26 Editor-Approved Lip Balms You Need in Your Collection

Product Images: Sephora | Net-a-Porter / Glossier
Photo Illustration: Aly Lim
Product Images: Sephora | Net-a-Porter / Glossier
Photo Illustration: Aly Lim
Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

Whether it's a thick salve, a glossy balm, or a convenient stick, there's nothing we depend on more than a lip balm. Besides our keys, wallets, and phones, it's probably the one thing we can't leave our homes without. And just to make sure our lips are always hydrated, we have several stashed all over our homes, in our cars, and even in a few purses. After all, we can't just have one — we need a whole arsenal just in case one gets lost or forgotten. They're a dime a dozen, and with so many options available in the market, finding a favorite can be overwhelming. That's why we rounded up the best of the best lip balms on the market backed by our editors' reviews.

From high-quality drugstore lip balms to more high-end formulas to the best tinted lip balms, our team of editors has a myriad of recommendations that will keep your lips soft, smooth, and hydrated all day long. There's something for everyone's lip needs, whether it's a classic beeswax formula, lip balms with hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, ones that offer a high-shine gloss-like finish, and even a few with SPF to keep your lips protected from UV rays. And, of course, we had to include a few lip balms with yummy flavors and refreshing scents. Investing in a high-quality lip balm is a beauty essential for maintaining healthy and beautiful lips, so keep reading to discover and shop the top lip balms that are worth your attention.

Additional reporting by Victoria Messina

Best Tinted Lip Balm With a Buttery Formula
summerfridays.com

Best Tinted Lip Balm With a Buttery Formula

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm ($24)

"The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm checked all the boxes. Its applicator hugs my lips perfectly, and it applies like butter. Not only that, but it smells incredible, too. I own both the vanilla beige and poppy, and they both have a light scent that fades away quickly. Personally, I apply mine over lipstick, and I love how plump and moisturized it makes my lips feel. It gives off that perfect dewy summer look and lasts a few hours on my lips before I feel the need to reapply." — Haley Lyndes, former assistant editor, commerce

For swatches and a full breakdown, read our review of the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm.

Best Tinted Lip Balm That Feels Smooth
sephora.com

Best Tinted Lip Balm That Feels Smooth

Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm ($28)

"The color of the Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm is consistent and vibrant without feeling thick, heavy, or just overbearing. It feels soothing and soft on my lips, like I'm actually getting moisture. Not only does the color not wear off, but hours later, I still have a fresh pink pout." — Krista Jones, former editor, commerce

Best Tinted Lip Balm With a Glossy Shine
amazon.com

Best Tinted Lip Balm With a Glossy Shine

Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm ($10, originally $12)

"From the formulation and feel to the color payoff, the Phyto-Glow Lip Balm exceeded my expectations. It has a thicker, balmy feel like Rhode's Peptide Lip Treatment, yet it's smooth and conditioning like the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. The formula delivers all-day moisture that sinks into the lips, leaving you with a conditioned, softer feel. Plus, its thicker texture helps prevent lips from cracking and feeling dehydrated in the winter. They're all pigmented enough to deliver a gorgeous flush of color to the lips with a shiny, gloss-like finish. Although it's not a plumping formula, my lips look juicier immediately after using it, making fine lines less noticeable." — Anvita Reddy, assistant editor, commerce

For more information and swatches of the shades, read our review of the Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Balm here.

Best Tinted Lip Balm For a Wash of Color
sunniesface.com

Best Tinted Lip Balm For a Wash of Color

Sunnies Face Lip Treat ($16)

"To me, Sakura is a great barely there color for every day; Chia is a bit moodier and offers a touch of drama; and Girl Crush provides that juicy, bitten lip look you can throw on to make a statement. . . I have been keeping one on my desk at all times and apply — and reapply — constantly throughout the day. Whether I'm going to an in-person meeting or just hopping on a Zoom call, it's like the cherry on top of my minimal makeup look." — Jessica Harrington, senior editor, beauty

See swatches and read more about this in our Sunnies Face Lip Treat review.

