Here's something I can kiss and tell: When I come across a good lip balm, I have to share. As a beauty writer, I've tried a plethora of formulas. Some have left my lips parched (even more than before), and some have left my lips satisfied. It's safe to say a good lip balm can be hard to come by.
You see, a quality lip balm shouldn't just deliver hydration: It must meet other requirements, too. After all, a lip balm shouldn't last less than an hour, and shouldn't worsen chapped lips. When I'm shopping for one, the product's wear, finish and applicator are crucial details that I hardly ever skip over. They contribute to whether or not I see a lip balm worth adding to my collection — and in this case, yours, too.
Over the past few years, I've tried over 20 of the most popular lip balms, including from the most viral finds and some that are not so favored. After a lot of trial and error, I finalized what I think are the best lip balms on the market, including some honorable mentions that didn't make my personal list.
From tinted formulas to drugstore picks, these lip balms checked each of my boxes.
Best lip balms, according to a beauty writer
Best overall:
Before I discovered the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, I was in a years-long relationship with my Aquaphor tube. But over time, the feelings just weren't there anymore, as I often found myself constantly reapplying after it faded. I knew I was in need of something new.
What I first noticed about the Summer Fridays lip balm is that the moisturizing benefits continued hours after the first application. I've been using the lip balm for around two years now, and I don't plan on looking back — we're committed. You see, this is one product the TikTok community got right. While the cute packaging and attractive tints are what sold a lot of people, myself included, the ingredients check off our expert-approved list, per our previous coverage, including shea and murumuru seed butter. These butters help relieve and soothe chapped and dry lips for long periods.
The consistency is also a happy medium between thin and thick. While it is thick enough to wear as a nighttime lip mask, the lip balm also isn't too thick to where you feel the formula sitting on top of your lips.
I also give huge points to the applicator since it is perfectly curved and has the right amount of bounce for comfortable and easy application. And if you choose one of their many tinted shades (there's also a non-tinted version), they each have a subtle scent that isn't overpowering. I've found myself ditching my lip gloss and lipstick, as this lip balm is the best of both: All of the shine and tint in one.
Ideal for sensitive lips:
If there was an award for cutest lip balm packaging, I'd give it to Cocokind. Some features I love: The glossy tube matches the shade inside, the ridged top makes it easier to open (in my opinion) and there's a key hook so you can connect it to your key leash and more. It's nothing short of detail.
With ceramides and peptides as its key ingredients, I can understand why 'blur' is in the product's name. The ceramides help lock in moisture, meanwhile the peptides exude many anti-aging benefits, including boosting collagen (which we lose as we age). While I'm only in my mid-20s, the results are still evident: My lips feel and look smoother.
But what really earned Cocokind's lip balm in my 'best lip balms' pick is that it was designed specifically for sensitive lips. It's free of fragrance, lanolin, petrolatum and essential oils, which are common irritants for sensitive skin. If these ingredients are ever a concern in other formulas, this product is for you.
The only downside is that the packaging could potentially be filled a bit more. When you press it to dispense the balm, all of the air comes out, so the tube feels a bit empty.
A viral favorite:
Founded by model Hailey Bieber, Rhode first launched with a handful of peptide-first skin care products, including their Peptide Lip Treatment. The bestselling formula was later amped, and the Peptide Lip Tint was born.
While described as sheer, each shade of the Peptide Lip Tint is different. Some are more pigmented than others, such as Raspberry Jelly, but each can be built up to different intensities. If you'd like to layer it with a lip liner? No problem. If you'd like a gloss without the stick? You won't need any other lip product.
While peptide is the star ingredient, the formula is also loaded with many other nourishing ingredients, including shea butter, cupuaçu and babassu, that equally help to replenish and restore dry lips. It goes on silky smooth just like how it feels, and wraps around the lips to securely lock moisture in.
The size of the tube is ideal for on-the-go use, but one flaw is that the applicator is just a bit too small. However, it still effectively and evenly dispenses the product.
Some customers also experienced some graininess with the Lip Tint. While I have not had this issue, it is important to store all of your lip products in a cool, dry area to maintain quality.
If you prefer a lightweight formula:
Ever tried the best-selling Lip Sleeping Mask from Laneige? The Lip Glowy is its counterpart. While the two can be paired together (I love doing this at night!), they can easily be worn alone.
The lip mask, however, has some downsides: It is too thick for daytime use (it is a lip mask, after all) and it's not very hygienic outside of your home (you need to use the included scooper or your finger to apply). The lip balm solves both concerns, since the formula is lightweight, and is dispensed through a small tube.
Compared to other lip balms I've tried, the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm isn't as hydrating, despite having the same key ingredients as the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm (shea and murumuru seed butters), for instance. I think that's how it is intended to be, though, so I'm not entirely mad at it. Sometimes, you don't want to feel your lip balm and this one is very lightweight.
