Cracked and dry are best used to describe the desert landscape — not your lips. Supple, juicy, hydrated, plump… now we’re talking. Lip balm can help you get there. It’s one of the best solutions to chapped lips. But who has time to sift through store shelves or obsess over online reviews? StudyFinds does! We put in the work for you finding the best of the best lip balms, according to experts and the internet.
Also, our list is good throughout the year, not just in winter since it doesn’t take severe weather for our skin to react unfavorably. Everyday stressors such as UV light, chemicals, or smoke already have a negative impact on our skin’s health. “Your skin on the lips is much thinner and more sensitive than the skin on your arms and legs because it’s meant to help your mouth absorb food,” Dr. Mary L. Stevenson, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon at NYU Langone told NBC.
And how our skin looks impacts our confidence. Half of us would rather cover up than expose our insecurities. A poll of 2,000 American women examined their relationship with beauty and found that 82% describe themselves as a confident person. And for those with a beauty routine (58%), an overwhelming nine in 10 agree that their regimens are key to boosting their confidence.
A choice lip balm doesn’t need anything fancy—just a blend of high-quality hydrators to soothe your lips and coat them in moisture. This makes lips stand out, which can make women appear younger depending on how much their features stand out. Researchers call it “facial contrast.” And this age perception holds true across all cultures, according to a study in the open access journal Frontiers in Psychology. “Facial contrast refers to how much the eyes, lips and eyebrows stand out in the face in terms of how light or dark they are or how colorful they are,” says Aurélie Porcheron, one of the study authors.
Although wrinkles are the main culprit discussed in the aging process, aging is also a matter of fading facial features. Researchers say our eyes, eyebrows and lips become less prominent as we age. The study shows that cross-culturally, women who have more facial contrast are perceived to be younger. Previous studies have demonstrated that people tend to relate facial contrast with health, youthfulness and femininity.
But StudyFinds isn’t all about surface beauty. A friendly reminder: choosing a lip balm with SPF is essential to help protect your lips from skin cancer, like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
The trouble with endless options is trying to narrow them down to find the right one. Choosing the wrong lip balm could actually do more harm than good. Certain ingredients such as mineral oils and humectants could end up drying your lips out even more, per MindBodyGreen. So we’ve rounded up the best lip balms recommended by experts across seven top sites to get you through this fall, winter and the balmy beyond.
The List: Best Lip Balm, According To Experts
1. Waleda’s Skin Food
This plant-based product is used as a full-body moisturizer, glowy makeup base, lip balm, and more. Not to mention there’s rumors it bares a striking resemblance to pricey La Mer. “I’m very particular when it comes to lip balms but this one had everything I was looking for and more,” says Stylist writer, Morgan Cormack. “It’s moisturising, smells lovely, doesn’t just rest on the lips and doesn’t create a weird film or residue that makes for awkward wearing throughout the day.”
Dermatologist Dr. Shereen Idriss recommends reaching for this and taking the time to do “lip basting,” her favorite lip care activity. “Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes (basting like a Thanksgiving turkey) and voila — smooth, hydrated lips,” she told CNN underscored.
2. Laneige Lip Glowy Balm
Hydrating with a high gloss finish, this tinted formula softens with murumuru and shea butters. Available in four shades, it’s free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.. Plus, you can layer it over your favorite lip color.
The lightweight formula works best on normal to dry lips—if you’re dealing with severely dry, cracked lips, you might want to try something more intense, according to Health.
“With flavors like grapefruit, gummy bear, and peach, Laneige Lip Glowy Balm feels like a decadent treat with every application,” boasts Allure.
“It’s very shiny — almost lip-gloss-level shine — and very moisturizing. It’s less sticky than the lip mask and feels like a true daytime alternative,” adds The Strategist. “Rather than using the brand’s proprietary moisture-wrap formula, it moisturizes using shea and murumuru butter, which contributes to the slick, less sticky feel.
3. EltaMD UV Lip Balm
This water-resistant lip balm is a must have for all the seasons, not just summer. It contains zinc oxide to shield from UVA and UVB rays. It’s also water-resistant, fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin. Allure notes that EltaMD’s “formula is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and it contains five percent Hydromanil for intense moisture.”
BuzzFeed lists EltaMD’s UV Lip Balm as tops on their list when it comes to sun-proof balms. “Few brands know sun protection like EltaMD, and their water-resistant lip balm is a must before you hit the beach or pool. It’s long-lasting, moisturizing and soothing for already chapped, burned lips,” their review says.
A friendly reminder: Using sunscreen on your mouth is just as important as the rest of your face and body. Sunscreen is not just for those sunny summer days. Despite the fact that sunscreen provides proven protection against sun damage, a recent study suggests that 40 percent of Americans only deem it necessary to wear sunscreen during the summer.
Another recent survey reveals that only 56 percent of people knew that sun protection was still necessary on cloudy days, and one in four thought it was safe to go outside without sun protection when they already had a tan. In total, only 10 percent of the surveyed pool, which consisted of European respondents, say they regularly use sun protection all year round. Skin cancer is also the most common form of cancer, with sun exposure proven to be the most important modifiable risk factor associated with the development of NMSC and melanoma, as stated by the National Institutes for Health.
4. Burt’s Bees
A longtime 100% natural favorite, Burt’s Bees uses responsibly-sourced beeswax, vitamin E, and a hint of peppermint oil to nourish and soothe dry lips. That simple ingredient list lets nature’s moisturizer—beeswax—do its thing to rehydrate lips. “There’s a reason this is such a cult favorite. Its magic is in its simplicity. Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balms will always deliver lightweight hydration and visibly softer lips,” says Glam.
The balm is free of parabens, phthalates, and petrolatum, and the company does not test its products on animals.
“Burt’s Bees is a long-loved classic and comes recommended by both Strategist staffers and celebrities (Michael Strahan swears by it for TV-ready lips). It has all the trappings of a solid lip balm: deeply hydrating ingredients (beeswax and fruit extracts), affordable, and widely available,” writes The Strategist.
“There is a lot at work behind our skin care, just like in nature, and we will go Beyond the Skin, Beneath the Surface to demonstrate our continued dedication to purposeful ingredients and rigorous testing that ensures our regimens are safe and effective for all skin tones and types,” says Hemali Gunt, Ph.D., Head of Clinical and scientific Affairs, Burt’s Bees.
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Apply glycerin at night