13 Best Lip Balms – Editor’s Favorite Lip Balm for Chapped Lips

Are not all lip balms just a more scented, more expensive version of Vaseline? If all you’re looking for is renewed protection and moisturization, there’s no need to shell out for tinted, inferior versions of the original best lip protectant. Your fav could never. — Jessica Roy, ELLE.com Deputy Editor

I’m pretty confident I’ve tried every cult-favorite lip balm on the market and nothing compares to this one from It Cosmetics. The Rose version gives a really slight pink tint that looks really flattering on my tan skin tone. Plus, it’s formulated with essential butters and oils and hyaluronic filling spheres so you not only get relief from chapped lips, but a plumping effect that leaves your pout looking real juicy. — Kristina Rodulfo, ELLE.com Senior Beauty Editor

This potion from Australia checks every box: effective, cheap, cool packaging, and it’s multipurpose. It makes lips super soft but it also works on any dry skin, cuticles, and on cuts or scrapes. —  Leah Chernikoff, ELLE.com Editorial Director

Practical first, pretty second might as well be my shopping mantra for anything and everything. I love that this stick has legitimate benefits at its core (it hydrates, plus antioxidants to help keep lips looking plump and pretty), but there’s also a faint tint of poppy pink. I’m not a lipstick girl, so this is my happy place when it comes to adding a bit of color. — Leah Melby Clinton, ELLE.com Director of Branded Content 

This lip balm is the definition of no-frills, but really gets the job done. It’s the only one I actually get excited to put on because it leaves me feeling moisturized, but never greasy.  — Nikki Ogunnaike, ELLE.com Style Director

I realize this looks like a glue stick, but stick with me, friends! This chapstick is gigantic and reasonably priced, plus it smells good and actually works. One of my best friend’s introduced me to this bb in high school, and I’ve never looked back. — Madison Feller, Associate Editor

The divine Pat McGrath created a lip balm earlier this year and it’s probably one of the most glamorous items in my beauty bag. Beyond the opulent packaging, the formula really delivers! My lips feel hydrated and healthy thanks to the antioxidants and shea butter. Having a gold lip balm is the perfect amount of extra. — Chloe Hall, Elle.com Writer and Producer 

It’s the HOLY GRAIL: a tinted lip conditioner that actually works and gives great color. This shade is the perfect ever-so-slightly pink red; I keep it at my desk for a daytime pick-me-up. Plus, with natural dyes and organic ingredients, I don’t feel bad about reapplying all day, every day.— Estelle Tang, ELLE.com Senior Culture Editor

When a VS Angel tells you exactly what she uses to get her perfectly plump lips, you listen. (Thank you, Sara Sampaio). I love that this formula leaves a slightly mint, wintry-feeling and immediately soothes when sun and salt water leave lips parched.— Kristina Rodulfo, ELLE.com Senior Beauty Editor

It does everything you expect from a lip balm plus a tingly, peppermint thing that has made people think I am chewing gum or just got back from a mid-day tooth brush. I buy in bulk and have one anywhere I could possibly need it (at my desk, in both of our cars, in my bathroom, at my kitchen sink…I could go on and on.— Leah Melby Clinton, ELLE.com Director of Branded Content 

Milk Bar, NYC’s top bakery that brought you Crack Pie and Cereal Milk Soft Serve, collaborated with Glossier to create a new flavor of their cult-favorite balm. This time it smells faintly of vanilla frosting and adds a subtle hint of sparkle. Yes, please.— Justine Carreon, ELLE.com Market Editor

Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment is the BEYONCE of non-greasy, hydrating lip balms. I keep one in the pocket of all of my jackets during the fall and winter. So far, this is the only lip balm I’ve found that’s not sticky or tinted but still has SPF (and it comes in a few pretty, sheer nude shades too if you prefer a tinted balm). — Holly Rhue, ELLe.com Editorial Fellow

Your lip gloss may be popping but my lip balm is better! We can’t talk best lip balms without mentioning Carmex. It’s the OG lip balm. A classic that’s been around for over 80 years and for good reason. I spend a ton of money each month on Carmex because I love how moisturizing it is and how baby soft my lips feel afterwards. The menthol-infused lip balm soothes my dry lips and creates a protective barrier no matter the season–and who doesn’t love its signature tingle? Bye, ashy! — Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Assistant Editor