Compared with the skin on our face and bodies, the lips may not be high on our list of self-care concerns. But they should be, according to skin experts, who say they can be one of the first places on your face to show signs of aging, such as fine lines, as well as moisture loss in the form of dry, flaking and cracked lips. The latter is especially true if you live somewhere where winters are dry and cold.
One big reason is because the skin on our lips doesn't have sebaceous glands, so "they can't produce the protective oils to keep themselves moisturized," dermatologist Dr. Tiffany Libby previously told Shop TODAY.
Luckily, whether you’re chapped from the cold or just trying to stay ahead of fine lines, there are a slew of treatments that are focused solely on nourishing and moisturizing your lips (and perhaps even giving it a youthful appearance in the process).
But there are a lot of lip products out there claiming to do the job. So we did the research to narrow down the choices of quality lip treatments of all types, from ointments to tinted lip balms. We also include experts' tips on what to look for when shopping and how to keep your pout hydrated.
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What should I look for in products for dry and chapped lips?
Whether it's a balm, gloss or oil, there are scores of different types of hydrating lip products out there — and even more brands that offer them. Focusing on what the active ingredients are and what you're using a certain lip treatment for is key to not getting overwhelmed.
Here are the top ingredients you should look for when shopping for treatments for dry and chapped lips:
- SPF 30+ and other sun-protective ingredients: Especially in the winter, moisturizing goes hand in hand with protecting your lips from the sun. "Lips experience the same ultraviolet damage as the surrounding face. UV damaged lips over time look smaller, less well-defined and scaly, and can be prone to skin cancer," Dr. Robert Anolik, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, previously told us. Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank prefers lip products that also come with zinc, another sun-protective ingredient.
- Humectants: Hyaluronic acid is an example of a humectant, or an ingredient that draws moisture into the skin. In fact, it can absorb and retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Glycerin is another example of a humectant that doubles as an emollient, an ingredient that softens and soothes dry skin. It has the same moisture-drawing and retaining powers as hyaluronic acid, but Dr. Sejal Shah, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously stated that it has a smaller molecule than hyaluronic acid, meaning it can penetrate into your skin more deeply.
- Occlusives: Dr. Papri Sakar, a Boston-based dermatologist, previously told us that occlusive ingredients act like Saran wrap. "You put it down over your skin, and it adds another layer, like a barrier. And what it does is it keeps water from being able to evaporate out [of the skin] as quickly," she added. These ingredients include petrolatum, shea butter (also an emollient) and beeswax.
- Ceramides: Ceramides are fatty molecules (aka lipids) that certified physician assistant Kendra Joseph described to us previously as "building blocks of your skin that protect or provide a link with other building blocks of your skin to prevent exposure to the outside world." This barrier keeps moisture in and helps prevent dehydration. Joseph added that it's helpful for mature skin, too, because our skin naturally loses ceramides as we age.
- Oils and other moisturizing and nourishing ingredients: Other moisturizing ingredients you might find in lip products include essential oils like jojoba oil, coconut oil, almond oil and other fruit and flower oils, according to our experts. Many of these oils contain antioxidants, as well as offer extra hydration for your lips. Emollients like shea butter and squalane are also excellent moisturizers. You may find vitamins E and A on the label, which are also beneficial: "These help in healing and keeping skin tones even," celebrity makeup artist Amber Amos explained to us in the past.
Best expert-approved lip products
Dr. Noah Gratch, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, New York, recommends this moisturizing lip balm from La Roche-Posay. “Formulated with hydrating ingredients, such as Panthénol and shea butter, this balm will restore the lips and keep them hydrated,” he explains.
Dr. Diane Madfes, assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, shared this lip balm by Kiehl’s as one of her favorites for chapped lips.
“It is packed with lipids derived from olives, aloe and vitamin E. You actually see it in many airplane travel kits, too,” she explains.
Another “cult classic” that we think deserves the name, this all-purpose ointment comes highly recommended by Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon in New York City.
