To all the lip balms I've loved (and lost) before: thank you. Besides curing my dry, chapped pout, you've provided SPF coverage, a touch of color, and even a sweep of gloss every once in a while. To say I miss some of you is an understatement, but I do know that there's always another at the bottom of my bag—and it just might be the best lip balm ever.
Not that you need an excuse to add another tube or tin to your purse, but there are plenty of reasons to wear lip balm regularly. "Lip balm provides minimal shine, making it suitable for both men and women. It also ensures a smoother application for lip liners and lipsticks without altering color or texture," notes celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz. Obviously, it's also more than fine to wear a balm all alone—it can condition your lips, combat dryness, and even impart some interest of its own if it features added color, scent, or texture.
In an endless sea of options, the only problem with a great lip balm is that product loyalty can make it hard to discover the best lip balm. And that's why we're here! Our beauty team has tried and tested almost every single lip balm option out there and spoken with experts to get their opinions as well. Ahead, discover our very favorites.
What to Look For in a Lip Balm
- Hydration
"Think of lip balm as your lips' personal bodyguard. Lip balm protects the lips from the climate and the sun. It helps to moisturize, soften, and soothe the lips from dryness and chapping," says celebrity facialist and aesthetic nurse Natalie Aguilar, who counts a quality lip balm among her top-three daily must-have beauty products. "Plus, lip balm can add a touch of shine, creating a more healthy appearance."
Protecting your lips with a balm—alongside drinking enough water!—helps prevent water loss, saving you from dryness before you even feel it coming.
- Ingredients
If you're looking for a lip balm that'll sit on top of and provide a shield for your lips, try to find an occlusive moisturizer, which works by creating a physical, water-resistant barrier. "Traditional lip balms often contain ingredients like beeswax, carnauba wax, lanolin, or petrolatum,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss previously told Marie Claire. And if you're looking for something that'll sink in? Try shea butter or jojoba oil. “I like to use non-traditional lip balms that melt into your lips for longer lasting hydration," the doctor adds.
- Purpose
For those of you wanting a lip balm for lipstick prep, makeup artist Jonet Williamson has a tip. "Lip balm isn't really a base for lipstick but it does help to prep the lip and should be blotted away before lipstick application," she says. "Having lip balm on under a matte or long-wear lipstick can affect the way it wears and how long it truly lasts, so blotting is important."
The Best Lip Balms
- The Best Overall Lip Balm: Sonsie Basic Balm
- The Best Cult-Favorite Lip Balm: Lucas Papaw Ointment
- The Best Overnight Lip Balm: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
- The Best Editor-Approved Lip Balm: Sisley Paris Nutritive Lip Balm
- The Best Affordable Lip Balm: Blistex Medicated Lip Balm
The Best Overall Lip Balm
The problem with celebrity lip balms isn't that they're not good. (As you'll discover while perusing this list, many of them are even great.) The problem is separating the artist from the art, letting the product shine without making you feel like you're cosplaying whoever stars in the campaign. While it was Pamela Anderson's announcement that she'd signed on as co-founder of indie skincare darling Sonsie that made me try the brand in the first place, I have no doubt I would've stumbled upon their perfect balm regardless. Crafted with 34 percent squalane and creamy sunflower seed wax, the anything-but-basic Basic Balm finishes like a gloss and features locally-sourced ingredients for long-lasting hydration and a silky, sensitive-skin friendly feel. I love its simple white tube, instantaneously hydrating formula, and subtle citrus scent courtesy of yuzu extract. And if you are someone in the market for celeb-inspired cosplay? With her self-satisfaction, gorgeous skin, and way with words, there's no one I'd rather pretend to be than Pamela.
Pros: Immediately hydrating; Long-lasting; Skin-loving ingredients, Fresh scent; Colorless; Glossy finish
Cons: None found
The Best Cult-Favorite Lip Balm
Marie Claire Fashion E-Commerce editor Julia Marzovilla notes that Lucas' Papaw Ointment, an Australian legend that was first made available in the early 1900s, works on just about every skin ailment, from burns to chapped lips. "It's an all-around beauty lifesaver that you need to have on-hand. It’s thick in texture so it’s best applied at night, and comes in a tube rather than a pot," she shares. One note? This stuff is thick. Whether you buy the tube or pot, you'll have to apply it to your finger first.
