Top 5 Lip Balms for 2025: Tested in Harsh Conditions

Compare Top 5 Lip Balms

Honorable Mentions

Eos 24H Moisture Super Balm for $6: I’ve loved Eos’s egg-shaped balms since middle school, and this 24H Moisture Super Balm is like the adult version. It includes great ingredients such as shea butter, avocado oil, and castor seed oil. Plus, it’s free of parabens, phthalates, silicones, and synthetic dyes. The balm offers a glossy, cushiony texture and comes in yummy scents like Coconut Milk, Mango Melonade, and Watermelon Frosé. Just a heads up: it’s not fragrance-free, so it might not be the best choice for those with sensitive lips. Its sticky texture means your hair could end up in your mouth on windy days, and despite the 24-hour moisture claim, you might still need to reapply every hour or two.

Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm for $4: If you’re conscious about ingredients, you’ve probably had Burt’s Bees at some point. The original blend features beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and peppermint oil. There are no petroleum products or parabens, and it’s widely available. However, while the beeswax creates a decent barrier, it may not provide enough hydration during harsh winter months. It coats but doesn’t really penetrate, so it might not do much for chapped lips. Plus, the peppermint oil can be a bit too intense for sensitive lips. Still, it’s a solid choice if you find yourself at CVS in need of a quick fix—definitely better than Blistex (more on that in a bit).

Glossier Balm Dotcom for $16: The Glossier Balm Dotcom paved the way for Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. This multipurpose salve combines lanolin, castor oil, and beeswax for maximum moisture retention. It also comes in a range of sheer tints, perfect for those no-makeup makeup looks. However, the thick, waxy texture can feel a bit clumpy, especially if your lips are flaky.

Goop Beauty Nourishing Lip Repair Mask for $30: This rich lip mask is packed with ceramides to help restore your lip barrier, along with fig seed oil and acai fruit giving it a tropical scent. It avoids silicones, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, but the natural oils and fruit extracts could still cause reactions, so do a patch test first. And at $30 for just 0.3 fluid ounces, it’s definitely not the most budget-friendly option.

Omorovicza Budapest Perfecting Lip Balm for $46: The texture of Omorovicza’s balm is a bit gritty, almost like a lip polish or micro-exfoliator. It offers beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid and omega fatty acids, but also includes potentially irritating extras like eucalyptus oil, perfume, and benzyl alcohol.

Avoid These Lip Balms

Nivea Dewy Lip Care with Hyaluronic Acid: While Nivea’s Dewy Lip Care is rich in emollients, humectants, and antioxidants such as shea butter and vitamin E, it also contains unnecessary additives like geraniol fragrance and mystery “flavors.” The tinted versions can leave a greasy film and rely on synthetic pigments. There are definitely better options out there that provide long-lasting hydration without excessive shine.

Blistex Lip Medex: With its instant cooling sensation thanks to menthol and camphor, plus a mix of synthetic flavors, this balm sounds appealing but that sting is a warning sign. Generally, “medicated” lip balms tend to cause more problems than they solve.

Carmex Classic Lip Balm: For the same reasons as Blistex, you might want to skip Carmex. It contains camphor and benzocaine, both of which can irritate the skin and worsen cracked lips over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Chapped Lips?

There are several triggers for chapped lips, including:

• Cold weather and dry air: These conditions strip moisture from your skin and stiffen keratin, the protein that keeps your lips hydrated.
• Lip licking: Licking your lips may provide temporary relief, but it breaks down your natural barrier, leading to irritation and hyperpigmentation.
• Allergic reactions: Some ingredients in lip balms can trigger allergies, worsening dryness and peeling. Common culprits include castor oil, fragrances, dyes, and preservatives.
• Sun exposure: Your lips are thinner and have less pigment, making them more susceptible to UV damage. This can lead to painful dryness or precancerous spots.
• Tobacco smoke: Smoking increases the risks of glandular cheilitis, causing swelling and cracks while raising the chance of infections and lip cancer.
• Medications: Certain medications, including some antidepressants and retinoids, can lead to dry mouth.
• Underlying conditions: Autoimmune issues like lupus or eczema may first show symptoms on your lips. If your condition persists despite using balms, consult a dermatologist.

What Ingredients Should You Look for (and Avoid) In Lip Balms?

When shopping for lip balms, here’s what you should look for:

• Emollients: Ingredients like castor oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil help repair and smooth chapped lips.
• Occlusives: These create a barrier to lock in moisture. Petroleum jelly and beeswax are solid options.
• Humectants: Look for ingredients that draw water to your lips, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and honey.
• Antioxidants: Ingredients such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and niacinamide aid in skin repair and protection from free radicals.
• SPF protection: When choosing a balm, opt for formulations with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to protect against sun damage.

And here’s what to avoid:

• Synthetic fragrances and flavors: Scents, even if they sound pleasant, can irritate your lips, especially if you’re sensitive.
• Menthol, camphor, and cooling agents: These can worsen dryness over time.

When to See a Dermatologist

The American Academy of Dermatology advises that if your lips remain chapped after two to three weeks of using balm, it’s time to consult a dermatologist. They can help identify any underlying issues, like an allergic reaction or fungal infection, and provide appropriate treatment.

My lip balm obsession began around 2006 with a Fanta Lip Smacker, but for this review, I took a more systematic approach. Over the last eight months, I tested 30 lip balms across different climates—like Chicago’s dry winters and Florida’s heat. I evaluated each one based on several criteria:

• Ingredients: I looked for moisturizing components and flagged anything that might irritate lips, such as synthetic fragrances or menthol.
• Texture: I assessed how each formula applied, wore throughout the day, and layered over other lip products. Anything too waxy, greasy, or that wore off quickly didn’t make the cut.
• Packaging and application: I tested tubes, tins, and sticks, rating them on portability and ease of use.
• Range: This guide covers everything from drugstore finds to luxury treatments, including tinted and SPF options.

What Are We Testing Next?

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