The ointment, which the brand says holds a whopping 400% of its weight in moisture, does a lot, Engelman told us in a previous story: “from soothing chapped lips to healing dry, cracked hands to saving dry elbows and heels. [It also] softens hand skin and nails with vitamin E and shea butter and leaves behind a light vanilla scent,” she said.
Bender owns the coconut version of this tried-and-true lip balm, and says it goes on smooth without leaving lips feeling greasy. “My lips have a nasty tendency of peeling to the point of bleeding when the air’s really dry, so I needed an effective solution to keep them pain-free during my work from home days. This option has so far been my best option to date with keeping them chapped-free over a long span of time throughout the day,” she says.
“This balm is formulated to create a protective barrier for the lips to protect from external environmental aggressors and to seal in moisture,” says Gratch. Enriched with zinc oxide, sucralfate and zinc sulfate, this transparent cream is designed to provide your lips with six hours of hydration, according to the brand.
Looking to splurge? Jackie Spagnuolo, an aesthetic Nurse Practitioner in New York City, loves this moisturizing treatment from Revision Skincare. “Formulated with a blend of hydrating ingredients, such as shea butter, jojoba esters and hyaluronic acid, this product provides long-lasting hydration to soothe dry lips,” she says.
Best editor-approved lip products
“I was also super impressed with the formula. The brand says it’s formulated with vitamin E, which I found to be extremely moisturizing for my dry lips,” says associate editor Shannon Garlin.
Garlin also says this product is a true lip balm with the prettiest, subtle cherry color. “I have multiple and never leave the house without it,” she raves.
“The scrub has a thick, waxy consistency and the exfoliating granules have a super-fine texture, so they don’t feel harsh on the skin. ... For a second try, I decided to apply much more product to my lips. ... To my delight, this immediately got rid of those unsightly patches and even made the dry lines on my lips appear less prominent,” says editor Julie Ricevuto.
While I [Sales] own a different flavor of this lip balm, this three-pack still provides the same amount of nourishment to combat dry, cracked lips. I'm personally of a fan of these lip balms because they go on smooth, with a light texture and are made out of plant-based ingredients, so you know you’re not putting anything harmful on your lips.
This “universal salve” by Glossier is a cult (and editor) favorite for a reason. It’s formulated to soothe, hydrate and nourish dry or chapped lips, thanks to its ingredient blend of emollients like beeswax and lanolin. We’d be remiss not to mention the moisturizing fatty acids found in Cupuacu fruit extract, as well as the free radical-fighting antioxidants in the rice bran and rosemary leaf extract.
Many of the editors here are fans of this so-called "barrier-building" lip balm by Ilia.
"Its formula includes a moisture-boosting blend of hyaluronic acid, prickly pear oil and sea succulent and it leaves a subtle sheen after application — which is great when I need to elevate my face while in a rush to catch a Zoom meeting," says deputy managing editor Jess Bender.
This product has a major cult following and countless positive reviews, and for good reason.
“I finally tried this viral lip mask and it deserves all of the hype,” says associate editor Lauren Witonsky. “I put it on right before bed, and wake up with my lips still feeling moisturized when I usually have to reapply — even in the dead of winter when the air is dry. It is not sticky whatsoever, a little goes a long way and the mango flavor smells delicious (I now want to try them all).”
“I have very dry and cracked lips, and this mask is highly moisturizing and one of the only soothing formulas that helps me,” says Garlin. “I love it so much I wear it as a daily balm, too.”
More lip products to shop
Lip balms
The peptides have firming properties that are said to help slow thinning and minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and emollients like squalane combined with several butters offer an extra boost of hydration and smoothness.
This lip balm by La Roche-Posay is formulated to soften and soothe very dry and very chapped lips, and the ingredients show it. The balm contains a moisture-retaining ceramide that mimics the one our skin produces, sustainably sourced shea butter, plant-derived glycerin and a synthetic form of vitamin E to help prevent free-radical damage.
