15 Best Lip Balms in U.S. [August, 2024]

Smooth, soft lips are a year-round desire, but keeping lips hydrated and healthy requires diligent care. Cold dry air, sun exposure, flaky dead skin, and even bad habits like lip licking can cause sore, cracked lips needing some TLC. From drugstore favorites to luxury treatments, quality lip balms can rescue your pout by locking in moisture, nourishing with emollients, and protecting against environmental damage. If your lips tend to err on the dry side or you’re gift shopping for a lip balm aficionado, discovering which formulas deliver on their promises of restoration and pampering is key. To spotlight the most lusciously hydrating, super-softening lip saviors on the market, we’ve rounded up 15 top-rated balms to reveal the best choices for happy, healthy lips.

1. LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm

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Description

The LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm is an intensely moisturizing lip balm that leaves lips looking smooth and luminous.

Key Features

• Deeply hydrating formula containing vitamin C and antioxidants
• Applies evenly and smoothly without being sticky
• Leaves a bright, glowy finish on lips
• Moisturizes for up to 8 hours
• Cruelty-free and vegan

Our Expert Opinion

With its ability to deliver long-lasting hydration and a beautiful, glossy look, the LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm is one of the best lip balms you can find. We love how it glides onto lips, providing intense moisture without feeling heavy or tacky. It’s great for achieving a highly lustrous lip look and makes an exceptional overnight treatment. For nourished, smooth, glowy lips, this balm can’t be beaten.

2. Cliganic USDA Organic Lip Balm Set – 6 Flavors – 100% Natural Moisturizer for Cracked & Dry Lips

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Key Features

• Set of 6 USDA certified organic lip balms
• Formulated with moisturizing shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil and sunflower oil
• Delicious fruity flavors including peach, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, grapefruit and lemon
• Provides soothing relief for dry, cracked lips
• Cruelty free and made in the USA

Our Expert Opinion

Cliganic’s USDA Organic Lip Balm Set is a fantastic option for those seeking an all-natural, chemical-free lip balm made from certified organic ingredients. With its lusciously creamy formula and selection of mouthwatering fruity flavors, it delivers major hydration to dry lips in a delightfully fresh way. We find these balms incredibly nourishing and love their sweet scents and tastes. For organic lip care that renews softness and actually tastes great, Cliganic’s lip balm collection is a top contender for best in the U.S.

3. Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick – Soothes Dry Chapped Lips – 0.17 Ounce (Pack of 4)

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Description

This 4-pack of Aquaphor’s renowned Lip Repair Sticks provides lasting relief for painfully dry, cracked lips. Formulated with nourishing shea butter, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, these sticks soothe and moisturize lips on contact.

Key Features

• Clinically proven to heal dryness and damage
• Hydrates and protects with shea butter and vitamins
• Glides on smoothly, no waxy or sticky feel
• Fragrance-free and dermatologist recommended
• Convenient stick applicator

Our Expert Opinion

When it comes to intensive moisturization for severely chapped lips, Aquaphor’s Lip Repair formula is exemplary. It contains highly emollient ingredients that replenish lip moisture and reinforce the skin barrier. We find it unbeatable for healing soreness, flaking, and cracks quickly. The portable stick format is great for on-the-go lip rescue. For fast relief that lasts, this multi-pack of Aquaphor lip balms is among the best you can buy.

4. NIVEA Lip Care

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Key Features

• Pack of four tinted lip balms with fruit extracts
• Deeply nourishing formula with shea butter and almond oil
• Sweet flavors including strawberry, blackberry, raspberry and cranberry
• Touch of color and care for lips
• Dermatologically tested

Our Expert Opinion

NIVEA’s Fruit Lip Balm Variety Pack makes lip care fun with its range of tasty colors and flavors. With shea butter and almond oil to drench lips in moisture, these balms also provide a pretty pop of color from their natural fruit extracts. Their cute packaging and fruity scents make them delightful to apply. For affordable, quality lip balms that excite the senses while soothing dryness, NIVEA is a top drugstore brand. This set’s sweet tints and flavors earn it best lip balm status.

5. Burt’s Bees Lip Balm Stocking Stuffers

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Key Features

• Set of 4 Burt’s Bees SuperFruit lip balms
• Antioxidant-rich formula made from nourishing fruit extracts
• Flavors include mango, pink grapefruit, pear and pomegranate
• 100% natural ingredients
• Moisturizes and softly tints
• Perfect stocking stuffer

Our Expert Opinion

Packed with vibrant fruit juices and butters, Burt’s Bees antioxidant-infused SuperFruit balms give lips a boost of nourishment along with a flush of flattering color. Their crave-worthy scents and silky feel make them sensory delights, while quality ingredients like sunflower seed oil hydrate beautifully. For giftable lip care that looks and smells as good as it performs, we rate this set of Burt’s Bees balms as among the best.

