Lip Balms That Work
15 Balms That'll Leave Your Lips Mistletoe-Ready
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You know how sometimes, when you smear on a lip balm, it seems like the problem just gets worse? There's a reason for that, and it falls on the shoulders of the ingredient list.
"Lip balms that contain humectant ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, can actually make lips dryer because they pull moisture out of the skin, particularly when the environment is dry, and then the moisture evaporates away," explained Dr. Hadley King, a New York City dermatologist. "Humectant ingredients need to be combined with occlusive ingredients to be effective. Occlusive ingredients, such as petrolatum, beeswax, and shea butter, create a physical barrier to prevent moisture loss." In short: Humectants attract moisture and occlusives keep it from evaporating, and you should avoid lip products that only contain humectants.
The lip balms we're showcasing here range from drugstore faves to organic treasures to splurgy luxury options, but they all have one thing in common: they actually work.
Primally Pure Natural Lip Balm
The Primally Pure Lip Balm ($4) is made with organic beeswax, tallow, and moisturizing oils and butters. Choose from five flavors, including peppermint, grapefruit, lavender, creamsicle, and cocoa.
Blistex Deep Renewal Lip Protectant/Sunscreen SPF 15
Blistex has mastered lip care, and its Deep Renewal Lip Protectant ($3) is a winner. It helps relieve and mend cracked lips while warding off damaging UV rays at the same time.
Chantecaille Lip Potion
Satisfy your inner bourgeoisie via the Chantecaille Lip Potion ($44). It smells lightly of roses and is made with a unique mix of ultra-rich natural ingredients, including shea butter, sweet almond oil, and macadamia oil.
Shea Terra Lip Savior
Shea Terra doesn't call it Lip Savior ($11) for nothing. This 100 percent natural option boasts an abbreviated ingredient list from the gods, including shea butter, oontanga oil, beeswax, chamomile oil, calendula, natural vitamin E, seabuckthorn oil, stevia (for a hint a sweetness), and essential oils. Plus, it comes in six unique flavors, including Marula, Maracuja, Argan, Rose Hip, Mongongo Banana, and Menthe Vanilla.
Maapilam Grapefruit & Lavender Lip Balm
We're digging this handsomely packaged Maapilam Lip Balm ($9). It's made with a host of rich oils and butters, beeswax, and natural bergamot-orange and lavender oils.
Nooni Water Blending Lip Oil
For the softest lips imaginable, swipe on Nooni Water Blending Lip Oil ($15), which is made with a blend of nine botanical oils and apple water. It applies silky and penetrates to soothe and heal.
DedCool Chaz Stick
DedCool Chazstick ($12) is a vegan chubby balm that applies like a dream and noticeably improves lip texture. Try it in rose, vanilla, or mint!
Nivea A Kiss of Recovery
Nivea A Kiss of Recovery Lip Balm ($3) is unscented and wears well under and on top of your go-to lipstick.
Blue Lagoon Rejuvenating Lip Balm
For something really special, reach for Blue Lagoon Rejuvenating Lip Balm ($39). In addition to moisturizing musts, like cocoa and shea butter, it contains algae from Iceland's blue lagoon.
L:A Bruket Lip Balm
L:A Bruket Lip Balm ($14) is another great chubby stick to keep deskside or in your bag. It's made with beeswax, almond oil, and coconut oil for a yummy, super moisturizing treatment.
Vaseline Rosy Lips Lip Therapy
How cute is this wee pot of Vaseline Rosy Lips Lip Therapy ($2)? Petroleum jelly creates a moisturizing seal over your lips, protecting it from the elements, soothing discomfort, and imparting a hint of rosy color.
Avene Cold Cream
You've heard of cold cream for your face, but what about your lips? Avene Cold Cream Lip Cream ($16) is a godsend for severely dry, cracked lips.
Sans [ceuticals] Lip Aid
![Sans [ceuticals] Lip Aid](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/1n2TburDgzdcDJ8VmL7V3avcDFM/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:format_auto-!!-:strip_icc-!!-/2017/12/05/019/n/40684815/ca4143f2ab1ee72c_sans-ceuticals-lip-aid_1024x1024/i/Sans-ceuticals-Lip-Aid.jpg "Sans [ceuticals] Lip Aid")
Parched lips begone — Sans [Ceuticals] Lip Aid ($11) is here to save the day (and your lips). This one stands out in a crowd of balms for its inclusion of papain proteolytic enzymes, found in papaya, which lightly exfoliate and bolster cell renewal
![Sans [Ceuticals] Lip Aid](https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/Y1BtCR-sJVczRSsnQpQWJv0M5G4/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:format_auto-!!-:strip_icc-!!-/2017/12/17/519/n/1922398/batch1PrKZ0/i/Sans-Ceuticals-Lip-Aid.png "Sans [Ceuticals] Lip Aid")
100% Pure Cherry Lip Balm
Put the cherry on top — literally — with 100% Pure Cherry Lip Balm ($6). It's made with natural and organic ingredients to deeply soften and hydrate.
BLK + GRN SHINE Vanilla & Sunflower Moisture Stick
Treat yourself and your lips with regular swipes of BLK + GRN's SHINE: Vanilla & Sunflower Moisture Stick ($17). Its clean ingredient list consists of shea butter, mango butter, vegetarian wax, sunflower oil, vanilla pod, and geranium essential oil. You can apply it anywhere on your body, including your lips!
