We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Beauty Skincare The Best Balms, Masks, and Oils for Kissing Chapped Lips Goodbye Keep your lips happy and hydrated. By Grace Parsons Grace Parsons Grace Parsons is a contributing writer for Real Simple whose work has been published in The Spruce, The/Thirty, and The Quality Edit. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 22, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Kristin Kempa 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. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Budget: Vaseline Lip Therapy Original at Amazon $7 Jump to Review Best Splurge: Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm at Nordstrom $28 Jump to Review Best Natural: True Botanicals Lip Balm at Nordstrom $24 Jump to Review Best Balm: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Lip Balm for Dry Lips at Amazon $17 Jump to Review Best Mask: Fenty Beauty Plush Puddin’ Intensive Recovery Lip Mask at Sephora $23 Jump to Review Best Oil: Ogee Sculpted Lip Oil at Amazon $28 Jump to Review Best Scrub: e.l.f Lip Exfoliator at Amazon $5 Jump to Review Best Tinted: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm at Sephora $24 Jump to Review Best With SPF: Supergoop! PLAY Lip Balm at Amazon $12 Jump to Review Best Overall Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm PHOTO: Amazon $10 at Amazon $17 at Walmart $10 at Sephora What Stands Out It's dermatologist-tested, features SPF 25, guards against windburn, and provides instant relief. What Could Be Improved 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 Best Budget Vaseline Lip Therapy Original PHOTO: Amazon $7 at Amazon $3 at Target $1 at Walmart What Stands Out The formula is great for those with sensitive skin, and it's not sticky or greasy. What Could Be Improved 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 Best Splurge Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm PHOTO: Fresh $28 at Nordstrom $28 at Sephora View on Fresh.com What Stands Out The formula offers up to 24 hours of deep hydration, and hyaluronic acid filling spheres give the appearance of fuller lips. What Could Be Improved The product is not suitable for vegans. The Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm offers 24 hours of moisture to dry, cracked lips, making it ideal for anyone who forgets to apply lip products. True to the brand's DNA, the use of sugar in the formula helps to aid in lasting hydration, amplified by the inclusion of hyaluronic acid filling spheres. These spheres allow lips to look fuller without the irritation commonly experienced with plumping lip products. While we're fans of the sleek, twistable packaging, the emollient nature of the formula does make it prone to melting, so be sure to keep the balm stored in a cool place. Key Ingredients: Sugar, hyaluronic acid, sea fennel | Formulation: Balm | Size: 4.3 grams | SPF: No Best Natural True Botanicals Lip Balm PHOTO: Ulta $24 at Nordstrom $24 at Truebotanicals.com $24 at Ulta What Stands Out It gives a glossy rose hue with application, and the texture isn't sticky. What Could Be Improved Application is messy and unhygienic since you have to use your finger. True Botanicals Moisture Lock Glossy Balm is a pot full of rosy-hued lip balm gold. The use of Bulgarian Rose gives the treatment its pinkish color and adds a slight tint to the lips at application. The ingredient also works with vanilla to provide a gourmand-inspired scent to the formula. Other notable additions include spilanthes and hyaluronic acid to help with hydration and lip restoration. The formula is Environmental Working Group (EWG) verified and certified organic, making it a stellar choice for anyone concerned with product quality and the use of questionable ingredients. Just be sure to use clean fingers when applying the treatment, as the repetition of dipping your fingers into the pot can increase the formation of bacteria. Key Ingredients: Spilanthes, hyaluronic acid, Bulgarian rose | Formulation: Balm | Size: 0.14 ounces | SPF: No Best Balm La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Lip Balm for Dry Lips PHOTO: Ulta $17 at Amazon $10 at Ulta View on Laroche-posay.us What Stands Out The formula features the same ingredients as the beloved face balm. What Could Be Improved The formula is thick, so you have to use more effort to squeeze it out of the tube. The quality and efficacy of La Roche-Posay products continue to make the brand go viral, and the Cicaplast B5 Lip Balm is sure to be the next success of the French pharmacy brand. Enriched with panthenol, this thick balm instantly soothes irritation and offers long-standing hydration to parched lips. Additional benefits are thanks to the brand's patented Thermal Spring Water, packed with restorative vitamins and minerals, and shea butter for even more moisturization. Like all La Roche-Posay products, the Cicaplast Lip Balm is free from fragrances, allergens, and dyes, which is ideal for those with sensitive