Lip Balm that doesn't dry my lips for real for real

November 26, 2022 10:56 AM

I've read recommendations in other people's questions for non drying lip balms. I bought a highly recommended malin +goetz on for $14--drying. Blistex and eos--drying. Is there any hope for a truly non frying lip product?
posted by bookworm4125 to Health & Fitness (40 answers total)

Any lanolin is gentle and amazing. Sticky though, so I mostly apply it before bed or before a long windy hike. I use this one.
posted by chocotaco at 11:00 AM on November 26, 2022 [4 favorites]

Vaseline. Straight up plain old petroleum jelly.

I've used so many other lip balms and moisturizing sticks and literally the only thing that doesn't suck is vaseline. It doesn't try to DO anything. It's a nice super effective occlusive that allows my lips to just be lips without the environment getting in the way. At this point even aquaphor is a disappointment.

Sometimes, rarely, only in the deepest of winter, I'll rub some pure jojoba oil into my lips at night first before the vaseline for some extra moisture. But mostly they don't need it.

I will say it took a few weeks for my lips to (excuse my buzzword) detox from the various menthols and waxes that are in most lip products. If you do decide to make the switch just know it'll get momentarily worse before your lips start getting better.
posted by phunniemee at 11:12 AM on November 26, 2022 [12 favorites]

Yep, totally agree with Vaseline! I have the most dry skin in the world and Vaseline is what works the best. I even put it on my fingertips in the dry winter to keep them from cracking.
posted by SageTrail at 11:43 AM on November 26, 2022 [2 favorites]

I have the same issue -- most lip products (including all lipsticks and glosses) make my lips peel. The one and only lip balm that works for me is Chapstick Lip Moisturizer -- the one in the blue tube.

I'm looking at the Chapstick website and seeing recent reviews that say the formula has changed and tastes bad now -- I haven't experienced that but maybe I don't have any recently-made tubes of it. I'll be very disappointed if that's the case as this is the one and only lip product that doesn't irritate my lips.
posted by woot at 11:56 AM on November 26, 2022

I had great luck with Dr. Dan's Cortibalm. It smells and tastes absolutely horrible, but it saved my cracking, horribly dry lips during two courses of accutane.
posted by tacopasta at 11:59 AM on November 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
posted by saturdaymornings at 12:01 PM on November 26, 2022 [11 favorites]

Weleda’s is amazing for daily use. If you have a Whole Foods near you they probably sell it.
posted by stellaluna at 12:08 PM on November 26, 2022 [2 favorites]

Plain aquaphor. Works better than Vaseline for me. Do NOT buy their lip products, only the most basic aquaphor.
posted by stray at 12:09 PM on November 26, 2022 [5 favorites]

I've had serious lip cracking problems, especially in the corners of my mouth. My dentist recommended the Aquaphor lip balm you can get at the drugstore. I apply it nightly and it has ended my problems.

Part of the key for me has been consistent overnight application. I don't wait until my lips are cracking to use it. It's every night and some days (I often wear moisturizing gloss by day).
posted by gentlyepigrams at 12:10 PM on November 26, 2022

Joining the chorus: overnight aquaphor has been life changing.
posted by brainmouse at 12:18 PM on November 26, 2022

I use the laneige lip mask every night and have for years. I'm actually on vacation right now and didn't bring it with me and regret it so much.
posted by potrzebie at 12:29 PM on November 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

I used to be a lip balm addict but when COVID hit I quit cold turkey bc it bugged me inside a mask. My lips haven’t needed lip balm for 2 years now! Quitting worked for me.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:45 PM on November 26, 2022 [3 favorites]

My go-to is Bag Balm, a combo of petroleum jelly, vaseline and herbs in a tin.
posted by Lynsey at 12:50 PM on November 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

I like both Vaseline and Aquaphor. Aquaphor is more moisturizing but it depends on how you feel about lanolin (I love it, but I know some don't). Vaseline makes mini pots for lips: still just plain petroleum jelly but in a more convenient to carry format. I've found that if I can keep up the habit of applying after shower and before bed, my lips are healthy enough to not need constant re-application during the day.
posted by radiogreentea at 1:06 PM on November 26, 2022

