The Best Lip Balms for When Your Skin Is Crashing Out

Chapped lips suck. They're painful, kind of gross, and always unwelcome. Maybe it's climate change playing cruel tricks, your skin-care routine missing the mark, or just your genetic luck of the draw. Whatever the cause, a moisturizing lip balm is the one beauty product you should always have in your back pocket (quite literally).

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The truth is, your lips don't need more products. The skin here is more sensitive but also self-sufficient, meaning it mostly takes care of itself unless disturbed by outside factors. So when the environment, allergies, or random skin crash-outs happen, the best lip balms can help your dry lips heal instead of just glossing over the problem.

If you're ready to move on from ChapStick, I've rounded up the best lip balms that prioritize skin health and do less, and in doing so, do more. For more beauty recommendations, check out our guides to the Best Hair Dryers, the Best Red Light Therapy Masks, and the Best Curling Irons.

How I Tested

My lip balm obsession started sometime around with a Fanta Lip Smacker, but for this story, I got more methodical. Over the past eight months, I put 30 balms to the test across a variety of climates and conditions: dry Chicago winters, Florida heat, airplane air, etc. I judged each against a checklist of factors:

• Ingredients: I scanned every balm for moisturizing ingredients and flagged substances that can irritate lips instead of helping them, like synthetic fragrances, menthol, and camphor. I also prioritized clean or vegan picks when possible.
• Texture: I evaluated how each formula went on, how it wore throughout the day, and how it layered under lipstick. Anything too waxy, too greasy, or that disappeared in five minutes got a hard pass.
• Packaging and application: I tested squeeze tubes, tins, and twist-up sticks. I rated each on portability, hygiene, and overall user-friendliness.
• Range: This guide includes drugstore staples and luxury lip treatments, tinted options, and SPF picks.

Next Up

I'll be testing EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum SPF 36, Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, Dr. Dan's Cortibalm, SkinCeuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair, OleHenriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment, Eos 24H Moisture Super Balm, and Bioderma Atoderm Restorative Lip Balm.

• Best Lip Balm Overall

  Courtesy of Amazon

  Aquaphor

  Lip Repair Ointment

  $5 $4 (20% off)

  Amazon (and Sunscreen)

  $5 $4 (20% off)

  Amazon

  WIREDTIREDIdeal for sensitive skin. Odorless. Available to buy in bulk. Available in tube and stick form.Not vegan. Some may find the texture too thick.

  If I had to pick one hydrating lip balm to use forever, Aquaphor would be it. There are no dyes, no fragrances, no preservatives, which makes it a safe bet for sensitive skin like mine. I keep the classic Lip Repair on my nightstand, and the Lip Protectant and Sunscreen version lives in my everyday tote. It's a similar formula, just with broad-spectrum SPF 30 added. There's also a jumbo stick I treat like an all-purpose balm for my face, cuticles, and unruly baby hairs. You can reapply as you need, with no buildup or waxy residue.

  SpecsKey IngredientsShea butter, castor oil, vitamins C, E, and provitamin B5, chamomileSize0.35 ouncesFragrance-FreeYesParaben-FreeYesCruelty-FreeNo

• Best Overnight Lip Balm

  Courtesy of Amazon

  Vaseline

  Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter Twin Pack

  $3

  Amazon

  WIREDTIREDNourishing. Doubles as lip gloss. Available in rosy pink tint.Not vegan. No added SPF.

  If your lips are chapped, the original Vaseline isn't going to save you. That's why I prefer the version infused with cocoa butter, which gives it a creamier texture and is actually hydrating. The full-size jar feels endless, so for hygiene's sake, I always opt for the stick form or the mini tubs or teeny tins. That way, I can keep one in every bag. I swipe it over lipstick for a gloss finish without irritating my lips. And if you have sensitive skin like I do, this won't cause flare-ups.

  SpecsKey IngredientsCocoa butter, petroleumSize0.16 ouncesFragrance-FreeNoParaben-FreeNoCruelty-FreeNo

• Best Tinted Lip Balm

  Courtesy of Tower 28

  Tower28

  LipSoftie Lip Treatment

  $16

  Revolve

  $16

  Tower 28

  WIREDTIREDNational Eczema Association–accepted. No artificial flavorings. Minimal packaging.Limited tint range. Not the most long-lasting and needs to be reapplied throughout the day.