6. Burt’s Bees Lip Tint Balm Stocking Stuffers Gifts

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Key Features

• Set of 2 Burt’s Bees tinted lip balms in Red Dahlia
• 2-in-1 lipstick & lip balm formula
• Vibrant red shade from rich botanical pigments
• Buildable color payoff
• Infused with moisturizing shea butter
• Perfect little gift duo

Our Expert Opinion

This giftable set of Burt’s Bees Lip Tint Balms makes it easy to achieve a pop of color while nourishing lips. Their vibrant red shade glides on smoothly and can be built up from a sheer stain to richer coverage. With hydrating ingredients like shea butter and sunflower oil, these balms moisturize while dressing lips in a flattering hue. For party-ready color fused with caring balm benefits, we rate this pair a top lip formula.

7. Burt’s Bees Lip Balm Stocking Stuffers

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Key Features

• Set of 4 Burt’s Bees Original Beeswax Lip Balms
• Ultra-emollient formula with beeswax and nourishing oils
• Refreshing peppermint scent & flavor
• Packaged in cute bee-themed tins
• 100% natural ingredients
• Ideal stocking stuffer set

Our Expert Opinion

There’s a reason why Burt’s Bees signature Beeswax Lip Balm remains a classic bestseller after all these years – it works! Formulated with beeswax, antioxidant vitamin E, and moisturizing peppermint oil, this balm is the OG for soothing severely dry lips. We continue to rate it as one of the most effective lip treatments you can buy, thanks to how it seals in moisture and softens cracked skin. Presented in this giftable 4-pack of adorable tins, it makes for a fab stocking stuffer.

8. C.O. Bigelow 2 Pack My Favorite Night Balm Lip Treatment. 0.34 Oz

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Key Features

• Set of 2 My Favorite Night Balms by C.O. Bigelow
• Ultra-rich, antioxidant-packed nighttime lip treatment
• Softens and replenishes with ingredients like shea butter and squalane
• Forms protective barrier overnight
• Wake up to smoother, softer lips
• Provides intensive moisturization

Our Expert Opinion

We love keeping C.O. Bigelow’s My Favorite Night Balm on our bedside table for its incredible nourishing powers. This antioxidant-enriched formula quenches thirsty lips with emollient shea butter, squalane and nourishing oils to heal cracking and damage as you sleep. Forming a protective seal over lips, it keeps moisture locked in so you wake to ultra-soft, smooth lips. For an intensive lip rescue that works wonders while you dream, this pair of night balms is a top choice.

9. L’Occitane Ultra-Rich Lip Balm

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Key Features

• Ultra-rich lip balm by L’Occitane
• Made with 10% concentrated shea butter
• Exceptionally repairing and protective
• Locks in moisture for up to 8 hours
• Smooth, melt-in texture without stickiness
• Beautiful peach scent

Our Expert Opinion

Infused with 10% concentrated shea butter, L’Occitane’s Ultra Rich lip balm indulges lips with an ultimate moisture treat. This balm has an incredibly velvety feel and instantly nourishes dryness. The high concentration of shea butter ensures lips stay quenched for hours while forming a protective barrier against harsh elements. If you’re seeking a supremely luxurious, high-performing lip balm, this one warrants best lip balm accolades.

10. Mario Badescu Moisturizing Lip Balm for Dry Cracked Lips

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Key Features

• Hydrating Lip balm by Mario Badescu
• Made with nourishing coconut oil and shea butter
• Soothes and softens dry, cracked lips
• Glides on clear for shine & moisture without stickiness
• Can be worn alone or under lipstick
• Cruelty free formula

Our Expert Opinion

Mario Badescu hits the sweet spot of being intensely moisturizing without feeling heavy or tacky. As the shea butter and oils penetrate dry lips, it provides longer-lasting relief from tightness and flaking. We find it exceptionally smoothing and love applying it overnight or as a glossy prep step before lip color. For lightweight lip nourishment that sinks in beautifully, this classic deserves best lip balm applause.

11. Jack Black Lip Balm

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Key Features

• Intensive Therapy Lip Balm by Jack Black
• Rich emollient formula fortified with antioxidants
• Helps protect and relieve dry, cracked lips
• Natural mint flavor provides cooling sensation
• Easy twist-up application
• Shea butter and avocado oil lock in hydration

Our Expert Opinion

Jack Black’s therapeutic lip balm always impresses us with its clinical-level potency from natural ingredients. Fortified with antioxidants like green tea and vitamin E along with deeply nourishing oils and butters, it tackles flakes and cracks with ease. We rank this classic formula among our top lip rescues for high quality active ingredients in a fuss-free format. The minty scent and silky texture make each swipe a true pleasure.

