The 20 Best Lip Balms, According to Byrdie Editors Who Tested Dozens

Best Overall

OleHenriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment

$22 at Sephora $22 at kohls.com View on Olehenriksen.com

Key Ingredients: Mango seed butter, cloudberry oil, peptides | Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Formulated with a blend of nourishing seed butters, cloudberry oil for moisture and antioxidants, and peptides (aka the building blocks of proteins that help support collagen production), this balm moisturizes your lips and adds a glossy shine. It also has tocopherol (i.e. vitamin E) in it, which is a highly effective ingredient in lip balms because it “has great restorative properties and helps heal dry, cracked skin,” says Dr. Naana Boakye MD, MPH, FAAD. The buttery-smooth texture is the perfect middle ground between lightweight and thick, making it plush, comfortable, and easy to layer with other lip products.

We adored how soft it made our lips feel, and it offered longer-lasting hydration than a lot of the other options we tested. We also enjoyed the different shades and scents—each one was subtle but added a little something special to the user experience. The creamy, non-sticky, and ultra-hydrating formula makes it a versatile pick that’s great for daytime use or a nighttime treatment.

Best Budget

Naturium Phyto Glow Lip Balm

$18 at Amazon $10 at sokoglam.com

Key Ingredients: Squalane, shea, and cupuaçu butters | Shades: 13 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

What feels like a cross between a lip balm and a true lip gloss, this creamy formula delivers the moisturizing benefits of a balm along with the lacquer-like shine of a gloss. The texture is thick yet not too sticky, and we love how it smooths over lip lines to create the appearance of plumper lips. This is due to the formula which contains a blend of squalane, shea butter, and cupuaçu butter—three ingredients that moisturize and condition your lips for hours at a time.

We also love that, in addition to a fantastic formula, this affordable buy is available in a clear option and 12 shades that range from bright coral to rich chocolate brown. It’s worth noting that some online reviewers say their tube came only halfway full, though we haven’t had that experience.

All-in-all, we highly recommend this one to anyone who wants a balm that’s equal parts makeup and skincare. “It provides just enough shine to enhance your look but genuinely moisturizes and protects the skin on your lips,” says Dominique Hobdy, senior commerce editor.

Best Splurge

Dior Addict Lip Glow

$40 at Sephora $34 at Nordstrom $40 at Macy's

Key Ingredients: Cherry oil, shea butter, sunflower and rice waxes | Shades: 25 | Cruelty-Free: No

You can certainly get a great lip balm from the drugstore, but if you’re in the market to treat yourself to a luxury option, we recommend this one. First, the packaging is stunning; it’s a product that will make you feel special and elevated every time you use it. We also love that it’s offered in 25 buildable shades, ranging from warm beige to cherry red and pretty much everything in between.

The solid formula melts a bit as it warms up on your lips, and it feels smooth, lightweight, and non-sticky throughout the day. It creates a subtle cooling sensation that feels nice and refreshing, and it offers a dose of moisture thanks to a blend of nourishing butters, oils, and waxes. It’s not as moisturizing as other options we tested, but it’s easy to re-apply throughout the day, so this isn’t a deal breaker for us. We also like that it layers nicely with other lip products because it’s not too creamy or oily.

“It’s a fun addition to your going-out bag when you want to have a fancy night,” says Lauren Pardee, senior commerce editor. “The tinted versions are really great, as they offer a subtle and gorgeous color—and you can't go wrong with the universal clear.”

Read Our Full Review: See Dior's Berry Lip Glow on 3 Different Skin Tones

Best Tinted

Lawless Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping Line-Smoothing Tinted Lip Balm

$26 at Amazon $26 at Sephora $26 at shopbop.com

Key Ingredients: Maxi-Lip™ plumping complex, shea butter, jojoba seed oil | Shades: 11 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A lot of tinted lip balms don’t offer much color payoff once you apply them to your lips, but this one from Lawless doesn’t skimp on the pigment. Available in 11 shades that range from light lavender to rich berry, each one can be built up for medium-to-full opacity. The formula applies smoothly and feels cooling on the lips, and we like that it can be easily layered on top of a lip liner or underneath a gloss.