Best Tinted Lip Balm That's Moisturizing
amazon.com

Best Tinted Lip Balm That's Moisturizing

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm ($9, originally $10)

"I carry the Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Red Dhalia with me at all times. It moisturizes just as well as the classic lip balm, and the sheer shade adds the perfect pop of color, making me feel instantly more pulled together." — Angela Elias, contributing editor, commerce

Best Lip Balm For Overnight Use
amazon.com

Best Lip Balm For Overnight Use

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($24)

"I've always been the type of person who reaches for fruity scents over the sweet ones, and Pink Lemonade Swirl and Mango were just as delectably summery as I had hoped. It's a lusciously thick formula with a silky-soft texture and a glossy finish. I agree with our former content director, Macy Cate Williams, who reviewed the original berry formula and said: 'This lip mask isn't sticky or uncomfortable — it glides on smoothly and feels very soothing on my lips.' Like her, I'm also a fan of using it instead of a regular lip balm throughout the day. The tiniest amount goes a long way, so even with multiple applications daily, it lasts a while." — Marisa Petrarca, contributing editor, commerce

Read our full review of the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask here.

"What's nice about the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm ($18) is that it has a similar consistency to the fan-favorite Lip Sleeping Mask — the brand's creamy overnight lip treatment — but slightly thinner and therefore, better suited to wear throughout the day. Plus, the tube applicator makes it easy to swipe on when on the go, and it fits easily inside a purse or a pocket." — MP

Check out our review of the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm here.

Best Lip Balm With Hyaluronic Acid
sephora.com

Best Lip Balm With Hyaluronic Acid

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Lip Gloss Balm ($22)

"The first thing I noticed about the gloss balm was the thick, nonsticky texture. It's completely different from 'standard' lip balms, but the gel-like consistency gave my lips a juicy, plumped effect with a gorgeous shine on top. Not only does it make my lips look fuller, but the balm is also packed with hydrating ingredients that lock in moisture." — Chloe Dunn, social content producer, UK

Check out our in-depth review of the Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Lip Gloss Balm for more.

Best Lip Balm With a Yummy Scent
sephora.com

Best Lip Balm With a Yummy Scent

Glossier Coconut Balm Dotcom ($14)

"Glossier's Coconut Balm Dotcom is the best-smelling lip balm I've ever owned (and I've owned a lot). It revives my lips from their driest days and gives a low-key glossy look that I love. Pro tip: I always use the excess product from my fingers on my knuckles and cuticles." — Madison Meltzer, former associate social media strategist

Best Lip Balm With Peptides
rhodeskin.com

Best Lip Balm With Peptides

Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment ($16)

"[It has a] gel-like consistency that spreads easily over my lips. They felt immediately hydrated and soothed after just two swipes of the Peptide Lip Treatment. When my lips stayed hydrated even after the product and glossiness faded, though, I knew I had found a winner. Rhode's Peptide Lip Treatment has become my new go-to product for my dry, chapped lips, and it's landed a permanent spot on my beauty counter." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer

Rhode also has a tinted version of its bestselling lip treatment formula. The Peptide Lip Tint ($16 )comes in five sheer but buildable colors, including a shimmery pink, a berry, a rosy taupe, and a rich brown.

Check out the in-depth review of the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment here.

Best Lip Balm That's Minty
nordstrom.com

Best Lip Balm That's Minty

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 Duo ($15)

"One of my best friends got this [Jack Black] lip balm for me and explained that, despite it being from the men's department at Nordstrom, it was the best lip balm of all time. She was not lying. It is glorious. And minty fresh. And moisturizing. Bless it." — Dominique Astorino, former assistant editor, fitness

Best Lip Balm For a Plumping Effect
sephora.com

Best Lip Balm For a Plumping Effect

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DermInfusions Plump + Repair Lip Treatment With Hyaluronic Acid ($45)

