version that has moisturizing and soothing cocoa butter in addition to barrier-reinforcing petrolatum. “It’s been my tried and true for years,” one SELF tester says. “The little container lasts me forever.”
Size: 0.25 oz | Colors: N/A | Other notable ingredients: N/A
Best for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Healing OintmentProsCan be used on any dry skinWon’t irritate sensitive skinBudget-friendlyFragrance-freeConsSome might find it too greasyWhen your lips are really angry, simple products are best. Dr. Kunin swears by CeraVe’s Healing Ointment, and one of our testers says it’s the only product she’ll use when her lips are ultra-dry, chapped, or otherwise irritated. It’s loaded with ceramides to help repair damaged skin, while petrolatum seals in moisture—plus, it’s fragrance-free, so it won’t bother sensitive skin. Bonus: You can apply this ointment almost anywhere on your body, like parched patches on your face, dry cuticles, or even cracked heels.
Size: 3, 5, and 12 fl oz | Colors: N/A | Other notable ingredients: Skin-softening mineral oil, hydrating hyaluronic acid and panthenol
Best Lipstick Alternative: Tower 28 JuiceBalm Tinted Lip BalmTower 28 Beauty
JuiceBalm Tinted Lip Balm
ProsVery pigmentedEasy to applyThin, creamy formulaConsMight not be moisturizing enough for someSometimes, you want a pop of color that’s less drying than a traditional lipstick. That’s where a tinted lip balm comes in, like this Healthy Beauty Award winner from Tower 28. One of our testers calls the JuiceBalm “phenomenal” and “very hydrating,” due to a combo of shea butter and marula oil.
This stick requires zero fuss. “You don’t have to worry about harsh or imperfect lines—you can swipe it on without a mirror, smack your lips together, and trust that it looks great,” they said. “I’ll rebuy this—which I’ve never said about a balm, let alone a tinted one.” It’s available in four pretty shades: nude (a pinky brown color), berry, pink, and coral.
Size: 0.09 fl oz | Colors: 4 | Other notable ingredients: Vegan beeswax (an occlusive)
Best Lip Oil: Ami Colé Lip Treatment OilAmi Colé
Hydrating Lip Treatment Oil
ProsVery glossy finishLarge applicator holds a lot of productConsA little stickyOur tester appreciated how easy this Healthy Beauty Award winner was to use, thanks to its large doe foot applicator that holds a load of product. “I LOVED that. It made putting on the gloss even easier and quicker, and [it] meant that a single dip into the bottle was enough to apply all over,” they wrote. It contains a nourishing combo of baobab, passion fruit, and camellia seed oils to leave your lips feeling delightfully soft.
Size: 0.15 fl oz | Colors: 7 | Other notable ingredients: Skin-softening polybutene (an emollient)
Best Lip Mask: Fenty Skin Plush Puddin’ Intensive Recovery Lip MaskFenty Beauty
Plush Puddin’ Intensive Recovery Lip Mask
ProsThick, creamy textureHelps with flakinessHygienic packagingConsA little stickyOn the pricey sideThis restorative mask is packed with moisturizing fruit and plant oils that helped our tester, who was dealing with “hella chapped” skin from a prescription retinoid, keep flaking and cracking at bay. “This is the only thing besides my favorite cocoa butter stick that legitimately moisturizes my lips,” they say. “Rihanna put her whole Rihannussy into this, and I would like to personally thank her for it.”
Size: 0.5 fl oz | Colors: 4 | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing castor seed and coconut oils
Best Glossy Lip Balm: Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip BalmHourglass
Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm
ProsVery glossy finishCreamy textureSheer, buildable colorConsMakes lips tingle at first, which some might find irritatingVery priceyIf you love a glassy-lip look but can’t stand sticky lip gloss, you need to try this luxurious balm from Hourglass. I have three shades, and at least one is with me at all times. They glide on without ever looking patchy, and you can build up the pigment and shine with more swipes. Plus, because it includes shea butter and a wide range of plant oils, this balm meets gloss will make your lips feel just as juicy and hydrated as they look.
Size: 0.05 fl oz | Colors: 20 | Other notable ingredients: Nourishing mango seed butter
Best Longevity: Lanolips 12-Hour Overnight Lip MaskLanolips
12-Hour Overnight Lip Mask
ProsStays in place for hoursVery moisturizingFragrance-freeConsDoesn’t have a traditional applicatorNobody has time to apply lip balm a zillion times a day—and this Lanolips mask is proof that a good balm can stay put. Its star ingredient is lanolin, which is known for its major soothing abilities. It’s also loaded with moisturizing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin E, to make sure your lips stay plump and protected.
It’s been a serious game changer for one Healthy Beauty Award tester: “I work in a hospital and have to wear a mask for many hours, which dries out my lips,” they say. “After having this on all day, my lips stayed moisturized, thanks to its super thick consistency.”