It’s made with a peptide complex to help stimulate collagen production and enhance lip plumpness, as well as shea butter and jojoba seed oil for nourishing benefits. It made our lips feel soft and moisturized, though it’s one you’ll definitely need to re-apply throughout the day to maintain hydration. If you’re looking for a one-and-done hydration and color product to pop in your bag, we think you’ll love this one.

Read Our Full Review: Lawless Beauty’s New Tinted Lip Balm Stick Gives Plump Lips Minus the Filler

Best Gloss-Balm Hybrid

Hourglass Cosmetics Volumizing Glossy Stick

$36 at Sephora $36 at Ulta $36 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: Mango seed butter, avocado oil, shea butter | Shades: 16 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Another hybrid between a lip balm and a lip gloss, this one comes in stick form—something we’re seeing a lot more of on the market lately. While it’s certainly pricier than similar options you can buy, we think it’s worth the splurge if you enjoy using luxurious makeup. Aside from the gorgeous packaging that makes you feel fancy when pulling it out of your bag, it’s got a stellar formula.

Formulated with a blend of nourishing emollients like mango seed butter, avocado oil, shea butter, it has an incredibly soft, creamy texture that glides on like butter. It creates a refreshing, slightly cooling sensation on the lips, and we were pleasantly surprised by how long it kept our lips feeling moisturized. It also does a great job of smoothing the appearance of lip lines and it layers beautifully on top of lip liner. Lastly, we love that it’s offered in 16 sheer but buildable shades that give your lips the perfect wash of color and a wet-looking shine. It has all the best qualities of a shine-enhancing, line-smoothing gloss, as well as the moisturizing benefits of a great lip balm.

Best Scented

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

$24 at Sephora $39 at Walmart $24 at Revolve

Key Ingredients: Shea and murumuru seed butters | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re on BeautyTok, we’re willing to bet that you’re familiar with this viral lip balm. We can confirm: It’s popular for good reason. Formulated with a blend of vegan waxes, shea and murumuru (a plant native to Brazil) butters, and vitamin E, it has a nourishing formula that softens and hydrates lips while creating a glossy, plump-looking finish. Though the moisturizing feel doesn’t last as long as others on this list, we found that we got at least a few hours out of it before having to re-apply. We also adore that it comes in multiple scents and shades—from a clear version and neutral tones to a bright cherry and baby pink.

The brand does an amazing job of creating scents that are pleasant and add to the experience of using the product, but aren’t overpowering or headache-inducing. “Vanilla is my go-to because it's subtle enough that it doesn't make me instantly crave cookies and cupcakes, but still offers that swatch of something sweet,” says Caitlyn Martyn, commerce writer. “Birthday Cake is the same way—it's detectable and fun without making every sip of water or bite of pasta taste like a sugary confection.” It’s a great product to throw in your bag and swipe on throughout the day for a boost of color and moisture.

Read Our Full Review: The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm Softened and Smoothed My Lips

Best With SPF

Cay Skin Isle Lip Balm SPF 30

$15 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Sea moss, aloe stem cells, vitamin E | Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're looking for a glossy lip balm and sun protection in one easy step, this is the one for you. Featuring SPF 30 and a variety of moisturizing ingredients like sea moss, aloe stem cells, and vitamin E, it’s nourishing and protective. It comes in a clear option as well as three tinted shades, and we love that it creates a smooth, high-shine finish on the lips. It also features a subtle vanilla scent.

Our one con is that the thick formula can get stopped up in the opening of the tube. We’ve seen online reviewers say this also happened to them, so we hope the brand adjusts the packaging.

