The Best Lip Balms For Hydrated Lips You Will Love Using

Updated January 2026.

As winter settles in, it’s time to break out the lip balms. Between lower humidity levels and dry indoor heat, the battle with dry, chapped lips starts all over again. Keeping lips hydrated, smooth, and soft becomes just as important as any other part of our winter beauty routine.

Lip balm is one of those everyday beauty essentials I am constantly testing and updating as I find better formulas. Over the years, I have tried a lot of lip products in search of ones that truly keep my lips comfortable and nourished. Not only does a good lip balm help my lips look as youthful as possible, but it also makes lipstick apply and wear so much better.

Below, I am sharing my five holy grail lip balms. These are the ones I reach for again and again. I’m sharing them with you so that you can win the winter lip hydration battle, too.

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Lip Balms That I Love To Use and I Know You Will Too

No matter her age, a girl needs to keep her lips looking as good as possible. It might be another product to add to the list, but it is worth it. Our lips will appear more youthful, and our lipstick will look more vibrant. Maybe it is the southern woman in me, but I never leave the house without something on my lips. Most likely, I have something on them year-round, even when I’m at home. However, when the first cold snap arrives, and our humid air dries out, I reach for the lip balms.

My 5 Holy Grail Lip Balms (updated for 2026)

These are the five lip balms I reach for again and again. They are the ones that truly keep my lips comfortable, hydrated, and smooth during colder months and beyond. They are the formulas I have tested, repurchased, and consistently keep in my bag, nightstand, and gym tote.

Many of these lip balms are products I have tested alongside other favorites I share each year in my Best Beauty of 2025 roundup.

What is a Lip Balm a nd Why You Should Use One

Lip balms are soft, wax-like substances that are applied to the lips to moisturize, soothe, and protect them. They are designed to relieve dry, chapped lips and help prevent cracking and peeling, especially in cold temperatures, wind, and dry air. Because the skin on our lips is much thinner than the rest of our face and body, it is more vulnerable to dryness. That is why lip balm is something I keep around the house, in my bag, and in the car during winter.

Keeping lips hydrated is part of overall skin health, and I share more of my simple, everyday hydration habits in my post on how to hydrate skin naturally. I also treat lip balm as a non-negotiable step in my morning skincare routine, especially during colder months.

My Holy Grail Lip Balms

While the five above are my personal holy grails, below are additional lip balms I’ve tested over time that are still great options depending on your needs and preferences.

Hempz Herbal Lip Balm

Hempz lip balm has been in my rotation for over 10 years now. It is the balm that I use year-round for gym time. When you are doing cardio of any sort, have you noticed how often you lick your lips? Well, that is why I use this. I can’t lick this off of my lips even on that 20-30 minute stairmill torture cardio session. I also use it every time I do one of my beloved sauna workouts for the same reason. A tube of this is always in my gym bag.

I love this lip balm for its natural edge. It is infused with hemp seed oil. It is incredibly nourishing and soothing, and hard to lick off the lips. The hemp seed oil is packed with omega fatty acids that nourish the lips, while the other natural ingredients create a great protective barrier.

The key benefits of this lip balm are:

• Natural ingredients: Hemp seed oil is the star ingredient. It provides vitamins and fatty acids to nourish the lips.
• Healing properties: It is formulated to calm and soothe irritated lips. It is also a good prevention balm in my opinion.
• Non-greasy: The formula is creamy and lightweight. It does not leave my lips feeling sticky, even though it is a tough one to lick off the lips.

If you want a plant-based lip balm that is good for outdoor activities or the gym, this is a great choice. It is budget-friendly and does a great job.

Revision Skincare YouthFull Lip Replenisher

YouthFull is the newest of the lip balms in my rotation. One of the aestheticians that I see raves about this product and the entire line of Revision products. This line is a medical-grade skincare line, so you will see it in doctors’ offices and med spas. You can also get the entire line on one of my favorite online spots.

This lip balm goes beyond basic hydration. It offers anti-aging benefits that keep your lips looking full and smooth. The product is infused with hyaluronic acid, so lips retain moisture. I can also tell that it makes my lips appear more youthful and smooth.

