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I think we can all agree that chapped lips are the absolute worst. The dry, tight feeling that comes with it and the flaking... Ugh. On top of that dry, parched lips make the worst possible base for any colour you apply on top.
To treat your sore lips, it can help to figure out what's causing the flaking in the first place. Trust us there can be a multitude of reasons.
One is a change in the weather. Cold temperatures have the same effect on your lips as they do on the rest of your skin, causing them to feel dry, tight and sore. On top of that, whacking up the central heating to combat the chill can make matters worse and cause your lips to freak out even further in the dry heat. But extra hot weather can leave you parched too and therefore suck all the hydration from your skin and lips.
If you have flakes best tackle that first with a lip scrub before slathering on your new lip balm.
Luckily, there are about a million lip care products on the market... ok, yes an ever-so-slight exaggeration but there are loads to choose from. The choice is helpful, yes – but also not super useful to narrow down what one is best for you. Not all lip balms are created equal or with the same hydrating and nourishing ingredients.
Are you looking for a lip balm that’s mega multi-tasking and can tackle your cuticles, brows and every dry bit in between? A lanolin-based formula like Lanolips Ointment is great for easing dryness immediately.
Glossier’s Balm Dotcom offers hydration with a subtle hint of colour so you can use it to awaken your complexion on the go too.
All of our picks below offer something different so have a little scroll and see what balm piques your interest…
This is one of the brand’s bestselling products and you can see why when you use it. The lanolin, castor seed oil and beeswax mix make this balm soft to apply and hydrating (hello, original formula!). Oh, and we have to talk about the scents and flavours. There are so many tints and scents to choose from, but personally we love one the newest edition, the brand's ode to the city they started in, New York.
S'ABLE LABS Moringa Lip Salve - Scotch Bonnet
S'ABLE LABS Moringa Lip Salve - Scotch Bonnet
The original of this lip salve is perfect for anyone that just needs softened, chap-free lips without being too glossy (my ex used to steal mine all the time...). But the new shades elevate the formula and Scotch Bonnet is a fave thanks to the hint of a rosy glow it give the lips.
Since Violette dropped the original Balm Amour, my handbag has rarely been without. It is a perfect lip balm for a soft, juicy pout and my trick was to apply a brown-y red lip liner to give it a little colour and now they have brought out a tinted version that is the perfect deep rose hue– no liner needed.
If you've tried the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, you'll know how good the brand is at keeping your lips chap-free and soft. This serum is perfect for deep hydration during the day and crucially retaining moisture. We love it so much we put a full-sized one in our Boots x Cosmopolitan Summer Beauty box!
Loved by beauty editors, Dior's Lip Glow Lip Balm cleverly adjusts to the moisture balance in your skin, creating your own custom shade.
Now available in 11 shades to suit every skin tone, it takes the place of both your lipstick and balm.
Tise butter balm consistency makes your lips feel heavenly smooth and doesn't have that thick, off-putting gloopy consistency that other balms can have. The new strawberry soft serve shade is the perfect icy pink. Prefer something warmer? The shade 'Iced Coffee' delivers that enviably subtle 90s nude. Believe the hype.
ESPA Pink Pomelo Lip Balm 10g
ESPA Pink Pomelo Lip Balm 10g
This balm is just shy of a full five stars on Look Fantastic, 4.84 to be precise. 0.16th of a star away, with the vast majority of reviews rating five star. So it's safe to say it lives up to its big reputation.
The 100% natural balm is made with grapefruit oil, pomegranate and wild mango, and if that doesn't have you salivating, the convenient handbag size pot has a tiny mirror in the lid. So smart.
While it's the brand's detox mask and Grape Water that have blown up on TikTok, we'd like to give a shout out to this trusty Lip Conditioner. Though the neat bullet of balm is packed with shea butter and a sweet orange fragrance, Grape is of course a religion for the vineyard born brand. It's made with grape-seed oil, to nourish and repair dry skin, and boasts antioxidant-rich grape polyphenols help to protect from environmental stressors.
If you like a balm that’s not too… glossy, then this from Nuxe is a great shout. The texture of this is more matte than the others so if you’re hydrating your lips before applying a matte lip colour this won’t alter the finish.
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Balm Beeswax
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Balm Beeswax
These balms are made from 100% natural ingredients with the main one of course being beeswax for optimum moisture.
Lanolips Lanolips The Original 101 Ointment
Lanolips Lanolips The Original 101 Ointment
Made from medical grade lanolin this balm is heavy duty; for dry skin, luscious lips & glossy bits. A little goes a long way and it leave your lips looking and feeling seriously glossy. You can also grab this in a cooling minty flavour.
Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 15ml
Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 15ml
Protecting your lips from the elements and packed with vitamin E, soothing aloe vera, almond oil and hydrating squalane, this balm is everything you'd expect from Khiel's, with a glossy finish. While the OG is unscented it's also available in cranberry, pear, mango, mint.
Tropic LIP FUDGE plumping lip conditioner
Tropic LIP FUDGE plumping lip conditioner
Natural? Tick. Nourishing? Tick. Touch of colour? Tick! These conditioners give a lovely plump feel when you rub it in. A welcomed change if your lips also currently feel like shrivelled raisins.
Dr. PAWPAW Flavoured Balm Stick Multipack
Dr. PAWPAW Flavoured Balm Stick Multipack
Such a classic lip balm and this value multipack means you can have one in every bag! This is infused with papaya (pawpaw), aloe vera and olive oil to prevent chapped and cracked lips.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupua u Lip Butter
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupua u Lip Butter
If you love the scent of the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum range then you’ll love this! The formula consists of cupuaçu butter, açaí oil, and coconut oil for ultimate hydration.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
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