Another perk to the formula is that it has tons of shine, similar to a gloss. So if you want the benefits of lip products but don't want to feel it on, this product is great for achieving both.
Best new launch:
Inspired by the icy Korean dessert bingsoo, the Glow Recipe Glass Balm is just as sweet as the treat. The launch is a first for the brand, and it pleasantly surprised me with its ingredients, finish and results.
The key ingredients consist of hyaluronic acid microspheres, fruit actives and glycerin, which tackle everything from protection to plumping the lips. The hyaluronic acid microspheres 'flood' the lips with hydration for up to 12 hours, claims the brand. This also helps give the balm a glass-like finish.
Although I didn't find the formula as long-lasting as other lip balms I've tried, the hydration is almost immediate. Any parch-ness was soothed, and any dry patches were relieved. Because of the high shine, my lips also looked more plump. The glow is real!
The brand gets extra points for the applicator. It's a bit plush and curved at the tip, so every curve and angle of your lips is covered.
Honorable mentions
An affordable pick:
Eos was my first introduction to lip care, throwing it back to their egg lip balms. Since smooth is in their name (Eos stands for Evolution of Smooth), it's no secret that this lip balm delivers smoothness, too. I love the texture of the lip balm, and the way it wraps around my lips. It's cushiony and delivers impressive shine that reminds me of many other pricier lip balms.
The only downside to this lip balm is the scents are just a bit too overpowering for me. I can smell it on my lips, but it does not irritate them. If you don't mind the smell, the Super Balm is a great affordable pick.
For all of the shine:
Unlike the lip balms on this list, and others are the market, the Lip Oil Balm from Saltair is a hybrid between a lip oil and a lip balm. You get the best of both, with a subtle sheen that's enhanced by the balm's nourishing benefits.
"For a lip oil/balm hybrid, I’m pretty impressed with the immediate (though not long-term) hydration and non-sticky texture you’re getting with the product," says senior SEO editor Jess Bender, who also recommends the lip balm. "For $9, there’s really not that much to complain about here"
While I can agree with Bender that it isn’t my go-to for hydration, I do love the finish. It's a great lip balm when you'd rather not wear a gloss, but what the shine of one.
Best shade range:
I love Naturium's Phyto-Glow Lip Mask, but its large size (which is great for the price point) and packaging aren't ideal for on-the-go. While it's a different formula, I was excited to try their Phyto-Glow Lip Balm so I can bring a similar experience on the go. The shea and cupuaçu butters caught my eye, but what really sold me is that plant squalane is also a part of the lip balm's key ingredients (another ingredient for dry lips recommended by previous experts).
Though reviews are mixed, I found the formula incredibly moisturizing. But what really seals the deal is the neat applicator (which is sort of a flat, round and curved shape) and shade range, from shimmers to classic nudes, that make applying fun.
Partnerships editorial assistant Erica Marrison is also a fan of the lip balm. "For just $10, it moisturizes my lips better than a lot of higher-priced options, and the curve of the tip makes application easy," she raved. "It’s the ideal gloss-meets-balm."
A fragrance-free lip balm:
This was one lip balm I was pleasantly surprised with. According to the brand, the hydration benefits are equivalent to a lip balm. At first, I found that to be a bold claim for my very dry lips. But when I applied, my lips instantly felt comfort.
The lip balm even has the National Eczema Association's stamp of approval. I especially like that it's formulated with shea butter, jojoba oil and lysine, an ingredient that helps prevent and smooth dryness. It's a treat for dry, chapped lips, even for those with sensitive skin since it has no fragrance.
The only con to the lip balm is that the applicator isn't my favorite. It reminds me of throwback lip balm formulas and is a bit large for my liking since it makes application rather difficult. But its benefits are worth looking past this one drawback.
If you have volume loss:
Although technically most lip balms are good for prevention, I love the OleHenriksen Pout Preserve Hydrating Peptide Lip Treatment as a preventative treatment. It contains peptides, many butters and more to combat volume loss and smooth fine lip lines. The lip balm is definitely plumping, too, because it has a high-shine finish (it's also available in shimmer shades) that gives an illusion of juicer lips.
I will note, the shades are somewhat sheer and aren't as buildable as other formulas. But I love it over a lip liner to add some gloss to my lips.
How we chose
To find the best lip balms, editorial assistant Madison San Miguel took inventory of her collection of lip balms to see which ones were her top picks. As a writer with a beauty background, she took her expertise into consideration and evaluated all the picks based on their ingredients, application and how they compared to each other. She often covers beauty, fashion and writes product reviews for Shop TODAY.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
