Skincare

Kiss Chapped Lips Goodbye: A Derm Shares Her Favorite Balms For a Healthy, Hydrated Pout

No glitter gloss in sight.

By Langa Chinyoka

There’s a new beauty trend on everyone’s lips—literally. Yes, glazed lips are the beauty trend du jour. But instead of the sticky glosses of the early aughts, we’re giving lip oils, balms, and treatments their time in the sun. Like the glowy glazed donut skin look or the coveted glass skin aesthetic, this new lip trend puts an emphasis on skin health. That’s right, the skin of your lips is just as important to take care of as the rest of your body. To get you started on this transformative trend, we found the best dermatologist recommended lip balms in the game.

Featured image of Babba Rivera by Belathée Photography.

sophie monet morning ritual_dermatologist recommended lip balms
Image by Teal Thomsen

It’s the cycle of life: getting settled into one self-care routine then starting another. But this beauty trend isn’t one to skip. The glazed lip phenomenon can be an entry point into better lip health. For so long, many of us have been putting harmful chemicals on our lips, drying them out with matte lipsticks, and scrubbing off the pigment with harsh removers. But now, tinted lip products and nourishing lip oils are all the rage.

Dermatologists even approve of this trend—which is rare in the beauty world. Celebrity dermatologist Dr. Macrene Alexiades, MD, PhD says that your lips probably need the extra love. “Your lips are on their own,” she told me. “Their only outside source of moisture is your saliva, and that’s why they can easily become dry and chapped.”

But luckily, there’s a new and exciting market for dermatologist recommended lip balms that keep your lips hydrated and fashionably glazed. Shine on with these lip balms that’ll help you get through winter without chapped lips.

Dr. Macrene Alexiades MD Ph.D.

Celebrity dermatologist and founder of MACRENE Actives

emily schuman, home decor, red purse, red lipstick
Image by Kristen Kilpatrick

Why is lip care important?

“Your lips don’t have any sebaceous glands,” says Dr. Alexiades. These are the glands that keep your skin moisturized. Instead, your lips rely on moisture from saliva or the water you drink. No wonder they get so chapped.

Your skin is also extra-thin on your lips. As a result, Dr. Alexiades notes that “you can lose fluid easily from the mucosal part of the lips when it is hot or there’s low humidity outside.” A good lip care routine replenishes your lips and provides a protective barrier to stop flaky lips before they start.

What ingredients are good for lips?

According to Dr. Alexiades, look for the “essential fatty acids necessary to build a complete barrier to stay plump and smooth and ensure your lips stay hydrated.”

Keep an eye out for the following ingredients:

  • Sunflower seed oil
  • Squalane
  • Coconut oil
  • Shea butter

Prioritize ceramides, too. “Ceramides help build your skin barrier and seal in moisture. These are very effective and employed in prescription products for eczema.”

What ingredients should be avoided in a lip care product?

For healthy lips, avoid menthol, camphor, phenol, or any sort of alcohol. “These ingredients may provide an immediate cooling sensation but can irritate the skin. In some cases, they even remove the outer layers of skin, leaving your lips unprotected and susceptible to environmental hazards.”

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Every product is curated with care by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

CeraVe Healing Ointment

u003cpu003eThis drugstore favorite is packed full of ceramides to help restore and maintain your natural lip barrier.u003c/pu003e

Versed Silk Slip Conditioning Lip Oil

u003cpu003eCraving something different? Antioxidants keep your lips soft and hydrated with a subtle sheen.u003c/pu003e

SkinCeuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair

u003cpu003eChronically chapped lips end here with this dermatologist-approved restorative treatment. Dr. Alexiades recommends this for its bevy of good ingredients.u003c/pu003e

FACILE Lip Jelly Lip Moisturizer

u003cpu003eThis long-lasting, peptide-rich moisturizer is an instant favorite. Its jelly texture goes on smooth but is never sticky.u003c/pu003e

Kosas Plump u0026 Juicy Lip Booster Buttery Treatment

u003cpu003eLip treatment doesn’t just hydrate, it also plumps with natural collagen and fruit peptides. It glides on smoothly and deeply penetrates with nourishing botanicals.u003c/pu003e

Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid + Peptide Lip Booster

u003cpu003eThis protective lip treatment contains hyaluronic acid, peptides, and squalane to lock in moisture and boost lip health.u003c/pu003e

MARA Algae + Moringa Sea Silk Lip Balm

u003cpu003eGet sea-soft lips with this proprietary blend of algae and moringa for plumper, healthier lips.u003c/pu003e

EltaMD UV Lip Balm With SPF

u003cpu003eNever forget SPF! This cult-favorite sunscreen comes in an equally essential, water-resistant lip balm with transparent zinc oxide and UVA/UVB protection.u003c/pu003e

Dermalogica Nightly Lip Treatment

u003cpu003eGet yourself a lip treatment that works as a daily moisturizer and a nightly repair powerhouse. This rich overnight formula firms, hydrates, and restores skin on and around the lips.u003c/pu003e

Kinship Supermelt Hyaluronic Plumping Lip Treatment

u003cpu003eTastes like a creamsicle minus the filler ingredients. The unique formula uses your body heat to warm up and melt into your lips, turning from a balm to an ultra-moisturizing oil.u003c/pu003e

Tata Harper Anti-Aging Treatment Lip Treatment

u003cpu003eGet a lip product that promotes long-term lip health. This anti-aging, sheer balm helps minimize the look of wrinkles and promotes visibly hydrated lips.u003c/pu003e

PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lip Booster

u003cpu003eGet instant and long-term benefits with this volumizing lip booster. It contains antioxidants to prevent free radical damage and reduce lip line.u003c/pu003e

Dr. Barbara Sturm Lip Balm

u003cpu003eSlather on this balm and revel in its silky texture as it soothes and repairs dry lips. Harness the benefits of plant oils, butters, and vitamin E.u003c/pu003e

Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm

u003cpu003eThis tinted balm gives you an instant (but subtle) boost of hydration and color.u003c/pu003e

Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate Restorative Lip Cream

u003cpu003eDon’t miss this essential cream from one of the best u003ca href=u0022https://camillestyles.com/beauty/french-skincare-brands/u0022u003eFrench pharmacy brandsu003c/au003e out there. It provides long-lasting nourishment and provides lips with a protective, moisturizing film.u003c/pu003e

Beneath Your Mask Remedy Conditioning Lip Balm

u003cpu003eCocoa and shea butter are the hero ingredients in this nourishing lip conditioner. It also contains rare, skin-protecting African plum oil, which protects lips from future dryness.u003c/pu003e

MACRENE Actives High Performance Lip Filler

u003cpu003eDr. Alexiades’s own brand blends the benefits of a dermatologically-tested lip moisturizer with an at-home lip filler. All the hydration and plumping with none of the irritation.u003c/pu003e