The Badger Balm Creamy Cocoa Butter lip balm (the one in the larger tube) is the only non-petroleum-based lip balm that doesn't irritate my lips. I stick with the unscented/unflavored basic cocoa butter flavor.
posted by ourobouros at 1:22 PM on November 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

Clear Smooth and Full Plumping Lip Treatment. Six bucks, no animal ingredients (like lanolin, which many people have sensitivities to), and no petroleum ingredients if you care about that. The "plumping" aspect is a non irritating plant-derived peptide that has a very subtle smoothing effect. Otherwise it's all moisturizing oils and waxes.
posted by oneirodynia at 1:25 PM on November 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

I swear by Lanolips—they are so moisturizing and also smell good. Glossier’s balm dotcom is my runner up but I don’t find it quite as deeply moisturizing. I’ve been using the Laneige one at night but it also is not as good IMO as Lanolips.
posted by music for skeletons at 1:35 PM on November 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

Vaseline was my top choice for years , but the Laneige lip mask mentioned above actually helped my lips become less dry overall, like tangible long-term benefits. A miracle product!
posted by cakelite at 1:38 PM on November 26, 2022

This is a can't live without for me.

If I wake up and it's not by the bed I get antsy.

World's best lip balm. Stupid expensive, but I've been guiltily buying it for years.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 1:40 PM on November 26, 2022

I do regular Aquaphor overnight every night and it has healed my dry lips.
posted by ellieBOA at 1:58 PM on November 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

Aquaphor lip repair - avoid the one with SPF (tastes bad) and the stick (not terrible, but not as good as the one in the squeeze tube). You can get it at Target or any drugstore. I think it works better than regular aquaphor.
posted by maleficent at 2:35 PM on November 26, 2022

Regular Aquaphor on my lips and also the entire rest of my face (at night!).
posted by catoclock at 3:03 PM on November 26, 2022

L'Occitane shea butter lip balm stick is the best one for me. Vaseline and Aquaphor probably do as good a job but the L'Occitane is much more cosmetically elegant, convenient to use, and stays on longer. I just ordered two more of them. (I can also compare this to the Glossier balm dot com--it's WAY more moisturizing. The balm dot com just sits on top of your chapped lips looking pretty but not actually doing much to improve the situation.)

Not a lip balm but if you should happen to have any outrageously expensive La Mer moisturizer hanging around (I do as the result of a very generous gift), it is an absolute effing miracle on chapped lips. Truly astounding.
posted by HotToddy at 3:06 PM on November 26, 2022

Burt's Bees Lip Balm. Nothing else I can tote around works as well. I have used Vaseline or Aquaphor, but I don't particularly enjoy the feel of either.
posted by cupcakeninja at 3:38 PM on November 26, 2022 [3 favorites]

I once told my dermatologist that my lips were super dry one winter and she said, “Oh, we sell a special product for that. But honestly, plain old Aquaphor is a lot better.” She was right. I keep several small tubes of it and throw one in every purse.

I’m going to give a counter-recommendation to the Laneige Lip Mask. Influencers (except one, to my knowledge) love the stuff, as do all the sales people at Sephora, and I think it’s genuine crap — basically scented goo that made my lips more dry. I actually wound up throwing it out.
posted by holborne at 3:43 PM on November 26, 2022

Vaseline makes mini pots for lips: still just plain petroleum jelly but in a more convenient to carry format

I also use Vaseline. The mini tubs or little round metal canisters have a thicker formulation that i prefer to the standard. When i can find it I prefer the coco butter variety.
posted by Mitheral at 4:42 PM on November 26, 2022

I’m going to be the outlier because Aquaphor caused my lips to crack in the corners. I drive out of my way to the natural foods store to get Alba coconut cream lip balm. It’s the only one that works well for me.
posted by erloteiel at 4:43 PM on November 26, 2022

My friend was on Accutane in the early 90s and his derm said to wet his lips with water and the apply vaseline. Saved him and still saves me. It is not nearly as effective without the water because vaseline is an occlusive, not a moisturizer. Water plus vaseline is miraculous. I’ve had good luck with lanolin too sometimes.
posted by asimplemouse at 5:54 PM on November 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

cupcakeninja: Burt's Bees Lip Balm. Nothing else I can tote around works as well. I have used Vaseline or Aquaphor, but I don't particularly enjoy the feel of either.

