Dr. Mara Padilla Evangelista-Huber is a board-certified dermatologist, a dermatopathologist (a specialist who diagnoses skin under a microscope) trained in the University of California San Francisco, with a Masters in Clinical Trials from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She is particularly interested in skincare because, other than being a dermatologist, her research background encourages her to filter through the skincare hype. She enjoys looking through available medical evidence to provide evidence-based recommendations and loves busting common skincare myths in her social medial profiles. Dr. Huber practices at Levana Dermatology Clinic, Eastwood Avenue, Quezon City. She offers teleconsultation services as well.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
When selecting lip balms, choose those with natural moisturizers, and avoid harsh ingredients for dry, chapped lips. As an alternative to lipstick, consider tinted balms and look for added SPF protection. Also, opt for the type of packaging according to your preference. Please see the buying guide below for further details.
What about moisturizing ingredients? We’re pretty sure this isn’t new, but shea butter and cocoa butter are effective moisturizers that won’t irritate your skin. Natural oils, such as coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, and avocado oil, are easily absorbed into the skin, allowing them to moisturize deeper.
A known acne-fighting ingredient, salicylic acid actually dries out your lips. It exfoliates dead skin cells and works well for acne, but not for smoothing out your lips. Camphor, phenol, and menthol give you a cooling and tingling sensation that might feel good, but that’s actually the protective layers of your lips peeling off.
You’ve probably heard us says this countless times when it comes to choosing skincare, but steer clear of parabens. These keep our cosmetics bacteria-free for years, but research has suggested they have some harmful effects.
Zinc oxide is also non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t cause any allergic reactions that might worsen your skin. It gives your lips broad-spectrum sun protection for both UVA and UVB rays. Check the label or packaging for an SPF rating and make sure it’s indicated as broad spectrum. SPF15 can block around 93% of the sun’s rays, while SPF30 blocks around 97%.
The skin of the lips has little melanin compared to the skin on the rest of the body. Melanin is what’s responsible for our skin color and is also the body’s natural way of protecting the skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Due to a lack of protection against UV rays and because the lips are constantly exposed to the sun, the lips are at a higher risk of sun damage, including sunburn, sunspots, and skin cancer. This is why it’s important to use a lip balm that contains sunscreen. Some ingredients that protect from the sun include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Lipsticks are hard to work with sometimes. Non-transfer matte lipsticks have a tendency to dry out your lips, while the traditional ones can get messy when you accidentally touch your lips with your hand or clothes.
For days that you don’t feel like wearing lipstick, use a tinted lip balm - of course, don’t forget to check its ingredients. It’s safer and healthier for your lips, plus you’ll be left with soft and plump lips with a little flush of color.
Of course, you can also go with whichever you prefer. However, we recommend using sticks and tubes while you’re out and about since it’s more convenient and easier to apply.
On the other hand, you’d have to dig your fingers into a pot or jar of lip balm, risking contamination. If you do prefer to use a jar, make sure your fingers are extra clean before applying!
While lip balms in sticks are convenient and easy to use when on the go, thicker products that are often packaged in tubes or jars are great options for home use, especially at nighttime.
We tend to lose the most heat and moisture from our skin overnight (and if you sleep with your mouth open, you're going to dry your lips out even more), so thick ointment-type balms - which are quite effective in retaining moisture - will help protect the lips from drying out as you sleep. One other benefit of this type of balm is you can moisturize areas other than your lips!
If you're looking for a long-time favorite lip balm, then this one from Vaseline is a must-have! Formulated with petroleum jelly, it ensures effective lip care by providing long-lasting hydration that locks in moisture. Plus, it comes in a compact packaging that you can bring on the go.
In addition to leaving your lips looking healthy, this product's sheer tint gives off a subtle pink color. Reviewers praise this lip balm as their go-to choice, thanks to its non-sticky and non-greasy formula. With these qualities, it's perfect for daily use, giving comfort and nourishment to your lips!
Nourishing Ingredients | Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly) |
---|---|
UV Protection | No |
Packaging | Tub |
Shades | 4 (Clear and Tinted) |
Nourishing Ingredients | Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Beeswax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Plant Extracts), Glycerin, Lecithin, Panthenol (Provitamin B5), Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Octyldodecanol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Water |
---|---|
UV Protection | No |
Packaging | Tube |
Shades | 1 (Clear/Non-tinted) |
With this lip balm's array of six lovely shades, you can find the perfect match to enhance your natural lip color. Even better, each shade features an all-natural blend of ingredients, including beeswax, shea butter, and botanical wax. This means its gentle formula is free from harsh ingredients, making it safe for those with sensitive skin.
Moreover, the balm imparts a sheer color while delivering up to 8 hours of moisture to your lips! Reviews praise its non-waxy formula for gliding smoothly, leaving no heavy residue. As such, you can use it as a base for other lip products or wear it by itself for a natural look.
Nourishing Ingredients | Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Canola Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Lanolin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil |
---|---|
UV Protection | No |
Packaging | Stick |
Shades | 6 (All Tinted) |
The Click Stick is specially crafted with an elevated wax content, allowing it to maintain its shape and withstand high temperatures without melting. With the added benefit of SPF 15, it offers ample sun protection. These features make it the perfect lip balm for the Philippines' hot weather, so you can bring it wherever you go!