  Tower 28 is one of my favorite lip-care brands because of its clean formulations and transparency. Most of its products are backed by the National Eczema Association (and the National Rosacea Society and the National Psoriasis Foundation), including the LipSoftie Lip Treatment. The plump texture hydrates without feeling sticky, and the sheer finish is flattering for days when you don't want to use lipstick. Some of my favorite of the eight variations—the dulce de leche (nude), ube vanilla (burgundy), and red bean mochi (rosy nude)—smell like they belong in a patisserie, and that's probably because they're flavored with food-grade ingredients. There's also a clear vanilla version if you want to skip the tint or use it as an overnight lip mask.

  SpecsKey IngredientsShea butter, jojoba oil, lysineSize0.38 fl ozFragrance-FreeYesParaben-FreeYesCruelty-FreeYes

• Best With SPF 30

  Courtesy of Amazon

  Sun Bum

  Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Balm

  $10

  Amazon

  For more information, please visit Lip Cosmetic.

  WIREDTIREDBroad-spectrum SPF 30. Made without mineral oils, retinyl palmitate, propylene glycol, and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). Hawaii Act 104 compliant and reef-safe.Can leave a subtle white cast, especially on deeper skin tones.

  Sun Bum's Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Balm is my armor against both immediate sunburn and the slow creep of fine lines and discoloration. Slather this on 15 minutes before you hit the sun. Reapply every two hours, and right after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying. I like to layer it under Tower 28's LipSoftie Lip Treatment.

  SpecsKey IngredientsZinc oxide, shea butter, vitamin ESize0.15 ouncesFragrance-FreeYesParaben-FreeYesCruelty-FreeYes

• Best Lip Mask

  Courtesy of Amazon

  Laneige

  Lip Sleeping Mask

  $24

  Amazon

  $24

  Sephora

  WIREDTIREDFormulated without phthalates and sulfates. Multiple flavors are available.Contains artificial fragrance. Not ideal for bulk purchases.

  The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask needs no introduction unless you've been living under a rock (in which case, I'm jealous). It's marketed as an overnight treatment, but there's no harm in reaching for it throughout the day. The formula is loaded with heavyweight butters that surprisingly don't feel grossly sticky. It comes in a bunch of flavors (gummy bear, matcha bubble tea, peach iced tea, etc.), none of which offer a tint. The artificial fragrance is very much present, and if you have sensitive skin, it might give you a bit of a tingle. I keep it around, but I also don't reach for it when my lips are already angry.

  SpecsKey IngredientsBerry fruit complex, coconut oil, murumuru butter, shea butter, vitamin CSize0.7 ouncesFragrance-FreeNoParaben-FreeYesCruelty-FreeNo

Honorable Mentions

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm for $4: If you're ingredient-conscious, Burt's Bees has probably been in your tote at some point. The original formula blends beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and peppermint oil. No petroleum, no parabens, and you can find it just about everywhere. That said, the beeswax forms a solid barrier but is not the most hydrating, especially during the dead of winter. The balm coats but doesn't penetrate, which means it won't do much for lips that are already cracked. The peppermint oil can also be a little too spicy for sensitive lips. Still, if you're in a pinch and standing in front of the CVS self-checkout, it's a smarter purchase than Blistex (more on that later).

Glossier Balm Dotcom for $16: The Glossier Balm Dotcom walked so the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask could run. It's a multipurpose salve that blends lanolin, castor oil, and beeswax for ultimate moisture retention. Plus, it comes in a handful of sheer tints that play well with no-makeup makeup days. But the thick, waxy texture can feel a bit clumpy, especially if you're layering over flaky lips.

Goop Beauty Nourishing Lip Repair Mask for $30: This buttery lip mask from Goop is loaded with ceramides to help restore your lip barrier, along with fig seed oil and acai fruit that smells just as tropical as it sounds. While it's free from silicones, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, those botanical oils and fruit extracts can still trigger a reaction. Patch test first. Also, at $30 for just 0.3 fluid ounces, it's not the most cost-effective balm on my list.