Lip products with SPF
This mineral-based broad-spectrum sunscreen lip balm has the good stuff our experts like in an SPF 30 lip product: zinc. It also has emollients and occlusives like almond oil, jojoba oil and beeswax. Plus, it’s formulated to be lightweight and go on non-greasy. Best of all, it rings up at under $5.
Aquaphor is a household name for many of us who struggle with dry skin. As a long-time sufferer of dry, chapped skin, my [Sales] ingredient preference when it comes to moisturizing my sensitive lips is petroleum. I tend to steer clear of products that have SPF because they tend to slightly irritate my skin — not ideal because my cold sores get triggered when my lips are cracked, red and exposed to the sun.
This lip protectant doesn't do that, and in fact, it's now my preferred daily lip moisturizer. Go for it if you have sensitive lips.
Another affordable pick that’s also a crowd favorite, this broad-spectrum SPF 30 lip balm comes in both non-tinted and tinted versions. Editor Vivien Moon has this as her summer and winter go-to on days when she's out and about during the day.
It's also scented with natural ingredients and includes hydrating and soothing ingredients like Cupuaçu and raspberry and jojoba seed oils. A note, however: This uses avobenzone, not a mineral, for its sunscreen, so we suggest steering clear if you have related allergies.
Lip masks and overnight treatments
This five-pack of gels smooths, softens, hydrates and plumps with green tea, niacinamide and peptides that promote collagen production. Reviewers say that you have to carefully apply the sheets so they don’t rip, but the plumped result is worth the effort.
Great alone or underneath lip color, this ultra-rich, leave-on mask has moisturizing hyaluronic acid and exfoliating papaya enzymes that help enable emollients — like mango butter and sea succulent — to absorb into skin. And when lips are well moisturized, they appear fuller.
This lip mask is formulated precisely to tackle dry, flaky lips. It’s got an A-list of hydration heavy hitters, like shea butter, coconut oil and wild mango butter, which work overnight to restore the moisture barrier of your lips.
Tinted lip balms and lipsticks
Bicoastal celebrity makeup artist Jeannia Robinette is a fan of this gloss that’s actually more like a lipstick, because it lasts so long, she previously told Shop TODAY. It has hyaluronic acid as an active ingredient, which Robinette also likes for its plumping properties.
The vegetable-based squalane has the omega fatty acids that dry lips crave while locking in moisture; the coconut oil adds nourishing proteins and vitamin E to the mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
"Chapped lips are common in winter because of constant exposure to cold air outside and dry, centrally heated air inside. This can lead to a loss of moisture and disruption of the moisture barrier, which can lead the lips to become dry, sore and cracked," Dr. Garshick explains.
If your lips are susceptible to cracking, Dr. Garshick advises applying a non-irritating lip balm or lip moisturizer several times a day, as well as before bedtime.
"If your lips are very dry and cracked, try a thick ointment, such as white petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, which helps to lock moisture in," she says, adding, "Always remember to apply SPF daily before going outdoors, which can be found in certain lip products as well."
Dr. Cybele Fishman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously shared with Shop TODAY some of the top ingredients to steer clear of if you've got chapped and sensitive lips. These include mint, menthol and cinnamon.
"While that cooling feeling may seem like a good thing, these ingredients are often just initially masking what may become worse problems," Fishman told us, adding to make sure to also throw away old or expired lip products, which can dry out or grow bacteria.
How we chose the best lip treatments
We researched, pored through star ratings, reviews, market analysis and our own previous coverage, to narrow down the best options for soothing, hydrating lip treatments of all types. Over the course of covering the top hydrating and repairing lip care products on the market, the Shop TODAY team has also spoken with skin care experts to determine effective must-have ingredients in lip care products.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Tiffany Libby is a board-certified dermatologist, working at Rhode Island Hospital.
- Dr. Noah Gratch, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, New York.
- Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon in New York City.
- Dr. Diane Madfes is an assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and is also a doctor at Mafdes Dermatology and Aesthetics Group.
- Jackie Spagnuolo is an aesthetic nurse practitioner in New York City.
- Dr. Sejal Shah is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
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