Pros: Top-rated; Costs less than $20; Can be used all over the body
Cons: Not everyone loves the thick texture
The Best Lip Mask
Available in a number of flavors/colors with limited editions constantly being released, Laneige's cult-favorite Lip Sleeping Mask is beloved for many reasons. "While this may be a mask, it's by no means exclusively for overnight use. I have this on hand at all times," says Marie Claire beauty editor Samantha Holender. "It's deeply hydrating and gives my chapped lips an instant hydration fix. Plus, the high-shine finish can't be beat."
Pros: Editor-approved; Includes ingredients like coconut oil and vitamin C; Top-rated; Can be worn day or night; Comes with an applicator
Cons: None found
The Best Editor-Approved Lip Balm
If you're looking for the "best" of anything, French brand Sisley is a good place to begin your search. (I recently fell in love with their boar bristle brush.) Holender isn't easy to impress, and yet? "This baby repeatedly sends my jaw to the floor," shares the editor. "The formula is unbelievably nourishing, extremely hydrating, and, most notably, stays on overnight. Its unique blend of oils and botanical butters leaves my lips feeling baby soft and looking plumped, regardless of the temperature or the wind. It'll be by my side all winter long."
Pros: Editor-approved; Lasts a long time; Great for very dry lips
Cons: Expensive
The Best Affordable Lip Balm
Classics are classics for a reason, and this classic sells for just $1 a pop. "I test my fair share of lip balms, but I always, without fail, go back to this one," shares Holender. "It leaves no film whatsoever, has a slight menthol feel, and keeps everything smooth. I'm a big fan of applying it over my lipstick for a subtle shine." Grab it because you already love it, or because it was specifically formulated for dryness, cracking, and soreness with SPF 15 as an added bonus.
Pros: Costs less than $20; Editor-approved; Top-rated; Includes ingredients like cocoa butter; Comes in a 3-pack
Cons: Heavily-scented
Also Recommended
The Best Tinted Lip Balm
What happens when a lip stain and a lip gloss fall in love? This baby. "The stain-gloss formula is perfectly hydrating, not at all sticky, and comes in 12 bright shades—including everything from a basic clear option to one with a pale rose tint to a deep wine hue—that are so sheer and pretty, they'll look good on every skin tone," notes Marzovilla. A mainstay in the makeup bags of celebrities like Meghan Markle, it also comes in a handy tube and has nearly 1000 five-star reviews on Sephora’s website (we're counting). "With its low shine and waxy texture, it's perfect for both men and women," adds Loiz of the clear version. "It effectively hydrates, moisturizes, and soothes dry or irritated lips, all while leaving a subtle sweet sugar scent that my clients love."
Pros: Editor-approved; Expert-approved; Wide shade range; Top-rated
Cons: Has a strong scent
The Best Tinned Lip Balm
The sweetly perfumed Rosebud Salve was my first special product buy after I discovered Emma Watson was into it (I was deep in my sixth grade Harry Potter phase); I'd buy it with cash from the Anthropologie checkout bins. It's also been a mainstay in Marzovilla's handbag since she was old enough to buy anything with her own money. "I love the subtle pink tint it leaves behind, the ultra-hydrating texture, and, of course, the size—It's nearly impossible to scratch the bottom of it despite the fact that I use it daily," shares the editor. "The hydration lasts forever, but I love to reapply throughout the day for a naturally glossy finish. It really coats the lips evenly and leaves behind a shine, too.”
Pros: Costs less than $20; Editor-approved; Top-rated
Cons: Strong floral scent may not be everyone's cup of tea; Tin can be tricky to open
The Best Glowy Lip Balm
Beauty editors are positively obsessed with Dior's Lip Glow balms, and the internet is in fierce agreement. Not too shiny nor too sticky and available in an impressive array of sheer shades, it leaves your lips with the absolute prettiest glow (sorry, but that's the best word for it). Paired with its glossy sister Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, my "rosewood"-shaded tube is a constant presence in my purse—even though its long-lastingness would make it fine to leave at home.
