Best and Worst Lip Balms
There’s nothing cute or comfortable about dry, chapped lips, so I live by my favorite lip balms!
I’ve tried many lip balms over the years, and all lip balms are definitely not made the same. To help you avoid the duds and only buy the superstar lip balms, I’m sharing what I think are the best and worst lip balms.
No matter what budget, needs, and/or preferences you have for your lip balm, this list has tons of options to help you find the best (and avoid the worst) lip balm for you! Keep reading to hear all about the best and worst lip balms!
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm
A jack of all trades, this product leaves the lips feel and look great! One swipe of this product gives my lips a comfortable-feel, glowy finish, and subtle tint. I just love how I can look instantly more put together when using this product. Not to mention, it’s squeezy tube packaging makes application a breeze, even when I’m on the go.
Pros: Easy to apply on-the-go, elevates appearance almost instantly, and super comfortable
Con: More expensive price
e.l.f. Squeeze Me Lip Balm
A more affordable alternative to the Laneige lip balm is this one from e.l.f. It offers the same comfort, shine, tint, and ease of use— at only a fraction of the price. Although different from Laneige’s options, e.l.f. still has some great flavors that smell terrific! My personal favorite is Vanilla Frosting!
Pros: Easy to apply on-the-go, comfortable formula, and more affordable price
Cons: n/a
Glossier Balm Dotcom
With a formula filled with nourishing ingredients, this lip balm revives how my dry lips look and feel. Whether you like a shimmery, tinted, or clear finish, this balm is available in all these finishes. Almost all versions have scents that smell amazing, but Glossier also caters to those with an aversion to scents with their unscented balm. P.S. if you love how shimmer looks on the lips but dislike the sometimes gritty feeling which accompanies it, you have to try the Birthday version!
Pros: Shiny & shimmery finish, nourishing formula, and smells delicious
Cons: n/a
Kopari Coconut Lip Glossy
If you want a quick (and not so long-lasting) fix for your lips, this is the product for you. A swipe of this product adds a pretty, shiny look and comfortable feeling to the lips, but this effect goes away after like an hour max. If you don’t mind frequently reapplication, you may really enjoy this balm. Especially with it’s thin, oily formula that glides on the lips easily and smells yummy like a coconut.
Pros: Glossy finish, thin formula, and easy to apply
Con: Not long-lasting
Vaseline Lip Therapy Balm
A true classic, Vaseline is likely the most simple solution for dry lips. It’s affordable, fast-acting, and comfortable-feeling. Whether I’m looking to heal already chapped lips or proactively combating dryness, using this lip balm nightly does the trick! Plus, they have lots of versions that smell amazing, especially Creme Brulee!
Pros: More affordable price, fast-acting
Con: Difficult to use on-the-go
Fresh Sugar Lip Balm Hydrating Treatment
Even with a more lightweight formula, this Fresh lip balm still manages to deliver a lasting, nourished look and feel to the lips. Plus, Fresh has several tints in this balm, so you can have whatever color you want, or even no color at all (if that’s what you prefer). Also, in case you have an aversion to this scent, I wanted to mention that the balm does have a light citrus smell.
Pros: Lightweight formula, many tint options
Con: More expensive price
Eos Lip Balm
Although I haven’t used this lip balm in a while, I still remember how uncomfortable my lips felt while using it. I’ve seen photos online of people with red, blown up, and irritated lips that they attribute to their use of this product. While I am lucky to not have had this severe of a reaction, using this product was not a comfortable experience — and it certainly did not help relieve existing dryness. Not to mention, the product has bulky, oddly-shaped packaging that makes application and storage unnecessarily difficult.
Pro: Many options
Cons: Bulky packaging, formula can cause irritation
Kosas Kosasport LipFuel Lip Balm
This sleek lip balm shines with its ingredients, namely its inclusion of 1) hyaluronic acid which attracts water to the lips and 2) konjac root which provides protection. Also, the formula is so lightweight that I can barely feel it on the lips. P.S. while I love mint scents and slight tingly feeling lip products, you may want to avoid this one if that’s not your speed.
Pros: Compact packaging, thin formula
Con: More expensive price
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm
The best word to describe this lip balm is subtle — subtle tint, subtle hydration, subtle feeling… Burt’s Bees is one of the most well-known lip balm brands, and while I don’t dislike them, I don’t find them to have a major impact. This lip balm gets the job done but in a subtle way; it is an affordable, easy to use product that provides some nourishment and color to the lips.
Pros: Gives sheer tint, feels lightweight, priced more affordably, and has compact packaging
Con: Doesn’t make much of a difference
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