Additionally, it nourishes your lips with lanolin and cocoa butter. However, it contains camphor and menthol, so it might not be suitable for excessively cracked lips or those who dislike tingling sensations. Still, customers adore this lip balm for its lightweight feel and moisturizing properties!
Nourishing Ingredients | Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Beeswax, Cetyl Esters, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Lanolin |
---|---|
UV Protection | Yes (SPF 15) |
Packaging | Stick |
Shades | 2 (All Clear) |
Nourishing Ingredients | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Plant Extracts), Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil |
---|---|
UV Protection | No |
Packaging | Stick |
Shades | 1 (Color-Changing) |
Nourishing Ingredients | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Plant Extracts), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Hydrogenated Castor Oil |
---|---|
UV Protection | No |
Packaging | Stick |
Shades | 2 (All Clear) |
Treat your lips to extra care with this perfect in-between of lip balm and lipstick! Enriched with skin-friendly ingredients like kahai oil, squalane, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C, it effectively combats chapping, leaving your lips supple and smooth. Plus, its buildable color provides subtle to intense pigment.
This lip balm's SPF15 rating also receives acclaim from reviews, adding to its appeal. Acting as a shield, it defends your delicate lips from sun damage. Thus, it's perfect for everyday wear, providing protection during various weather conditions and outdoor activities!
Nourishing Ingredients | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Plant Extracts), Hyaluronic Acid, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Squalane, Caryodendron Orinocense (Kahai) Seed Oil |
---|---|
UV Protection | Yes (SPF15) |
Packaging | Stick |
Shades | 6 (All Tinted) |
Achieve soft and juicy lips using this lip balm from Sunnies Face. Their lip balm line offers a lightweight shiny finish, leaving your lips looking luscious. With the infusion of shea butter and meadowfoam seed oil, it also hydrates your lips to seal in moisture in a single swipe.
In addition, it contains collagen to soften fine lines and vitamin E to further moisturize your lips. Users remark that the clear variant works wonderfully as a base or finishing touch, adding extra shine. There are even six tinted shades available if you want a hint of color!
Nourishing Ingredients | Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Beeswax, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Octyldodecanol, Water |
---|---|
UV Protection | No |
Packaging | Stick |
Shades | 7 (Clear and Tinted) |
Nourishing Ingredients | Black Currant Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax |
---|---|
UV Protection | No |
Packaging | Stick |
Shades | 9 (Clear and Tinted) |
Nourishing Ingredients | Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Beeswax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lanolin |
---|---|
UV Protection | No |
Packaging | Pot |
Shades | 2 (All Tinted) |
The skin on the lips is different from the rest of the body, requiring some site-specific skin care measures for this specialized area:
If you feel like your lips are too dry despite applying lip balm religiously, it could be that your lips have been damaged due to over-application. Try lessening your application and see if your lips’ condition improves.
Some lip balms, if not effective enough in keeping the lips hydrated, can lead to a vicious cycle of constantly needing to use them and applying them on the lips, often followed by lip-licking or smacking, which just continues the cycle of chapping.
If you feel the need to reapply every hour, that's probably not good. This is why it’s important to use the right type of lip balm that actually does the job. If your lips are very dry and cracked, try a thick ointment such as petroleum jelly.
We also asked Dr. Mara for some of her tips to better take care of your lips. Continue reading to find out!
While environmental factors are largely responsible for chapped lips, some health conditions can also contribute. See a dermatologist if chapped lips persist despite supportive measures.
Some helpful tips regarding the use lipsticks and lip balms:
When choosing your skincare items, you might forget that your lips also need extra care. To help you choose your lip care products, check out these links below!
Re-editor: Danielle Trinidad
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
Beauty
Body care, Makeup, SkincareCameras
Camera supplies, Digital cameras, Drones and multirotorsHealth
Beauty supplements, Medical supplies, Feminine careHousehold goods
Air treatment, Bath and shower supplies, BlanketsPCs and laptops
Computer accessories, Computer components, Desktop pcsHome appliances and electronics
Air conditioners and coolers, Air treatment, Blenders, mixers, and food processorsFood and drinks
Alcoholic beverages, Baked goods and desserts, BakingKitchen supplies
Baking tools, Coffee and tea accessories, Food containersClothing
Brands and shops, Men's coats and jackets, Men's innerwearShoes
Men's shoes, Other shoes and footwear, Outdoor footwearAccessories
Bags, Accessories and jewelry, BeltsMom and baby
Baby books and toys, Baby food and snacks, Baby suppliesInterior and furniture
Beds, Carpets and rugs and mats, ChairsHobbies
Animes, Arts and crafts, Board gamesOutdoor
Camping beds and cots, Camping stoves, CoolersDIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Accessories, Badminton, BasketballPets
Cat supplies, Dog supplies, Fish and aquarium suppliesBooks, CDs, and DVDs
Books and magazines, CDs, Linguistics, dictionaries, and phrase booksGames
Console accessories, PC and console gamesCars and motorcycles
Car accessories, Car seats, Car suppliesGifts
Christmas-related gifts, Gifts for kids, Gifts for menHome improvement and tools
Door hardware and locks, Electrical, Gas stovesSmartphones and tablets
Smartphone accessories, Smartphones, StorageBanking and finance
Credit cards, Debit cards, Services and appsInsurance
Car insurance, Life insurance, Medical insuranceAudio
Earphones, Gaming, HeadphonesSmartphone applications
Business apps, Dating apps, Education appsOthers
Others, Merch, Recreation