20 Best Lip Balms To Heal Dry, Chapped Lips

Says Kavita Mariwalla, MD, FAAD from Mariwalla Dermatology, “For chapped lips, I like a combination of a lip scrub (like the one from Burt’s Bees) followed by plain Vaseline. Other topicals often contain fillers or ingredients that can make chapped lips worse. This combination will result in visibly hydrated and improved lips by one week.”

But there's also a lurking factor we may not be aware of. Adds Mariwalla, “The other thing to look out for is the toothpaste you are using. Make sure it isn’t a whitening toothpaste or a brand you could be allergic to.”

And for dermotologists, they won't just recommend any old lip balm. No, there are certain ingredients that are vital for keeping lips hydrated.

According to board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Nikhil Dhingra of Spring Street Dermatology, "I emphasize two things in my product recommendations: thicker, occlusive (think Vaseline-like) hydrating elements, and convenient form factor. Ingredients that can be helpful include petrolatum, beeswax, and mineral oil. On the flip side, flavored lip balms or those with masking scents designed to hide the slight bitterness of flavor-free balms should be avoided as they can lead to allergy and irritation. SPF is also a nice additive year-round for protecting lips."

So, what is the best lip balm for all your chapped needs? Consider these options to get the hydrated lips you desire.

RELATED: 23 Best Lip Balms For Soft, Moisturized Lips

1. B3 Balm Matte Lip Balm

A favorite among professional makeup artists, the B3 Balm Matte Lip Balm contains anti-aging and chapped/sore-fighting ingredients, like organic cocoa butter and coconut oil, that keeps lips smooth and supple. The rich and deeply moisturizing texture never gets a gooey build-up, thanks to a paraben-and-petroleum-free formula. Plus, it's all-natural, cruelty-free, and handmade in small batches.

(B3 Balm, $15)

2. Doll 10 HydraBalm Solid Serum Lipstick 

Why skip out on lipstick in favor of lip balm when you can have both at once? The HydraBalm Solid Serum Lipstick is formulated with Grape Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Honey Extract for richly hydrating color with every swipe. Perfect for anyone with dry lips, the poured-serum technology intensely moisturizes lips and leaves you with a lush, glossy coat, and just the right amount of color. 

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

3. Schaf Lip Balm

A no-nonsense, unflavoured, fragrance-free lip balm made from all natural ingredients, it heals and protects your lips. A Hemp Seed Oil so closely matches our own outer layer of skin that it’s able to penetrate inside our cells and lubricate the surface between them. Contains vitamins A, D and E, minerals, and omegas 3, 6, and 9, commonly found in fish oil, and is essential to healing and regenerating skin. 

(Schaf, $8)

4. SpaRitual Moisture Balm

This concentrated, hydrating Moisture Balm, formulated with ancient healing ingredients including Rose Hip Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Avocado Seed Oil and Carnauba Wax, helps protect and prevent moisture loss, promote cell vitality, and the rejuvenating scent elevates the senses.

(SpaRitual, $23)

5. LATHER Lip Conditioning Balm

This Lip Conditioning Balm is an intense conditioning treatment packed with rich moisturizers like avocado oil, sweet almond oil, and evening primrose oil. Extracts of cactus and aloe provide additional moisturizing benefits to soothe chapped and irritated skin.

(Lather, $10)

6. NARS Afterglow Lip Balm

This lip balm provides smooth, supple, long-lasting comfort, while helping to protect and condition lips for hours after application. The Orgasm shade contains pH-adjusting pigments to give you the perfect hint of color.

(Sephora, $28)

7. Bite Beauty Agave+ Daytime Vegan Lip Balm

The brand-new formula features a creamy, smooth-gliding texture for comfortable wear and no waxy feel. With nourishing agave nectar, mongongo oil, and rich cocoa butter, this balm provides long-lasting hydration for your most kissable lips.

(Sephora, $14)

8. TATCHA The Kissu Lip Mask

An ultra-soothing jelly lip mask made from Japanese peach softens, smooths, and helps restore for visibly plump, supple lips. Japanese Peach Extract helps to repair damaged lips, revitalize, and calm irritation. Three Rose Extract protects from dryness and visibly smoothens for healthier lips. And Japanese Camellia Oil (Tsubaki) seals in moisture and nurtures with vitamins A, B, D, and E and nourishing omegas 3, 6, and 9.

