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1. Lucas Paw Paw Ointment won't just heal your lips; it also relieves itchiness. Try warming it up between your fingertips before applying to your lips.
Promising review: “I use this every day for areas I have regular skin probs and reorder regularly. Have passed it on as a 'gift' to my mom, who also deals with skin issues. It not only is a GREAT healer but relieves itch right away. I use the size of a small pea on my fingertip and then just rub between my finger and thumb to 'melt' it into a thinner consistency to apply. And it rubs in well without any sticky or oily residue. It is wonderful for any rough, dry, chapped, or thickened skin. After several days of repeated application, it will heal and soften skin. I love it!" —R & K Robey
Get it from Amazon for $8.94.
2. Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment is totally worth a try if your lips aren't easily satisfied. If you're looking to minimize fine lines and peeling, look no further than the key ingredient: sea fennel. The formula also incorporates orange extracts to protect your lips and retain moisture.
For the record, Fresh makes excellent lip products. I also like applying the Sugar Lip Polish since physical exfoliants make my hydration products penetrate deeper.
Promising review: “It's almost as if the moisturizing granules are finer in this product, which makes the balm absorb into your lips instantly. I love the colored lip treatments as well, but this is the serious, get-down-to-business sister of that product; no BS, no flair, just pure moisture, and healing. Really lives up to the name 'advanced therapy.' —savvysweetheart
Get it from Sephora for $26 (available in two colors).
3. Glow Recipe Watermelon Lip Balm goes to work with flavorful coconut and hibiscus extracts but doesn't slack on essential vitamins and nutrients. No lie, the packaging reminds me of glorified Lip Smackers *but make it effective*.
4. Burt's Bees Lip Balm is pretty hard to beat as far as stick chapsticks go. Since they're less than $10, you may be able to stick one in every room for your convenience.
Promising review: "My go-to for years. I love all Burt's Bees products, but this 'original' is my fave. It heals chapped lips best and feels slightly cooling. Tastes nice (not bitter) when I lick my lips. It doesn't melt as easily as other brands. I have a tube in my car, jacket, purse, nightstand, and on my coffee table. I'm loyal to Burt's original formula lip balm." —Amazon reviewer
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $7.49.
5. Arrow Color-Enhancing Lip Balm enhances your pout by adjusting to the pH level of your lips. Basically, it's a lightweight lip stain that doesn't skimp on hydration.
6. Ere Perez Cranberry Lip & Eye Butter brings the best of juicy cucumbers and cranberries straight to your lips. Lactic acid exfoliates pores for a lifted look that'll convince anyone you got a full night's rest.
Promising review: "I never even thought about using eye cream on the lips before, but I’ve really seen a noticeable difference. I like to use it at night as a hydrating lip mask while I sleep. Beautiful!" —Loz
Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics is small, Latinx-owned business that makes beauty products designed for Latin American markets.
Get it from Ere Perez for $32.70.
7. Linné Botanicals Nourish Lip Balm goes above and beyond the average chapstick. Reviewers love its curative anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and antioxidant-rich ingredients, which leave lips visibly healthier.
Promising review: "From the organic shea butter varieties, to the biodynamic jojoba preparations, to the top-shelf cold-pressed coconut lip/cheek pots. Every lip care product I have ever worn inevitably causes my lips to peel within a few days. It may seem trivial, but I have done real damage trying to then exfoliate the peeling that results. This Nourish lip balm is entirely curative, besides being surprisingly weather-proof, drink-proof, and long-lasting. I have not had any peeling, and it has healed whatever I did before using it. I am very appreciative!" —Nora W.
Linné Botanicals is a small, woman-founded business that creates ethically crafted skincare from superlatively sourced plants and minerals. Their products are formulated to help with acne, dehydration, inflammation, discoloration, sensitivity, and premature aging.
Get it from Linné Botanicals for $11 (originally $22; available in four shades).
8. Mario Badescu Lip Balm stands out with a comfortable, formula packed with coconut oil, cocoa butter, and other moisturizing ingredients.
Promising review: "This smells amazing; it’s moisturizing without that strange drying effect that other lip balms have. This doesn’t have a taste, so that might be helpful for the people who lick off their lip balm. I love this product, and it seems like it lasts forever!" —Amanda Kay Auten
Get it from Amazon for $8 (available in regular, rose, and mint and in a pack of three).
