Lip balm protects some of the thinnest and most sensitive skin on your body. Even the most minimal beauty routine and the smallest of purses will make room for this humble product. But what separates the best from the mediocre? A great lip balm doesn’t merely sit on the surface, but has conditioning ingredients that plump with hydration, heal sore, peeling skin, and prep your pout for even application of lip colour. How you take your lip balm is a matter of preference. Whether it’s stick or pot, glossy or matte, with or without SPF, these are the best lip balms on the market.
Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm
This super dense multipurpose balm from Lanolips is formulated from pure medical-grade lanolin, a natural oil found in sheep’s wool which closely resembles and mimics your own skin oils and holds up to 200% of its weight in moisture. It penetrates deep under the skin to intensely soothe and hydrate even the most chapped lips, but it also works wonders for broken cuticles, minor burns and anything from eczema to psoriasis. With 101 uses and over 50 beauty awards, it’s the ultimate handbag beauty must-have.
Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm 2 x 15g; HK$250 at net-a-porter.com
By Terry Baume de Rose
Dubbed the Rolls Royce of lip balms, By Terry’s cult-famous Baume de Rose Nourishing Lip Balm is a concentrated, vitamin-rich rose blend formula made with rose blossom essential wax that intensely moisturizes lips with regenerative and protective properties. Other star ingredients include Hyaluronic Acid microspheres, Shea Butter, Vitamin E and Ceramides. The delicate rose scent soothes the senses while a non-sticky, velvety smooth texture leaves lips looking plump and supple with a subtle sheen.
By Terry Baume de Rose Nourishing Lip Balm 10g; HK$435 at byterry.com
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25
An award-winning balm loved by both men and women, Jack Black’s Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 is a lightweight, non-sticky, matte-finish formula that deeply nourishes and relieves cracked and chapped lips. Broad-spectrum SPF 25 protects the delicate skin on your lips from sun damage without leaving the bitter taste you frequently get from sunscreen. We love the original Mint & Shea Butter version but with five flavours ranging from Black Tea & Blackberry to Grapefruit & Ginger, there’s something for everyone.
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 in Natural Mint & Shea Butter 7g; HK$78 at sephora.hk
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Beauty bloggers and YouTubes gurus around the world sing praises of Laneige’s Sleeping Lip Mask. And it lives up to the hype. This leave-on mask works hard at night to nourish with vitamins and remove dead cells, revealing hydrated, supple lips in the morning. Though it’s labeled a Sleeping Mask, this formula’s juicy gloss finish will have you applying it during the day.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – Berry; HK$130 at Laneige.com.hk
NUXE Reve De Miel Honey Lip Balm
Formulated with anti-bacterial honey and plant extracts, French pharmacy favourite Nuxe’s award-winning Rêve de Miel lip balm deeply hydrates and heals without a trace of stickiness. Best of all, it leaves an ultra-chic matte finish and a deliciously soft honey scent.
NUXE Reve De Miel Honey Lip Balm; HK$101 at lookfantastic.com.hk
KaplanMD Perfect Pout Lip Mask
What do Jennifer Lawrence, Eva Longoria, Kate Beckinsale, and Katherine Heigl all have in common? A love for KAPLANMD’s Lip Mask. This treatment features a blend of 22 certified organic extracts and Marine Collagen, Papaya Enzymes to exfoliate dead skin, Safflower Oleosomes and Hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate.
KaplanMD Perfect Pout Lip Mask; HK$350 at cultbeauty.co.uk.
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15
A triple threat, Fresh’s Sugar Lip Treatment delivers flattering colour, SPF protection, and hydrates so well that it actually plumps your lips. Opt for the original clear version or choose from a spectrum of tinted options. We like Rosé for a youthful wash of colour, or Honey for a creamy “my lips but better” nude.
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15 in Honey; HK$200 available in-store and at fresh.com.
Jouer Cosmetics Essential Lip Enhancer
Clinically proven to naturally increase volume and decrease fine lines, Jouer’s ultra-rich Essential Lip Enhancer uses botanical ingredients, Vitamin E, shea butter and jojoba oil to instantly repair and hydrate parched lips. This one has a thicker texture, a milky pink tint and soft rose scent.
Jouer Cosmetics Essential Lip Enhancer Conditioning Lip Treatment; HK$120 at cultbeauty.co.uk.
Supergoop! Acai Fusion Lip Balm SPF 30
High sun protection without the bitter taste and white cast typical of SPF. Supergoop!’s Acai Fusion Lip Balm has a light texture that leaves a healthy, sheer pink-tinted, shine without the sticky feeling. Its delicious berry scent ensures you’ll be reapplying throughout the day.
Supergoop! Acai Fusion Lip Balm SPF 30; HK$80 at sephora.hk.
Kopari Coconut Lip Glossy
This petroleum-free lip treatment is deeply moisturising and leaves an enviable gloss that isn’t sticky. It draws its hydrating powers from a mix of squalane, shea butter, and 100 percent organic coconut oil. Extremely comfortable and doubles as a cheek gloss.
Kopari Coconut Lip Glossy; HK$120 at sephora.hk.
Bobbi Brown Lip Balm SPF 15
One of the many unsung heroes from Bobbi Brown’s skincare line, this lip balm is formulated with wheat germ, avocado and olive oils to deliver non-greasy hydration that immediately softens lips. Ideal as a primer for lip colour or as a go-to for a bare lip.
Bobbi Brown Lip Balm SPF 15; HK$220 at bobbibrown.com.hk
La Mer The Lip Balm
Enriched with Miracle Broth, La Mer’s lip balm intensely repairs, nourishes and strengthens the natural moisture barrier while feeling and looking undetectable. A hint of mint calms and refreshes.
La Mer The Lip Balm; HK$505 at lamer.com.hk.
Sulwhasoo Essential Lip Care
Sulwhasoo’s lip treatment is an anti-aging and instantly-beautifying gloss that features Korean Red Ginseng Saponin to maintain elasticity and smooth fine lines. The “gel network” draws in moisture and creates an impressively non-sticky gloss, available in clear and pink tint.
Sulwhasoo Essential Lip Care; HK$300 at Sulwhasoo stores.
Editor
Joanna Fu
