Chapped lips any time of the year are no fun, but throwing sub-zero winter temps into the mix? A nightmare. Plus, once your lips get a little dry and cracked, it seems like no matter what you do, there's no turning back to revive that soft pout. And how exactly are you supposed to wear your fave red lipstick or pretty lip gloss over flaky lips?
Winter is a tough time for kissable lips — you have to take extra care of 'em when strong winds, cold weather, and not to mention dry skin, are in your way. If your lips are literally flaking (I know, gross) and you need a treatment ASAP, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marnie Nussbaum recommends using a brown sugar and coconut oil scrub to exfoliate the roughness, and then applying a moisturizing lip balm on top. And you've probably been told this a million times, but you should also avoid picking at flaky skin and licking your lips.
But more importantly, a good lip protectant will solve all of your problems. We asked Dr. Nussbaum for her best tips on finding a lip balm that will not only remedy your chapped lips, but also protect them from getting cracked in the future. "Look for super moisturizing and emollient-based ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, highly refined petrolatum," she says. For hydrating and creating a protective barrier on your lips, she suggests looking for beeswax-based balms.
So with that in mind, here are the best lip balms for winter (under $30!) that will seriously restore hydration into that pucker. Welcome back, soft kissable lips. I've missed you. 😘
A hydrating lip balm, scrub, and tint all in one, this delish product made with watermelon extract truly does it all. Its tint adjusts to your skin tone once applied, giving you the perfect natural color, and the formula is gentle enough to reapply throughout the day. If you've tried the brand's famous Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, you know we don't have to convince you any further.
Editor's Pick
Bioderma Atoderm Nourishing and Repairing Lip Stick
Editor's Pick
Bioderma Atoderm Nourishing and Repairing Lip Stick
You know a lip balm is a keeper when you don't need to reapply multiple times throughout the day. Its shea butter and vitamin E will give your parched lips the hydration they need.
You can trust that this sunscreen brand takes its lip balm just as seriously. The glossy salve glides on so smoothly, and keeps your lips nourished and flake-free.
This sugar lip treatment isn't just another pretty product to throw in your purse. Its blend of sugar, seed oils, and grapeseed oils really delivers intense hydration, while adding a natural pink pop on your lips.
So this sweet mask isn't exactly a lip balm, but it'll transform your dehydrated lips all the same. Apply a thick layer of this delicious berry formula overnight and see the difference for yourself the next morning.
This tried-and-true rosy lip salve will not only save your cracked lips, but also heal your chafed cuticles, heels, elbows... pretty much any part of your body that feels a little rough.
Swipe this 100% natural balm on anywhere from the heels of your feet to your chapped lips, and everywhere in between. It's made out of only one ingredient: lanolin, which goes to work on dry skin.
You can't go wrong with a classic, like this OG medicated lip balm. A quick swipe provides moisture for hours, not to mention a soft base to layer on a lipstick.
Unlike other popular balms, this lip salve is formulated with 1% hydrocortisone for those with severely chapped or inflamed lips. It's especially beloved by Accutane users, so you know it has to be good.
Don't be fooled, this tiny container really packs a punch. The rosy formula gives off a bright whiff of floral, but still offers the brand's ultra healing action.
Yerin Kim is the Assistant Editor for Snapchat Discover at Seventeen, covering beauty, sex & health, lifestyle, and entertainment. Originally from New Jersey but raised in Seoul, she is a proud Syracuse grad who loves fluffy puppies and a good Instagram opp. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram!
Kelsey is Seventeen.com's fashion expert and resident Harry Potter nerd. At the office, she spends her day writing about style, beauty, and literally every move Kylie Jenner makes. On the weekends, you can find her sifting through vintage shops and hunting for the perfect burger. Follow her on Instagram at @klstieg.