"Ever since I got my hands on Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare's DermInfusions Plump + Repair Lip Treatment, I don't use anything else. For starters, this lip treatment has a flattering plumping effect that adds the perfect amount of volume; it's like I got a subtle amount of lip filler. There's a slight tingle, but it's not irritating at all and only lasts for a few seconds. But that's not all — the lip treatment is clear but is able to bring a flush of color to your lips. To top it all off, the hydration lasts all day long. I can truly go several hours without needing to reapply. You only need a tiny bit to make an impact. This lip treatment is the ultimate 'my lips but better' product." — AR

To see the lip plumping effects in action, read our in-depth review of the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DermInfusions Plump + Repair Lip Treatment.

Best Lip Balm That Is Lightweight and Hydrating
amazon.com

Best Lip Balm That Is Lightweight and Hydrating

Eos the Hero Extra Dry Lip Treatment ($4, originally $5)

"At this point I'm not sure how many tubes of lip balm I have stashed away in every purse in my house, but the one I've been using the most lately is the Eos the Hero Extra Dry Lip Treatment. I've been dealing with extremely dry, cracking lips lately, and every time I reach for this lip balm, it saves me with just a small swipe. It's super hydrating — it's made with shea butter and olive oil — and makes my lips feel soft and moisturized for hours, not to mention that I'm never left with a heavy, sticky feeling." — Danielle Jackson, former assistant editor, beauty

Best Lip Balm For Sensitive Skin
ulta.com

Best Lip Balm For Sensitive Skin

Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($12)

"I swear by the Aquaphor Healing Ointment. It's not the sexiest lip balm out there, and I get a lot of confused looks when I pull out that big white tube, but it's the only thing that heals my chapped lips year-round. Plus it's noncomedogenic, so I don't break out around my mouth when I use it. I slather it on every single night before bed and wake up with supersoft lips." — Mary White, former copy chief

"As someone with supersensitive skin, I have to be really picky about what I wear on my lips, choosing balms and lipstick that are mostly natural and fragrance-free. For years, I've been addicted to good old Aquaphor Lip Repair ($4, originally $5), and there are usually at least three tubes within my reach!" — Laura Meyers, former content director, Trending and Viral Features

Best Lip Balm That's Medicated
target.com

Best Lip Balm That's Medicated

Carmex Classic Lip Balm Medicated Tube ($4)

"The Carmex Classic Lip Balm is a tried-and-true lip product that makes chapped lips practically nonexistent. To give myself just a subtle amount of color, I love applying this one over a tiny amount of lip stain — every time I wear it, my lips are softer than ever." — DJ

"I swear by Daily Care Lip Balm Moisturizing Assorted Sticks ($4) — it's the only chapstick I use now! Carmex works the best for my lips but I can't stand the taste or smell of it. The cherry version doesn't have the overpowering smell, but it works just as well as regular Carmex." — Meghan Tipton, former editorial recruiting associate

Best Lip Balms That's Affordable
cvs.com

Best Lip Balms That's Affordable

Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm ($5)

"Shout-out for the Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm; cheap and cheerful, and the cherry one is amazing. For reasons unknown, this didn't come to the UK until a few years ago, and I once panic-bought about eight tubes on a trip to the US because I'd heard too much about it." — Gemma Cartwright, former senior editor, UK

Best Lip Balm That's Vegan
fanlovebeauty.com

Best Lip Balm That's Vegan

FanLoveBeauty 100% Natural Vegan Lip Balm ($14)

"Created by longtime cosmetic chemist Ginger King, I knew I was getting nothing but the best ingredients from the FanLoveBeauty 100% Natural Vegan Lip Balm. Although, the subtle scent of peppermint makes it even better." — Kelsey Castañon, senior content director

Best Lip Balm That's Luxurious
sephora.com

Best Lip Balm That's Luxurious

Tatcha Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm ($30)