lips. Key Ingredients: Panthenol, MP-Lipids, Thermal Spring Water | Formulation: Ointment | Size: 0.25 ounces | SPF: No Best Mask Fenty Beauty Plush Puddin’ Intensive Recovery Lip Mask PHOTO: Fenty Beauty $23 at Sephora View on Fentybeauty.com $23 at Kohls.com What Stands Out The pump dispenser is incredibly hygienic. What Could Be Improved Recommended application of the product once dispensed is questionable. With a unique and hygienic applicator, the Fenty Beauty Plush Puddin' Intensive Recovery Lip Mask will restore chapped lips to a hydrated state. Ingredients including pomegranate sterols help to fortify damaged lips, making them more resilient with time, while oils such as coconut, castor, and jojoba further promote plumpness and elasticity. While users note the applicator can be temperamental, the twist-up vessel dispenses product onto a clean surface, ensuring bacteria doesn't come into contact with the unused product, resulting in the formula degrading faster. Plus, the packaging is recyclable, which is not often the case for airless packaging. The mask formula is also cruelty-free and vegan, a worthy attribute as most lip products contain things like beeswax. Key Ingredients: Pomegranate sterols, jojoba oil, castor oil | Formulation: Mask | Size: 0.50 ounces | SPF: No Best Oil Ogee Sculpted Lip Oil PHOTO: Amazon $26 at Amazon View on Ogee.com $28 at Saks Fifth Avenue What Stands Out The product is certified organic and EGW-verified, and it can be used as an overnight treatment. What Could Be Improved It will melt in hot temperatures. The Clear Sculpted Lip Oil from Ogee is the ultimate lip oil as it is solid, making it easy to apply and travel with. Of course, like most solid oils, it can melt, so be sure to keep it out of extreme heat and humidity. That detail aside, the EWG-verified and certified organic formula glides onto lips easily, thanks to a blend of cold-pressed jojoba oil, coconut, olive, and sunflower oils. It also features nourishing shea butter and fortifying vitamin E to amp up hydration and instantly soften chapped and peeling pouts. The brand is gluten-free, cruelty-free, and doesn't test on animals, but it's worth noting the Sculpted Lip Oil contains beeswax, making it unsuitable for vegans. If you prefer something with an impact, the formula does come in a tinted variation. Key Ingredients: Peppermint oil, cold-pressed jojoba oil | Formulation: Oil | Size: 3 grams | SPF: No Best Scrub e.l.f Lip Exfoliator PHOTO: Amazon $5 at Amazon $5 at Target $5 at Walmart What Stands Out The lip scrub comes in a tube for super-easy application. What Could Be Improved It can get messy while in use. e.l.f is one of the top-performing brands at the drugstore, given its affordable prices and efficacious formulas. The brand's Sugar Lip Exfoliators are no exception. Available in seven shades, this scrub comes in a tube, making it easy to use and clean up once you've finished that step in your routine. What’s distinguishable with this formula is the suspension of the sugar exfoliants in a blend of vitamin E, shea butter, avocado oil, and jojoba oil. This combination effortlessly buffs away dead skin as it replenishes moisture and soothes irritation. Followed up with a nourishing balm or ointment, chapped lips become a thing of the past. You can incorporate the Sugar Lip Exfoliator into any part of your skincare regimen or as a prep step in your makeup routine. Key Ingredients: Microcrystalline, shea butter, avocado oil | Formulation: Scrub | Size: 0.10 ounce | SPF: No Best Tinted Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm PHOTO: Sephora $24 at Sephora $24 at Revolve View on Summerfridays.com What Stands Out There are several shades to choose from, with limited edition colors dropping constantly. What Could Be Improved The applicator can get a bit messy with continued usage. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms are the ultimate cool-girl status symbol. They are aesthetically pleasing with an effective formula that hydrates, nourishes, and restores lips that show signs of dehydration and aging. Each tube comes with 15 grams of product, which is quite generous, given how little you need to experience the benefits. There are seven colorways, each with a distinctive tint or scent that sets them apart from others in the lineup. Despite the variations, the formula remains consistent with shea and murumuru seed butter blending with vegan waxes to create a rich, emollient texture that never feels sticky on the lips. The squeeze tube applicator with a silicone tip gently hugs the contours of the mouth, allowing for precise application. Just be careful when squeezing, as the tube can get a bit messy with continued use. Key Ingredients: Shea butter, murumuru butter, vegan waxes | Formulation: Balm | Size: 0.50 ounces | SPF: No Best With SPF Supergoop! PLAY Lip Balm PHOTO: Supergoop $12 at Amazon $12 at Nordstrom View on Supergoop.com What Stands Out It protects against UVA, UVB, and infrared radiation. What Could Be Improved It’s chemical SPF, not mineral. Dr. Libby believes that having SPF in your lip product is one of the key ways to protect the skin of your lips from sun exposure. Much like your skincare routine, SPF can help protect against sun damage and dehydration. As a leading SPF brand, Supergoop! offers a chemical-based lip balm with SPF 30. The clear formula is thicker in texture but glides onto the lips with minimal effort, making it easy to reapply throughout the day. You'll find hydrators like shea butter and sesame oil in the formula, with additional hydrating and nourishing benefits from acai and vitamin E. It's worth mentioning that those with a nut or seed allergy should avoid this formula, given the blend of oils used. Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, shea butter | Formulation: Balm | Size: 0.50 ounces | SPF: Yes Best for Night Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask PHOTO: Sephora $24 at Amazon $24 at Sephora $24 at Laneige.com What Stands Out The brand includes a small applicator with each jar, and the scent is amazing. What Could Be Improved The added coconut oil can cause breakouts around the mouth for those who are prone to acne. Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask is beloved by many. The thick, ointment-like formula seemingly restores chapped, damaged lips overnight in light of its heavy-duty formula. Included in each variation of the mask—there are currently seven flavors—are ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru seed butter. This trio nourishes the lips and rebalances moisture since lips cannot produce it without external help. Additional benefits come from vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects against external aggressors, and unique to the formula is the brand's patented Berry Mix Complex: a proprietary blend of potent antioxidants that help to reveal smooth and supple lips with continued use. While the use of a pot as the vessel might throw some people, Laneige includes a small silicone applicator tool with each jar to ensure that the product stays as hygienic as possible. Key Ingredients: Berry Mix Complex, shea butter, coconut oil | Formulation: Mask | Size: 0.70 ounces | SPF: No Best for Cracked Lips Blistex Medicated Lip Balm PHOTO: Amazon $4 at Amazon $5 at Target $8 at Walgreens What Stands Out The balm includes SPF and is really inexpensive. What Could Be Improved The ingredients might cause discomfort for those with extremely chapped lips. With SPF 15, the Blistex Medicated Lip Balm is an affordable treatment option for severely cracked lips. The main active ingredient outside of chemical sunscreen filters is camphor. This ingredient is known for its anti-itch and pain-minimizing properties, which can be symptoms of chapped lips. Additionally, you'll find beeswax, lanolin, and cocoa seed butter to help the formula effortlessly glide onto lips while creating a protective seal against environmental stressors like harsh winds and cool temperatures. Key Ingredients: Beeswax, mineral Oil, cacao seed butter, lanolin | Formulation: Balm | Size: 0.15 ounces | SPF: Yes Best Ointment Aquaphor Lip Repair PHOTO: Walmart $5 at Amazon $5 at Target $5 at Walmart What Stands Out The paraben-, dye-, and fragrance-free formula is safe for sensitive skin. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t sink in as well for people who don’t suffer from excessive dryness. Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment is a classic lip protectant that remedies chapped and dehydrated lips. The gloss-like formula is on the thicker side but feels weightless once applied, giving the impression of a clear lacquer that's never sticky. The commonly used hydrator, shea butter, is enriched in the ointment and blended with Chamomile essence to soothe irritation quickly. Like the rest of the products from Aquaphor, the formula is fragrance and paraben-free, with the dermatologist-recommended seal, making it ideal for those with sensitivities far beyond those associated with chapped lips. Key Ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol, shea butter | Formulation: Ointment | Size: 0.35 ounces | SPF: No Most Versatile Lanolips 101 Ointment PHOTO: Amazon $14 at Amazon $17 at Target $17 at Ulta What Stands Out You can use it on dry heels, cuticles, nasal passages, insect bites, paper cuts, and more. What Could Be Improved The balm can melt in the tube if it gets too hot. Made from just two ingredients, the Lanolips Original 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm does more than just tackle chapped, irritated lips. By harnessing the power of lanolin and lanolin oil, this cross-functional treatment also works as a skin aid, relieving dryness and irritation from the face and body. Thicker than a cream but still slightly viscous, the ointment easily rubs into the skin but never fully absorbs, creating a protective barrier between the skin of the lips or face and the elements. It is a bit sticky, so those with