10 Best Lip Balms for Soft, Hydrated Lips in 2022 (Dermatologist-Reviewed)

Pros:

• Only a few ingredients
  
• Petroleum jelly is one of the most powerful occlusives to lock in moisture and makes up the base
  
• Can be used for other purposes, like peeling cuticles and minor cuts and burns
• Rose scent and glossy finish

Cons:

• Some reviewers say it's too thin, and they have to reapply a lot
• It also comes in tins, but users say they can be hard to open

This salve has been around for more than a century, and the formula is fairly simple. It's basically petroleum jelly and cottonseed oil. However, it adds luxury with the aroma of rose; the exact blend is a trade secret.

It's safe to say it has a cult following and is a favorite of many celebrities, but a few reviewers said they wished it lasted longer. Most say the tube makes application easy and clean, and it goes on glossy and leaves their lips soft.

Pros:

• SPF 15 from mineral sunscreen
• Matte finish
• 100 percent natural ingredients

Cons:

• Zinc sunscreen may leave a white cast
• Some say the texture is too hard and waxy
• Beeswax is a common allergen for many people

This beeswax-based balm is great at offering both moisture and protection for your lips and is ideal for moderate protection from the sun during everyday activities. It's water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.

Zinc, although recommended over chemical sunscreen by dermatologists for use on the lips, does leave a whitish tint. And some reviewers say this has a sticky, stiff texture. However, they say that makes it tough against harsh weather, and after they got used to how it felt, they became loyal customers.

Pros:

• Real gold flakes
• Squalane is a powerful emollient with antioxidant properties
• Camellia oil moisturizes and provides vitamins and omega acids
• Algae extract has collagen to address fine lines on the lips
• Green tea and rice bran for antioxidants and anti-aging
• Licorice extract soothes inflammation

Cons:

• Contains a small amount of alcohol, which can be drying

This luxurious lip balm contains real gold flakes that will leave a shimmery accent on your lips. But that's not the only luxury; the ingredients are high-end as well. Squalane, camellia oil, algae, and rice bran offer intense moisturizing and smooth your lips, while licorice calms skin irritation.

Some found it a bit drying, and it does have alcohol listed near the end of the formula. But the majority found just the opposite, saying it left their lips soft, moisturized, and with a subtle sheen of gold.

Pros:

• Blue Seal is 100 percent petrolatum, triple-filtered, and is unlikely to cause any allergic reactions
• Petroleum jelly is a highly effective occlusive that locks in moisture
• Creates a long-lasting barrier against dry air

Cons:

• Large jar is best used at home; you can divide it into smaller jars for portability
• Amazon has quite a few unreliable listings for this product

If your lips are in serious need of repair and protection, petroleum jelly is one of the best things you can use. Vaseline's Blue Seal type is very pure, so it has what you need to keep moisture in and dryness out, and nothing more.

Vaseline makes a lot of products, including a line specifically for lip care, but some reviewers didn't like how those contain flavors, color additives, and other ingredients. Most of them say this version, with its simple formula and thick consistency, works the best and causes no irritation.

Pros:

• Thick and creamy so it lasts all night
• Vanilla and balsam scent
• Handmade in small batches in Montana
• Certified organic, vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly

Cons:

• Some reviewers didn't like the smell or taste
• Others said it didn't moisturize as well as expected

This brand makes many varieties of lip balm, all of them organic and vegan. This one is designed for overnight use, and it's thick, so the ingredients will stay put while you sleep.

Some reviewers said it wasn't moisturizing enough, but many said it left their lips feeling softer the next day. Others said the scent helped relax them.

Pros:

• Adds a subtle shine
• Vitamins C, E, and B5 nourish, while humectants and emollients repair and protect
• Chamomile soothes irritated skin

Cons:

• Like petroleum jelly based ones, it will cause lip marks on a drinking glass for a while after application

If you have constantly chapped and cracked lips or live in a very dry climate, you need powerful occlusives to keep moisture locked in. This formula goes on with a consistency similar to petroleum jelly, but is less greasy, and works just as well.

Reviewers say it can wear off more easily than petroleum jelly, so they like how this little tube is easy to carry in a pocket and hygienic to reapply. Many say it's excellent for an overnight treatment, too.

Pros:

• 10 percent docosanol can reduce the time it takes a cold sore to heal
• Good ingredients for moisturizing, too, like jojoba, beeswax and olive oil
• Can also prevent lip dryness

Cons:

• It didn't work for some

This works to shorten the duration of a cold sore, and can even prevent them forming if you catch them fast enough, so it's a great choice for everyday use. It also serves as a moisturizing lip balm and not just a medication.

Some reviewers felt that because it's waxy, the medicine had trouble doing its job, and they said Abreva cured their sores better. But as a lip balm, this double-tasker helped many users keep breakouts under control and keep their lips in top shape.

Pros:

• Chemical sunscreens protect against UV damage without leaving a white cast
• Matte finish
• Petroleum jelly base locks in moisture and blocks out dry air
• Shea and cocoa butters, beeswax, lanolin, and avocado oil moisturize
• Vitamin E and green tea extract for added skin nutrients

Cons:

• Since chemical sunscreens are easily absorbed into the skin, dermatologists often advise against using them frequently

This lip balm has a balanced formula with emollients and occlusives to keep lips soft and moisturized, vitamins and antioxidants, and SPF 25. The petroleum jelly makes it great for severe chapping and intense repair and protection.

Some reviewers didn't like the flavor or scent. But many say the moisturization lasts a long time (keep in mind to reapply for sun protection, though!).

Pros:

• Dimethicone to seal in moisture and keep dry air out
• It also helps fill in fine lines for smooth-looking lips
• Strong mineral sunscreens provide SPF 30 for 80 minutes, even in the water

Cons:

• Mineral sunscreens do leave a white cast

If you're heading out for a day of fun in the sun, this lip balm will keep your lips protected from those harmful UV rays. It offers SPF 30 protection using non-chemical sunscreens, and it seals in moisture to keep the wind from drying and chapping your lips.

The zinc and titanium do turn your lips white, so some reviewers recommend using it in conjunction with a colored gloss or another tinted balm. They say it's very effective against sunburns, though, and that's what really matters.

Pros:

• Certified organic ingredients and no animal testing
• Two forms: a stick and a fun ball shape
• Vitamin E and squalene for lip care

Cons:

• Mint oil actually isn't great for your lips and can cause burning

This brand is focused on flavor, so if you like to lick your lip balm, check out their yummy choices. They use organic and natural ingredients, like this one with tingly mint oil. It also has stevia, a natural sweetener, to make it even more delicious!

While many reviewers like the sensation of mint on their lips, in fact, it can cause a burning feeling and leave them drier. But a lot of them like the feeling and love the taste. They also say it lasts a long time on their lips.