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As the temperature shifts from balmy to cold to cool, I’ve come to a painful realization: Dry, chapped lips can occur at any time, not just in the winter. I’m talking about the soreness on the outer corners of your pout; the splitting sensation you feel on your lips every time you try to satiate the discomfort with saliva; and the flakes you try to rip off (but absolutely shouldn’t!) with your teeth. Given the rise of buzzy, aesthetic, glossy lip products, we’ve all forgotten about the easiest remedy to soothe dry lips, and it’s likely swimming at the bottom of your handbag : lip balm.
What causes dryness isn’t as complex as one would think. Sometimes, it boils down to conditions beyond your control. “Dry lips are caused by a combination of environmental factors, like cold or dry air, sun exposure, and wind, as well as habits such as frequent licking or biting, which strip natural oils and disrupt the delicate skin barrier on the lips,” says board-certified dermatologist and founder of DermWorks Dr. Jenna Queller, MD, FAAD . That means hydration and nourishment should always be a priority, even under layers of lip liner, gloss, or lipstick.
If you’re not keen on a traditional lip balm—like the medicated, drugstore ones of our youth—a slew of brands have concocted elegant formulas that marry the conditioning element of classic balms with the glimmer finish or tinted hues of lipsticks and glosses. Want to know what lip balms dermatologists, like Dr. Queller, recommend? Scroll on for the crème de la crème of lip balms, according to ELLE editors and skin experts.
Aquaphor Lip Repair
Aquaphor has long been used in households, specifically in the large tub, which has likely healed cracked heels, elbows, and scaly legs for generations. So imagine what healing powers the formula for lips has. Dry lips are immediately remedied by a rich shea butter and vitamin blend, the perfect precursor to glosses and lipsticks that lack nourishment.
Key ingredients: Castor oil, glycerin, shea butter, chamomile essence
Size:0.35 fl oz
Our expert says: “The petrolatum-rich base creates a protective barrier that physically seals in moisture and prevents further water loss, excellent for cracks, fissures, and severely dry lips. It’s not just a lip balm, but an all-around skin healer with very low risk of irritation or allergic reaction because it’s fragrance-free and minimal in actives. It’s great for patients with eczema, rosacea, or ultra-sensitive skin. The thicker texture stays on well overnight or in harsh conditions.”— Dr. Jenna Queller, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist
CeraVe Healing Ointment
This skin protectant can be used all over the body, but it works especially well on the lips if slugging (applying an occlusive on top of a hydrating product) is your jam. As with all CeraVe products, the Healing Ointment is packed with ceramides for conditioning.
Key ingredients:Ceramides, hyaluronic acid
Size: 5 fl oz
Our expert says: “CeraVe’s signature ceramides help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, especially important on lips, where the barrier is naturally thinner. This humectant draws moisture into the skin, offering hydration beyond just surface relief. The formula is fragrance-free, gentle, and safe for everyday use on sensitive lips. I find that it’s easier to wear throughout the day under makeup or on the go, as it excels at daily hydration and barrier support.”— Dr. Jenna Queller, MD, FAAD
Revision Skincare YouthFull Lip Replenisher
Here’s a balm that eschews tradition by bringing you a formula that hydrates while plumping. How so? A surge of hyaluronic acid and peptides encourages hydration and a collagen boost, making lips appear fuller, with a tingling sensation courtesy of mint leaf oil.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, wild mint leaf oil, peptides, vitamin C
Size: 0.33 fl oz
Our expert says:“A richer sensory experience than traditional balms—smooth glide, subtle sheen, and a plumping, healthy look—it contains humectants and emollients that attract water and soften dry tissue. Plus, it has antioxidants and nutrients that support overall lip health and improve the appearance of fine lines on and around the lips, which is attractive to patients who want both function and cosmetic benefit.”— Dr. Jenna Queller, MD, FAAD
Carmex Classic Lip Balm
We can’t talk classic lip balms without mentioning this drugstore staple. The medicated, tingling sensation and smell greet you first, but then you’re left with supple, soothed lips even in the harshest weather conditions.
Key ingredients: Petrolatum, lanolin, menthol, salicylic acid
Size: 0.35 fl oz
An ELLE editor says:“No matter how many balms I’ve accumulated over the years, I always return to my Carmex. Very few balms leave my insanely dry and flaky lips nourished and soothed like this formula. As someone who loves gloss, I enjoy that this also has a subtle glossy sheen if I apply a bit more than usual.”— Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Bag Balm Bag Balm Lip Moisturizer
Here’s a no-fuss formula that keeps lips conditioned and flake-free without any irritants. The formula glides on clear, is fragrance-free, and features vitamin E for the ultimate moisture boost.
Key ingredients: Lanolin, vitamin E
Size: 0.3 fl oz
An ELLE editor says:“Bag Balm Moisturizing Lip Balm is a true multitasking hero. Formulated with lanolin and vitamin E, it deeply hydrates not just lips, but also hands, cuticles, and any rough patches. I like to apply a small amount before bed for softer, smoother lips by morning, and the fragrance-free formula is a major plus.”— Leah Romero, senior digital designer
Mario Badescu Moisturizing Lip Balm
There’s a Mario Badescu product out there for everyone, but here at ELLE.com, this lip balm is a favorite. Each swipe deposits an oil blend, which includes jojoba, coconut, and almond, to ensure your lips are hydrated and stay that way.
