Finding the best lip balm that actually works on your dry, chapped or cracked lips is so important for getting that plump, healthy, perfect-looking pout. We've tested quite a few lip balms to bring you our shortlist of the best lip balms for 2026.
Whether you're after the best lip balm for severely dry lips, a good everyday lip care product, or a great healing lip balm to pack for winter, there's something on this list for everyone. We also just added the best lip balm for preventing cold sores.
Dry and cracked lips come down to a mix of environmental and behavioural factors. On the environmental side, it's mainly weather: sun damage, frost, wind, and dry indoor air all take a toll. On the behavioural side, habits like licking your lips too much, or certain foods you eat, can also impact how your lips feel day to day.
Because the skin on and around your lips is so thin and delicate, it's super vulnerable to all of these influences. If you're also dealing with pimples or irritation along the lip line, that's worth looking into separately as it can sometimes be aggravated by the products you're using.
The good news? A really great lip balm, lip ointment or lip oil can make all the difference, keeping your lips comfortable, hydrated and looking good throughout the day.
If you're going to treat yourself to one lip balm this year, this is the one. Yes, it's one of the pricier lip balms on the list, but after testing its formula, we can say it's worth every cent. The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is vegan and cruelty-free, and it delivers that silky-smooth, long-lasting moisture you want from a really good lip balm.
The formula is packed with shea butter, hydrating sodium hyaluronate and plant waxes that cushion your lips and keep them soft, plush and dewy all day. You can use it as a daytime balm or slip it on as part of your overnight skin hydration routine and it genuinely does both well.
It comes in a gorgeous range of sheer tinted shades so you get a hint of colour along with your hydration. This is honestly a staple in our beauty kit.
Shades: Vanilla, Pink Guava, Iced Coffee, Cherry, Brown Sugar, Sweet Mint and more
Price check: Amazon
Best for: Everyday hydration, a hint of tint, daytime wear or overnight mask
The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask became a total cult favourite after it blew up at Sephora, and you've probably seen it all over social media. It's a Korean skincare icon for a reason. You apply it generously at night, leave it on overnight, and wake up with softer, smoother lips.
The formula contains a Berry Fruit Complex, murumuru seed butter, shea butter and vitamin C to deliver intense hydration while you sleep. It also comes with a cute little applicator stick.
One heads up though: this one is quite sticky, so if you have long hair, you might find it ends up everywhere. Our honest take? It's a great treat for lips that need some serious TLC, and for the price it's absolutely worth trying at least once. If you love the idea of an overnight lip treatment, we've also rounded up some of the best lip masks worth trying.
Scents: Berry, Gummy Bear, Pink Lemonade, Mango, Vanilla and more
Price check: Amazon US (~$24), LOOKFANTASTIC UK (~£19 to £21)
Best for: Overnight lip treatment, dry and flaky lips
You simply cannot go past Burt's Bees for an amazing natural lip balm. The brand has been a staple in the lip care world for years, and for good reason. Made with responsibly sourced beeswax, the formula moisturises, soothes and conditions your lips without any nasties.
There's a huge range of flavours and formulas to choose from. The tinted versions are also brilliant for a natural pop of colour. If you want a good, reliable, natural lip balm that won't break the bank and you can find at pretty much any pharmacy or supermarket, Burt's Bees is your answer. It's hard to beat.
I like to put this on after I have brushed my teeth at night so my lips are hydrated when I go to sleep, and it smells great. This is one of the best lip balms for overnight dryness, and I love it because it is responsibly sources.
Flavours: Beeswax Original, Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, Coconut and Pear, Honey and more
Price check: Amazon, also at Boots
Best for: Daily use, natural-ingredient lovers, sensitive lips
Aquaphor Lip Repair is one of those products that earns its reputation every single time. If you've got severely cracked, dry or damaged lips, this is the best lip balm for the job. It's a double-duty heavy hitter.
Slather it on at night and in the morning and your lips will feel completely transformed. The formula is fragrance-free, paraben-free and packed with shea butter, chamomile and vitamins. It's also brilliant for dry and cracked heels, which gives you an idea of just how hard it works.
There's also a version with SPF 30 if you want sun protection built in, which is perfect for everyday wear. Highly recommended, especially in winter.
Variants: Original, SPF 30
Price check: Amazon (~$4 to $7), Also at Target, CVS and Boots
Best for: Severely dry, chapped or cracked lips, overnight repair
Vaseline Lip Therapy is the OG of lip balms and a cult favourite for good reason. It's been around forever, it's ridiculously affordable, and it genuinely works. The petroleum-based formula creates a protective barrier over your lips, locking in moisture and helping dry and cracked lips heal.
It comes in a bunch of variants. For the price, there is honestly nothing better. And it's tiny enough to throw in any bag or jacket pocket.