9. Biossance Vegan Rose Lip Balm provides moisture and high shine with its ceramide and hyaluronic acid formula. It's also free of synthetic fragrance so it won't be overwhelming to wear.
Promising review: "I bought one of the starter sets for travel, and this lip balm came with it. I have used the same lip balm from By Terry for years and will now only use this one! I thought it would be calming and beneficial, but it gives a lovely subtle shine and plumps my lips, so I use it throughout the day. Highly recommend." —Margaret M.
10. Maybelline Baby Lips remains cost effective enough to apply before and after you have coffee and not be annoyed. Plus it's tinted, so you're basically getting a boneless lipstick.
This balm is available in both clear and tinted flavors, the latter of which can be used as a cream blush or subtle eyeshadow!
Promising review: "I can't live without this lip balm! I have about five of them in rotation between my kitchen, car, purse, office, etc. A makeup artist taught me a great trick: Keep one in your purse and use as a cream blush for a little color pick-me-up when needed. Works wonderfully! There are days when I wear no makeup, but do use these to add a little color on my cheeks, lips, and lids." —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $10.64 (also available individually in five shades).
11. O'Keeffe's Cooling Relief Lip Repair relieves uncomfortable lips instantly with a hint of minty freshness by creating a flexible barrier that moves with your lips.
Promising review: "I have had chronic dry lips since childhood, to the point where my lips would crack and bleed. This is the first product that has made a significant difference for me! It is a heavy, waxy coating that stays on for hours yet feels light and smooth. It even has a soothing menthol tingle that feels great when my lips are irritated." —A.H.
Get it from Amazon for $6.20 (also available in multi-packs).
12. Dr. Bronner's organic lip balms are satisfying to look at and even better to wear. I swear by this brand because their products are certified organic, cruelty free, and have multiple uses. All of the scents are fabulous, and there's even an unscented version if that's more your speed.
Promising review: "This is by far one of the best lip balms I've ever used. It is comprised primarily of oils, rather than waxes; this means that your lips actually absorb the product. As a result, I find that my lips are moisturized and no longer have a thin layer of wax/dead skin sitting on the surface, a problem that I've encountered with a lot of other products." —May
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $14.95.
13. Fresh hydrating balm remains one of my all-time favorite lip balms for the scent alone. It's not the waxiest lip product, which I like, but it's not liquid (like a mask). I love that it's paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free and leaves your lips super kissable.
Promising review: "This is the first time I've used a fresh lip product, and I am super happy with it. I have very dry, flaky lips. I have been using the Laneige Sleeping Mask at night but needed something for daytime. I apply this once during the day and haven't felt the need to re-apply like a lot of lip balms make you feel! My lips look happy and healthy, and the dry flaky look is gone! The lemon scent is like a lemon bar/dessert, so as long as you like that you will love this!" —sv222
Get it from Sephora for $18 (available in six scents/flavors).
14. Blistex stays on my nightstand, coffee table, bathroom sink, and in my purse for several reasons. First off, it's so buttery and applies smoothly. Plus, it has menthol, which increases blood flow and makes my lips look sooo plump. Third, you're not going to beat the price.
I take this from room to room with me because it's that good. My lips used to be super dry and crackly, but now they're giving Chaka Khan's Jive Talkin' album cover. The price point is so accessible; I'll probably use this for the rest of my life. I like that it has a little kick of menthol because I feel like it's actually healing my lips. A tiny bit goes a long way; see how much is on my finger?
Promising review: "Blistex has always held a special place in my heart. It works so well for dry, cracked lips, or even if you like something a bit thicker on your lips, like me! I always have to have a few spares on me at all times!" —Melia Milhorat
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $10.99.
15. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask doesn't just protect your lips — it nourishes them. How? Vitamin C, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid. Healthy lips are super sexy. I don't make the rules!
This product introduced me to the world of nondrugstore lip balms. I low-key used it for the smell alone. Plus it left my lips incredibly supple. You can't go wrong with this; it makes an excellent gift.
Promising Review: "I absolutely love this product! I have been using it for over a year now, and it makes my lips feel amazing! It smells fantastic and even comes with a little applicator, so you don't need to shove your fingers into the pot. It is a total must-have for the winter months and is great to use after sun exposure in the summer. Apply to your lips and go to bed. That easy. It will still be hanging around on your lips in the morning. It is very budget friendly. I love it so much." —Sephora Customer
Get it from Sephora for $22 (available in five flavors) or Amazon for $22+ (available in five colors).
16. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm, which I used to use daily, boasts a smooth and minty formula that's full of vitamin E. Did we mention it has SPF 25? 😉
Promising review: "Hands down the best lip product I’ve ever tried. I was recommended this by someone on Reddit, and I am so happy I tried it! I’ve experienced severely dry, cracked lips since I was a teenager, and basically everything I’ve tried in the past has failed me on one level or another. ChapStick, Eos, Vaseline, expensive salves from Sephora, lip scrubs from Lush — probably over 50 products in the past 10 years. I’ve been using these Jack Black balms for the past six months or so, and my lips look soooo much better. Before, I had cracks, and the layer of skin would constantly peel away. I had light scarring and discoloration due to years of dryness and peeling (so gross, sorry!). Anyway, the true test of a good lip product is if it can withstand the winter. I live in the Midwest, and we had a particularly rough winter this year — very cold. However, as long as I was wearing this product, my lips were always protected and comfortable. I have six of these floating around my house/purse/work backpack. And I don’t ever see myself using another lip product." —Cara
Get it from Amazon for $8. This listing is for the grapefruit and ginger flavor, but you can find more flavors here.
17. Glossier Balm Dotcom will give your lips some TLC before they C-H-I-P. Masks and dry weather are not playing with ya'll. Stay ready so you don't have to get ready with this antioxidant-rich lip balm.
Promising review: "As a lip balm collector, I would like to go out on a limb and say that this is probably the best balm I have used. It stays forever, doesn't wipe off with food or drinks or life, and is super nourishing. It's also really good value for money and lasts forever (mine has been with me for over a year)." —Aayushi S.
Get it from Glossier for $12 (available in nine shades).
18. Lip Smacker Lippy Pal Moisturizing Lip Care takes everything you loved about the brand when you were 13 years old to the next level. Let's be real — most lip balms essentially do the same thing. At least this one is sure to be a conversation starter, while keeping your lips smooth and hydrated.
Each flavor has a different color bullet, so some provide a slight tint and shine while others are more neutral!
Promising review: "It's tasty without being overwhelming. I love this lip balm! I was so tired of the waxy ones that I was afraid to get this, but it is smooth and keeps my lips much more hydrated. I liked it so much I ordered a second one for my purse." —Elizabeth Trogdon
Get it from Amazon for $3.99+ (available in eight flavors and in packs of three).
19. Lanolips Strawberry 101 Ointment, a sweet-tasting and hella hydrating lanolin formula to give dry, crusty lips a Mia Thermopolis-level makeover. And if your lips are willing to share, you can use it on dry cuticles too!
Check out one BuzzFeeder's full review of Lanolips 101 Ointment.
Promising review: "Finally — the holy grail of lip care. It’s thick but not sticky. It’s nourishing but not over the top. It looks like a gloss, but isn’t slippery. Highly recommend." —kamkam
Get it from Anthropologie for $11.20 (originally $14). Get an unflavored version here.
20. Classic Aquaphor Lip Repair proves the only thing between you and pillowy lips is less than $5. I mean, this balm couldn't disappoint if it tried, especially since it's got chamomile essence, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
Promising review: "I LOVE THIS STUFF. I have tried a number of different things in order to battle my super chapped lips. I purchased an $18 tube of Clinique Superbalm Lip Treatment hoping that it would help. Instead it just made my lips feel sticky and the shine almost made the dead skin more noticeable. On a whim I purchased Aquaphor (it was a super cheap cart add-on) and within two uses my lips were baby smooth. It works almost instantly and is just the most hydrating lip balm I've ever used. I've convinced three friends to try it and every single one loves it. I'll never buy another lip balm again." —Z.Y.
Get it from Amazon for $2.49.
21. Winky Lux Flower Balm applies transparent and then shifts to a personal shade of pink after sensing the pH of your lips. A little bit of this and good light will have you downright delicious.
It's cruelty-free, paraben-free, and vegan! And that flower inside? Yup, it's a real chrysanthemum.
Promising review: "This has quickly become my go-to lip balm. I used to wear zero makeup to work, but now I swipe this on in the morning (and sometimes layer a gloss on top for some extra shine). Alone, the flower balm leaves my lips moisturized all day and the color lasts a few hours!" —Samantha M.
Get it from Winky Lux for $16 (available in three colors) or Target for $16 (available in two colors).
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