10 Best Lip Balms for Winter 2025

Looking for the best lip balms for winter 2025? Keep your lips soft and hydrated through the cold months with rich, nourishing formulas designed for dry, chapped lips and all-day protection.

Cold air, low humidity, and constant indoor heating — winter is not your lips’ best friend. As temperatures drop, even the most hydrated skin can struggle to retain moisture, leaving your lips dry, flaky, and uncomfortable.

If you’ve already read our Winter 2025 Lip Care Routine: Simple Steps for Hydrated, Smooth Lips guide, you know that prep and protection are everything. Now, let’s take it a step further and explore the best lip balms for winter 2025, carefully curated for every texture, formula, and lifestyle. From luxury picks to clean beauty favorites, these are your must-haves for soft, hydrated lips all season long.

Our Top Picks

From luxury icons to vegan favorites, here’s a quick look at the best lip balms for winter 2025 — formulas that hydrate, protect, and keep your lips soft all season long.

Best Overall: Laneige Lip Glowy Balm
Best Vegan Formula: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Best for Dry Lips: Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm
Best Drugstore Option: Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
Best Luxury Pick: La Mer The Lip Balm
Best Tinted Lip Balm: Dior Addict Lip Glow
Best for Cold Weather: L’Occitane Shea Butter Lip Balm
Best SPF Protection: Aquaphor Lip Protectant + SPF Lip Balm
Best Trendy Choice: Rhode Peptide Lip Tint
Best Cult Classic: Glossier Balm Dotcom (2025 Formula)

Want to explore them in detail?
Here’s everything you need to know about choosing, using, and loving your lip balm this season.

Why Your Lips Need Extra Care in Winter
What to Look For in a Lip Balm
10 Best Lip Balms for Winter 2025
How to Use Lip Balm Effectively
Top Hydrating Ingredients for Cold-Weather Lip Care
DIY Winter Lip Balm Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion

Why You Need a Winter Lip Balm and How It Protects Your Lips

Why do my lips get so dry in winter? Winter’s cold, dry air strips away natural oils from your lips. Unlike the rest of your skin, lips lack oil glands — meaning they can’t self-moisturize. Add central heating, wind, and temperature shifts, and you have the perfect storm for chapped lips.

That’s where a nourishing winter lip balm comes in — one of the best lip care essentials you can own for cold months. A good balm doesn’t just moisturize; it seals hydration, repairs cracks, and builds a protective barrier against harsh elements.

What to Look for in a Winter Lip Balm

Before you shop for the best lip balms, it helps to know what actually makes a formula effective during colder months. From deeply moisturizing ingredients to barrier-strengthening textures, here’s what to look for.

1. Deeply Moisturizing Ingredients

When the temperature drops, hydration becomes non-negotiable. Look for emollients and humectants like shea butter, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E — all of which draw in and lock moisture. These nourishing formulas are what set the best lip balms apart during winter.

2. Avoid Harsh Additives

Even the best lip balms can lose their effectiveness if they contain harsh additives. Skip strong fragrances, menthol, and camphor — while they may feel refreshing, they often dry lips out further and can irritate sensitive skin. Instead, choose gentle, fragrance-free formulas that soothe and protect, especially during cold, windy days.

3. Richer Textures Work Better in Winter

Lightweight formulas might work in summer, but winter demands more. Look for thicker, creamier balms that melt into the lips and create a nourishing barrier. These rich textures last longer, lock in moisture, and keep your lips soft, smooth, and hydrated — the ultimate secret behind the best lip balms for cold weather.

Finding the best lip balms means balancing hydration, comfort, and texture. Whether you prefer a glossy finish or a rich overnight treatment, these editor-approved favorites keep lips soft and healthy-looking all season long.

Here are the Best Lip Balms for Winter 2025 – Hydrating, Nourishing Solutions for Dry, Chapped Lips:

1. Laneige Lip Glowy Balm – Best Hydrating Lip Balm

A cult favorite reimagined for daily use, this glowy balm delivers instant moisture with shea and murumuru butters. The glossy, lightweight texture melts into lips without stickiness, making it perfect for cold-weather hydration. It’s one of the best lip balms for a soft, dewy finish that lasts through winter mornings.

2. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – Best Vegan Lip Balm

This vegan formula is buttery, glossy, and packed with shea butter and murumuru seed butter. Perfect for daytime hydration that still looks chic — the kind of everyday essential that makes winter lip care effortless. Considered one of the best hydrating lip balms, it leaves lips supple without stickiness — perfect for winter mornings.

3. EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum SPF 36 – Best SPF Lip Balm for Winter

Protect your lips from both cold and sun with the EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum SPF 36. This dermatologist-trusted balm delivers deep hydration while providing broad-spectrum SPF 36 protection against UV rays and harsh winter air.
Lightweight yet nourishing, it soothes, repairs, and locks in moisture — making it one of the best SPF lip balms for dry, chapped lips and everyday cold-weather defense.

4. Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm – Best Drugstore Lip Balm

A timeless favorite that proves quality doesn’t have to be expensive. One of the best drugstore lip balms, ideal for those seeking natural ingredients and lasting protection. Made with natural beeswax, coconut oil, and a touch of peppermint, it soothes and refreshes dry lips while forming a lasting protective barrier. 100% natural, simple, and reliable — this is one of the best lip balms to keep in your winter bag.

5. La Mer The Lip Balm – Best Luxury Lip Balm

An indulgent treatment that turns winter lip care into a ritual. Enriched with La Mer’s Miracle Broth™ and mint extract, this luxurious balm deeply nourishes and smooths cracks caused by harsh weather. Its velvety texture leaves a soft, satin finish, making it the best lip balm to splurge on for ultimate hydration.

6. Dior Addict Lip Glow – Best Everyday Tinted Lip Balm

Combining skincare and subtle color, Dior’s Lip Glow enhances your natural lip tone while moisturizing with mango butter. Its lightweight texture adds a soft tint and lasting comfort, making it perfect for winter days when you want both care and style — truly one of the best tinted lip balms of the season.

7. L’Occitane Shea Butter Lip Balm – Best for Cold Weather

Packed with 10% shea butter, this ultra-creamy balm restores and protects lips exposed to freezing air. It creates a nourishing barrier that keeps moisture in and dryness out. The result? Instantly softer, smoother lips that stay hydrated from morning to night — a winter essential for dry, chapped skin.

8. Aquaphor Lip Protectant + SPF Lip Balm – Best Overnight Repair Balm

A dermatologist-approved classic that multitasks as both a daytime shield and an overnight repair balm. Formulated with petrolatum and SPF, it locks in moisture and defends against cold and sun damage alike. Fragrance-free, paraben-free, and deeply soothing — it’s one of the best lip balms for intense hydration and recovery during long winter nights.

9. Rhode Peptide Lip Tint – Best Trendy Tinted Lip Balm

A viral sensation from Hailey Bieber’s beauty line, this peptide-infused balm plumps, smooths, and hydrates lips while adding a soft tint. Its dewy finish and skincare-meets-makeup formula make it a favorite for glossy, healthy-looking lips — the best lip balm for a modern, polished winter look.

10. Glossier Balm Dotcom (2025 Formula) – Best Cult-Favorite Lip Balm

The newly reformulated Balm Dotcom keeps everything fans love: hydration, comfort, and that effortless Glossier sheen. Now fragrance-free and recyclable, it’s perfect for daily wear, layering under lipstick, or quick touch-ups. A cult-classic lip balm redefined for 2025 — simple, sleek, and winter-ready.

Summary: This mix covers luxury, vegan, tinted, SPF, and clean beauty options — each designed to keep your lips smooth, nourished, and winter-ready.

How to Use Lip Balm Effectively in Winter

Even the best lip balms can’t work their magic if they’re applied inconsistently or without proper prep — learning how to use lip balm effectively makes all the difference.

Using your lip balm the right way is just as important as choosing the right one. Even the best lip balms can’t work their magic if they’re applied inconsistently or without proper prep.

Follow these simple habits to keep your lips soft, smooth, and hydrated all winter long.

