Best tried and tested lip balms to nourish and hydrate dry lips when it's cold

27 January 2024 , 10:00

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We reviewed the best lip balms and shared our favourites (Image: Getty)

Winter time is great for wrapping up all cosy in a thousand layers from knitted jumpers to chunky scarves, going for crisp countryside walks and snuggling up by the fire. What it's not so great for is causing dry skin. And more specifically dry lips. Most of us suffer with the latter thanks to the lack of moisture in the air and in our houses during the colder months and more often than not it's uncomfortable, painful and doesn't look particularly nice.

Thankfully, there are a vast number of remedies out there that'll revive your dull and dry skin and transform them into luscious, smooth and nourished lips that look healthy and happy.

And with so many choices out there, you may feel a little overwhelmed with where to start. With that in mind, three of The Mirror's beauty writers - Eve Rowlands, Jada Jones and Melisha Kaur - have shared their favourite lip saviours that work wonders in seeing them through the winter to help you find your next miracle working product that'll give your lips the boost they need.

Burts Bees

Burts Bee's lip balm is infused with beeswax which conditions and nourishes dry lips (Burt's Bees)

There’s something about Beeswax in lip balms that’s my absolute sweet spot. I find these are the ones that keep my lips in great condition - although they don’t always work wonders if I’m already at the point of chapped and bleeding. I love Burts Bees for the sheer amount of flavours, Vanilla Bean is my favourite but I’ve never been left down and they’re perfect for everyday.

I find them a little better than Carmex or Chapstick which I’d say are the most obvious alternatives. It’s not something that is going to blow your mind or do more than your average lipbalm but if you’re looking to keep your pout soft with a nice flavour then this is my everyday essential.

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The Burt's Bees 100% Natural Conditioning Lip Scrub with Exfoliating Honey Crystals (Eve Rowlands)

If your lips are needing a little extra TLC, I’ve recently bought Burt’s Bees’ lip repair mask and scrub and have fallen in love with how well they keep my lips moisturised and nourished - and the rough skin away. The mask is best put on before bed so that the honey-based concoction can work its magic while you sleep and since using it this winter, I can definitely tell the difference. My lips are soft and don’t feel so sore as they usually do in the cold weather. The scrub is great for buffing away rough, dry skin with its beeswax and honey crystals to leave your lips the smoothest they've ever felt.

Glossier is a brand I love, but living in London I’ve been able to size it up in person at the store and that definitely helps. Their skin tint and cloud paint are something I undeniably consider to be favourite products but it’s their Balm Dot Com that I use most. It’s the best tasting lipbalm I own - I know there’s more to lip balms than tasting good but it is definitely an added perk when it comes to picking one.

There’s a huge range of flavour and more excitingly there’s also some pigment involved - this is like if a lip balm and a sheer lipstick/gloss had a baby. My lips are nourished, kissable and I find I don’t actively need makeup when I wear this. It is worth noting that it’s on the pricier side for a lipbalm but mine has lasted ages.It does get a little bit messy with the applicator but it seems that they’ve updated the packaging since I bought mine to fix this. This is definitely more of a treat product but I would strongly recommend it.

Avene Cicalfate Lip Repair

This creamy lip repair salve is great for those who suffer from really dry lips and are in need of a deep nourishment (Eve Rowlands)

I bought this lip repair cream after being heavily influenced by Hailey Bieber, who is a fan of their face and body moisturising cream. You can definitely tell it’s more of a heavyweight lip saviour than a simple balm as it doesn’t have a glossy finish (and if you put too much on… there’s a white film over your lips) but that doesn’t hinder its abilities.

I suffer quite badly with very dry cracked and dry lips - regardless of whether it’s winter time - and when they’re quite rough and painful, this cream is a godsend for not only injecting some moisture back into my lips but also soothes them thanks to its active ingredients like sucralfate and zinc sulfate.

Plus, it’s water-resistant, so keeping yourself - as well as your lips - hydrated throughout the day won’t force you to re-apply.

Balmonds Skin Salvation claims to be a miracle in a jar and honestly - I wasn’t sure anything could be that good, especially with such a low price point. I have eczema which means quite often I find myself needing more than just your quick fix when the weather shifts. I pretty much always have at least two lipbalms in my bag but when I need an actual salvation this is the first thing I reach for.