“This balm is thick, but in the best way—it's non-gloopy and creates a barrier that stays for hours,” says Shannon Bauer, associate editorial director. “The SPF is the cherry on top, I love the protection of a sunscreen from an enjoyable to wear lip product for runs or beach days.”

Best Occlusive

Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly

$6 at Amazon $3 at Target $8 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Petrolatum | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: No

Vaseline has been used to soothe dry skin and chapped lips for decades, and it’s been a long-standing pick because it works. Petrolatum (a purified form of petroleum jelly) is the only ingredient in Vaseline, and according to Dr. Garshick, it’s an effective occlusive, meaning it provides a protective barrier to lock in moisture and protect your lips from irritants. The texture is non-sticky and buildable, and it’s fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types. Plus, it can be used on other areas of the body to soothe and protect dryness.

“I consider it a basic necessity when healing dry lips and maintaining [nourished lips],” says Lauren Pardee. “It's super affordable and the formula is very reliable”

Best Long-Lasting

Topicals Slick Salve Glossy Lip Balm for Soothing + Hydration

$16 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, gylcerin | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Many lip balms require to you re-apply several times throughout the day since they fade pretty quickly. However, this one from Topicals lasts for nearly eight hours unless it’s disturbed by a greasy meal. It features a moisturizing cocktail of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin that goes to work on dry lips. It makes them feel softer, smoother, and deeply nourished, all while blurring the appearance of lip lines and delivering a wet-looking shine for a plump finish. It also has a minty scent and flavor that helps freshen your breath.

The texture is thick and a bit sticky, but this aids its longevity and prevents you from biting your lips. And the stickiness isn’t so intense that it’s uncomfortable to open and close your mouth, it’s just more tacky than your average lip balm.

“As someone who craves the hydration of a balm and the shiny finish of a gloss, I’ve been reaching for this lip balm daily,” says Alyssa Kaplan, commerce writer. “It helps improve dryness and when I layer it on top of a lip liner I’m able to achieve seriously plump-looking lips.”

Best for Sensitive Skin

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Lip Balm for Dry Lips

$13 at Amazon $10 at Ulta View on Laroche-posay.us

Key Ingredients: Panthenol, lipids | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: No

If you have sensitive skin, avoiding products with synthetic fragrances and certain active ingredients is wise, since they can be potential irritants. This lip balm from La Roche-Posay is great for sensitivity-prone people because it’s fragrance-free and formulated with lipids which are ideal for conditioning the skin and providing barrier protection.

During testing, we enjoyed how soft this felt on our lips and that formula wasn’t greasy or sticky. It has a slightly waxy texture which makes it ideal for layering under a lip color since it’s not very emollient and won’t move the color around. It did a nice job of moisturizing dry lips, though we do wish the nourishing benefits lasted a bit longer. Overall, it’s a great choice for those with sensitive skin who want an affordable lip balm without a fragrance, flavor, or color.

Best for Cracked Lips

Blistex Medicated Lip Balm

$4 at Amazon $5 at Target $7 at Walgreens

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, octinoxate, octisalate | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: No

Cracked, flaky, peeling lips can be extremely uncomfortable to deal with. If you’re experiencing it, you need a lip balm that’s deeply moisturizing and protective without a sticky or goopy texture that could add to the discomfort. We love this one from Blistex because it does exactly that. It contains dimethicone, a common skincare ingredient that locks in hydration and protects the skin without feeling heavy or greasy. It’s easy to swipe on by itself or under a lipstick or gloss, and we found that it kept our severely dry lips feeling comfortable and hydrated all day. It also contains SPF 15 which is a bonus, but keep in mind that the American Academy of Dermatology recommends opting for products with an SPF of 30 or higher for full protection.

The one thing we didn’t love about this during testing is that it can feel tingly on the lips which isn’t ideal when you’re already dealing with discomfort. But, the tingling goes away relatively fast and the effectiveness and affordability of the product outweigh the cons.

