Editors churning out articles promising the ‘best lip balms’ or ‘lip balms which heal the driest lips’ probably have little clue as to what a cracked lips feel like. And it’s a pain for us common folks who spend countless hours and heaps of money trying to follow such misled advice only to fall flat in disappointment. I, myself, have been on an arduous searching for my Holy Grail product that would soothe my insanely chapped lips. Ever since I moved to Edinburgh, I have been experiencing dry chapped lips. It got particularly bad in my third and fourth year in college and no matter what products I used, I could not solve my issue of dry lips. I have tried several lip products thoroughly over the course of the year and for the better good of humanity, I decided to create a blog post sharing my personal experience with lip treatment products.
Part 1: Stick Balms
Stick balms are your over the counter wax balms that typically come in a stick form. Stick balms are easy to apply and can be carried around and reapplied throughout the day. The texture of these balms are usually less thick.
1. Lip Ice
This product was a personal favourite when I was a child. Sweet and minty, it was literally the ONLY thing I let near my lips. Looking back, however, I realise the reason why I liked this lip balm so much was probably because it was light-weight and didn’t feel sticky like other lip balms. When I revisited this lip balm recently, I realised that it was probably the least moisturising amongst the rest I’ve tried.
Pros: Minty and lightweight and great for kids.
Cons: Probably not a lip balm you would invest in if you have dry lips.
Moisturising score: 3/10
Where to purchase: Drugstores
2. Avon Care Intensive Relief Lip Treatment
I honestly did not expect much from this product when I purchased it from eBay but I was pleasantly surprised by how moisturising and long lasting it was. (when I say long lasting I mean needing to reapply every 2h, for typical lip balms I usually reapply every 30mins) It doesn’t contain any flavouring or mint so it’s great for anyone who wants a simple go-to lip balm.
Pros: flavourless and moisturising
Cons: thicker texture which may be uncomfortable for some
Moisturising score: 7/10
Where to purchase: eBay
3. Nivea Essential Care Lip Balm
When people think of lip balms, they usually think of Nivea. However, I have not had a good experience with Nivea lip balms even before my whole dry-lips episode. Nivea balms are neither comfortable nor moisturising and they have a distinct ‘Nivea’ smell which can only mean some kind of fragrance inside. Of course, this is personal opinion and I know plenty of people who enjoy this.
Pros: NOTHING! Kidding, it’s probably good if you don’t have extremely dry lips and you just need a little moisture.
Cons: Feels uncomfortable and not very moisturising.
Moisturising score: 4/10
Where to purchase: Drugstores and online
4. Nivea Hydro Care Lip balm
What a shocker I have TWO Nivea lip balms! I ask myself the same question too! This lip balm, as its name states, is hydrating exactly the same as the previous lip balm. I don’t know why I decided to pick this up. I guess I wanted to give it the benefit of doubt and try another one but again, this did not work for me.
^same information as above
5. Baby Lips Dr Rescue
Maybelline Baby Lips is another cult favourite and maybe love it for its affordability and moisture. I got the extra moisturising because as you know, my lips are extra dry and it did perform relatively well. However, the lasting power was quite disappointing and I found myself reapplying every 30mins. What’s worse is that after the lip balm fades, it leaves my lips feeling even drier than before. I’m not sure if its this particular ‘flavour’ that I’m using but I’m just not a huge fan.
Pros: More moisturising than usual lip balms
Cons: Short lasting power
Moisturising score: 6/10
Where to buy: drugstore
6. Burt’s Bees Ultra Condition Lip balm with Kokum butter
Burt’s Bees is renowned for their lip products and my best friend is a huge advocate for their lip balms. They, however, just don’t work for me. This was the second lip treatment product I tried (the first product is below) and I bought this because it sounded absolutely amazing! However, just like Nivea, this did nothing for my lips and I had to continuously reapply lip balm. To be fair, their new lipstick is absolutely stunning! It’s probably more of a tinted lip balm in a lipstick form but nevertheless it’s pretty darn gorgeous.
