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19 of the best lip balms for dry lips
From budget-friendly balms to luxury lip products, these are the best balms for a dry pout
Dry lips are the bane of our lives at any time of year and a cracked sore pout can be uncomfortable and flaky. Investing in a good lip balm can help to kick dryness to the curb, so whether you like a tinted option or a clear finish, Prima's got you covered with our pick of the best products on the market.
Best lip balm for dry lips
Finding your perfect lip balm can feel like a mission with so many options to choose from. There are lip balms that come with added colour that are ideal for wearing with makeup, SPF lip balms, and good old no-frills lip balms that get to work fast. On the budget end of the scale, brands such as Eucerin and La Roche Posay offer hard-working and deeply nourishing options such as the famous Cicaplast Baume B5, while at the luxury end of the spectrum, La Mer's The Lip Balm leads the way. If you're a lipstick lover, then you can swap to a colour-filled balm instead to keep your pout from drying out.
While it may seem superficial, don't forget that choosing lip balm in packaging that suits your needs is also important. If you're on the go a lot, then opting for a stick lip balm may be more hygienic and convenient, while at home one in a pot might be ideal for your night time routine.
Best lip balm with SPF
If you've been thinking about investing in a lip balm with SPF to add to your beauty routine, then there are plenty of options on the market. As many beauty buffs will tell you, SPF in skincare shouldn't just be reserved for the warmer months. Brands such as Bondi Sands, Beauty Pie, and Elizabeth Arden all offer lip balms with varying ranges of SPF protection, and we especially love the Malin + Goetz SPF30 option for regular use. Oh, and if your hair is really suffering during at the moment, then don't forget to check out our round-up of the best coconut oils too.
If you're in the market for a new lip balm, whatever your budget or preference, read on for our pick of the best from the high street and beyond...
A personal favourite, I wouldn't be without this reasonably-priced lip balm from La Roche Posay. Don't be fooled by the no-frills packaging, as this gets straight to work on a parched pout. This under-£10 buy acts as a physical and biological barrier treatment which soothes and cleverly prevents future chapping too.
Chances are you've heard of Lanolips' multipurpose ointment. Not only can this product be used on chapped lips, but it's also suitable for small dry patches of skin and cuticles, meaning it's a great option for chucking in your handbag when you don't want to carry your body moisturiser around. Containing ultra medical grade Lanonlin, this clever product can hold 200% of its weight in moisture.
One of the lip balms I currently have on rotation is this chocolate-scented one from Ethique. Thick-feeling and nourishing, it's helped my dry lips to stay moisturised and flake-free despite a cold snap. What's more, if you're not familiar with the brand, the packaging is compostable.
This intensive lip balm calms irritated, chapped lips. Containing panthenol, liquorice extract and primrose oil, this comforting lip balm is ideal for putting on before lipstick or it can be worn alone and topped up throughout the day as needed.
If you love slicking on a lip balm that feels super luxe, then look no further than this one from revolutionary skincare brand Augustinus Bader. It's definitely an investment, but this balm helps to improve the tone and texture of your pout, while also defending against environmental stressors that impact your skin.
Infused with hydration hugging hyaluronic acid, Charlotte Tilbury's lipstick balms give a wash of colour without drying out your pout. Available in a variety of shades including the iconic Pillow Talk, it conditions lips while also feeling smooth to apply. The addition of C-peptide helps to give your pout a youthful-looking finish.
If you've never tried Glossier's universal skin salve then you're missing out. It comes in plenty of scents and tints, meaning if you want a balm to wear to work or out and about, this could be the one for you. It contains antioxidants and natural emollients, and gets to work quickly on chapped lips.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm SPF20
There's a reason that Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour range has stood the test of time, and this popular SPF20 lip balm is another option we rate. Although the SPF could be higher, this balm does pack a punch, sealing in moisture and helping to repair super dry lips.
Available in a variety of colours, KIKO Milano's moisturising tinted balms are ideal if you simply can't bear to be without your lippy but want the moisturising finish of a balm. They give a subtle glossy finish, while also containing vitamins A,E and C.
Got extremely dry skin on your lips that is prone to flaking? This budget-friendly buy from O'Keeffe's contains cherry oil and vitamin E to create a barrier on the lips and provide relief from sore, cracked skin.
Ok, so this one comes with a seriously luxe price point but if you're after a treat or a special gift, then look no further. This pot is rather dressing table-worthy, but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, it's also a seriously lovely balm that uses minerals to strengthen the skin's barrier and protect against environmental damage. Containing La Mer's Miracle Broth, it also boasts age defying and inflammation reducing properties. We'd apply it morning and night with our moisturiser.
the body shop Almond Milk Lip Care Stick
This budget-friendly lip balm is designed for dry, sensitive lips. A moisture-rich option, the blend of almond milk, shea butter and coconut oil is great for a hydration hit on the go.
If you've ever tried Weleda's Skin Food moisturiser, then you'll probably be pleased to hear that it's also available in a lip balm version. This ultra nourishing balm has botanical extracts to soothe and repair a weather and lipstick-beaten pout.
Containing SPF30, this offering from Malin + Goetz softens and hydrates thirsty lips. It boasts a fresh spearmint scent and the inclusion of vitamin E for a boost of antioxidants, leaving your pout in good hands. Apply as part of your everyday skincare routine and top up regularly throughout the day.
This honey lip balm feels so irresistibly soft and smooth, you'll have to hold back from going through the whole pot in one sitting. Made from honey and precious oil, your lips will be left feeling ultra-nourished in no time.
We love Fresh's tinted lip balm, with its moreish buttery texture that feels lush on the lips. Infused with sugar and plant-based fruit oils, including upcycled cranberry seed oil, it gives dry lips the kiss of life – and a nice burst of colour too.
You can't beat some classic Carmex to soothe, relieve and rehydrate your chapped lips. Best applied before and after lipstick application to preserve and restore moisture. Mwah!
Quench parched lips with Drunk Elephant's nourishing lip balm. Made from an antioxidant- and fatty-acid-rich blend of shea butter, avocado oil and cranberry seed oil, plus peptides and sea fern algae, Lippe also gives a pumper look as well as soothing and moisturising.
This glide-on oil-gel offers nourishing moisturisation to even the most delicate of lips. The formula contains a blend of vegetable-derived emollients to help smooth and soften the skin and give your lips a shimmer.
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