Best Smoothing

Nudestix Hydra-Peptide Lip Butter

$20 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Peptides, avocado butter, vitamin E | Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for a lip balm that will help you achieve smoother, fuller-looking lips, we recommend this plumping gloss-balm hybrid formula from Nudestix. It has a lightweight, creamy texture that creates a glassy shine on the lips and does a beautiful job of softening the look of fine lines and smoothing the appearance of texture. It effectively improves dryness thanks to a blend of nourishing peptides, avocado butter, and vitamin E, though it’s one you’ll need to re-apply throughout the day to maintain moisture.

We love that it’s available in a clear option as well as three tinted shades, each one with a fun scent, like vanilla mint and caramel.

Best for Fine Lines

Farmacy Lip Smoothie Vitamin C + Peptide Lip Balm

$22 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Finding a balm that truly smooths fine lines on your lips can be challenging, but this one from Farmacy makes good on the promise. It contains peptides and vitamin C, both of which can be effective line-smoothing ingredients. According to senior editor Ally Hirchlag, the balm really gets the job done. “Mornings after I put the lip balm on the night before, lip lines I'd previously noticed were totally gone,” she says.

Along with the line-smoothing benefit, we like that the texture is thin and lightweight, making it a nice option for those who don’t enjoy the feeling of a rich or tacky product on their lips. However, the moisture from this balm isn’t incredibly long-lasting, so it’s one you’ll probably want to re-apply throughout the day (although it does stick around longer when applying before bed). Lastly, we love that it’s offered in two comforting scents; a juicy apple fragrance and a comforting vanilla honey variety that smells like “breakfast a Sunday morning,” says Hirschlag.

Best Clear

Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment

View on Rhodeskin.com

Key Ingredients: Peptides, shea butter, cupuaçu, babassu | Shades: 4 options (scented and fragrance-fee), all clear | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Glowy lips and a dewy complexion are fundamental to Hailey Bieber’s look, so it’s no surprise that she created this juicy lip treatment as a hero product in her brand. Made with moisturizing powerhouses, like shea and murumuru seed butters, as well as peptides and vitamin E, the gel-like formula works to keep lips hydrated while coating them in a glass-like shine. While the tinted version of this balm is offered in beautiful shades, we love this one because it’s universal—it layers beautifully over any lip liner or lip color. We also appreciate that the clear version comes in a fragrance-free option, as well as delicious scents, like a juicy watermelon and a gourmand caramel. And once it’s on the lips, it keeps them hydrated for several hours without needing to re-apply.

One thing to note is that the formula can (but doesn’t always) get a bit grainy over time when exposed to different temperatures. We’ve found that it happens more often with the tinted balms than it does with the clear ones, but this is something we hope the brand will address.

Read Our Full Review: Rhode's Peptide Lip Treatment Gives Me Plump, Pillowy-Soft Lips

Best Plumping

Kosas Plump + Juicy Lip Booster

View on Kosas.com

Key Ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Plumping lip products often create a tingly or burning sensation, which can be sensitizing and uncomfortable. We love this one from Kosas because it’s a moisturizing lip balm that relies on tingle-free peptides and hyaluronic acid to do the plumping. The smooth, creamy texture feels comforting, and during testing, we found that it really did help give our lips a more voluminous appearance. It imparts a nice shine without being too greasy, and it layers well underneath and on top of lip liner and lipstick. Another positive about this product is how hydrating it is—it made a significant improvement in the condition of our dry, flaky lips.

Our one gripe is that the formula is tough to squeeze out of the packing. But considering how effective the formula is, we can look past this. If you’re looking for a comfortable, nourishing balm that will give your lips a bit of a boost, we recommend checking it out.

Best Overnight Treatment

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Gloss Balm

$22 at Sephora View on Glowrecipe.com $22 at kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Kakadu plum | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When you’re looking for a lip balm to keep you moisturized overnight, it’s important to find one that delivers seriously long-lasting moisture, like this one from Glow Recipe. It has a rich, slightly tacky texture that envelopes the lips in hydration and a wet-looking shine. It calls on hyaluronic acid and plum extract, which is rich in vitamin C, to nourish and smooth dry, textured lips. Once you apply a generous layer, it keeps your lips feeling comfortable all day or night.