Pros: Available in multiple sheer colors; Promises 24-hour hydration
Cons: Expensive
The Best Internet-Famous Lip Balm
The secret is out: I love Rhode's lip treatments so much that I'm coveting the matching phone case. Created for plump, pillowy-soft lips, Hailey Bieber's signature lip product leaves lips glossy while nourishing and moisturizing the skin underneath. I love each and every color and each and every scent, but the unscented original is a clear (truly!) winner. I like it best as a gloss, shining up anything I add underneath. And if you want a makeup pro's opinion? Williamson, who has a self-described "lip balm obsession," is all about the salted caramel version.
Pros: A great array of scents and colors; Glossy finish; Costs less than $20; Internet famous
Cons: Often sold out
The Best French Lip Balm
Behold: the product a friend said turned her "into a monster" after I gave her my list of French skincare recs. You're welcome, Maggie.
"For most of my life, Vaseline was my go-to lip product, I was practically raised on how multi-purpose it is, and the price point and efficacy can't be beaten. I changed my tune when a friend returned from a trip to Paris and brought this back for me," adds Marie Claire art director Brittany Holloway-Brown. "This balm is more of a lip mask than anything, moisturizing and long-lasting. It's super thick due to the honey and shea butter, and the fragrance of lavender and citrus is a beautiful touch. It's the perfect final step to my nighttime winter skincare routine. It makes me feel like royalty."
Pros: Costs less than $20; Formula contains shea butter; Great for overnight wear; Has a light scent
Cons: None found
The Best Light Lip Balm
Marie Claire Associate Social Media Director Lucia Tonelli is all about Naturopathica's Sweet Cherry Conditioning Lip Butter, which she found after falling in love with the brand's Sweet Cherry Enzyme Peel. "I immediately sleuthed for similar products," she shares. Enter: this soothing, light balm. "Unlike other balms, which can feel great when applying but need frequent reapplication, this product becomes more effective the longer you use it," adds Tonelli. "I like to apply it, wait a few minutes, and top it with Vaseline to lock in all the moisture."
Pros: Moisturizing; Has a light smell; Formula contains Moringa seed oil; Long-lasting; Great for wearing overnight
Cons: None found
The Best Top-Rated Lip Balm
Marzovilla is known to keep a tube (or two) of Burt's Bees signature product in her work bag. "It's great for days when I just want something that I know is going to work. Plus, the scent (which is on the stronger side) is so iconic that I instantly feel transported back to my younger days," she says. "The texture is more waxy than balmy, which means that it won't cause the products I layer on top to slip and slide throughout the day."
Pros: Affordable; Comes in many different shades and scents; Top-rated; Editor-approved; SPF 30
Cons: None found
The Best Cocoa Butter Lip Balm
When a lip balm claims to be "like Vaseline," you know a baseline for hydration has been established. "I have these Vaseline lip therapy tins in three different formulas: aloe, rose, and, of course, cocoa butter. Each formulation has a subtle, pleasant scent, and coats my lips with hydration without making them feel slimy," shares Marie Claire Beauty Writer Gabrielle Ulubay. "These balms are also perfect slathering on tiny cuts and dry patches, and I love using them on my upper lip to soothe redness after an at-home wax."
Pros: Costs less than $20; Editor-approved; Top-rated; Lightly-scented; Skin-loving ingredients
Cons: None found
The Best Scented Lip Balm
Do you remember where you were when you first heard of Summer Fridays' Lip Butter Balm? If *right here* is your answer, I'm so happy you've finally made such a grand discovery. "Working in beauty, there's a lot of products that come across your desk. However, this one from Summer Fridays stopped me in my tracks because of how instantly hydrating it felt on my lips," says Marzovilla. "Plus, the glossy finish is stunning. 10/10 reviews from me! I love the scent of this one, but be forewarned—it’s definitely on the stronger side. Also, I love how easy it is to apply. I could literally do it in my sleep at this point.”
Pros: Top-rated; Editor-approved; Available in multiple scents; Can be applied day or night
Cons: The texture can be too sticky for some
The Best Refillable Lip Balm
Colorless and therefore universally flattering, Prada's simple and chic lip balm was developed to deliver a natural matte finish (a rare find in the glossy world of lip balms!) and up to 24 hours of lip comfort with jojoba oil and bifidus extract. Refillable and luxurious, there's a good reason the brand chose the balm as one of their first products when they launched their color cosmetics line in January 2024: it was crafted to be a lifetime favorite and needed to be put into your hands immediately.
