There’s nothing comfortable (or fun) about flaky, peeling, and dry lips, which is why we keep ourselves stocked with a collection of the best lip balms and treatments for chapped lips out there. And you can trust we’ve tried every beauty product under the sun: medicated balms, do-it-all salves, SPF-spiked formulas, exfoliating scrubs—we’ve even slapped on sleeping masks made just for your pout.
Our Top Lip Balms for Dry Lips
- Best Overall: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, $26
- Best Multipurpose: Glossier Balm Dotcom, $16
- Best Overnight Treatment: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, $24
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Nécessaire The Lip Balm, $28
- Best Long-Lasting: Personal Day Emotional Support, $24
- Best Glossy Finish: Kylie Cosmetics Lip Butter, $21
- Best Serum: Good Light Tripeptide Lip Nectar, $19
- Best Tinted: Nars Afterglow Tinted Lip Balm, $30
- Best for Fine Lines: Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm, $24
- Best Classic: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment, $26
- Best with SPF: Supergoop Play Lip Balm with SPF 30, $12
- Best for Mature Skin: Biossance Pro-Peptide Lip Perfector, $18
Frequently Asked Questions
If your current lip balm isn’t doing it for you anymore, it’s time to make a switch — most likely to something simpler. Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, has previously compared lip balms to quenching your thirst with a can of soda. “You drink something that appeals to the senses with no nutritional value, and shortly thereafter, you are still thirsty,” she explains. “The same thing goes for balms loaded with flavor, fragrance, and menthol.”
That doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid tasty or tingly balms; in fact, there are a few we really love on this list. Just be sure to pay attention to what is and isn’t working for you. Below, we’re sharing the best lip-care products we’ve tried to date, including Best of Beauty winners (hey, Nécessaire, Biossance, and Summer Fridays).
Best Overall: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Why it’s worth it: When you want the deep hydration of an overnight mask but the lightweight feel of a lip gloss, reach for Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm—a 2024 Best of Beauty Award winner and a TikTok staple. This buttery balm started with a single Vanilla flavor and has since expanded to 10 shades and scents, including cozy Brown Sugar, juicy Cherry, and shimmery Birthday Cake. The formula packs emollients like shea and murumuru seed butters to condition dry lips, as well as vegan waxes that smooth uneven texture and lock in moisture for hours. It delivers a glossy, plush finish that feels less like makeup and more like skin care.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“If I ever don’t have at least one of these Summer Friday Lip Butter Balms on hand or in my bag, something’s off. Not only do they keep coming out with scrumptious flavors—Hello, Iced Coffee!—they smooth over my dry, textured lips just one swipe. Even though I usually layer up, it never feels heavy or greasy. My lips look absolutely glistening, which is a far cry from their usual pale, flaky state. I love a punch of color and rarely wear untinted lip balms, so Summer Fridays’ tint offerings (which does include a clear shade) really speak to me. For a true my-lips-but-better look, I reach for Pink Guava (what I’m wearing here), but if I’m in the mood for something bolder, Cherry is my girl.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: shea butter, murumuru seed butter
- Shades: 10 (including clear)
Best Multipurpose: Glossier Balm Dotcom
Why it’s worth it: When Glossier first debuted, it did so with just four products—and one of them quickly became the now-iconic Balm Dotcom. The multipurpose salve became an instant classic for its glossy finish, long-lasting moisture, and minimalist packaging. While it was reformulated in 2023, Glossier’s loyal community (which has always been central to the brand) demanded the original back, and the brand listened. The OG formula returns with castor seed oil to deeply nourish, beeswax to seal in hydration, and lanolin to soften and protect dry, cracked skin. And while it’s made for lips, Glossier encourages using it anywhere you need extra moisture (think cuticles, elbows, or any dry patch that needs a little TLC).