(Sephora, $28)

9. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Lip Sleeping Mask has a softening balm texture that closely adheres to lips for quick absorption. Enriched with vitamin C and antioxidants, its Berry Mix Complex offers a nutritiously sweet and fragrant blend of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and blueberry extracts to indulge the senses. Its exclusive Moisture Wrap technology boasts hyaluronic acid and minerals to form a protective film over the lips to lock in moisture and active ingredients. 

(Sephora, $20)

10. It Cosmetics Je Ne Sais Quoi Hydrating Lip Balm Treatment

Developed with plastic surgeons, this game-changing, color-infused lip balm awakens your lips with intense hydration and a perfect flush of pink. Essential butters and oils and antioxidants smooth the look of lip lines and lock in moisture, while proprietary Vitality Lip Flush Technology reacts with the warmth of your lips to create a beautiful pop of color.

(Sephora, $25)

RELATED: 20 Best Lip Plumpers For Incredibly Pouty, Kissable Lips

11. Dionis Goat Milk Lip Balm

Dionis Goat Milk Lip Balms are made of infused beeswax with natural Goat Milk, Shea Butter, and Coconut Oil. Goat milk is naturally enriched with high amounts of protein, fat, iron, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E. It also has a pH nearly the same has human skin, so it's easily absorbed with no greasy residue.

(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)

12. Younique LipBonBons Tinted Lip Balm

Not only does this lip balm hydrate lips with nourishing oils and fruit extracts, but it also keeps your lips looking brilliantly beautiful and supple. Lightly tinted for a subtle, shiny hint of color, it's decadently formulated with Sunflower Seed, Jojoba, Prickly Pear, Coconut Oils and peach, pomegranate, and goji berry fruit extracts. Lightly scented with a mild vanilla fragrance.

(Younique, $22)

13. Savor Beauty Organic Lip Balm

Creamy, long-lasting, and delicious organic lip balm comes in five fun macaron-inspired flavors: raspberry, peppermint, citrus, vanilla, and coconut. It's made with certified organic and moisturizing ingredients including sunflower oil, beeswax, coconut oil, and Vitamin E.

(Savor Beauty, $8.00)

14. Mazz Hanna Rose Quartz Infused CBD Lip Balm

Enhanced with 15mg of organic CBS, the Rose Quartz Infused CBD Lip Balm is a perfect way to keep your lips hydrated and smooth throughout the day without multiple reapplications. It moisturizes with coconut oil, sweet almond oil, hemp seed oil, and imparts a cooling minty sensation. The Lip Balm also has SPF 15 for those needing a little coverage in the sun.

(Mazz Hanna, $15)

15. Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviving Lip Balm

Dior Addict Lip Glow enhances the natural color of your lips, and moisturizes and nourishes all day long. The universal balm reacts to the unique chemistry of your own lips, leaving them fresh, full and radiant, and with a natural flush of custom color. The formula is enriched with mango butter and cucumber to moisturize and protect throughout the day.

(Nordstrom, $34)

16. Sisley Paris Phyto-Lip Twist Tinted Lip Balm

Phyto-Lip Twist is a tinted lip balm that's colored like a lipstick but shiny like a gloss. It leaves your lips supple, moisturized, visibly smoothed and plumped thanks to its cocktail of original plant-based active ingredients. 

(Nordstrom, $50)

17. C.O Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm

Rose Salve Lip Balm by C.O. Bigelow has been around for generations for a reason! It’s emulsified with extra-soothing rose extract, which helps ease irritation and condition the skin.

(Nordstrom, $5.50)

18. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 Duo

Intense Therapy Lip Balm is formulated with petrolatum, a highly effective moisturizing agent that forms a protective barrier to prevent water loss and help repair chapped skin. Shea butter and avocado oil provide superior moisturization and conditioning; vitamin E works to protect cells against free-radical damage; green tea, a potent antioxidant, provides anti-inflammatory benefits.

(Nordstrom, $15)

19. Buxom Power-full Plump Lip Balm

A unique reactor works with your individual pH levels to transform your lips into their most flattering custom shade of pink. Plumping ingredients deliver a luscious look, while moisturizing ingredients help lips look as good as they feel. A rich oil complex adds comfort and suppleness.

(Nordstrom, $18)

20. Erbaviva Quease Ease Lip Balm

This refreshingly scented and hydrating balm is specially formulated to help manage morning sickness. Cocoa butter moisturizes and is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals known to fight free radicals and protect the skin. Organic ginger root oil is known to provide relief from an upset stomach, nausea and vomiting. Organic lavender oil has aromatic effects that are known to calm an upset stomach as well as promoting relaxation.

(Nordstrom, $12)

RELATED: 30 Best Products For Chapped Lips (For A Silky-Smooth Pout)

Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.