Pros: Refillable; Universally flattering; Moisturizing
Cons: Expensive
The Best Skin-Loving Lip Balm
Augustinus Bader is an expert at mixing innovation with luxury; I pick up their products because they feel amazing before even realizing what great things they can do for my skin. Formulated with the brand's proprietary ingredient, TFC8®, The Lip Balm was created to dramatically improve moisture retention, helping your lips appear plump, smooth, supple, and youthful. It's giving "perfectly prepped for your first kiss," which I personally find quite enchanting.
Pros: Skin-loving ingredients; Moisturizing; Innovative
Cons: Expensive
The Best Glossy Lip Balm
Another favorite of Williamson's, ILIA's Lip Wrap provides "long-lasting hydration without feeling greasy, like a lip mask that you can wear all day." With ingredients like hyaluronic acid (which seals in moisture from the air) and prickly pear oil (which moisturizes and protects the skin barrier for long-term hydration), this baby comes in a handy tube rather than a pot like other lip balms of the same consistency.
Pros: Has a glossy finish; Skin-loving ingredients; Easy application; Can be used day or night
Cons: Costs over $20; Some reviewers find it sticky
The Best Lip Balm with SPF
Celebrities like Beyoncé and Gwyneth Paltrow have long sworn by Aquaphor for its ability to keep their lips feeling consistently soft and plush. "I’ve found that this ultra-rich lip balm from the brand is best used at night due to the stickier, thicker texture and consistency, and can be applied to the general lip area (above the lips and around the chin) if you find that area also gets red and sore during the colder months," shares Marzovilla.
Pros: Costs less than $20; Includes ingredients like shea butter; Unscented; Contains SPF 30
Cons: Some reviewers find the texture too sticky
Best Classic Lip Balm
It's #1!!! With skin-loving ingredients like squalane, aloe, and vitamin E, Kiehl's Since 1851's beloved unscented #1 Moisturizing Lip Treatment soothes and smooths your lips while providing all kinds of moisture. Providing you with a juicy finish, the thick texture makes it a great sleeping mask, plus its scent is virtually undetectable—you can let your favorite perfume do all the talking (or go scent-free, if you're trying to drift off to sleep).
Pros: Costs less than $20; Unscented; Easy to apply; Hydrating
Cons: Some reviewers find the texture oily
The Best Luxe Lip Balm
Don't hate Marzovilla for including a $80 lip balm on her list of favorites—La Mer's is that good. "This is an opportunity for you to embrace 'put your money where your mouth is,' quite literally," shares the editor. "La Mer has this innovative ingredient called 'Miracle Broth,' which is a mixture of sea kelp, minerals, and nutrients that has gone through a natural fermentation process to leave your lips feeling ridiculously smooth, soothed, and hydrated. In other words, this lip balm is legit the best one that money can buy."
Pros: Top-rated; Editor-approved; Feels luxurious
Cons: Expensive
What Causes Dry, Chapped Lips?
Dry lips aren't a winter-only issue. You can place blame on the weather, licking your lips, or the fact that you forgot your precious water bottle (yes, I've bought into the Stanley Quencher hype) at home yesterday.
"We often forget that the sun, wind, and heaters can cause dry, chapped lips. But I mostly notice that my clients have drier and less plump lips when they're not drinking as much water or fluids as they should be," Aguilar says. "It's important to gently remind ourselves that lips need a little extra TLC to stay smooth and hydrated."
Dr. Idriss adds that, while use of topical skincare products like retinoids or Accutane can also be culprits, the biggest cause of dry lips is...your very own tongue.
"By licking your lips, moisture is drawn out of them, causing them to dry faster. If you want hydrated, nourished lips, this is one habit you should try to break," she shares.
How Often to Apply Lip Balm
Aguilar says that lip balm should be applied as often as you check your emails. "I like to apply my lip balm at least every one to two hours," she notes. "Or, for dry/cracked lips, every time you swipe up to unlock your phone, swipe on some lip balm too!"