“I’m so picky about lip balm texture—too thin and it disappears instantly, too thick and it leaves that weird waxy film. Glossier’s Balm Dotcom nails the perfect in-between: cushy, hydrating, and more about deep moisture than shine (which, TBH, is way more important to me). I’ve been loving the new Peppermint Bark flavor—it’s not aggressively minty, just gives the perfect little zing.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
- Key ingredients: castor seed oil, beeswax, lanolin, sunflower extract
- Shades: 11 (including clear/fragrance-free)
Best Overnight Treatment: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Why it’s worth it: Pretty much ushering in the entire overnight lip mask trend was—and still is—the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. You can’t scroll TikTok without seeing someone swipe on this viral K-beauty favorite before bed. It’s packed with a berry fruit complex, murumuru seed butter, and shea butter to smooth, nourish, and deeply hydrate while you snooze. A little goes a long way, and a much smaller dab doubles as a glossy, hydrating treatment during the day. And just when you think it can’t get better, Laneige frequently drops limited-edition scents like Pumpkin Pie, Strawberry Shortcake, and Rainbow Sherbet. It’s basically lip care and dessert all in one cute jar.
“I mean, this is the OG when it comes to lip masks. There’s a reason it’s a top-seller on Amazon. It moisturizes lips for hours on end—no reapplication needed. I apply the smallest amount of this stuff on my dry lips at night and am guaranteed to wake up with soft, hydrated lips in the morning.” —Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor
- Key ingredients: murumuru seed butter. shea butter, coconut oil
- Flavors: 12
Best for Sensitive Skin: Nécessaire The Lip Balm
Why it’s worth it: Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and approved by the National Eczema Association—if you have sensitive skin, those phrases are music to your ears. Nécessaire The Lip Balm, a 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner, checks all those boxes and then some. The formula blends niacinamide, essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and Centella asiatica extract into a base of luxe shea butter to restore and strengthen the lips’ delicate skin. “It’s made without synthetic fragrances and uses only skin-beneficial ingredients that hydrate, smooth, and protect. Its clear, semi-gloss finish delivers immediate relief for dry, chapped lips,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Miami. A hint of pure mint oil adds freshness with every swipe, while the cooling metal tip soothes on contact.
“In middle school, I used to slather this super tingly mint lip balm that I’d buy at the mall all over my mouth basically 24/7, and I’m pretty sure it was so fragranced and menthol-heavy that it actually wound up making me more chapped (ah, the viscious lip balm cycle). The Necessaire’s Lip Balm is the skin-friendly adult version of my old favorite. It’s got a slightly sweet minty flavor, and I still get the cooling effect from its metal applicator. But this formula, unlike its predecessor, is ceramide-packed, which means it actually repairs and plumps the skin of the lips. It’s effective enough that I only need to apply it every now and then—and that’s exactly how you want a lip balm to perform, if my tween experiences have taught me anything. ” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
- Key ingredients: niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, Centella asiatica extract
- Shades: 1 (clear)
Best Long-Lasting: Personal Day Emotional Support
Why it’s worth it: Founded by actress Lili Reinhart, Personal Day was born from her own struggles with sensitive skin and her mission to create skin care that’s as gentle as it is effective. Enter the Emotional Support Lip Balm, a.k.a. your lip’s comfort companion. It gives lips that just-right mix of high shine and moisture that actually lasts, thanks to hyaluronic acid (which pulls in hydration like a magnet) and squalane (which locks it in, even if a little bit swipes off with your morning coffee). Aloe vera instantly soothes dryness, while jojoba, camellia, and almond oils keep your lips plush, soft, and supported.
“In my adult life, there are three beauty items I never leave the house without: hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and lip balm. The latter is a “if-I-forgot-it-my-day-is-ruined” kind of pick because I’m extremely prone to cold sores and have perpeputally chapped lips—and if you’ve experienced either, you know they are both very uncomfortable. The Personal Day Emotional Support Lip Balm doesn’t just have a cute name, it works! And it’s really long-lasting. One swipe of the goopy-in-the-best-way balm with the curved applicator usually lasts me a few hours (if I don’t eat in between). I’ve already gone through two tubes of this stuff—I love it so much!” —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane oil, aloe vera, jojoba seed oil
- Shades: 1 (clear)
Best Glossy Finish: Kylie Cosmetics Lip Butter
Why it’s worth it: Kylie Cosmetics is synonymous with all things lips (hello, Lip Kits). So naturally, the brand’s Lip Butter takes hydration and shine to the next level. This rich yet silky balm delivers up to 24 hours of moisture, instantly quenching dry, chapped lips and locking it in for lasting softness. It helps protect against dehydration and supports the skin’s natural barrier, while shea butter and jojoba oil soothe, condition, and smooth. Every swipe gives you a fuller-looking pout with a glossy finish that feels as buttery as it gets.
