Top Lip Balms to Revive Dry Lips in 2024

Do you suffer from dry, cracked lips during the winter? Many lip balms promise to hydrate, but some can actually make your lips drier. This article explains the science behind what makes a good winter lip balm and offers insight on how to find the best one for you. See below for a list of tried and true classics and some fancy French options.

But the unfortunate truth is that a lot of allegedly hydrating balms and ointments actually make your lips more dry, leading to an endless cycle of overuse. The TL;DR is: lip balm addiction is not just in your head.

The main thing to look for in a good lip balm for winter is an occlusive ingredient, like beeswax or shea butter, which will create a moisture-locking barrier that prevents your lips from immediately drying out. But much like how you take your morning coffee, lip balm preferences are highly personal. When you’re looking for the best lip balm to toss in your grocery tote, think about what you like in a balm. Things like flavors, tints and whether or not it has SPF can make a big impact on how much you enjoy a lip product, which will impact how often you use it.

Once you find a lip balm you love, I highly recommend buying them in bulk so you can keep one at your desk, in your bathroom, in coat pockets, and in tote bags. That way, when you’re faced with your favorite salty, spicy, citrus-y foods, you won’t have to worry about your lips stinging.

The Tried and True Classics

It seems like a new, “life-changing” lip balm shows up on my social media feeds every single day, but there are two that have stood the test of time. Aquaphor and Vaseline had a serious moment last year thanks to the slugging trend, but these old-school occlusives are not flash-in-the-pan trends. The reason these are some of the best lip balms for dry lips is that both use petrolatum to seal in moisture. This creates a strong, long-lasting barrier that can stand up to the kinds of cold, windy conditions that can cause severely chapped lips.

Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointmen

Vaseline Lip Therapy Original .25 Ounce Pack of 4

A Lanolin-Infused Lip Balm

Lanolips lip balms are made with lanolin, a naturally-occurring oil that’s derived from sheep’s wool. Lanolin is humanely sourced, so no sheep are harmed in the making of your lip balm, and it almost perfectly mimics the oils in human skin. I’ve been using Lanolips products for years, and the original 101 Multipurpose Ointment is my go-to whenever I’m spending a lot of time outside in the cold. The brand makes unflavored and unscented options as well as sheer flavored balms and lightly tinted ones, so there’s a good chance you’ll find something that ticks all your boxes.

Lanolips 101 Ointment Multi-Balm Duo

A Fancy French All-Over Balm

There’s something about balm in a round tin that just makes it 100% more satisfying to use,

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