Size: 0.52 fl oz | Colors: N/A | Other notable ingredients: Vitamin C (antioxidant)
Best for Cracked Lips: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast LipsLa Roche-Posay
Cicaplast Lips
ProsNon-greasyGives lips a healthy sheenFragrance-freeConsNot the cutest tubeThis balm “made a night and day difference” in one tester’s “chronically chapped lips.” It has an ointment-like texture but with zero greasiness, which also means it doesn’t look too shiny. It provides instant relief to cracked lips, with calming ingredients like panthenol. “It worked so well that I barely had to reapply,” our tester adds.
Size: 0.25 fl oz | Colors: N/A | Other notable ingredients: Shea butter
Best Tinted Lip Balm: Yves Saint Laurent Candy Glaze Lip Gloss StickYves Saint Laurent
Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick
ProsNice range of colorsSubtle but buildable tintGlossy finishConsVery pricey“I personally like this when I want my lips to look a little more alive, but not makeup-y,” one tester says. “It’s super hydrating—one or two swipes does the trick for the work day.” You can also easily build it up if you want more color—the “glassy shine,” as YSL calls it, will stay.
Size: 11 oz | Colors: 13 | Other notable ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, mango seed oil
More great lip balmsIs it cool if we keep going? Shop even more editor-favorite lip balms below.
Fresh Lip Sugar Hydrating Lip BalmFresh
Sugar Hydrating Lip Balm
ProsVery moisturizing formulaTastes goodConsJar packaging isn’t as sanitaryHear us out: No one is suggesting that you eat your lip balm, but a product’s flavor can play a huge role in how much you like it. At least, that’s why this balm caught one tester’s attention. “It’s really hydrating and tastes good, which I think is rare,” she says about her favorite version (caramel). She also confirms that it’s highly moisturizing, with lots of vitamin E.
Size: 0.2 fl oz | Colors: 3 | Other notable ingredients: Anti-inflammatory apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil
Aquaphor Lip Repair Lip Balm with Sunscreen SPF 30Aquaphor Lip Repair Lip Balm With Sunscreen
ProsProtects lips from the sunFragrance-freeConsChemical sunscreen might irritate sensitive skinIf you think chapped lips are bad, you definitely don’t want to deal with sunburnt ones.This version of Aquaphor has the same holy grail formula as the original, but with added sunscreen ingredients (avobenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone) to battle UV rays. “I keep a tube next to my keys—that way, I’ll always remember to put it on before leaving the house,” one tester said during our Healthy Beauty Award trials. “That’s how much I love this product!”
Size: 0.35 fl oz | Colors: N/A | Other notable ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol, castor seed oil, shea butter, beeswax
Eos Watermelon Frosé & Lychee Martini 2-Pack Lip Balmeos
100% Natural Lip Balm Sticks (2-Pack)
ProsGreat scentsBudget-friendlyStays put for a long timeConsUlta shoppers say it might not be moisturizing enough for someAnyone else have a purse full of those egg-shaped, pastel-colored EOS balms from back in the day? Well, they’re still around—sans the spherical shape (but just as fun). “The [twist-up] packaging is brilliant in all of its childlike glory,” one SELF tester says, adding that the flavors and scents are “divine.” These balms will also keep your lips juicy, with nourishing sunflower seed and coconut oils.
Size: 0.14 oz | Colors: N/A | Other notable ingredients: Shea butter, moisturizing jojoba seed oil
Sunnie The Protector SPF 36Sunnie Skincare
The Protector Lip Balm SPF 36
ProsMineral SPF won’t bother sensitive skinSmooths lipsConsContains fragrance that might be irritatingThis Healthy Beauty Award–winning balm contains UV-blocking zinc oxide, a mineral-based sunscreen that won’t irritate sensitive skin. It’s also packed with moisturizing ingredients like olive and avocado oils (good sources of vitamin E), as well as protective petrolatum.
Our tester loved this product, saying, “The best part is that I can feel the moisture settling into my lips—after 15 minutes, they feel as smooth as a baby’s bottom. Even if I’m not in the sun, I want to be wearing this balm.”
Size: 0.35 fl oz | Colors: N/A | Other notable ingredients: Castor seed oil, beeswax
Best for Smoothing Lines: Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Lip FillerPeter Thomas Roth
Instant FIRMx Lip Filler
ProsPlumps lipsDoesn’t stingConsPriceyNot ready to dive into lip filler? The peptides in this balm will plump and smooth lines to give your lips a temporarily plush look. The best part: It won’t burn, sting, or swell.
“It’s not sticky and has a lovely smoothing, blurring effect that made my lips look softer and bigger,” our tester said. “Most plumping treatments feel like BS to me, but this one truly doesn’t. It’s in my bag wherever I go!”
Size: 0.3 fl oz | Colors: N/A | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing squalane, sunflower and jojoba seed oils, shea butter
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