Yup. Burt's Bees or nothing. I do also use pure lanolin when things get really bad, but be warned it's smelly.
posted by capricorn at 6:02 PM on November 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

I've been using Savannah Bee Company Beeswax and Honey Lip Balm in the day and Portland Bee Balm unscented at night.
posted by gudrun at 7:16 PM on November 26, 2022

If it's possible that the drying is caused by the sun - try an SPF one.
posted by pianissimo at 9:18 PM on November 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

I’ve had majorly dry lips for the 7 years I’ve lived in Portland, OR, as in they’d peel all day and heal at night every. single. day. After extensive allergy testing a dermatologist found nothing and recommended white petrolatum and I buy tubes by the dozen. It really works.
posted by bendy at 9:26 PM on November 26, 2022

I’ve switched from regular aquaphor to Vanicream Ointment. It’s less oily/greasy and more balm-like. It’s… magic. Our Walgreens has it. I put it in smaller balm like containers. And improving my hydration.
posted by Crystalinne at 2:47 AM on November 27, 2022

I have a tube of this in every pocket in winter: https://www.soothingtouch.com/lip-balm-vegan-vanilla-chai.html
posted by spindrifter at 5:56 AM on November 27, 2022

If you expect a balm to do a full skin-care routine, you're never going to get the results you imagine. Try this:

When you wash your face twice a day - which you should start doing if you don't - use a washcloth to gently wipe your mouth. If you are on medication that makes your lips especially gunky and cracky, have a cold that makes mucous membranes swell, and/or are taking a decongestant, be extra-gentle (so you don't crack/tear the skin) but extremely consistent - 3-4 times a day if you can, with the gentlest of wiping after just holding a warm wet washcloth against them for a few moments. If your lips are up to it, brush them when you brush your teeth or use a sugar scrub.

Second, moisturize. You can use face moisturizer, lanolin (lansinoh nipple cream will do), food oils, bio-oil, jojoba, whatever, just make it something you can reach for 2-4 times a day and will sink in. I have some little 3- or 5ml dropper bottles filled with Bio-Oil that I use on my lips and the eczema on my fingers - I keep them in my bag, on my nightstand, and on my desk.

THEN you can put a barrier protectant on, and you can use whatever's on the market that's easy for you to carry around but a dermatologist would tell you to first use vaseline or aquaphor (regular, not lip stuff) and then put an SPF balm over that.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:10 AM on November 27, 2022 [1 favorite]

I'm a Vaseline lover at home, but for outdoors, I use Neutrogena lip balm, it's easy to pack around and it has SPF.
posted by mmf at 3:45 PM on November 27, 2022

Nthing Burts Bees. Nothing else compares. If I run out of burts bees at home, sometimes I'll put a little olive oil on my lips.
posted by greta simone at 8:51 AM on November 28, 2022 [1 favorite]

Aquaphor or if you need to put lipstick on, Nivea lip balm (Target/CVS). The Aquaphor is too slippery for any lipstick/liner to stay, but the Nivea is just right.

Been using both for at least 15 years.
posted by dancinglamb at 2:06 PM on November 29, 2022

I believe y'all that Burt's Bees lip balm works for you, but it very much does not work for everyone (for instance, it makes my lips chap horribly). As far as I can tell, the problem ingredients are peppermint oil and limonene, which are skin irritants for many people. The cocoa butter Badger Balm I mentioned above does not contain any similar irritants. In general, the Paula's Choice/Beautypedia Ingredient Dictionary has been helpful to me in avoiding potential issues -- when I am picking new products, I will often look up their ingredients (particularly their fragrances and flavors) to check before buying.
posted by ourobouros at 1:05 PM on November 30, 2022

Late to the party, but:

My one true lip balm is from Dr. Hauschka.

It is *stupidly* expensive ($15 per tube) but it's completely worth it, at least for me.

On preview: It does not contain peppermint oil, but it does contain limonene.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 6:03 PM on December 1, 2022