The Best Balms, Masks, and Oils for Kissing Chapped Lips Goodbye
Chapped lips are a telltale sign that winter is here or you’ve spent too much time in the summer sun. Whatever the cause, chapped lips can be uncomfortable, especially if they are burning, peeling, or inflamed.
“The skin on the lips is anatomically different from the majority of the skin on our bodies, in that it does not have sebaceous or oil glands—this makes them more prone to drying out,” says Tiffany Libby, MD, double board-certified dermatologist and director of Mohs Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery. This is where lip treatments come in.
When choosing between balms, ointments, masks, and oils, we considered product ingredients, overall formulation, and the inclusion of SPF. Plus, we spoke with Dr. Libby for her expertise in deciding what formulas are worth shopping for and how to quickly heal chapped lips.
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It's dermatologist-tested, features SPF 25, guards against windburn, and provides instant relief.
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The formula is thick compared to other lip balms, but it isn't waxy.
The Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm is our top choice for chapped lips, given the extensive ingredient profile and inclusion of SPF in the formula. The texture is balanced between ultra-thin and heavy-duty, creating a perfect barrier between the lips and external elements. It’s long-lasting after application, too.
Each Intense Therapy Lip Balm includes grapefruit and ginger, which help to refresh and soothe irritated lips. It also features occlusive ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil to soften and hydrate lips lacking moisture. Finally, beneficial antioxidants, like vitamin E and green tea, protect against environmental pollutants, working in tandem with SPF 25.
The price is affordable, the packaging allows for easy application, and you won't find parabens, sulfates, or phthalates in this product.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, avocado oil, vitamin E | Formulation: Balm | Size: 0.25 ounces | SPF: Yes
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The formula is great for those with sensitive skin, and it's not sticky or greasy.
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Some users don't like that the cap is as long as the entire tube.
As the leader in chapped lip treatments, Vaseline's original Lip Therapy Lip Balm transforms the brand's beloved Healing Jelly into a convenient stick form. While the formula does include ingredients like shea butter and castor oil, the primary ingredient callout is petroleum. Well-known for being an occlusive ingredient that seals in moisture, the addition of petroleum allows the aforementioned hydrating ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin, offering a buffer between extreme weather and environmental stressors that would otherwise hinder absorption. This lip balm isn't sticky and sits undetectable on the lips outside for a slight sheen that can easily be mistaken for a gloss.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, castor oil, petroleum jelly | Formulation: Balm | Size: 0.16 ounces | SPF: No