Loiz adds that, if you're prepping your lips for makeup, you should opt for a silky, waxy balm instead of a glossy formula: "This way, it won't interfere with the lip products you apply afterward."
Meet The Experts
Renée Loiz is a top celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert with over 20 years in the industry. Renée is best known for her work with celebrities including Quinta Brunson, Cynthia Erivo, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Sherry Cola, Adele, Chelsea Peretti, Uzo Aduba, Danai Gurira, Thuso Mbedu, and Jaylon Barron.
When she’s not creating press-worthy red carpet and editorial looks for famous faces, Renee can be found working with renowned international brands such as NARS, Beauty Blender, Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel, Sephora, J.Crew, Disney, Target, BuzzFeed, Adidas, and Warner Brothers.
Her industry expertise and artistry are regularly tapped by the top fashion publications including InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Essence, EBONY, People, L’Officiel, Who What Wear, Vanity Fair, The Zoe Report, Allure, and featured on Saturday Night Live.
She is also known as the founder of Color May Vary—the ultimate guide to the best black-owned brands for beauty enthusiasts. After launching, Color May Vary was recognized by Ulta Beauty in an initiative to celebrate inspirational Black voices, and won a Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Award. She continues to spread positive change in the beauty industry by representing the underrepresented.
LA-based licensed aesthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar – a true “skin therapist” – works with many celebrities to keep them looking camera-ready. As the founder of N4 Skincare, Natalie brings 19 years of experience to her practice. She spent years training and learning from the best, where she mastered highly sensitive and technical treatments. Combining her medical knowledge with skincare, she also serves as a global educator for others in the skincare industry.
Dr. Shereene Idriss is a leading board-certified dermatologist on a mission to demystify the world of skincare and cosmetic procedures. Over years of posting myth busting videos to social media from her bed, she's become known as the #PillowtalkDerm, amassing a global community of 3M+ Nerds.
As beauty influencers, Marianna and Lauren have been sent every product imaginable. After years of sifting through, comparing and testing each formula, they were still left desiring a line of products that ticks all the boxes: easy-to-use, clean ingredients, immediately satisfying, and so pretty you'd want them on display.Their first product, Jet Lag Mask, is the ultimate multi-tasking product for busy lives. An award-winning, one-of-a-kind hydrating cream face mask (which, by the way, doubles as a moisturizer, eye cream, and hand cream) that leaves skin looking gorgeous whether you're hopping off a plane or just running out the door.Today, Summer Fridays is a growing collection of products that continue to give us what we are missing—beauty, efficacy and simplicity—while inviting us into sensorial experiences that are nothing short of dreamy escapes. Like daily mini stay-cations for your skin. Enjoy!
Makeup artist Jonet Williamson discovered her love for art at a very early age. While growing up in New Orleans, one of the world's most eclectic and inspiring cities, Jonet was admitted into the gifted art program of her magnet high school. Here is where she began to master color theory, symmetry, texture, and innovation. From paint brushes to makeup brushes, she has used those same skills to solidify her style as a pro within the beauty industry.
In 2005, Jonet began her journey in beauty working as a makeup artist for M.A.C. Cosmetics. Here the feeling of connecting with other women and helping them see the beauty within themselves became her greatest passion.
With a willingness to learn and an eye for perfection Jonet moved to New York City in 2014 determined to further her artistry and career. Since then, her work has been featured in commercial campaigns (Dolce & Gabanna, Levis, Shea Moisture), editorials (Essence, L'Officiel), and tv & film productions (CBS, MTV, TNT).
Drawing influence from the art of painting her style is a fusion of hyper real skin, modern beauty elements, and abstract expressionism. Jonet Williamson also works closely with brands on content creation (Revlon, Shiseido, L'Oreal, Beauty Counter) and product development. If you follow her online you can expect to see lots of fresh skin, a vibrant use of color, striking graphic liner shapes, and soft glam looks fit for a red carpet.
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Sophia Vilensky is a freelance beauty writer at Marie Claire, where she writes about the latest and greatest skincare launches, hair colors, and Cardi B manicures. Her work can also be found at Byrdie, Bravo, and Us Weekly. You can find her on Instagram @sophiavilensky.
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