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If I put it on at night, which I prefer to because honestly it tastes a little strange (not that I actively eat it), I find that by the morning you can’t tell I’d even had chapped lips. It is a green colour and there’s no additional fragrances or flavours added to make it more fun but it works and I swear by it. It does more than your chapped lips too, for any dry and chapped issue it’s sorted me out and healed me up quickly. It’s my favourite product for bringing dry and lifeless skin back to life.

Glow For It lip oil

For a light, glossy finish that doubles up as a hydration hero, this Glow For It lip oil is lovely (Eve Rowlands)

Don’t let this lip-gloss lookalike fool you into thinking it’s just another lip gloss that’ll just dry your lips out - these lip oils are actually pretty lush for helping to prevent your lips from drying out whilst giving them a good sticky-free shine. Available in 3 scents (watermelon, peach and original) that smell gorgeous and not too artificial, these non-sticky nourishing oils have a super soft applicator, which makes applying them a little bit luxurious.

It won't transform lips that are a bit battered by the dry weather and are in need of a big hydration hug, but it will help lips that are on the verge of being rough from the (horrendous) winter weather.

They can be worn on their own, for an ultra conditioning blast on your lips or over your favourite lipstick to add some extra nourishment when out on the town.

This relatively new lip balm from Fenty Skin is super soft, feels like butter, and really works in reviving dry, cracked lips (Eve Rowlands)

Okay. This newly launched lip balm is truly lux and is living up to the hype. The balm by music star Rihanna was created in collaboration with her partner ASAP Rocky and has fans running to Sephora to buy it.

Firstly, it smells divine. The cherry oil and extract isn’t too powerful but leaves a sweet scent on your lips. The Barbados cherry, Vitamin E and shea butter ingredients conditions, softens, hydrates and nourishes your chapped lips back to life. The application is smooth and you don’t need to layer it on for it to benefit your lips. A little goes a long way. It doesn’t taste chemically either and actually works at repairing cracks in your lips.

For a celebrity-made lip balm, this Fenty Beauty stick is honestly incredible for those whose lips are struggling in the cold this winter. While it’s quite pricey at £16, it really does the job and can seriously transform dull and dry lips.

Nivea Hydro Care is only £2.99 from Boots and is a great cheap alternative (Boots)

For a quick fix and a cheap and cheerful lipbalm, Nivea’s Hydro Care chapstick will sort your lips out if they’re feeling a little parched. Costing only £2.99 from Boots, the stick is hailed by shoppers as the ‘best lip balm I have ever used’ and is a ‘go to’ in the handbags of skincare lovers across the UK. It’s enriched with moisturising Aloe Vera and helps supports the lip's natural moisturisation process leaving a light and soft feeling on your lips. While it leaves your lips a little sticky (like a gloss), it’s not for long and absorbs quickly.

Dr. PAWPAW Lip and Eye Balm

Dr Paw Paw became all the rage when it went viral for slugging and honestly it's stayed pretty popular. If you follow the Instagram you'll see that the balms often make appearances on film sets and may be worn by some of your favourite celebs. There are a huge range to choose from but I think my favourite might actually be the newest one.

LINK is the newest in the collection and it's completely clear, which honestly is what I want in the winter time. It's made for lips and eyes which I interpreted as also being okay for your nose and any dry patches on your face. After having a pretty bad cold that left my face dryer than I'd have liked this balm was amazing. I keep it at my desk at all times so I don't have to worry about try and chapped lips. It retails for £4.95.

L'Occitane Ultra Rich Shea Butter Lip Balm

Say goodbye to chapped lips with this luxurious L'Occitane offering. A rich formula containing 10% shea butter, this balm remains an unbeatable option in my collection for its ability to soothe, hydrate and comfort winter lips. I found the product works best when used daily, not just when your pout is dry, as it’s comfortable to wear.

If your lips are peeling and feel sore, then this luxurious wonder is definitely ideal.

Shop at Sephora for £10

While there are so many gorgeous lip balms on the market that will save your lips from the cold weather, Fenty Beauty's Lux Balm Ultra-Hydrating Cherry Lip Balm impressed me the most. Although its price is a little steep, as someone who suffers badly with dry lips be it winter or the height of summer, I would pay the money for a solution that is guaranteed to soothe and save my lips and leave them looking healthy, nourished and positively kissable.

Melisha Kaur