There's nothing comfortable (or fun) about flaky, peeling, or dry lips, which is why we stay well-stocked with the best lip balms for chapped lips. You can trust we've tried every beauty product under the sun: medicated balms, do-it-all salves, SPF-spiked formulas, exfoliating scrubs—we've even slapped on overnight masks made just for your pout.
If your current lip balm isn't doing it for you anymore, it's time to make a switch—most likely to something simpler. Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, has previously compared lip balms to quenching your thirst with a can of soda. "You drink something that appeals to the senses with no nutritional value, and shortly thereafter, you are still thirsty," she explains. "The same thing goes for balms loaded with flavor, fragrance, and menthol." That doesn't mean you have to completely avoid tasty or tingly balms; in fact, there are a few we really love on this list. Just be sure to pay attention to what is and isn't working for you. Below, we're sharing the best lip-care products we've tried to date, including Best of Beauty winners (hey, Nécessaire and Summer Fridays). Happy swiping!
Best Overall: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Why it's worth it: When you want the deep hydration of an overnight mask but the lightweight feel of a lip gloss, reach for Summer Fridays’ Lip Butter Balm—a 2023 and 2024 Best of Beauty Award winner and a TikTok staple. This buttery balm started with a single Vanilla flavor and has since expanded to 10 shades and scents, including cozy Brown Sugar, juicy Cherry, and shimmery Birthday Cake. The formula packs emollients like shea and murumuru seed butters to condition dry lips, as well as vegan waxes that smooth uneven texture and lock in moisture for hours. It delivers a glossy, plush finish that feels less like makeup and more like skin care.
Best Multipurpose: Glossier Balm Dot Com
Why it's worth it: When Glossier first debuted, it did so with just four products—and one of them quickly became the now-iconic Balm Dotcom. The multipurpose salve became an instant classic for its glossy finish, long-lasting moisture, and minimalist packaging. While it was reformulated in 2023, Glossier’s loyal community (which has always been central to the brand) demanded the original back, and the brand listened. The OG formula returns with castor seed oil to deeply nourish, beeswax to seal in hydration, and lanolin to soften and protect dry, cracked skin. And while it’s made for lips, Glossier encourages using it anywhere you need extra moisture (think cuticles, elbows, or any dry patch that needs a little TLC).
Best for Sensitive Skin: Nécessaire The Lip Balm
Why it’s worth it: Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and approved by the National Eczema Association—if you have sensitive skin, those phrases are music to your ears. Nécessaire The Lip Balm, a 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner, checks all those boxes and then some. The formula blends niacinamide, essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and Centella asiatica extract into a base of luxe shea butter to restore and strengthen the lips’ delicate skin. “It’s made without synthetic fragrances and uses only skin-beneficial ingredients that hydrate, smooth, and protect,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Miami. “Its clear, semi-gloss finish delivers immediate relief for dry, chapped lips.” A hint of pure mint oil adds freshness with every swipe, while the cooling metal tip soothes on contact.
Best for Peeling Lips: Eadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm
Why it's worth it: Eadem's Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm has taken over our social feeds, and we're here to confirm the buzz surrounding this jelly-like balm is well-deserved. The biggest star factor comes from the gentle exfoliating ingredients, hibiscus enzymes, and lactic acid, which elevate this from a regular lip balm to one that actually helps treat chapped lips and leaves your lips looking smoother than ever. “Anyone with dry, peeling lips or anyone looking for exfoliation would like this formula, which has alpha hydroxy acids and peptides that help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and plump the skin in the lips,” Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Alabama, previously explained. The cooling metal applicator adds an extra soothing touch, as well as softening Brazilian açaí and African mongongo butters, formula-wise.
Best Pigmented: Chanel Rouge Coco Baume Satin Lip Balm
Why it’s worth it: Listed under “everyday luxury” in our proverbial beauty dictionary, you'll find Chanel's Rouge Coco Baume Satin Lip Balm. We love how classic the shade range is, from barely-there neutrals to richer berry tones: Each hue starts sheer but is very buildable, so you can customize your finish. Not sure where to start? One editor called 914 Natural Charm her perfect nude lipstick. The satin, your-lips-but-better finish is supported by ingredients such as squalane, olive fruit oil/leaves, and shea butter, which keep lips feeling soft and comfortable all day long.
Best Under-$10: Nyx Professional Makeup Smushy Matte Lip Balm
Why it’s worth it: A matte lip balm? We get it—it sounds like an oxymoron. But Nyx Professional Makeup’s Smushy Matte Lip Balm somehow makes it make sense. This is your classic balm feel, reimagined with a plush, blurred, and soft-matte finish. The texture lives up to the name—pillowy and cushiony, thanks to a silicone-rich base that glides on seamlessly and wraps lips in comfort without ever feeling dry. Mochi-inspired rice powder gives a diffused effect, while sugar ceramides and shea butter lock in moisture, keeping lips smooth and hydrated. The smushy applicator (truly, no better word for it) and subtly sweet scents make the whole experience feel a little more fun and playful. According to our tester, it’s the definition of low-effort, high impact.
