17 Best Lip Balms to Heal Your Dry, Chapped Lips, According to Dermatologists

Good ol’ Vaseline is a dermatologist favorite due to its simple formula of 100% petroleum jelly. It’s affordable, great for sensitive skin types, and gets the job done. You can also use it as a preventive treatment: Slather this on your lips if you know you’re going to be spending lots of time outdoors in colder temps—say, before you head out skiing or hiking—to keep your skin protected from windburn.

This classic lip balm from Kiehl’s feels more like a light oil than your traditional Chapstick. It’s comes out solid from the tube, but immediately melts into the skin once it hits your lips. Infused with skin-protecting petrolatum and squalene, soothing aloe vera, and nourishing vitamin E, this simple balm will leave lips feeling softer in no time.

“Fix My Skin lip balm (or the larger balm) is ideal for irritated chapped lips because it contains 1% hydrocortisone, a mild steroid, to reduce inflammation,” says Dr. Waldorf. The fragrance-free formula also contains occlusive agents like shea butter and beeswax, and can also be used to soothe skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or even annoying insect bites.

“This is like a love child of a lipstick and a lip balm,” says Jessica Morse, clean beauty expert and founder of Bare Beauty. “The color is beautiful and lasts for hours, and it is truly moisturizing.” Choose the untinted version for a classic balm or one of the three natural shades for a nice pop of color—all of them contain jojoba and cocoa seed butter for lasting hydration.

For severely chapped lips, Dr. Waldorf recommends Bag Balm because it contains occlusive ingredients like petrolatum and lanolin with an antiseptic preservative. It “seals lips well overnight,” she says. What’s more, you can use Bag Balm on any part of your body that is dry, chafed, or cracked. Dr. Waldorf says it’s especially great for chapped edges on the nose when you’ve been sneezing or blowing into tissues frequently.

We love this pick from Bioderma since it’s soothing and moisturizing, thanks to shea butter, beeswax, and sunflower seed oil. Not only does it repair and protect dry, chapped lips, but it’s also a nice beauty treatment on its own. If you find your lip color never glides on smoothly, apply this balm 10 to 15 minutes beforehand to ensure a smooth and even application.

This coconut oil-based balm-gloss hybrid is the perfect product for those that like a bit of sheen while treating their lips. Shea butter and squalane reinforce hydration for a smooth, nourished pout—all while excluding parabens, silicones, and iffy chemicals. The vegan, cruelty-free formula also never feels sticky.

A cult favorite, this hydrating lip treatment from Fresh earns a stamp of approval from Shari Marchbein, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at NYU School of Medicine. It’s super nourishing due to its blend of plant oils, including grapeseed and cranberry. A great option for those who want something a bit more luxe.

This cult classic hydrates and protects sore lipswhile you sleep thanks toantioxidants like vitamin C. Apply a moisturizing layer at bedtime and you’ll wake up with a flake-free pout. It has over 29,000 rave reviews on Amazon, with reviewers saying, “I always, always wake up to smooth moisturized lips.”

“At work, I often get moisture buildup under my mask which paradoxically can dry out the lips. So here in this case, I use a beeswax lip balm made by Burt’s Bees,” says Dr. Amin. “It has peppermint in it so it tastes fresh but can only be used on intact skin. This stuff is really very natural so no preservatives.” Amazon reviewers agree, with over 41,000 five-star reviews.

This lip balm is so gentle, it can be used on areas other than your lips. Made with lanolin—a deeply moisturizing oil naturally occurring in sheep’s wool—it mimics the skin’s own oils to heal and hydrate. “I have finally, after years of trying and buying lip balms for my chronically chapped lips, found a balm that works! Lanolips has given me lips that don’t peel, chap, crack, and bleed,” writes one satisfied customer.

Made with shea butter and rosehip oil, this lip balm is worth the price tag. Available in a variety of hues, Ilia is known for its hydrating tints and these offer buildable color so you can keep on re-applying. “Are these the best-tinted balms ever? Yes, yes they are. I initially thought these were ridiculously expensive for being just tinted balms but I’ve been blown away by their performance and now think that they’re worth every penny!” writes one satisfied customer.

A brand beloved by celebs like Martha Stewart and Drew Barrymore, to name a few, Mario Badescu’s cult-favorite lip balm is a top-rated option for a reason. Made from nutrient-dense butters and hydrating oils like cocoa butter and sweet almond oil, this rose-flavored balm will leave you with ultra-soft lips.