Apply regularly — at least 3-4 times a day, especially after eating or brushing your teeth.
Use before lipstick — a thin layer keeps matte formulas from drying your lips.
Sleep in a mask — heavier balms (like Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask or Nuxe Rêve de Miel) make the best overnight treatments.
Don’t lick your lips — saliva evaporates quickly, worsening dryness.
Exfoliate weekly — gently remove dead skin with a sugar scrub before applying balm.

Top Ingredients for Cold-Weather Lip Care

When it comes to lip care, ingredients matter just as much as texture. The most hydrating lip balms are packed with emollients, humectants, and natural oils that restore softness and prevent moisture loss — exactly what your lips need during cold, dry months.

Shea Butter, Ceramides & Peptides: These powerhouse ingredients deeply nourish and strengthen the skin barrier. Shea butter provides lasting moisture, ceramides help repair damage, and peptides support smoother, plumper lips over time.

Humectants: Hyaluronic Acid & Glycerin: If your lips feel tight or flaky, look for humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. They attract water to the surface, keeping lips hydrated even in low humidity.

Oils and Antioxidants: Vitamin E & Plant Oils: Lightweight yet rich in nutrients, oils like jojoba, coconut, and castor oil soften lips and lock in hydration. Antioxidants such as vitamin E help protect against cold-weather stress and premature aging, giving your lips a healthy, natural glow.

Bonus Tip: DIY Winter Lip Balm

If you prefer a natural alternative, try this quick DIY remedy inspired by the ingredients found in the best lip balms. It’s deeply hydrating, simple to make, and perfect for winter nights.

For an extra-hydrating homemade mix:

1 tsp coconut oil
½ tsp shea butter
1 drop vitamin E oil

Warm and blend, then store in a small container. Apply before bed for soft, plump lips by morning — one of the easiest DIY lip balm recipes for dry, chapped lips.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Balm

1. What are the benefits of using lip balm?

The main benefit of lip balm is moisture retention. It creates a protective barrier that prevents dryness and shields your lips from environmental stressors like wind, cold air, and pollution. Regular use keeps lips soft, hydrated, and smooth — especially when using the best lip balms formulated with shea butter or ceramides.

2. What is the best lip balm for dry lips?

If your lips are prone to flaking or cracking, look for formulas rich in hyaluronic acid, shea butter, glycerin, and peptides. These ingredients deeply nourish and lock in hydration. Some of the best lip balms for dry lips include Nuxe Rêve de Miel, Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, and L’Occitane Shea Butter Lip Balm.

3. What lip balms are the most long-lasting?

Typically, the most long-lasting lip balms are thicker, balm-like textures with ingredients like beeswax, petrolatum, or shea butter. These create an occlusive layer that grips onto the lips, preventing moisture loss and keeping your lips hydrated for hours — ideal for winter.

4. Can lip balm make your lips worse?

If you’re wondering, “Are there ingredients I should avoid in a winter lip balm?”
Yes – overusing lip balm or choosing formulas with menthol, camphor, or strong fragrances can actually make your lips feel drier over time. These ingredients may cause irritation and disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier. For healthy, hydrated lips all season long, stick to gentle, fragrance-free lip balms made with nourishing ingredients like shea butter or ceramides.

5. How often should you apply lip balm in winter?

Dermatologists recommend applying lip balm at least 3–4 times a day, especially after eating, brushing your teeth, or going outdoors. Reapplying regularly ensures your lips stay soft, hydrated, and protected from cold-weather dryness.

Conclusion

The key to healthy, hydrated lips in winter is consistent care and smart product choices. Whether you love a glossy finish or a matte balm that simply works, there’s a formula for every preference, texture, and budget. The best lip balms combine deep hydration with barrier protection — essentials your lips crave during the colder months.

Want more seasonal skincare guides and beauty-editor insights?
Read our Winter 2025 Lip Care Routine next for weekly self-care tips, expert-backed skincare advice, and editor-approved beauty products that actually deliver results.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general educational and skincare guidance only. Pure as Beauty does not provide medical advice or diagnosis. If you experience persistent lip irritation or severe dryness, please consult a licensed dermatologist.