The key benefits of this balm are:

• Long-lasting hydration: The hyaluronic acid and shea butter create a moisture-locking barrier so you don’t have to reapply all of the time.
• Plumping effect: The advanced peptides in the formula help your lips appear plumper over time. So daily use is a good thing.
• Perfect texture: It is not sticky and applies nice and smooth. I wear it under my matte lipsticks with no issues.

If you are looking for a lip balm with anti-aging properties then this balm is worth every penny. It is on the pricier side, but a little goes a long way.

PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster

PCA’s lip booster has been in my bathroom drawer for at least ten years. An aesthetician that I used to use for facials swore by their entire line. Again, this is a medical-grade line you will find in many doctors’ offices and medspas.

This lip balm is another one that is made with one of my favorite anti-aging ingredients, hyaluronic acid. That is why it is long-lasting hydration on the lips. Another thing I like about this lip balm is that it helps smooth out the fine lines on my lips. This is another lip balm that is great to wear under your lipstick, especially in the winter.

The key benefits of this balm are:

• Deep hydration: The ingredient I love, hyaluronic acid, is responsible for this. Lips will stay hydrated for hours with this lip balm.
• Smoothing and softening: This balm works wonders on fine lines around the lips. No one wants their lipstick to feather out and look smudged, so this helps with that for me.
• Great for layering: It is my favorite base for lipstick in the winter. My lipstick stays put, and I get the bonus of another layer of protection from the drying effects of winter air.

You can use this day or night if you need extra moisture. My preference is to use it during the day under my lipstick. I like to use this lip oil at night.

Julep It’s Balm Tint of Color Lip Balm

This lip balm from Julep is another new addition to my rotation. Their cream-to-powder eyeshadow crayons are a favorite in my makeup drawer so I thought I would try their lip balm. What I like about it is that it comes in so many shades. Yes, it is like wearing a lip balm and sheer lipstick all in one. That is why I keep it on my desk and wear it all day long.

This lip balm is unique because it is made with rosehip seed oil. Rosehip oil is full of regenerative properties and is packed with vitamins A and C. So this is a great choice when you need a little repair as well as hydration, and you have the bonus of a little color. It is available in over 20 colors so you can find one that looks best on your lips for a great everyday look.

The key benefits of this balm are:

• Nourishing rosehip oil: Rosehip oil is known for its repairing and moisturizing benefits so it is ideal for chapped lips or preventing dry lips.
• Protective barrier: I like this lip balm because it creates a lightweight layer that seals in moisture. So I don’t have to worry about dry air or windburn when I wear it.
• Versatile finish: This lip balm is the only clean beauty brand of lip balm with color choices and a slightly glossy finish.

This lip balm is my top pick for everyday wear when I want just a hint of color. I like a natural no-makeup makeup look when I am working from home or when I am around the house for the day. Keeping something on my lips to prevent dryness is always a priority. This balm is reasonably priced and easy to apply so you will want more than one color to keep your lips looking their best all of the time.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy

First Aid Beauty products are a cult favorite, so when I am looking for new clean beauty products to try I turn to this brand. Their lip therapy lip balm is designed for people who have dry, sensitive skin. This lip balm promises quick relief and can do so because it is made with colloidal oatmeal, shae butter, and glycerin.

This is one of those products you want to keep on hand when you need a good rescue because it delivers on its promise. The other thing I like about the product is that it is fragrance-free and gentle. So if you don’t like fragrances and or have sensitive skin this is the lip balm for you.

Key benefits of this lip balm are:

• Immediate relief: It works quickly to soothe dry, cracked lips.
• Long-lasting hydration: The protective barrier it provides will last, so you don’t have to reapply frequently.
• Gentle and effective: The fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula is great for sensitive skin.

This is one of those lip balms that you need to keep on hand for emergencies. It is also great to have in your carry-on bag for that dry airplane air. I love that it is gentle, so you can use it as often as you need.

Bonus Pick – A Timeless Household Staple

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

Ok, we grew up with this product in our childhood homes. There is a reason that it is still around. It works. It’s not your typical fancy lip balm, but it is great for locking in moisture. Slather this on your lips for an overnight treatment just like we did when we were young, and your lips will thank you the next morning.

Thanks, Let’s Keep In Touch

As someone with chronically dry lips, especially in winter and during workouts, I am very selective about what I use daily. These are genuinely the products I repurchase and keep in my bag, gym tote, and nightstand. Let me know if you try any of my holy grail favorites for keeping lips looking their best!

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