"I'm a lover of any Tatcha product, so I naturally fell for the brand's Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm. I know it's so expensive and bougie but it makes me feel so glamorous. I also think it leaves your lips with a slight golden glow so, you know, that's amazing." — Kelsey Garcia, associate content director, features

Best Lip Balm Formulated With Shea Butter
amazon.com

Best Lip Balm Formulated With Shea Butter

Evan Healy Lip Balm ($10)

"The Evan Healy Lip Balm tastes and smells like vanilla thanks to the addition of vanilla oil. It's $10 for a tube that will definitely last you a long time. It's one of the few chapsticks that has all-natural oils and no funny stuff. It actually moisturizes and doesn't leave a weird waxy film on your lips." — Anna Roberts, former editor, food

Best Lip Balm With a Silky Texture
target.com

Best Lip Balm With a Silky Texture

Nivea Moisturizing Lip Balm ($5)

"I will try pretty much any lip balm put in front of me, but my all-time favorite is the classic Nivea stick. The shea butter gives it a silky texture and a mild natural scent that's addictive." — Nancy Einhart, head of content

Best Lip Balm With a Buttery Texture
amazon.com

Best Lip Balm With a Buttery Texture

L'occitane Shea Butter Lip Balm Stick ($10)

"L'occitane's Shea Butter Lip Balm Stick is my new favorite to wear under lipstick because it's not sticky at all, but it's made with 10 percent shea butter so I know it's working!" — Alessandra Foresto, executive operations director

Best Lip Balm That's Smooth and Soothing
amazon.com

Best Lip Balm That's Smooth and Soothing

Bioderma Atoderm Lip Stick ($10)

"Last year, I went to Paris and spotted Bioderma's Atoderm Lip Stick at one of the pharmacies. As a huge fan of the brand's makeup remover, I bought a bunch to give to friends when I returned. It has a slightly fruity scent that's addictive and goes on smoother than any lip balm I've ever tried. It's somehow really slick but not glossy. Luckily, I didn't need my passport to re-up my stash. It — and the makeup remover — is available on Amazon." — JD

Best Lip Balm With SPF
amazon.com

Best Lip Balm With SPF

Sun Bum Sunscreen Lip Balm ($4)

"SPF is a must for my lip balm when on vacation and this smells so yummy. I have coconut and pomegranate!" — Lisa Sugar, former president, POPSUGAR

Best Lip Balms That's Not Sticky
amazon.com

Best Lip Balms That's Not Sticky

Ormedic Balancing Lip Enhancement Complex ($28)

"The Ormedic Balancing Lip Enhancement Complex is a little pricey, but once a friend recommended it, I was hooked. It goes on smooth and is not sticky at all, but the formula is thick enough that it stays on and makes your lips look fuller and more defined even when you don't have any color on it. I also love to put it over lipstick or tinted balm for added shine. Also, the tube is tiny but it actually lasts longer than you'd think!" — Lauren Turner, former editorial operations director

Best Lip Balm That's a Salve
sephora.com

Best Lip Balm That's a Salve

Rosebud Salve in a Tube ($7)

"I love the Rosebud Salve in a Tube and keep it in my purse, my car, and my gym bag. Essentially, I want it everywhere I am, and this works because of the packaging. Since the salve is in a tube, it travels well and can handle the heat of my glove compartment without melting like stick balms. The scent is subtle and lovely." — Susi May, former senior director, fitness

Best Lip Balms That's a Thick Ointment
ulta.com

Best Lip Balms That's a Thick Ointment

Lano Lips 101 Ointment ($17)

"Mine is the original Lano Lips 101 Ointment, which is an Australian bestseller. A tiny bit goes a long way, it's scent and color-free (though it also makes a tinted version), and it seals in moisture like nothing else." — GC

Best Lip Balm That's Glossy
drhauschka.com

Best Lip Balm That's Glossy

Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick ($15)

"Through my extensive lip balm research, I've found that the Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick is no joke. It's so thick and creamy and you really feel it working upon application. I also like that it's not a super pretty product that's all about the packaging. It just gets the job done." — KG