While two people might not be able to agree on what the best lip balm really is, it’s safe to say this humble beauty product is adored by all. A reliable formula—whether it’s tinted, formulated with SPF, or a hydrating wonder that borders on lip oil—is a skin-care essential, especially in the winter. If you’re struggling to find something for your dry, chapped lips, we chatted with dermatologists and Glamour beauty editors to find out their all-time favorite lip balm products. Our top pick was the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm, because it has ultra-hydrating ingredients, comes in multiple tinted shades, and never fails to make lips look smooth and shiny. (Not to mention it’s sister to the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, which Glamour editors simply can’t stop raving about.) Below, we’re sharing the very best lip balms worth buying, from hydrating salves to subtle lip tints.
The best lip balms, at a glance
- Best Overall: Laneige Lip Glowy Balm, $19
- Best for Daily Use: Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1, $14
- Best Lip Salve: Glossier Balm Dotcom Lip Balm, $14
- Best SPF Lip Balm: Supergoop! Play Lip Balm SPF 35, $12
- Best Glossy Lip Balm: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, $24
Best Lip Balm Overall: Laneige Lip Glowy Balm
Laneige is the cream of the crop when it comes to lip hydration. Just look how much everyone loves the Laneige overnight lip mask. “It’s no surprise that so many Glamour editors are equally obsessed with the Lip Glowy Balm. It took me a little longer to get into it, though: I knew I loved the mask, but thought I didn’t need the balm. Well, I thought wrong: It wasn’t until my best friend Chyna got it for me as a gift (thanks, girl!) that I finally tried it, and I haven’t taken it out of my rotation since,” says Glamour contributor Danielle Sinay. “To put it simply: This is everything most people want out of a lip balm. Obviously, it’s super hydrating thanks to its nourishing formulation of murumuru butter and shea butter, but it’s not at all heavy, sticky, or runny, and it lasts all day long. It also smells delicious and leaves a light, sheer tint atop the lips for a no-makeup makeup finish. We like that it doesn’t look overdone or like you’re necessarily wearing anything. It just makes you, and your lips, look luscious, healthy, and hydrated, and who doesn’t want that?! Exactly. That’s why, as a beauty editor, this is my most-recommended lip balm.”
- Shades: 8
- Key ingredients: Shea butter, murumuru seed butter
- Scents: Berry, Vanilla, Mango, and Gummy Bear to name a few
Best Lip Balm for Daily Use: Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1
Dr. Mraz is a fan of this hydrating lip balm because it contains good-for-your-skin ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin E, and squalane. “This one applies more like a gloss than a balm—the applicator is a flat plastic disc with a hole in the middle where the product squeezes out, which is a far cry from the solid balm I use most often,” says Glamour commerce editor Jake Henry Smith. “While I’m not the biggest fan of the loose texture, I can’t deny that this is a deeply soothing, hydrating pick; one application around 9 a.m. on a frigid, wind-blasted morning lasted past 2 p.m. I appreciate that it’s completely flavorless and clear, and it doesn’t even make my lips flush like the balm I use currently. I’d recommend this for anyone who likes their lip balm no-nonsense—it’s great for guys.”
