Let’s just say it: nobody likes chapped lips. And yet, they’re so hard to avoid. Your lips are one of the most delicate parts of your body and more susceptible to cracking and drying out—yes, even in the summertime. Licking your lips will only provide a temporary fix, but when that moisture dries up, your lips are left drier than ever. This is where lip balm becomes a necessity.
At ELLE.com, we take our lip balm addictions very seriously. No one wants to end up in a Zoom call with cracked lips when your colleagues are all nursing a collection of the latest and greatest lip balms. The options are endless: From hydration-packed formulas, birthday cake scents, SPF-infused balms, and old faithfuls. Here, 23 lip balms that ELLE editors depend on year-round.
Lip Fetish Noir Lip Balm
“Few things can make me feel both bad and bougie. The two most obvious are of course a fresh set of acrylics and wearing sunglasses in places that don’t call for sunglasses. But the third? It will shock you. Applying Pat McGrath’s lip balm— preferably in the interior mirror of a luxury car but that’s not always available to me. The balm comes in Muva’s signature lipstick casing and is the most luxurious and hydrating blend of argan oil and lychee fruit oil. I apply once and my cracked lips are instantly revived. For those moments when you want your lip balm to turn you into a diva, grab this.”
— Chloe Hall, ELLE.com Beauty Director
Healing Ointment For Dry & Cracked Skin
“No matter how many designer lip balms I’ve stolen from the beauty closet, Aquaphor is the one I consistently reach for. It’s inexpensive, insanely moisturizing, and triples as a cuticle oil and tattoo ointment. I keep a comically large tube on my nightstand and apply it from head to elbow smiley face ink to toes.”
— Justine Carreon, ELLE.com Senior Market Editor
Limited Edition The Kissu Lip Mask
“The products that make it onto my nightstand are sacred to me, and the Kissu Lip Mask by Tatcha has occupied that space for years now. The classic colorless version is near and dear to my heart, but this Red Camellia limited edition is close to usurping the original. It hydrates like nothing else, and gives the perfect tint to my lips that makes lip gloss or lipstick irrelevant.”
— Tatjana Freund, ELLE.com Beauty Commerce Writer
Speak Love Glossy Lip Treatment Oil
“Existing somewhere between a lip balm and lip gloss, Lys Beauty’s Lip Oil is the happy medium I didn’t know I needed. With a blend of oils and vitamin E, this gem nourishes my lips while giving me the glossy, early-aughts shine reminiscent of my favorite beauty supply store lip gloss.”
— Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Beauty Commerce Editor
Lip Sleeping Mask
“I can really only use this at night – it’s heavy and a bit sticky – but it’s the only thing that cures my lips, no matter how cracked or chapped, while I sleep. I love the original berry flavor, but the line now features flavors like vanilla and peppermint that I’ve been eyeing as the temps keep dropping.”
— Kathering Krueger, ELLE.com Features Editor
Baby Lips
“Bury me in Maybelline Baby Lips. Seriously. The super-moisturizing, non-stick balm is like an assassin for dryness and flakiness.”
— Claire Stern, ELLE.com Deputy Digital Editor
Hyaluronic Acid + Peptide Lip Booster
“I often get asked what lipgloss I’m wearing, but to their surprise I have on Paula’s Choice Lip Booster! The added squalane provides extreme shine. Its super soothing, and the metal applicator glides on effortlessly providing a cooling affect that’s perfect in the summer. I wear this under every lipstick to prevent dry flaky lips.”
— Leah Romero, ELLE.com Digital Designer
Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly
“Aren’t all lip balms just a more scented, more expensive version of Vaseline? If all you’re looking for is renewed protection and moisturization, there’s no need to shell out for tinted, inferior versions of the original best lip protectant. Your fave could never.”
— Jessica Roy, ELLE.com Digital Director
Aquaphor Lip Repair & Protect Tube Blister Card Dual Pack
“To be honest, I am more of a lipstick girl than a lip balm one. But Aquaphor is the one exception: It is the only product that has really healed my chapped lips. A beauty editor recommended I try it, and I have never looked back. I use it all the time in the morning, especially in the winter when I’m doing cold runs outdoors. I stick it on my lips and even during my most chapped days, they become smooth shortly after I apply this. This is a drug store miracle product. Sure, there’s no color, but that’s what lipstick is for.”
– Alyssa Bailey, ELLE.com Senior News and Strategy Editor
Lip Frosting
“I may or may not have bought this lip balm because of its name but this ‘lip frosting’ is a GODSEND. It’s packed with all the good stuff—castor oil, coconut oil, mango butter, and candelilla wax—to help restore the lip’s barrier and smells ahhh-mazing.”
— Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Beauty Commerce Editor
Brazilian Kiss Cupuacu Lip Butter
“A lip balm that transports me to Brazil ! It’s hydrating on my dry summer lips while also lasting all day. I apply once in the morning and usually top with a lip tint or gloss. Please refer to me as Gisele moving forward.”
— Chloe Hall, ELLE.com Beauty Director
Moisturizing Lip Balm
“Burts Bees is my go-to. I always keep one in my purse, one at home, and at the desk. I tend to have dry lips so they crack and Burts Bees gives me fast relief and baby smooth lips. The mango flavour is my personal favourite! My lips are ready for summer.”
— Yousra Attia, ELLE.com Photo Editor
Sugar Ruby Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15
“I’ve always loved how smoothly this lip balm goes on, how nice it feels on my lips, and the little pop of color it gives. I tend to look very washed out without any lip color on, so for the days I’m just running out the door with minimal or no makeup, this is a great way to brighten my face. I’m also not a huge fan of super glossy lip balms, so I’ve always appreciated the just-right texture of this one.”
— Alyssa Bailey, ELLE.com Senior News and Strategy Editor
Lano Peach 101 Ointment Multi-Balm
“I fell in love with Lanolips after a friend gifted me the 101 Ointment in a sweet green apple flavor. Lanolips is more than just a dry lip savior. Forgot to apply lotion in the cracks of your fingers? Dry, flaky nose? Cracked cuticles? Lanolips to the rescue!”
— Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Beauty Commerce Editor
Cocoa Butter Formula Swivel Stick
“I realize this looks like a glue stick, but stick with me, friends! This chapstick is gigantic and reasonably priced, plus it smells good and actually works. One of my best friend’s introduced me to this bb in high school, and I’ve never looked back.”
— Madison Feller, Staff Writer
Balm Dotcom in Birthday
“Milk Bar, NYC’s top bakery that brought you Crack Pie and Cereal Milk Soft Serve, collaborated with Glossier to create a new flavor of their cult-favorite balm. This time it smells faintly of vanilla frosting and adds a subtle hint of sparkle. Yes, please.”
— Justine Carreon, ELLE.com Senior Market Editor
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