Pros: Good for those without dry lips
Cons: Not very effective for chapped lips
Moisturising score: 4.5/10
Where to buy: Sephora
7. EOS Sweet Mint
Of course, I saved the best for last. Used by celebrities all around the world such as Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner, this little ball is the pride and joy of Hollywood and for good reason. It is the best stick lip balm I have tried thus far. I know there have been controversies over the ingredients in this product but compared to many listed above, this is probably one of the better ones. I specifically go for the sweet mint flavor because I love the tingling sensation on my lips. Despite simultaneously trying various lip products, I have gone through 3 of this spherical balms (yes, that’s how much lip balm I use!)
Pros: moisturising and long lasting and comes in a variety of flavours but sweet mint is honestly the best
Cons: I know the shape is iconic but it is honestly quite impractical as it can’t fit in jeans!
Moisturising score: 7.5/10
Where to buy: drugstores
Verdict: The best stick (not really a stick though) lip balm is EOS with the Avon lip balm coming in a close second. Again, this is my personal opinion BUT it is an opinion of someone who has personally experienced extremely chapped lips and thoroughly tested these products so it might be worth considering.
Part 2: Gel Wax balms
These balms usually come in a squeeze tube and have a thick, gel-like consistency. These are suppose to be extra moisturising but somehow have a reverse effect on my lips
1. Carmex moisturising Lip balm
Many swear by Carmex and in fact, a friend introduced me to this product. I was thrilled to see the thick consistency as I thought it would lock in the moisture on my lips which it did for 30minutes but left my lips crusty right after. I was so shocked when I first rubbed my lips after it has dried as it felt much worse than before it was applied. I immediately stopped using the product and threw it aside for a period of time. I revisited it a couple more times and though my lips got a little more accustomed to the product and I had less flaking, it didn’t heal my lips like it was suppose to.
Pros: thick texture that locks moisture in
Cons: made lips crusty. Not very long-lasting and has a weird smell.
Moisturising score: 2-6/10
Where to buy: drugstores, ASOS
2. Burt’s Bees Squeezable Beeswax Lip Balm
Ah another Burt’s Bees. This was the original tube I got when I first decided to try out their products. I remember going to Sephora and the lady recommended this product as their best seller. Unlike the stick balm, this had some effects on my lips. They initially felt quite moisturized but I realised I kept applying the product constantly as if I was addicted to it. I eventually stopped and realise that it was probably drying my lips out and creating an addiction to the moisture barrier it created.
Pros: Moisturising
Cons: Not long lasting and addictive
Moisture score: 6/10
Where to buy: Sephora
3. Eucerin intensive lip balm
After reading raving reviews online I decided to give this a try. This is probably one my favourite gel wax balm but to be honest, this type isn’t the best for my lips. Back to the product, Eucerin is probably one of the more natural balms which was recommended for individuals who might be allergic to certain ingredients. It was moisturising and relatively long lasting as I only had to reapply every 1h but compared to the EOS and Avon balm, I would rather those two.
Pros: Moisturising and relatively long lasting
Cons: Thick texture which is quite stick
Moisturising score: 6.5/10
Where to buy: Boots and Superdrug
Part 3: Potted Lip treatments
These products usually come in a pot a require finger application or a spool to pick up the product. Each product differs in consistency depending on its function. I personally enjoy these type of products the most and have had the best results using them at night. However, they are not very travel-friendly as they tend to be messier.
1. Nuxe Reve de miel ultra nourishing lip balm
Nuxe is a relatively new brand that has dominated the market in recent years. The lip balm is one of its best sellers and I had to get my hands on it. The texture is extremely thick and opaque and resembles wet clay with little microbeads within the balm. It smells similar to honey and probably could pass off as manuka honey. When I first got the product, I diligently applied it every night before I slept and my chapped lips were miraculously smoothed within 3 days and I initially thought that I had finally found my holy grail product only to find extremely chapped lips on the fourth day where I spammed lip products to find that none worked. I gave up the product for a few days and my lips went back to its previous condition. I still use this product once in awhile and it does help my lips but prolonged use causes flakes around my lips so I guess the search for the perfect product continues.
