Bargain vs Bougie: The Best Products for Dry, Chapped Lips That I’ve Tried
Yads Cauchi is a Dermal Clinician, Nutritionist (BHSc, MSc) and Beauty Journalist. She's also a mum of four. Evidence based skin health and nutrition are her thing and she works from her own skin clinic based in Canberra - you can find her there, or on Instagram and TikTok @yadscauchiskin.
Key Takeaways
- Chapped lips are a nuisance that can lead to discomfort and unattractive appearances if not addressed properly.
- Finding effective products for dry, chapped lips becomes essential, especially as winter approaches.
- Lips lack oil glands, making them prone to drying out and resulting in chapping more than other skin areas.
- Non-irritating lip balms can be applied multiple times a day to prevent chapping, enhancing lip hydration.
- Lanolips 101 Ointment is highlighted as my go-to multipurpose balm for both lips and other dry areas of the body.
- Ultra Violette Lip Balm is recommended for its added SPF protection, perfect for everyday outdoor use.
- Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask transforms nighttime routines by keeping lips hydrated while I sleep, with a delightful selection of flavours.
- PCA SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster stands out as the ultimate lip product I've tried, combining hydration with anti-ageing properties.
One of my most hated winter things is having to deal with chapped lips.
Not only do dry, chapped lips feel uncomfortable and make your lip colours look flaky, but if left for too long, your lips can end up looking red, cracked and painful.
Avoiding chapped lips is basically how I justify keeping approximately 500 million lip balms all over my house, at my work desk, in my handbag and all through my car.
Plus, I think lip balms are like hair ties.
It doesn't matter how many you buy, they always disappear.
Anyway, as we're coming into winter aka peak chapped lips season, finding products for chapped lips that work for you is more important than ever.
One of my favourites is on the exxy side (sorry, not sorry), but there are also many affordable lip balms that get the job done.
We'll get to my best treatments for dry lips in a bit, but first, let's talk about what actually causes chapped lips.
You can learn more about lip balms and product for dry lips in this YouTube video below.
Chapped Lips Causes.
There's lots of questions to answer around how to get rid of chapped lips...
What is the cause of chapped lips? What can help chapped lips? What should I use for chapped lips?
I'm here to answer them all.
Our lips don’t contain oil glands like other parts of the skin, which means they can't really moisturise themselves.
Lips are much more susceptible to drying out and getting chapped, and if you are on the drier side, you might be more likely to experience chapped lips, too.
Chapped lips are something that very commonly pops up as the temperature drops and the winds get chillier.
However, sun damage and frequently licking your lips are also reasons your lips may start to feel dry or chapped.
Best Products For Chapped Lips.
OK, so what's the best thing to put on chapped lips?
A good way to answer how to fix chapped lips is using non-irritating lip balms.
They are a great way to prevent chapped lips, and as long as they don’t irritate your lips, there’s no reason you can’t apply multiple times a day and right before you go to bed.
I've tried many a lip balm i my time, and five of the best products for dry chapped lips happen to be stocked at Adore Beauty.
From bargain to bougie (don't freak out!), here are my favourite lip balms and treatments.
1. Lanolips 101 Ointment.
This is not only the best lip balm for dry chapped lips, but also any other chapped, dry area on your body!
Fast facts:
- Truly a multipurpose ointment that has been a staple in my life for years.
- Made from medical-grade lanolin which is known for soothing dry, chapped skin.
- Can be used on your cuticles, heels, and even your nipples if you’re breastfeeding! A win for new mums with no time!
- Gentle enough to use on dry areas on your baby, too.
Best for:
Everyone and anyone.
However, if you are short on time or want one product that can tackle a whole range of dry, flaky bits on your body and your lips, then try this.
2. Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Sugar Melt Lip Scrub.
This innovative leave-on lip scrub helps to gently exfoliate dry and flaky lips whilst melting into a hydrating lip balm to leave your lips feeling soft, smooth and perfectly prepped.
Fast facts:
- Made with fine sugar and kokum butter to help gently exfoliate and hydrate dry lips
- This has a no-rinse formula. Just swipe and glow
- Has a delicious strawberry sourbet scent
- Gives instant, all-day hydration
Best for:
Those looking for a 2-in-1 treatment that creates a smooth, hydrated surface that you can leave as is or use as a base for your favourite lip combo.
3. Ultra Violette Lip Balm.
Our lips tend to be very neglected when it comes to sun protection.
Hence, this is the best lip balm for chapped lips with added SPF protection, making it a great option for every day.
I love the shade 'dusk', it's a super wearable, every day 'your lips but better' colour.
Fast facts:
- A tinted lip balm with UVA and UVB SPF50+ protection.
- Comes in a bunch of fun shades and can be worn on its own, over lip liner or under lipstick.
- It doesn’t feel sticky or greasy, making it a great lip gloss for chapped lips.
- Full of shea butter to soothe dry, chapped lips and lanolin to lock in hydration.
Best for:
Everyone can use this!
If you spend lots of time outside, or don't want to wear a lipstick on your chapped lips but still need a hint of colour as well as hydration, this SPF lip balm is a must have.
4. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.
A 'lip sleeping mask' was something I didn’t think I needed, until I tried this one.
It’s an icon in the beauty world for a reason, and now comes in a bunch of different flavours like Gummy Bear and Choc Mint, so you can switch it up once you get through one flavour.
Fast facts:
- Like a hydrating face mask, but for your lips.
- Best used at night right before bed ,and I personally love to include it at the end of my PM routine.
- It can be used during the day too - I love wearing it over a neutral lip liner.
- Keeps lips hydrated while you sleep, fights dryness and flakiness, and makes lips look smoother and plumper.
- Comes in SO MANY YUMMY FLAVOURS.
- You can read our full Laneige lip sleeping mask review article here.
Best for:
Laneige lip sleeping masks are great for everyone!
You can start with the OG cult classic original, or go straight for your favourite-looking flavour.
You won’t regret it.
5. PCA SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster.
Yes, I know the price might seem ludicrous for a lip balm, but it is hands down the best lip product I have ever tried.
Fast facts:
- A cosmeceutical lip balm that hydrates lips, and importantly, ensures they stay hydrated.
- Makes your lips feel incredibly soft and smooth - I don't even have to reapply, this product is that good.
- Contains a blend of active ingredients such as sodium hyaluronate (a derivative of hyaluronic acid) and konjac root to increase lip volume, minus the irritants.
- Also contains additional peptides to help with fine lines and ageing around your lip area.
- It's a lip balm and anti-ageing skincare product in one humble tube.
Best for:
Those who have the budget, want the best-of-the-best, or need something that really works.
If you suffer from chronically dry, chapped lips and nothing else has worked, then you need to try this.
It is the best lip balm, and the best fix for chapped lips.
Just don’t lose it.
If you want more fun lip content, check out one of these articles below:
