If there’s one beauty conundrum I’m yet to fully solve, it’s dry lips.
Dry lips have plagued me since before I can remember. They stop me being able to play with fun lipsticks, make me feel super uncomfortable and often leave me with a dreaded lip ‘crust’ I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Cute.
Enter: my lip balm love affair. I love lip balm so much that I have – more than once, my friends – left the house and shortly after turned back upon realising my lip balm pal has been left behind.
I probably apply my balm of choice about 20 times a day, zero exaggeration. And while you may consider this a costly (and slightly unhealthy?) habit, it means I have truly tried every formula out there.
For this reason, I feel exceptionally well placed to select the best six ever.
How often should you apply lip balm?
A question that sits at the lips of every balm user, this is a toughie.
Some say that applying more lip balm actually has a detrimental effect on your lips and can make them drier in the long term, but it’s difficult to get out of this cycle.
The general consensus is that you should apply your product when you feel you need to throughout the day, while also tackling the root causes for your dry lips.
How else can you avoid dry lips?
Dehydration is a key contributor to dry lips, and I am certainly guilty here; I very rarely drink enough water on the daily. Go wild with the H2O and aim to drink two litres a day of the stuff to avoid dry skin anywhere.
You’re also encouraged to resist the urge to pick at your lips (another sin I am familiar with), as this will make things worse. This goes for licking, too.
Instead of picking at any dead skin, you may want to exfoliate, instead. Invest in a lip scrub or make your own from home with some brown sugar.
If you prefer something with a hit of colour but still want hydrating formulas, read my round-up of the best lipsticks for dry lips here.
What are the best lip balms?
In need of a new balmy buddy? These are my favourites:
Glossier Balm Dotcom, £10
I’ve heard mixed reviews on this one, but I’m here to make a case for it.
The soothing salve uses castor oil, beeswax, and lanolin to deeply moisturise, and the waxy texture sinks in well. To me, it’s the ultimate simple-yet-effective balm, like a souped-up version of Vaseline (which I personally don’t feel does much).
It also comes in myriad flavours, from originals like Rose and Mint, to Lavender and Cookie Butter. Opt for the original scent-free balm for simplicity.
By Terry Baume De Rose, £40
I know what you’re thinking: £40… for a lip balm?!
But for the ultimate treat, this boujee buy is worth every penny and more, if you ask me. It’s one of my all-time favourites and a product I truly believe in for its hydrating, decadent qualities.
The scent is rosy but definitely not overpowering (I can’t stand an overtly floral smell) and it has the most gorgeous silky texture, along with hydrating hard hitters vitamin E and shea butter.
Blistex MedPlus SPF15, £2.69
From the mega-expensive to the delightfully purse-friendly, this was a product from my teen years I still adore.
Its medicinal smell and properties are so comforting as well as effective on super sore lips, and the conditioning nature of cocoa butter makes for a refreshed, supple pout.
At the price it comes at too, you can afford to buy a few and chuck one in every bag.
Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask, £25
As one of my favourite skincare brands, I was elated when Tatcha finally came to the UK earlier this year. One of the products I hadn’t yet tried (perhaps surprisingly) was this lip balm/mask hybrid, which I’d heard great things about. I was not disappointed.
This product boasts a super lightweight, silky jelly texture which some may prefer over a traditional balm. It glides on seamlessly and sinks in gloriously, all while smelling and looking great too.
It may be an investment, but this is one you can use daily as well as before bedtime, to let your lips recover fully as you sleep.
Hello Sunday The One For Your Lips Lip Balm with SPF 50, £5
We all know the importance of wearing SPF, but often forget areas such as eyes, lips and the scalp. I’ve been on the lookout for a great lip sun protectant for what feels like forever, and this is the best I’ve found by a country mile.
Not only does it have an SPF 50, it also just works brilliantly as a lip balm overall. It has a lovely lightweight texture that goes on easily and smells pleasant too.
And at only £5, it doesn’t take much £££ out of your pocket to complete your sun protection routine.
Aroma Active Laboratories Soothing Solid Lip Oil, £8
Lip oils have been everywhere of late, nearly stealing the crown from balm formulas. If you’re wary, why not pick up this handy solid oil stick, which is so easy for on-the-go top ups when you need them most.
It contains shea butter and jojoba oils to hydrate, and also features a lovely fresh neroli scent to enjoy as you apply.
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