Pros: extremely moisturising and very long lasting (don’t need to reapply)
Cons: Because it's so thick it can be quite uncomfortable so I would recommend to only use this before going to bed.
Moisturising score: 8/10
Where to buy: Amazon, Ulta
2. Vaseline Lip Therapy Aloe Vera
I’ve use Vaseline as a child but I never heard of Vaseline lip products until recently when I was browsing through Boots and found this on the shelves. The texture of the balm is similar to traditional Vaseline and when applied with warm hands, the product melts into a watery consistency and glides over the lips. I really love this product but the only downside is that it does not last very long relative to the other pot products. My lips feel dry an hour after application and it is not very convenient to reapply. However, this product is excellent in melting away those dead skin and I usually use this right in the morning when I wake up with some crusties around my mouth.
Pros: Moisturising light texture that is comfortable
Cons: Not very long lasting
Moisturising score: 8/10
Where to buy: eBay, Boots, Superdrug
3. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Korean beauty bloggers swear by this product and this says a lot considering the amount of lipsticks they wear. My mum sent this to me as a gift during Christmas and I have been playing around with it since. The texture is very similar to butter- in the jar is it more solid but malleable but once it touches a warm surface, it melts into a grease-like texture. This product is meant to be applied right before bed and wiped off in the morning. The problem is, it never really lasts till morning. I find the wear time for this to be about 3hours. After which, the lips don’t necessarily feel thirsty as in the case of most lip balms rather, it feels a bit tight and stiff. I have mixed feelings about this product though I do use it often, I’m not quite sure if I love it.
Pros: lighter than other pot products and leaves a thin film on the lips. Comfortable and relatively long lasting.
Cons: Creates some kind of tightness and makes lips feel slightly uncomfortable after it wears out.
Moisturising score: 8/10
Where to buy: eBay, Shopstyle
4. Tony Moly Ferment Snail Lip Treatment
Another Korean brand but perhaps a less renowned product, I picked up this product after having some pleasant experience with snail based products. Yes, it sounds gross piling snail secretion but it works! Snail products are known for its hydrating properties and many Korean brands have started incorporating the ingredient into facial masks and moisturisers. The product is extremely thick and gooey and initially felt pretty uncomfortable on the lips however it works wonders for my lips! Once applied it stays on for hours and when I say hours I mean over 6hours. I only received this product recently so I have not seen the long-term effects by so far this product is probably the best amongst the rest.
Pros: Very moisturising and long lasting
Cons: Thick consistency and may be uncomfortable, also pretty difficult to spread around the lips due to the texture.
Moisturising score: 9/10
Where to buy: eBay
More information:
https://tonymoly.us/
Overall verdict: Amongst all the products listed I would recommend the Tony Moly treatment, Laneige mask, Vaseline, Nuxe, EOS and perhaps the Avon. I usually use these products in conjunction with each other to get the best results and my routine starts off with the Vaseline in the morning when I first wake up to melt off all the dry skin accumulated overnight. I usually leave it on for about 15 minutes then wipe off the excess and put on the Tony Moly product. I take along the EOS in my bag and occasionally swap for the Avon when my lips are feeling too sensitive for mint. Finally before bed, I layer on a generous coat of either Nuxe or Laneige before going to sleep. It might seem a bit excessive to some but this routine works the best for my extremely dry lips. Again, every lip reacts differently to different products so perhaps some stuff which I didn't enjoy might work for you and vice versa. However, for those who've tried everything and can't seem to find a solution I have several recommendations. I recommend trying a variety of products not just stick balms. Although these are the cheapest and probably the most accessible, they may not necessarily be the best. Many of the balms contain similar chemical which may work for your lips. Through my vigorous research, I've found that squeeze balms are the worst for my lips and thick balms that come in pots generally work better for me. Also, try products from different countries. Skincare from Korea and Japan tend to use more natural, plant-based ingredients that are gentler on the skin. It might also be worth spending a bit more and investing in a robust balm. The pot products are generally more expensive with the Laneige costing approximately £15 and Nuxe costing £9, a hefty amount for a lip balm but it works and I always believe it's worth spending a little more for quality products which nourish and heal rather than masks the problem.