tactile sensitivities might have to adjust to the feel of it once applied. And while the price does feel elevated given the amount of product in the tube, a little goes a long way, allowing you to prolong purchasing another. Key Ingredients: Lanolin, lanolin oil | Formulation: Ointment | Size: 0.52 ounces | SPF: No Final Verdict The Jack Black Lip Balm is our top choice for chapped lips, thanks to hydrating and restorative ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E. The formula is the perfect balance between occlusive and comfortable, making it suited for daily and nightly use. The Vaseline Lip Therapy Lip Balm Original, on the other hand, uses the brand’s much-loved Healing Jelly in stick form, and it’ll save you a few bucks, too. How to Shop for Chapped Lip Treatments Like a Pro Ingredients "You want ingredients that restore moisture and also seal in the moisture. It doesn't have to be too involved or expensive," Dr. Libby explains. She'll often use her hydrating skincare on her lips as a preventative measure, ensuring she avoids her lips from becoming chapped in the cooler months. Her influential tip is to look for something like hyaluronic acid, as it is one of the top-performing hydrators in skincare. By applying an HA-bearing product on slightly damped lips so the molecules can bind with the water, making it penetrate deeper. You'll want to seal this with a more occlusive ingredient, like petroleum, to trap in water content and prevent water loss. Formulation Chapped lip treatment formulas can vary, but choosing between a mask, balm, and ointment comes down to preferences in texture and severity of dryness and discomfort you're experiencing. A hydrating overnight mask will be more occlusive, often feeling weighty on the lips. Since you're asleep post-application, the texture and aesthetic won't be as hindering compared to using this treatment during the day. An ointment sits in a similar spot, often creating a visible and textural seal on the lips. Despite their overall formulation, both of these options typically offer restoration and healing on a quicker timeline than a balm. A balm is often the first line of defense in preventing chapped lips and serves as a daily treatment for dryness or sensitivity. The texture is usually lightweight and undetectable on the lips when used in a solid stick form. If your balm is akin to an ointment or mask, it will provide a noticeable slip and feel on the lips, especially if it is tinted or includes SPF. SPF According to Dr. Libby, SPF in lip products, particularly ones intended for daytime use, is essential. The addition will help prevent further damage to a disrupted skin barrier and already sensitive and irritated skin, she says. If your go-to chapped lip treatment does not include SPF, it's worth using that at night and opting for another product for the day, keeping in mind that UVA and UVB rays impact the skin on overcast and sunny days. Questions You Might Ask How long does it take to heal chapped lips? Dr. Libby states that it takes chapped lips several days or weeks to heal, depending on the severity. Since the skin on our lips is more delicate than the skin on our bodies and cannot produce moisture, they are "more prone to drying out and becoming more easily irritated, especially when exposed to dry and cold weather," she says. The longer you go without moisturizing and replenishing the lips, the increased likelihood your lips will take longer to recover once intervention starts. How can you prevent chapped lips? Incorporating occlusive ingredients like petroleum or shea butter into your lip care routine is Dr. Libby's first defense against chapped lips. "Applying occlusive ointments to the lips helps prevent water loss from the skin's surface and to help protect and heal the skin barrier," she says. Dr. Libby also suggests avoiding overly licking your lips, particularly when out in extreme weather. "Saliva contains digestive enzymes, which can break down the protective skin barrier and irritate skin. As saliva evaporates from the skin, it can take more moisture with it," she states. Can chapstick make your lips drier? Certain chapsticks will not exacerbate dry lips. The caveat to this, Dr. Libby states, is if the formula includes ingredients known to sensitize the skin. "If your chapstick has additional components like scents, fragrance, or medications like menthol or camphor, these may lead to irritation and sensitivity and disrupt the skin barrier, which can leave lips drier," she says. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Grace Parsons, a beauty industry veteran, and writer with experience across the cosmetics, skin, and wellness industries. She researched countless sites and brands to find the best remedies for chapped lips. She also consulted with Dr. Tiffany Libby, MD, double board certified dermatologist and director of Mohs Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery, to validate her selections and understand how to best remedy damaged lips.