We're Editors Who Have Tested Hundreds of Lip Balms—These 17 Are the Best

Evening primrose oil, glycerol and liquorice extract work to calm skin irritation while hydrating and shielding the skin.

"I've flirted with many lip balms over the years, but having constantly dry and sensitive lips means many haven't met my skin's high-maintenance needs. It was only when I had an eczema flare around my mouth that I found my forever lip balm. Eucerin's Acute Lip Balm was made for sensitive and reactive skin (check and check), and this was the only lip balm that soothed the eczema flare and eventually healed the cracked corners of my lips too. It has a cushiony texture that's instantly soothing, while evening primrose oil liquorice extract help hydrate and bring down inflammation. It also comes dermatologist recommended for medical dry lips. In fact, a friend of mine taking Roaccuatane (an acne medication, of which side effects can include very dry lips) also raved about this lip balm during her treatment." - Eleanor Vousden, Who What Wear UK's Beauty Editor

This sumptuously rich balm leaves velveteen finish on the lips, making it great as an overnight lip treatment or as an intensive treatment for sore lips. Honey, sweet almond oil and shea butter work to intensely nourish compromised lips.

"I must have been at university when Nuxe Rêve de Miel became something of a buzzy beauty item amongst the early wave of beauty bloggers and YouTubers. I had never comprehended spending more than a couple of pounds on a lip balm before, but what can I say? I was influenced," says Mica Ricketts, freelance content editor.

"Thankfully, though, this lip balm turned out to be my one and only. I apply it every single evening before bed, as its incredibly thick in texture. It uses antibacterial honey and nourishing shea butter to calm and nourish even the most chapped of lips, and I love that it doesn't have any hint of shine or stickiness. Plus, if you're in a pinch, then you can also use it to soothe dry cuticles and hydrate any parched areas of the skin."

Coming in a range of fun flavours (Birthday Cake and Cookie Butter) and staple lip balm flavours (Berry and Cherry), these lip balms contain occlusive ingredients of beeswax, castor oil and lanolin, which prevent moisture loss from the lips, forming a waxy yet lightweight shield.

"My music teacher used to always shout at our class if we used lip balm, as she seemed to find them even more offensive than our giggling and terrible use of the recorder. So it has put me off lip balm for my whole life, and I've never used it," says Emma Spedding, freelance editor. "She claimed lip balm ruined your lips. (She was wrong.) My sister bought me three of the Glossier Balm Dotcoms for Christmas, and I am now obsessed. Yes, I'm partly giving in to the Glossier hype (down to the baby-pink packaging and the divine smell), but I also love how these slightly stain your lips, giving a subtler look for the day than a lipstick."

The silky formula of Hermès's lip balm means that it is lightweight and non-greasy despite having a cocktail of nourishing ingredients such as candelilla wax and beeswax to cocoon lips in moisture.

"I have chronically dry lips," says Shannon Lawlor, freelance beauty editor and Who What Wear UK contributor. "Seriously, my lips are drier than just about anyone else's that I know. They're constantly uncomfortable, tight, sore and flaking. So needless to say, I am a big ol' fan of lip balm. The concept of leaving my house without a lip balm is totally alien. And because I hate my dry-lip situation so much, I like lip balms that are luxe and spark some joy. And I'm using the word luxe in its purest form. I keep a bullet of Rouge Hermès Baume de Soin in my handbag to swipe on while I'm out and about. I get countless comments on how plump it makes my lips look."

"Permanently attached to my dressing table, though, is By Terry Baume de Rose," says Lawlor. "It's rich and luxurious, and it's by far the most softening lip balm I have ever tried. (And I've tried them all.) Rose blossom essential wax, ceramides, vitamin E and shea butter are a winning combination in this lip balm, leaving lips soft and comfortable."

If you're looking for a balm with a tinted and glossy finish like a lip gloss, then make this your go-to. It contains minty menthol for a cooling effect on parched lips.

"The reason I love this lip balm? It moisturises for hours on end, it's teeny tiny but appears to last for a lifetime and it's a great base for the Bobbi Brown lip crayon I love to wear that can sometimes feel drying. It's also sufficient on its own thanks to the pinky hue," says Hannah Almassi, editor in chief at Who What Wear UK.

Housed in a chic pot, this lip balm makes you feel rather fancy when you pull it out of your bag. The contents are equally impressive, with La Mer's iconic Miracle Broth, which contains fermented ingredients that fortify the skin. This balm also has a minty fresh feeling on application and feels nourishing without being heavy.

"It's highly inconvenient that my favourite lip balm is so expensive. Make no mistake—this is a real investment for your lips, but boy, is it worth it," says Elinor Block, freelance fashion editor and Who What Wear UK contributor. "The minty balm feels delicate when applied, and there's no full-on grease slick that ends up in my hair or on my clothes. But it somehow manages to hydrate my lips in an instant. Is it actual magic? I think so."

If you want a tint and the benefits of a lip balm, then this is the perfect hybrid. It contains ceramides and meadow foam oil, which drench lips in moisture, leaving behind a glossy sheen.

"I've never been loyal to a particular lip balm. I always just slick on whichever happens to be in the bottom of the handbag I’m using. However, I recently tried Chanel's new Rouge Coco Baume, and while I don't want to get ahead of myself, this just might be the lip balm that I commit to," says Maxine Eggenberger, deputy editor at Who What Wear UK. "In all fairness, it's more of a lipstick/lip balm hybrid—a super-hydrating formula with buildable colour. As soon as I slicked it on my lips, I could immediately feel its nourishing effects, so much so that I couldn't stop rubbing my lips together. In terms of colour, there are seven to choose from, ranging from translucent white to just-kissed cherry. My favourite, however, is a shade called Natural Charm, which, as soon as I applied it, seemed to give my entire face an instant jolt of radiance. I can't speak to its long-term effects just yet, but I'm certainly impressed by what I've seen so far."

The original, untinted version of this multipurpose balm is incredible, but this peachy one is even better. Not only is it great for hydrating and adding colour to lips, but it also looks beautiful applied to cheeks as a glowy blush.

If you want an intensive lip treatment, then allow me to point you in the direction of this brilliant lip balm, which is seriously hydrating. It has a cocooning effect on the lips, making it a great overnight lip mask. In fact, when I've worn this overnight I could still feel it on my lips in the morning—it really is that nourishing.

This is a great basic balm that just does the job, and for less than the cost of a coffee and a sandwich. It gives immediate hydration and helps to support your lips' moisture barrier.

Sure, this lip balm delivers moisture, but it's the iconic peachy-gold Orgasm tint that makes this one a real winner. 

If you struggle with seriously dry, damaged lips that are prone to cracking and irritation, nothing will help the way that this balm does. It's rich and nourishing and gives the lips everything they need to regain health.

If it's juicy, plumping hydration you're after, look no further than this low-fuss serum. 

This no-frills lip balm gets the job done. What's best about it is the thickness of the bullet, meaning you can coat your lips in mere seconds.

These have a bit of a cult following and for good reason. They smell delicious, are thick and enveloping on the lips, and they come in a whole host of flavours. We, at Who What Wear UK, love the sweet Vanilla.

This affordable lip balm really does the job and has an impressive ingredients list for its mere £10 price tag. Ultra-nourishing with a delicious orange peel scent.