Finding the perfect lip balm can sometimes be a struggle, especially during the colder months. This is the time of year where your skin can be a bit drier than usual, and so you want to make sure your skin is getting what it needs, with *extra* moisture and glow — especially for the holiday season. For me, having dry lips has always been an issue. Every year, I go to dozens of beauty stores, from Sephora to Ulta, searching for the best lip balms that’ll become my holy grail product.
When it comes to a good lip balm for me, I’m looking for products that have the best moisturizing ingredients, like shea butter or vitamin E oil. On top of that, I’m also looking at the price — in the past, I’ve found a great lip balm but it was way too expensive to buy. As a college student, saving money is my main priority, so some beauty products are completely off the table. But, I’ve done research to find some of the best lip balms that are both effective and affordable. These 15 lip balms will keep your lips smooth and moisturized all winter long, and won’t break your budget.
- Aquaphor Lip Repair
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The Aquaphor Lip Repair ($5) always gives me fast relief for soothing extra-dry, chapped lips in just minutes. This lip balm is one of my go-to beauty essentials.
- SheaMoisture Superfruit Complex Shea Butter Lip Balm
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SheaMoisture is known for having some of the best moisturizing products, and their Superfruit Complex Shea Butter Lip Balm ($4) is so worth the few bucks. This lip balm is made with organic shea butter that’ll give you the perfect amount of moisture.
- Mario Badescu Lip Balm
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Mario Badescu has always been one of my favorite skincare brands. The Mario Badescu Lip Balm ($8) is made with nourishing ingredients like cocoa butter and almond oil to keep your lips ultra-moisturized all day long.
- E.L.F. Cosmetics Hydrating Core Lip Shine
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If you love tinted lip balm, this e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Core Lipshine ($7) is perfect. It conditions your lips and is great for natural, rosy makeup looks. It also comes in seven different shades.
- Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Lip Balm
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Burt’s Bees has always had one of the most highly-rated lip balms. Their Moisturizing Lip Balm ($4) has super natural ingredients like beeswax and fruit extracts for full-on moisture.
- Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm
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This brand may be catered towards men, but anyone can benefit from their products. Their Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 ($8) has a customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most recommended products for relieving dry skin. (It also has sunscreen protection!)
- Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy
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The Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy ($9) is one of my all-time favorite products. It never fails to make my lips completely moisturized and soft in just a few days.
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy
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First Aid Beauty is known for their high-quality products, and this lip balm is truly one of them. Their Ultra Repair Lip Therapy ($12) has hydrating ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and shea butter, so it’s guaranteed to help protect your lips from the gruesome cold weather.
- Glossier Balm Dotcom
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Glossier’s Balm Dotcom ($12) is certainly a beauty lover favorite. It’s top-rated and contains thick moisturizers, like castor oil and beeswax, that truly nourish dry skin. It comes in 11 different flavors!
- Joah Beauty Lip Renewal Mask
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I make sure to use this lip balm every night before bed. The JOAH Beauty Sugar Doctor Lip Renewal Mask ($10) is perfect as an overnight treatment for dry lips, or you can use it throughout the day to keep them hydrated. It also has a very relaxing, cooling sensation that I absolutely love.
- Hempz Ultra Moisturizing Herbal Lip Balm
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Another lip balm that’s essential for soothing dry skin. The Hempz Ultra Moisturizing Herbal Lip Balm ($9) contains 100% pure hemp seed oil, which means it’s perfect for long-lasting moisture.
- Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm
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Want to try another top-rated tinted lip balm? The Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm ($9) comes in seven subtle shades and keeps your lips moisturized with fruit extracts like avocado oil and pomegranate.
- EOS 100% Natural & Organic Shea Lip Balm
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Eos has always been one of my go-to brands because of its quality and affordable price! The brand’s 100% Natural & Organic Shea Lip Balm ($4) will definitely give you all-day moisture — it’s got environmentally-friendly ingredients, like signature shea butter and coconut oil.
- Tree Hut Sugarlips Lip Butter
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If you love Tree Hut’s body scrubs as much as I do, you’ll love their lip balm even more. This Sugarlips Lip Butter ($6) has rich ingredients like shea butter and rosehip oil that’ll give your lips a nourishing, luscious, and glossy look.
- Kiehl’s Since 1851 Lip Balm #1
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Last but certainly not least, Kiehl’s Since 1851 Lip Balm #1 ($10) is at the top of my holiday beauty wishlist. It contains vitamin E, which is a cold weather must-have for hydrating dry lips all winter long. It also comes in three other scents.