Omorovicza Budapest Perfecting Lip Balm for $46: Omorovicza's Perfecting Lip Balm's texture leans gritty, almost like a lip polish or a micro-exfoliator. There are some goodies in here, like hyaluronic acid and omega fatty acids. But, there are also some unnecessary (potentially irritating) extras—eucalyptus oil, parfum, and benzyl alcohol.

Avoid These Lip Balms

Blistex Lip Medex 3-Pack for $6: It gives you that instant tingle thanks to menthol and camphor, plus a cocktail of synthetic flavors and fragrances, but that sting is a red flag. A general note: “Medicated” lip balms often do more harm than good.

Carmex Classic Lip Balm 3-Pack for $3: For similar reasons to Blistex, skip Carmex. It contains camphor and benzocaine, which are ingredients that can irritate the skin and make chapped lips worse over time.

FAQs

What Causes Chapped Lips?

There are a lot of triggers, and here are some of the most common causes of chapped lips:

• Cold weather and dry air: Both cold and dry air zap moisture from your skin and stiffen keratin, which is the protein that keeps your lips moisturized.
• Lip licking: The more you lick, the drier they get. Licking your lips breaks down your lip's natural barrier, leading to irritation and even hyperpigmentation.
• Allergic reactions: Some lip balms contain ingredients that trigger allergic reactions, making dryness and peeling worse. Usual suspects include castor oil, fragrance, dyes, and preservatives.
• Sun exposure: Your lips are thinner and have less pigment than the rest of your skin, which means less protection from UV rays. Unprotected exposure can lead to painful dryness or precancerous spots called actinic cheilitis.
• Tobacco smoke: If you smoke, your lips are at a higher risk for a condition called glandular cheilitis, which causes swelling, rough texture, and cracks. It can also raise your risk for infections and lip cancer.
• Medications: Certain meds come with dry mouth as a side effect, including but not limited to retinoids, antihistamines, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines.
• Underlying conditions: Autoimmune conditions like lupus, eczema, or lichen planus can all show up on your lips first. If your symptoms don't budge after trying the usual suspects, talk to your dermatologist.

Ingredients to Look for (and Avoid)

Here's what to look for on the label:

• Emollients: These are moisturizing ingredients that help repair and smooth flaky, chapped lips. Some common ones include:
  1. Castor oil: Thick, nourishing, and packed with ricinoleic acid that helps smooth rough texture. It is ever so slightly comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores. 
  2. Cocoa butter or shea butter: These rich butters toe the line between emollient and occlusive. They hydrate and help rebuild the lip’s natural barrier without clogging pores. 
  3. Coconut oil: Naturally anti-inflammatory, but if you’re acne-prone, it can be too much for the skin around your lips.
  4. Jojoba oil: Mimics the skin’s natural sebum. Super lightweight, non-greasy, and unlikely to clog pores.
• Occlusives: These ingredients form a protective barrier to seal in moisture and block out environmental aggressors. Look for petroleum jelly (aka petrolatum), a tried-and-true moisture sealant, or beeswax for a natural alternative.
• Humectants: These ingredients attract water to keep lips plump and hydrated; they work best when paired with emollients and occlusives to trap moisture. The standout is hyaluronic acid, which hydrates without leaving a greasy residue, but you’ll also benefit from glycerin, aloe vera, or honey.
• Antioxidants: Ingredients like vitamin E, vitamin C, niacinamide, and polyphenols help defend against free radicals and aid in repairing damaged skin cells over time.
• SPF protection: Lips are especially vulnerable to sun damage, so opt for mineral sunscreens utilizing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They're effective, gentle enough for sensitive skin, and don't leave a white cast.

Here's what to avoid:

• Synthetic fragrances and flavors: Yummy scents, including but not limited to peppermint, cinnamon, and citrus, can irritate your lips.
• Menthol, camphor, and other cooling agents: These make dryness worse over time.

When to See a Dermatologist

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, if your lips are still chapped after two to three weeks of consistent balm use, you should consult your dermatologist. A professional can help you figure out if there's something more serious going on—like an allergic reaction or fungal infection—and treat it before it exacerbates.

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