Dry lips in winter? These expert‑approved balms deliver real results fast

Line up of lip balms against peach-coloured background — These are beauty writer-approved! (Picture: Metro/Getty)

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If we had a penny for every time we get chapped lips in the cold, dry, and winter months, we’d be rich. Although that was before we found the best lip balms to soothe our cracked lips.

We have tried almost every lip gloss, oil, balm, and lip mask you can imagine in a bid to get the smoothest and plumpest pout, all year long.

But, we shouldn’t have to wait to get red, cracked, and sore lips that keep bursting open when you smile because they are that dry to take action. Yes, we can be our own worst enemies, and like most things, prevention is key. Instead, we should be nourishing our lips all year long to prevent those pesky flakes from appearing on our lips.

Admittedly, not every lip product helps to prevent this; some lip products slip off within an instant of applying them, and they can include fragrances that sting our sore lips.

Thankfully, we are on hand (with our decades worth of beauty knowledge behind us) to show you the beauty error of your ways. We have tried and tested every brand, formulation, texture, and style of lip product over the years and know what really works.

So, here are our best tried and tested lip balms to soothe your lips this winter, and for every season, for that matter.

Shop The Best Lip Balms To Soothe Chapped Lips

LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask

We cannot live without our Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, it’s a gamechanger. The mask is thicker in texture, which means it stays put for hours of wear. I apply it on my lips at night and wake up with soft and supple lips in the morning. It lasts after drinking several cups of tea, is buttery soft and not at all irritating, though that’s unsurprising considering the miracle that is K-Beauty.

BUY NOW FOR £19

Dr Paw Paw Original Clear Lip Balm

We have relied on Dr. Paw Paw for years, as a lip balm, cuticle balm, to tame pesky stray hairs when doing a slick back bun, as well as a highlighter and eyeshadow balm. This multifunctional product is gentle on all skin types, deeply nourishing and ultra soothing. Formulated with Pawpaw fruit (hence the name), as well as soothing aloe vera, olive oil and castor oil, that combine to make an effective cocktail to support almost all of your skincare needs.

BUY NOW FOR £7.25

Fenty Skin Plush Puddin' Intensive Recovery Lip Mask

The Plush Puddin Intensive Recovery Lip Mask is another thick and nourishing lip balm that soothes my dehydrated lips. What I love about this balm is the texture is not too thick it doesn't spread, instead this soothing balm is malleable enough it glides effortlessly across the lips and stays put. Formulated with castor, coconut and jojoba seed oil to soothe, repair and hydrate the lips.

BUY NOW FOR £20

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant

The OG product many beauty editors can’t live without – us included. This multipurpose balm is thick and deeply nourishing, which is exactly what we need to keep our lips hydrated, nourished and soft.

BUY NOW FOR £31

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm

Ignore the name of this product because it is more than just a nipple balm, in fact it is a 10-in-one product we have relied on for several years. It is gentle on the skin, deeply nourishing and soothing for the lips, but it can also function as a nipple balm for nursing mothers, marathon runners, a cuticle oil, hand cream, intense hand mask for dry skin, as well as face mask.

BUY NOW FOR £6.99

Weleda Skin Food Lip Butter

We don’t know a soul who isn’t a fan of Weleda’s SKin Food (Victoria Beckham included), but we also won’t go anywhere without the Lip Butter, which is equally as nourishing and healing as the multi-purpose cream.

BUY NOW FOR £7.75

The INKEY List™ Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm

If you’re familiar with The Inkey List you will know the brand prides itself on clean, simple but super effective skincare products, and that includes lip balms. This lightweight balm is a more fluid texture than others, but it works to hydrate your lips and give them a little extra volume, just without the tingling sensation of other lip plumping products.

BUY NOW FOR £11