“Ask anyone on Team Allure how much I love this lip balm. I have one at my desk, in my purse, in my car… you get it. I love the sugary flavor, the ever-so-slight tint, and the high shine—but its standout feature is the applicator, which has a divot that helps you smooth the goo across your lips (and feels great while you do it).” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
- Key ingredients: Moisture Barrier Complex, shea butter, jojoba oil
- Shades: 3 (including clear)
Best Serum: Good Light Tripeptide Lip Nectar
Why it’s worth it: A K-beauty brand rooted in barrier-first care, Good Light brings that same philosophy to lips with its Tripeptide Lip Nectar—a skin care-meets-lip-care formula that brightens, plumps, and protects. Think of it as a serum for your pout: Yuzu seed peptides repair and regenerate chapped lips, lychee extract helps boost collagen for a smoother, fuller look, and vitamin C works to brighten and even tone over time. The texture is pudding-like yet non-sticky, leaving lips feeling cushiony and hydrated long after application.
“This lip balm has become my go-to for daytime. Its rich clear formula glides on with a thick texture similar to Vaseline. But, the moisturizing effect last so much longer. There is no strong scent or taste, which is another thing I love. (I hate childish, fruity flavors.) it’s the ideal remedy for my lips which are often dried out from way too much liquid lipstick.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
- Key ingredients: yuzu seed peptides, lychee, vitamin C, glycerin
- Shades: 1 (clear)
Best Tinted: Nars Afterglow Tinted Lip Balm
Why it’s worth it: Fun fact: When NARS introduced its Afterglow Lip Balm in the iconic Orgasm shade, it sold out within 24 hours. The instant hit perfectly captured what the brand does best: merging makeup and skin care by delivering a sheer, glowy lip color that leaves lips silky and hydrated. Its Monoï Hydrating Complex (a blend of coconut oil and gardenia extract) provides lips with lasting softness, while squalane, jojoba seed oil, and pomegranate flower extract boost moisture and nourishment. A dose of vitamin E adds antioxidant benefits, and with no alcohol or added fragrance, it’s gentle enough for daily wear.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“I have these in multiple shades, which is important because I keep them ev-er-y-where: in my purse, at my desk, in my bathroom. They offer just enough moisture to keep my lips comfortable, even in the dead of winter, and pigment that’s sheer enough that I don’t need a mirror. They’re my end-all, be-all.” —Deanna Pai, contributing editor
- Key ingredients: Monoi Hydrating Complex (coconut oil, gardenia tahitensis flower extract, squalane), jojoba seed oil
- Shades: 7
Best for Lip Lines: Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm
Paula’s Choice
Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm
Why it’s worth it: Paula’s Choice recognized that lips often lose volume and develop lines with age—just like the rest of our skin—so the brand created the Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm to tackle both. “A treatment rather than a traditional balm, it promotes collagen production, provides nourishing hydration, and offers a sting-free formula that boosts visible lip volume for soft, full lips. It’s a game changer, especially for mature skin,” says Dr. Chacon. Backing up those claims is a science-forward blend of peptides that target multiple signs of aging: The formula features palmitoyl tripeptide-1 to strengthen and smooth, palmitoyl tripeptide-38 to plump and hydrate, and tridecapeptide-1 to refine texture—working together to deliver instantly cushioned, more youthful-looking lips over time.
“I’m not usually a glossy lip girl, but this Paula’s Choice lip treatment is starting to make me one, given how good its ingredients are for my lips. Despite the crazy-dry and crazy-cold winter we’ve had here in New York, my lips have never had even the slightest hint of chapping, and that’s probably because I’m always slathering this on, which feels weirdly satisfying to do thanks to this applicator’s curved, form-fitting tip. My favorite thing to do, as pictured here, is wear it atop my favorite lip stain.” —Dall’Asen, senior news writer
- Key ingredients: tridecapeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tripeptide-38, shea butter, castor seed oil
- Shades: 1 (clear)
Best Classic: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment
Why it’s worth it: When Fresh launched its original Sugar Lip Treatment over 20 years ago, it brought a dose of luxury to a category that had long been purely practical. Gone are the days of waxy, flavorless balms: This one melts on contact, delivering a smooth, buttery texture that makes lip care feel indulgent. Over the years, the formula has evolved with tinted versions, updated packaging, and an even silkier feel, but the core appeal remains: 24-hour hydration powered by real sugar (for long-lasting moisture), plus grapeseed and cranberry seed oils to nourish and soften. Antioxidant-rich vitamins C and E help protect against environmental stressors, keeping lips supple. It’s an editor-favorite that’s only gotten better with time.