Best for Discoloration: S'able Labs Moringa Lip Salve
Why it’s worth it: Far from just another celebrity beauty brand, S’able Labs’ Moringa Lip Salve makes lip care feel personal. Created by actors Sabrina and Idris Elba, the brand is designed for melanated skin, specifically addressing concerns like uneven lip tone and discoloration that are often overlooked. The Lip Salve draws on Sabrina’s Somali heritage, spotlighting African ingredients like moringa seed oil—the so-called “miracle tree”—paired with ultra-nourishing castor oil, antioxidant-rich marula oil, and prickly pear seed oil for a formula that feels equal parts treatment and indulgence. There’s also the addition of licorice root extract, known for reducing discoloration over time. The base provides a cushiony, gloss-like slip, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate keep lips soft and hydrated.
Best Plumping: Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment
Why it's worth it: If you haven't already gathered, peptides are an excellent ingredient for those who want plumper lips instantly—without any sting. (Basically, all of us!) Ole Henricksen’s Pout Preserve Lip Treatment has been an editor-favorite for years now, even picking up a 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award for best daytime balm. This cushiony formula features not one, but two peptides (palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 and palmitoyl tripeptide-1) to lend lips a fuller look, while a nourishing blend of kokum butter, mango seed butter, and cloudberry oil provides additional softening, moisture-boosting benefits. And don't get us started on the yummy scents: Crème Brûlèe, Strawberry Sorbet, and Vanilla Bonbon (as well as occasional limited-edition colors) have us hooked.
Best K-Beauty: Unleashia Sunset Dazzle Gloss Balm
Why it’s worth it: The popular K-beauty brand Unleashia may be better known for their viral Glitterpedia Eye Palettes packed with sparkle, but don’t worry—there’s no glitter in the Sunset Dazzle Gloss Balm. And yet, it still shines. Instead of shimmer, you’re getting that signature K-beauty high-gloss, glassy finish thanks to a plush blend of emollients that melt into lips with a cushiony, almost lacquer-like slip. What gives it that K-beauty edge is the makeup-meets-treatment approach: Peptides, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and yuzu extract smooth, soften, and add antioxidant support.
Best with SPF: Supergoop Glow Gloss SPF 40 Lip Balm
Why it’s worth it: Lips are one of the easiest places to forget SPF, but they’re also one of the most vulnerable, thanks to thinner skin and minimal natural protection from UV rays. Supergoop’s Glow Gloss SPF 40 Lip Balm makes daily lip protection feel like a treat. "Using lip balms with sunscreen can also help prevent cold sores, as sun exposure can cause these spots to appear," Sejal Shah, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, told Allure. This glossy balm uses a blend of chemical filters (and yes, formulas like these are designed with the expectation that a small amount will be ingested throughout the day) to deliver high-level, broad-spectrum protection while leaving lips with a high-shine finish. Beyond SPF, it’s all about lip care with a mix of coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil to soften and smooth, plus vitamin E and bisabolol for antioxidant and soothing support. There’s even a peptide (palmitoyl tripeptide-38) in the mix to nourish lips further.
Best Balm-Meets-Gloss: Polite Society Polite Pout Glossy Lip Balm
Why it's worth it: Sure, a viral product might grab our attention, but it takes a lot more to keep us hooked. At first swipe, Polite Society’s Polite Pout Glossy Lip Balm delivers that juicy, high-shine finish you want from a gloss, but the real draw is how comfortable and non-sticky it feels. Credit a nourishing blend of sunflower, jojoba, hazelnut, and soybean oils, which soften and condition lips, plus vitamin E for antioxidant support. The shades (and flavors) make it even more fun to swipe on—whether you go for French Caramel, Bumbleberry, Cinnamon Churro, Jelly Bean, or Peach Bellini (which has a hint of shimmer), there’s really no wrong choice.
Best for Barrier Support: Personal Day Emotional Support Lip Balm
Why it’s worth it: Founded by actress Lili Reinhart, Personal Day was born from her own struggles with sensitive skin and her mission to create skin care that’s as gentle as it is effective. Enter the Emotional Support Lip Balm, a.k.a. your lip’s comfort companion. It gives lips that just-right mix of high shine and moisture that actually lasts, thanks to hyaluronic acid (which pulls in hydration like a magnet) and squalane (which locks it in, even if a little bit swipes off with your morning coffee). Aloe vera instantly soothes dryness, while jojoba, camellia, and almond oils keep your lips plush and soft all day.
Read more ways to take your makeup to the next level:
- 8 Best Long-Lasting Lipsticks That Won’t Melt Off by Lunchtime
- 12 Best Eyeliners for Smudging, Flicking, and Tightlining Galore
- 11 Best Dewy Foundations for Skin That Looks as Plump as a Dumpling
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