Chapped lips that won't heal? These lip balms actually fix them (one costs $5)
Some balms soothe, some protect, some just feel nice. These are the ones that heal dry, cracked lips.
BuyWithVoltTop Pick2026Photo: Melissa Di Rocco / Unsplash, Unsplash License
Chapped lips are one of winter's most annoying problems, and many lip balms make it worse by feeling nice for a minute and then wearing off. The balms that actually heal lips seal in moisture with ingredients like petrolatum, lanolin, shea butter and waxes, and skip irritants like strong flavors and menthol.
We compared popular lip balms on ingredients, texture, SPF, fragrance and price, and read owner feedback on healing cracked lips. These five are the best.
Our top picks
-
Best lip balm overall
Aquaphor Lip Repair
$5 at AmazonJump to details -
Best overnight lip treatment
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
$24 at AmazonJump to details -
Best lip balm with SPF
Supergoop! PLAY Lip Balm SPF 30
$10 at AmazonJump to details -
Best budget everyday balm
Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
$4 at AmazonJump to details -
Best tinted lip balm
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
$24 at AmazonJump to details
Prices at time of writing and may change. We may earn a commission when you buy through these links.
Best lip balm overall
Aquaphor Lip Repair is a dermatologist favorite for dry, cracked lips. It's fragrance free and uses a protective ointment base with shea butter and chamomile to soothe and seal in moisture.
Owners say it heals chapped lips faster than anything else they've tried. It's glossy rather than matte and has no SPF.
Pros
- Heals cracked lips
- Fragrance free
- Very affordable
Cons
- No SPF
- Glossy finish
Specs
| Key ingredients | Petrolatum, shea butter, chamomile |
|---|---|
| SPF | None |
| Fragrance | Fragrance free |
| Size | 0.35 oz tube |
Best overnight lip treatment
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is a thick, cushiony balm you apply before bed. Owners wake up to softer, smoother lips, and it comes in several flavors.
It's pricey for a lip balm and contains flavor, which may bother very sensitive lips. Many people use it at night and a simpler balm during the day.
Pros
- Very soft lips by morning
- Rich texture
- Popular gift
Cons
- Pricey
- Contains flavor
Specs
| Use | Overnight |
|---|---|
| Texture | Thick balm |
| Fragrance | Flavored |
| Size | 0.7 oz jar |
Best lip balm with SPF
Lips burn too, and Supergoop! PLAY Lip Balm adds SPF 30 to a smooth, moisturizing balm. It's a good everyday pick for walks, sports and beach days.
Reapply after eating or drinking. Owners like the texture and mild flavors.
Pros
- SPF 30 protection
- Smooth texture
- Several flavors
Cons
- Needs frequent reapplication
- Small size
Specs
| SPF | 30, broad spectrum |
|---|---|
| Texture | Balm |
| Fragrance | Mild flavors |
| Size | 0.15 oz |
Best budget everyday balm
Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm is a pocket classic with beeswax, coconut and sunflower oils. It's inexpensive and easy to buy almost anywhere.
It contains peppermint oil, which gives a tingle some people love and others find irritating on cracked lips.
Pros
- Cheap and easy to find
- Natural waxes and oils
- Compact
Cons
- Peppermint can sting cracked lips
- No SPF
Specs
| Key ingredients | Beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower oil |
|---|---|
| SPF | None |
| Fragrance | Peppermint |
| Size | 0.15 oz |
Best tinted lip balm
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm combines shea butter and murumuru butter in a glossy balm, and some shades add a sheer tint. It's become a popular everyday lip product.
It's expensive for a balm and better at softening than healing badly cracked lips.
Pros
- Buttery texture
- Sheer tint options
- Glossy finish
Cons
- Expensive
- Not for severely cracked lips
Specs
| Key ingredients | Shea butter, murumuru butter |
|---|---|
| Tint | Some shades |
| Finish | Glossy |
| Size | 0.5 oz |
How to heal chapped lips fast
Stop licking your lips, drink water, and apply a thick, fragrance-free balm several times a day and before bed. Run a humidifier in dry weather. Skip lip scrubs on cracked lips until they heal.
Lips are part of your skincare routine: use an SPF balm outdoors, like you would sunscreen on your face; see our best sunscreens for your face. Lip balms also make easy stocking stuffers; see our holiday gift ideas.
What to look for in a lip balm
- Occlusives. Petrolatum, lanolin and waxes seal in moisture.
- Emollients. Shea butter and oils soften.
- SPF. Essential for outdoor days.
- Avoid irritants. Menthol, camphor, strong flavors and fragrance can worsen cracking.
How we chose: we compared specs, materials, ingredients and price, and read owner and expert feedback. We didn't test these products ourselves. Prices are approximate and change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Picking at peeling skin. It opens cracks and slows healing. Let flakes come off naturally once lips are moisturized.
- Using flavored or minty balms on cracked lips. Menthol, camphor and strong flavors can sting and dry lips further.
- Licking your lips. Saliva evaporates quickly and leaves lips drier than before.
- Forgetting SPF. Lips have little natural protection from the sun and can burn on cloudy days and in snow.
- Exfoliating too often. A gentle scrub once a week is plenty, and only when lips aren't cracked.
If your lips stay cracked for weeks despite good care, or the corners of your mouth split repeatedly, see a doctor or dermatologist. It can be a reaction to an ingredient in toothpaste or lipstick, or a sign of another condition.
Drinking enough water and running a humidifier in dry winter weather helps lips heal faster too.
Which one should you buy?
If your lips are cracked and sore, Aquaphor Lip Repair heals them fastest for very little money. For softer lips by morning, add Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask at night. Outdoors, switch to Supergoop! PLAY Lip Balm SPF 30, because lips burn too. Burt's Bees is the cheap, easy-to-find everyday balm if peppermint doesn't bother you, and Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is the pick if you want a glossy, slightly tinted look.
Many people keep two balms: a plain, fragrance-free one for healing and an SPF or tinted one for daytime. That combination covers almost every situation.
Keep one in your bag, one by the bed and one in your car, and you'll stop reaching for whatever flavored balm is nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my lips always chapped?
Dry air, licking your lips, sun and irritating ingredients are common causes. See a doctor if cracking doesn't heal.
Is petroleum jelly good for lips?
Yes. It's one of the most effective ingredients for sealing in moisture.
Can lip balm be addictive?
Not physically, but balms with irritants can make lips feel drier, leading you to reapply more.