12. eos Super Soft Shea Lip Balm Sticks – Sweet Treats Variety Pack

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Key Features

• Set of 4 eos shea butter lip balms
• Sweet, dessert-inspired flavors
• Deeply moisturizing formula with rich shea butter
• Smooths and softens dry lips
• 95% organic and 100% natural

Our Expert Opinion

Indulging both lips and senses, eos’s Super Soft shea lip balms are crave-worthy treats. With natural shea butter as the star ingredient, they drench lips with creamy moisture in flavors like Honey Apple, Vanilla Orchid and Marshmallow. We adore their melt-in texture and mouthwatering scents. For fun, fruity lip hydration free of parabens and petrolatum, eos deserves best lip balm applause.

13. eos 100% Natural & Organic Lip Balm Sticks- Vanilla Bean

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Key Features

• 2-pack of eos 100% natural lip balms
• Organic moisturizing oils like olive, shea and coconut
• doubling soften with antioxidant-rich vitamin E
  Sweet vanilla bean scent
• 95% organic and 100% natural
• Dermatologist tested

Our Expert Opinion

Formulated with organic skin-nourishing oils and vitamin E, these eos sticks earned their “dermatologist tested” status by protecting lips with clean ingredients. The moisture-binding oils along with the subtle vanilla scent and flavor make them sensory delights. For organic lip hydration in a convenient twist-up form, eos natural balms deliver quality and reliability.

14. Burt’s Bees Lip Balm Stocking Stuffers

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Key Features

• Set of 2 ultra-hydrating Burt’s Bees Lip Balms infused with exotic butters
• Nourishing formula with shea, cocoa and kokum butters
• Softens and conditions dry lips
• 100% natural ingredients
• Beautiful two-pack gift set

Our Expert Opinion

With its trio of rich conditioning butters, this Burt’s Bees lip balm gift set pampers thirsty lips with intense moisture. The exquisite butters sink in to soften and protect, while beeswax seals hydration. Lips feel indulged yet never greasy. For natural lip care in a pretty package, this pair with festive botanical prints checks all the boxes as an impressive stocking stuffer.

15. Bioderma – Lip Stick – Atoderm – Hydrating

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Key Features

• Soothing lip treatment by Bioderma
• Hydrates and renews dry, damaged lips
• Enriched with emollient shea butter and glycerin
• Fights discomfort and tightness
• Restores supple texture and glow

Our Expert Opinion

Bioderma earns rave reviews for their skin-coddling formulas, and this nourishing lip stick follows suit. Enriched with antioxidant vitamin E, moisturizing glycerin and shea butter, it melts over parched lips to hydrate and renew softness. The subtle shine imparts restored comfort without stickiness. For French pharmacy luxury at affordable prices, Bioderma nails the basics of lip care.

Comparison for best lip balm

How to Choose the Best Lip Balm

When selecting a nourishing lip balm to soothe your dry, cracked pout, here are helpful criteria to evaluate:

Potent, Emollient Ingredients – Opt for balms packed with skin-nourishing vitamin E, plant butters and oils like shea, cocoa, avocado and coconut. Beeswax also creates a protective moisture seal.

Texture – The best lip balms sink in fully without sitting heavy on lips or feeling waxy. Look for descriptors like “velvety” or “smooth”.

Flavor & Scent – Tasty fruity flavors and scents make application a delight. However, unscented balms work well too.

SPF Protection – For daytime or outdoor use, choose lip balms with SPF to shield from sun damage.

Eco-Friendly Packaging – Seek plant-based tubes made with eco-friendly practices for more sustainable lip care.

Your Needs – Opt for ultra-hydrating nighttime formulas, glossy day balms, tinted or shimmery colors, peel treatments etc. based on your lip goals.

Different Types of Lip Balms

There are an array of lip balm formulas, with ingredients tailored to different moisturizing functions:

The Classics – Simple, back-to-basics formulas like Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm soothe via beeswax, oils and protective butters.

Luxury Balms – High-end brands like L’Occitane enrich balms with a high concentration of indulgent botanical butters for ultra-hydration.

Tinted & Colored – Offer a wash of color while caring for lips, like Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balms and NIVEA’s fruit-flavored tints.

Medicated Formulas – Help severely chapped lips while providing additional skin-soothing benefits, like Aquaphor’s Lip Repair sticks.

Overnight Masks – Provide concentrated nourishment as you sleep, like C.O Bigelow My Favorite Night Balms.