Variants: Original, Rosy, Aloe Vera, Cocoa Butter
Price check: Amazon, (~£3 to £5, also at Boots, Superdrug and most pharmacies
Best for: Budget buy, everyday lip protection, all ages
Another brilliant option from Palmers Cocoa butter, is the coconut oil lip balm. This one softens and smooths your lips while moisturising for up to 48 hours, thanks to the combination of cacao seed butter and vitamin E.
It's a great option if you want something that goes a little deeper than your standard everyday balm. The vitamin E helps repair and condition, while the cacao butter keeps things soft and supple.
When I put this on, its like smooth butter on my lips. This is my favourite lip balm for chapped lips. It instantly hydrates me and just smells so good. I leave a few of these around the house, in the car and in my bag.
Key ingredients: Cacao seed butter, vitamin E
Price check: Amazon US (~£4 to £5), aAlso at Boots
Best for: Dry and sensitive lips, all-day hydration
ChapStick is such a classic and we all have one somewhere. In a jacket pocket, buried in the bottom of a handbag, in the car. ChapStick Total Hydration takes the classic formula up a notch with added essential oils and vitamins to moisturise and condition your lips with every swipe.
It's a go-to for daily lip care that you don't have to think too hard about. Comes in a good range of flavours and includes an SPF option.
Variants: Multiple flavours, SPF options available
Price check: Amazon US (~$4 to $6), Also at Target, CVS and most US pharmacies
Best for: Daily wear, handbag essential
The Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve is super popular and comes in some really irresistible flavours. But beyond the great scents, this is a genuinely effective plumping lip treatment.
It contains skin-supporting peptides and kokum butter that visibly plump your lips with hydration and help smooth any fine lines. In an 8-week clinical study, 95% of participants agreed it rescued dry, flaky lips and 90% said their lips looked and felt plumper. The glossy, non-sticky finish looks beautiful and can be worn under or over lip colour.
If you want a lip balm that does a little extra work and makes your lips look genuinely fuller over time, this is the one to try. It's also a good pick if you're focused on reducing fine lines and wrinkles as part of a wider anti-ageing routine.
Flavours: Lingonberry Jam, Crème Brûlée, Citrus Sunshine, Blood Orange Spritz, Cocoa Creme and more
Price check: Amazon, Also at Sephora
Best for: Plumping, anti-ageing lip care, fine lines
What I love about this lip balm is that is has lysine inside of it. Lysine has been known to help manage and prevent cold sores. It also has SPF 21 so good to use when your out in the sun to avoid sun burns which is usually a trigger of cold sores.
So I usually alternate with my other lip balms. If I feel that tingling sensation, I put on this lip balm for a few days to try and prevent the cold sore.
If I do unfortunately get a cold sore I use ointment but also use the lip balm for the rest of my lips to try and stop the spread. The only negative is the smell, but its not that strong and nobody has ever commented.
I feel I go through this lip balm for cold sores the most, so I usually buy at least 3 at a time. The price is a bit more than the standard lip balms but worth it to prevent cold sores.
Flavours: Unflavoured (however a slight herb smell)
Price Check:
Best for: Avoiding and managing cold sores.
When picking the best lip balm for your needs, a few things are worth considering. For severely dry or cracked lips, look for rich formulas with ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, ceramides or petroleum jelly, as these create a barrier that helps your lips heal and retain moisture.
If you want something lighter for everyday wear, a balm with hyaluronic acid or plant butters will keep your lips hydrated without feeling heavy. And if you're looking to build out a fuller routine beyond just lip care, it's worth checking out our guide to the best moisturisers for your face too.
And if you're spending time outdoors, always try to use a lip balm with SPF to protect that delicate lip skin from sun damage.
Want to go one step further? We've also got a guide on DIY lip masks you can make at home with natural ingredients, which pair really well with any of the balms on this list.
| Lip balm | US price | UK price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm | ~$24 | ~£23 | Splurge, sheer tint, all-day wear |
| Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask | ~$24 | ~£19 to £21 | Overnight treatment |
| Burt's Bees lip balm | ~$4 to $5 | ~£4 to £5 | Natural ingredients, everyday use |
| Aquaphor Lip Repair | ~$4 to $7 | ~£6 to £9 | Severely dry or cracked lips |
| Vaseline Lip Therapy | ~$2 to $4 | ~£3 to £5 | Budget buy, everyday protection |
| ChapStick Total Hydration | ~$4 to $6 | Mainly US | Classic everyday chapstick |
| Burt's Bees Cocoa Butter + Vit E | ~$4 to $5 | ~£4 to £5 | 48hr moisture, dry lips |
| Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve | ~$23 | Available at LOOKFANTASTIC | Plumping, anti-ageing |
| Quantum Health SuperLysine | Approx $9 USD | £7.42 | Preventing and managing cold sores |
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