For many of us, cold air and chilly wind means chapped lips. And with winter weather on the horizon, it’s nice to have some dermatologist-approved lip balms in your back pocket (or purse, for that matter). 

If you’re unsure where to start, we’ve rounded up the best lip balms for women in today’s article. Keep scrolling to discover what to look for in a lip balm, as well as the best options on the market. 

Why Lip Balm Is Important in the Winter 

We’re used to bundling up against winds and colder weather. But far too often, we forget to protect our mouths. Our lips are a special type of skin that’s incredibly thin and delicate, and they dry out ten times faster than the skin on the rest of our faces. Therefore, it’s important to give them a little extra protection amid colder temperatures and gusty winds. 

What to Look For in a Lip Balm

To prevent dry, cracked lips in the winter, you need to pay special attention to what you put on your lips. (And unfortunately, any old gas station chapstick probably isn’t going to cut it.) Here’s what to look for in lip balms for cracked lips: 

Is It Ointment-Based

When browsing the pharmacy aisles, look for a lip balm that is ointment-based and contains petrolatum, essential oils, or glycerin. These ingredients lock in moisture and help heal the cracks in your lips. 

Doesn’t Contain Camphor, Eucalyptus, or Menthol

While camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol might initially feel soothing, they’ll dry out your lips in the long run. More often than not, using lip balms containing these ingredients makes chapped lips even worse. 

Has Sunscreen 

Another important ingredient in lip balms for women is sunscreen. Despite colder temperatures, lips can still burn in the winter. And because our lips are more susceptible to sunburn than the rest of our faces, we recommend investing in a lip balm that contains SPF. 

17 Best Lip Balms for Women with Dry, Chapped Lips

Now that you know what to look for in a lip balm — and what to avoid — here are the 17 best lip balms for dry lips: 

Best Overall: Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF

This is one of the best lip balms for women because it contains moisturizing emollients, soothing antioxidants, and SPF to protect lips from harmful UV rays. We love that it’s lightweight and long-lasting, so there’s no need to worry about reapplying. 

Note that the formula contains cocoa seed butter, which is a comedogenic that might clog pores and cause breakouts. 

Best Lip Balm for Dry Lips: Beekman 1802 Pure Goat Milk Lip Balm

This goat-milk-based lip balm nourishes the microbiome of the lip’s skin cells. Then, a combination of organic beeswax and shea butter locks in moisture. And Because Beekman 1802 offers its lip balms in several fragrances, there is something for every type of lady. 

Best Soothing Lip Balm: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Therapy

This lip balm is non-irritating and made with colloidal oatmeal, which is phenomenal for soothing sensitive and dry lips. Not only that, but it contains glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and squalane. And we love that it’s made cruelty-free with a non-slip, non-matte finish. 

Best Natural Lip Balm: Burt’s Bees Original Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E and Peppermint Oil

Burt’s Bees uses responsibly sourced beeswax, vitamin E, and a hint of peppermint oil to hydrate skin without any irritants. (It’s free from parabens, phthalates, and petrolatum, and it is cruelty-free.) Although we would normally steer clear of flavorings, this lip balm uses a small amount that won’t irritate people with sensitive skin. 

Also, it’s worth noting that this lip balm for women does not contain SPF. 

Best for Cold Weather: Lanolips The Original 101 Ointment Supreme

This lip balm is 100% lanolin, which is a natural moisturizing wax that is extracted from sheep’s wool and known for its immensely hydrating properties. As the name suggests, this all-over balm can be used in 101 places (including the lips) because lanolin forms a protective barrier that traps moisture. Therefore, it’s a fantastic, natural alternative to petroleum-based products and ideal for combatting colder, dry air. 

Best Volumizing Lip Balm: Biossance Squalene + Rose Vegan Lip Balm

The Biossance Squalene + Rose Vegan Lip Balm combines hyaluronic acid with ceramides for extra nourishment. Plus, the wakame algae adds noticeable volume to your lips – without irritation. It’s also cruelty-free and vegan. 

Best Lip Mask: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is beloved by many for its thick, gloopy texture and sweet berry scent. It contains vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and ample antioxidants for an ultra-hydrated, plump look. For optimal results? Use this lip mask as a reparative, nighttime treatment. 

Best Glossy Lip Balm: Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment

Hailey Bieber’s renowned lip balm has a thick formula that is surprisingly not greasy. The peptides plump the lips while simultaneously smoothing fine lines, and the fragrance-free version ensures you won’t break out. 

Best Vegan Lip Balm: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

Summer Fridays’ Lip Butter Balm combines thick butter (like shea and murumuru) with vegan waxes to moisturize lips while delivering a gloss-like shine. It helps with dullness and dryness, and it lasts throughout the day. (Plus, it tastes good!) 

Best Tinted Lip Balm: ILIA Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm

Like so many other lip balms for women, the shea butter in this lip balm nourishes and locks in moisture, which combats dry and chapped lips. Plus, the seed oil Salicornia helps replenish lost moisture. Personally? We love that it comes in a wide variety of colors and shades. 

Best Lip Balm with SPF: Aquaphor Lip Protectant + Sunscreen

This classic chapstick that looks like lip balm has SPF 30 with broad spectrum coverage. That means it protects your lips from both UVA and UVB rays. Plus, it’s formulated with a nourishing combination of shea butter, vitamin E, and castor oil. 

Best Lip Balm for Aging Lips: Verso Skincare Lip Serum

Verso Skincare’s Lip Serum contains retinol 8, which is a stabilized vitamin A complex that’s gentler than the average retinoid. As a result, this lip balm for aging lips helps boost collagen production while fading dark spots and fine lines. 

Best Lip Balm for Lip Basting: Weleda Skin Food Lip Butter

Lip basting is a beauty technique that involves applying a light chemical exfoliant (preferably glycolic acid) to the lips, followed by a thick layer of emollient. Let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes, and you’ll be left with hydrated, kissable lips. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, Weleda’s Skin Food Lip Butter is the ideal emollient. It’s formulated with calendula, which is ultra-nourishing. 

Best Lip Salve for Irritated Lips: Lucas’ Papaw Ointment

This lip balm for women contains twice as much product as its competition – for about the same price. It’s a tremendous SPF-free option that soothes cracked, irritated skin (not just lips). And we would recommend this balm for anything from mosquito bites to superficial burns to cracked skin. 

Best Lip Balm with Natural Ingredients: Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm

Drunk Elephant’s blend of avocado oil, mongongo oil, and peptides leaves your lips feeling soft and supple. Plus, it’s free of essential oils, silicones, and fragrances, making it a great option for sensitive skin. 

Best Lip Balm with Hyaluronic Acid: Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid + Peptide Lip Treatment Booster

This lip balm has a slew of moisturizing ingredients including hyaluronic acid, peptides, and squalane. As a result, Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid + Peptide Lip Treatment Booster visibly plumps your lips while providing nourishment all day long. 

Best Flavored Lip Balm: Glossier Balm Dotcom

This cult-favorite, vegan lip balm comes in a variety of flavors and shades. It boasts a nourishing combination of hydrating humectants (like castor jelly), conditioning emollients (like synthetic beeswax and shea butter), free-radical fighting antioxidants (vitamin E acetate), and barrier-boosting oils (like safflower). The balm isn’t sticky or irritating to sensitive skin, and you can use this multipurpose ointment on dry elbows, cuticles, etc. 

The Best Lip Balms for 2023

As we head into winter, make sure to bring one of these 17 best lip balms for women with you. As long as you stock up on ointment-based lip balms that contain petrolatum, essential oils, or glycerin, we guarantee that hydrated, plump, and nourished lips will be in your future.