Lip Scrubs – Buff away dead skin and prep lips for deeper hydration, like Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Masks with gentle exfoliants.

Gloss & Shine – Formulas like Laneige’s Lip Glowy Balm impart brilliant luster while moisturizing.

Organic – USDA certified organic options like Cliganic Lip Balms use all natural ingredients.

SPF Protection – Offer UV protection alongside hydration to shield lips.

Lip Balm Usage, Maintenance and Care

Caring properly for your lip balm helps it work better and last longer:

Apply Liberally & Frequently – Don’t skimp! Use your balm whenever lips feel dry. Reapply every few hours for preventative care.

Have Multiple Tubes – Keep balm everywhere – bags, cars, nightstands etc. for easy access and regular use.

Prep Lips First – For smoother balm uptake, gently scrub or wipe lips first to banish flaky skin.

Use Overnight – Slather on a thick layer before bedtime and wake up to softened lips.

Store Properly – Don’t let balms melt and warp in hot cars or bags. Keep out of direct sunlight.

Watch Expiration – Unlike waxier balms, oil-based ones can go on for a longer time.

FAQs about Best Lip Balm

Q. What is the best lip balm?

The best lip balm for most people is one that contains intensely hydrating and nourishing ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, vitamin E, and plant oils. Formulas that sink into lips without feeling waxy or sticky tend to work the best. Of the lip balms reviewed, LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm, Aquaphor Lip Repair, and Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm are top-rated for their superior ability to moisturize, soften, and heal severely dry, chapped lips. They provide long-lasting relief while smoothing and protecting the lip skin barrier.

Q. What is the best lip balm for dry lips?

Burt’s Bees Original Beeswax Lip Balm is considered the best lip balm specifically for dry lips. Its ultra-emollient formula contains beeswax, antioxidant vitamin E, and moisturizing peppermint oil to intensively nourish and seal moisture into thirsty lips. Many users report this classic Burt’s Bees formula being the only thing that rescues and heals their painfully dry, cracked lips. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask and L’Occitane 10% Shea Butter Lip Balm also rate as top contenders for their exceptional hydrating abilities.

Q. Which Burt’s Bees lip balm is the best for dry lips?

Of Burt’s Bees lip balms, their Classic Beeswax Lip Balm made with beeswax, vitamin E, and peppermint oil is regarded as the best formula for dry lips. Many devoted users swear by its thick, salve-like texture to penetrate cracked skin and severely hydrate better than other Burt’s Bees varieties. The Original formula has amassed a passionate following for its proven results in softening and smoothing the driest lips.

Q. What is the best lip balm for chapped lips?

Aquaphor Lip Repair is voted the best lip balm for healing painfully chapped lips. Clinically proven to restore softness, Aquaphor’s lip balm contains ultra-emollient ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and vitamin E to nourish, smooth and protect extremely dry, flaky lips. Users say it brings instant soothing relief and mends cracks and damage faster than any other lip balm.

Q. Which lip balm ingredients are most effective?

Shea butter, beeswax, and plant oils like coconut, aloe, sunflower and olive oil deeply moisturize lips. Vitamin E and essential fatty acids nourish the skin barrier. Look for these emollient-rich ingredients!

Q. Can you use lip balm too much?

It’s extremely difficult to “over-use” lip balm. Frequent application encourages absorption and improves hydration. Relieving dryness prevents the cycle of lips overcompensating by producing more oils. Exceptions are formulas with irritants like fragrance or menthol.

Q. Should I use a lip scrub before balm?

Gently exfoliating creates the perfect base for balm uptake by removing dead skin cells. Use a soft lip scrub 1-2 times per week before applying balm. Avoid abrasive scrubs with ingredients like walnut shells.

Q. Which is better for severely dry lips – pot or tube balm packaging?

Thicker balms in pots allow for fingers to scoop out more product as needed for severely chapped lips. The greater exposed surface area also optimizes application. But for convenience, portable tubes work well too.

Q. Can I layer different balms together?

Yes, layering balms is an excellent tactic for custom care! Apply your deeply moisturizing overnight balm first. Follow with a favorite flavored or tinted balm on top for all-day reapplication.

Conclusion

Caring for your lips with nourishing balms is essential, especially during colder months when dry air depletes natural moisture. We recommend keeping multiple emollient-rich lip treatments handy by having tubes in your bag, car, nightstand, office etc. for easy access anytime lips feel tight or parched. Invest in quality balm containing beneficial ingredients like shea and cocoa butters, plant oils, beeswax and protective antioxidants. For the selections we featured here as being the best on the market, you can feel confident they live up to their claims and offer stellar results you’ll see and feel after the first application. With the right lip balm, having a supple, smooth pout all season is just an apply away!