While it’s marketed as a gloss balm, and it is glossy and gorgeous to wear during the daytime, the pot packaging isn’t ideal for applying on the go, but we think the richness and lasting moisture make it a fantastic nighttime treatment.

“If you're looking to invest in a lip balm that goes the distance, this product does it all—it's a great value (there is plenty of product per purchase), it has a super subtle, sweet scent, a rich, beautiful finish, and it truly heals.” —Lauren Pardee

Best Rich Texture

Mara Algae + Moringa Sea Silk Lip Balm

$26 at Amazon $26 at Sephora View on Credo Beauty

Key Ingredients: Algae plumping complex, seed oils, vegan waxes | Shades: 3 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sometimes you just need/want a super dense lip balm to blanket your lips in moisture—this is that balm. It combines vegan waxes, algae, and a blend of seed oils—like castor seed, grape seed, and safflower oils—which makes for a rich, ultra-moisturizing formula. “It has a thick, emollient texture that's easy to spread around and instantly nourishes my dry, cracked lips,” says Shannon Stubbs, commerce updates writer. “I would say the texture is more similar to an overnight lip treatment or lip mask than a standard lip balm, which I prefer. Even though it's thick, it doesn't feel sticky or create a gummy residue.”

We found that it kept our lips nourished for several hours at a time. It’s worth noting that it has a fairly strong marine scent, which can be too intense for some people, but if it doesn’t bother you, we highly recommend this lip balm from Mara.

Best Creamy Texture

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm

$19 at Amazon $19 at Sephora $18 at kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Shea butter | Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: No

We’re willing to bet you’re familiar with the iconic Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask—consider this its fun younger sister. It’s got a slightly more lightweight texture and is housed in more portable packaging. The formula is incredibly creamy and feels pillowy-soft on the lips. When you first apply it, it’s like hopping into a warm bath—super comforting. It then melts with the warmth of your lips, delivering moisture, shine, and a tiny dose of color. We found options on this list to be more long-lasting, but it’s easy to re-apply throughout the day without it pilling or getting too heavy or greasy. If you’re looking for a formula that’s similar to the brand’s beloved lip mask but a bit lighter and easier to keep in your bag, this one is worth picking up.

Best Serum Texture

Make Beauty Serum Balm

$26 at Violet Grey

Key Ingredients: Jojoba wax, pomegranate flowers | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This lip balm is among the more unique formulas we tested. It feels like a rich serum with a gel-like texture that glides onto the lips smoothly, delivering a healthy dose of hydration and shine. It’s light and not sticky or greasy on the lips, and helped us achieve smoother lips with consistent use. We also love how quickly and easily it applies thanks to the oversized doe-foot applicator that picks up the perfect amount of product and deposits it in one swipe.

It’s certainly a moisturizing formula, but it’s not the most long-lasting option on the market. But because it’s easy to re-apply and it layers beautifully with other products, we don’t mind this. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone on the hunt for a lightweight balm with a shiny finish and just a sprinkle of color.

Best Soothing

Aquaphor Lip Repair

$5 at Amazon $5 at Ulta $5 at Target

Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, shea butter | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: No

When your lips are dry, flaking, and cracking, using a simple, non-irritating lip balm that quenches them is a must. We love this one for super dry lips and for use during the winter months—the moment you apply it you can feel some of your discomfort melt away. It combines castor seed oil, shea butter, and chamomile essence to nourish and soothe dry, irritated lips. We also appreciate that it’s fragrance-free and dye-free, and was created specifically for those with sensitive skin.

This effective and affordable lip balm is excellent and one we recommend everyone have in their collection, but because it has a bit of a greasy formula, it’s not ideal for layering with lip liner or lipstick since it can make them bleed.