Key ingredients: Sweet almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, avocado, olive oil, shea butter, vitamin E, lanolin, aloe vera, cocoa butter
Size: 0.35 fl oz
An ELLE editor says:“Mario Badescu’s Lip Balm is the best. It’s made with shea butter and coconut oil, so my lips feel soft, smooth, and glazed like a donut. I’m loyal to the Acai and Vanilla flavor because it smells like a fruity dessert. And it’s $8, which makes my obsession feel not only valid, but fiscally responsible.”— Claire Stern Milch, senior digital director
Rhode Peptide Lip Boost Plumping Lip Mask
Much of Rhode’s success can be attributed to its cult-favorite Peptide Lip Treatment. However, the lip mask is the perfect base for softening and plumping lips before you go in with your subsequent (Rhode) products. Of course, it has peptides and hyaluronic acid to give a plump look with consistent use.
Key ingredients:Peptides, hyaluronic acid
Size:0.5 fl oz
An ELLE contributor says:“Despite its viral status, Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment never really worked for me. Its big sister, however, has cemented itself as a must-have in my purse. The formula is thicker than the original, but somehow less sticky and just as glossy. The hydrating balm doesn’t need to be reapplied as often, and I never feel like it makes my lips drier, unlike some other products I’ve used.”— Tatjana Freund, contributing fashion and beauty writer
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
ELLE editors haven’t found a Summer Fridays balm they didn’t like, and while we all have our favorite scents , it’s truly the formula that keeps us repurchasing. That softness you feel every time you purse your lips is all thanks to shea and murumuru seed butters, which create a thick, non-sticky film for extra nourishment.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, murumuru seed butter
Size: 0.5 fl oz
An ELLE contributor says: “I’m not sure if it’s just my NYC girl group, but snapping a pic of all our lippies in hand has become a prerequisite of almost every outing. Aside from the inevitable Rhode gloss, this Summer Fridays balm is one that my friends and I almost always have in common. As someone with perpetually chapped lips, I need something deeply hydrating and long-wearing, without that unpleasant opaque finish of drugstore balms of yore. This formula is super juicy—the perfect hybrid between a balm and a gloss—delivering that coveted dewy shine without ever feeling greasy. It also comes in a range of pretty tints and subtle ‘flavors,’ my personal favorite being the almost-good-enough-to-eat vanilla.”— Sam Peters, contributing fashion and beauty writer
Remedy Science Remedy for Dry Lips
If I trust anyone to create a lip treatment to soothe dryness, it’s a dermatologist, of course. The advanced formula combines all the ingredients we know and love for conditioning the lips—such as shea butter, squalane, peptides, and ceramides—to smooth and repair dry skin.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, squalane, peptides, shea butter
Size: 0.33 fl oz
An ELLE contributor says: “This healed my cracked, peely-Accutane lips in a matter of a few days. It doesn’t feel heavy or ‘balmy’ where it just sits on top of your lips, and more like a hydrating serum combined with Vaseline for hydration at every level. I even use a little bit on the corners of my eyes or nose if they get dry from allergies/being sick.”— Anvita Reddy, Hearst commerce editor
Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment
Another lip balm that reached cult status, Ole Henriksen’s Pout Preserve does exactly what its name suggests. With help from Kokum butter, acai, and peptides, your lips remain kissably soft for hours on end.
Key ingredients: Kokum butter, mango seed butter
Size: 0.4 fl oz
An ELLE editor says: “I have a desk beauty tray that houses all the perfumes, hand creams, hair essentials, and lip products needed to survive a typical workday. As for my lip go-tos, I have about three Ole Henriksen lip balms I rotate each day, simply because I’m obsessed with the flavors (Vanilla Bourbon is my fave) and how insanely moisturized my lips feel after hours.”— NP
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DermInfusions Plump + Repair Lip Treatment
Don’t jump to book that filler appointment just yet. If you want to see yourself with juicy, plumped lips, Dr. Dennis Gross has an at-home formula that delivers impressive results. The stars of the show are hyaluronic acid and peptides, which give a plumping effect, while ectoin and bisabolol nourish the lips.
Key ingredients:Hyaluronic acid, peptides, bisabolol, ectoin
Size: 0.33 fl oz
An ELLE contributor says: “I already have decent-sized lips, but it did plump my lips enough where it nearly gaslit me into wanting lip filler. It does have a slight tingly feel, but I don’t find that irritating; it’s deeply hydrating and gives your lips a flush of color. I also love that it specifically defines my lips/cupid’s bow. The tinted versions provide a lip gloss-like coverage, so you don’t need any other lippie.”— AR
Poppy & Pout All Natural Lip Balm
Poppy Pout takes the term “natural” seriously, from its cardboard vessel to the natural oil blend whipped into the formula. Thanks to its naturally derived ingredients—like vitamin E and coconut oil—the skin on your lips is coated in nourishment.
Key ingredients: Vitamin E, coconut oil
Size: 0.67 fl oz
An ELLE contributor says: “Poppy & Pout has so many wonderful flavors that it’s hard to decide which one to get, but this pomegranate peach is my favorite right now. All of their formulas are cruelty-free, creamy, and last a long time. I’ve given the 3-pack sets as a gift to so many people! Best of all, the entire packaging is recyclable cardboard.”— Jessica Dukes, Hearst commerce editor
Meet the Experts
Dr. Jenna Queller, MD, FAAD is a Florida-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of DermWorks.
What are the most effective ingredients for treating dryness on the lips?
What you’re looking for is moisture, so the ingredients should provide conditioning and nourishment rather than simply sit on top of the skin. “The most effective ingredients for treating dryness include humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which attract and retain moisture; occlusives such as petrolatum or lanolin, which lock in hydration; and emollients like shea butter or squalane, which soften and smooth the lips,” says Dr. Queller.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this story, an ELLE beauty editor interviewed a dermatologist, ELLE editors, and scoured customer reviews to find some of the best lip balms and treatments for dryness. When choosing between options, she weighed factors such as ingredient composition, performance, and long wear.
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