“I’ve been on the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment train for years, and I don’t think I’ll ever get off—because it works. Apart from bringing my lips back from the brink—as a serial dehydration queen and lip biter—it also just feels so good to apply. It’s so smooth, it’s addictive. There’s HA, which I personally love for adding plump to my lips, and some botanical oils to smooth it all out. If you’re unsure of the price for a lip balm, I get it—but it’s one of those once-you-go-Fresh-you-can-never-go-back kinds of things. Think of it as the ultimate everyday lip balm. It’s elevated—from the screw-on top, to the weight of the balm, to the tints offered. My favorites are the Cocoa and nude shades, but the pinky-reds will have you looking straight out of a Rom Com movie, and you can never go wrong with the classic, tint-free balm.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
- Key ingredients: sugar, castor seed oil, jojoba seed oil, beeswax, grapeseed oil
- Shades: 12 (include clear)
Best with SPF: Supergoop Play Lip Balm with SPF 30
Supergoop
Play Lip Balm with SPF 30
Why it’s worth it: Along with being our most budget-friendly pick, Supergoop! Play Lip Balm SPF 30 also packs a healthy dose of sunscreen designed just for your lips. Available in refreshing Mint or subtly sweet Açai, it shields lips with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 powered by chemical filters like avobenzone and octocrylene. “This one’s always in my bag, especially if I know I’ll be outdoors for a while. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays and has nourishing shea butter, yet somehow still feels incredibly lightweight,” says Dr. Chacon. While both flavors share the same SPF actives and nourishing base, the Mint version delivers a refreshing, tingly finish from peppermint oil and menthol, while the Açai option leans sweeter with antioxidant-rich fruit extracts. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either.
- Key ingredients: avobenzone (3%), homosalate (10%), octocrylene (10%), octisalate (5%), shea butter
- Flavors: 2
Best for Mature Skin: Biossance Pro-Peptide Lip Perfector
Biossance
Pro-Peptide Lip Perfector
Why it’s worth it: If your lips are starting to feel thinner or drier with age, the 2025 Best of Beauty Award–winning Biossance Pro-Peptide Lip Perfector helps bring them back to their softest, healthiest state. “It has triple-strength peptides and provides instant hydration from heavyweight hyaluronic acid and naturally derived squalane that work together to support the lip barrier. It also provides extra hydration and is collagen-rich, leaving you with visibly plumper lips,” says Dr. Chacon. It’s available in clear and sheer-tinted shades (H2Glow, Blush Quartz, Supernova)—all in a soft vanilla scent.
- Key ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalane
- Shades: 4 (including clear)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you “overuse” lip balm?
You can overuse lip balm, “but it’s not necessarily harmful to be ‘addicted’ to moisturizing your lips,” says Dr. Chacon. What can happen, however, is that you become hyper-aware of even the tiniest bit of dryness. “Overuse can make it so that even the slightest hint of dryness is more noticeable,” she explains. That being said, if your lip balm has actives, ”like exfoliating acids or menthol, that can cause irritation if used too often,” she says.
Why do lips feel drier after using some lip balms?
If your lips feel drier after applying lip balm, it could be due to the ingredients in the formula. “Certain ingredients can be harsh on delicate lip tissue, causing dryness, flaking, and peeling. Menthol, for example, has a tingly, cooling effect on lips and is often used in lip balms for that very feature. However, in a lot of cases, it’s too strong an ingredient, and in conjunction with sun exposure, menthol can damage the thin tissues of the lips,” Dr. Chacon says.
What ingredients should I look for in a hydrating lip balm?
When shopping for a hydrating lip balm, focus on nourishing, emollient ingredients rather than those that create a temporary tingle. “I would avoid menthol, but for hydration, there are a lot of great options. Shea butter and cocoa butter are thick and great ingredients that generally can’t be overused. The same goes for the lighter options like jojoba oil or castor oil—both are ultra-hydrating ingredients that are great for moisturizing lips and beyond,” says Dr. Chacon.
Meet the experts
- Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut, and associate clinical professor at Yale University
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best lip balms for dry lips, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team of in-house writers and editors, as well as contributors, along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
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