The Best Lip Balms for Men, According to Grooming Experts
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Society’s general apathy towards male grooming has spread to the lips. Sure, most men have heard of Chapstick, Carmex, perhaps Burt’s Bees — but few know where to start beyond impulse buying a $2 Blistex pack at the checkout counter.
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Fortunately, male skincare has progressed rapidly in the wake of men realizing it’s nice to be soft and clean, and now there are plenty of options. Is a $20 lip balm worth the extra cash? Are the ingredients that much better? We asked a team of beauty experts which they recommend for mens’ cracked kissers.
There’s a range of products here: sunscreen lip balms, expensive overnight lip masks, and an everyday option that’s low-cost and easy to find. There should be something for every guy, whether they want to indulge in some top-tier skincare or just have a reliable go-to for the cold and dry winter months.
What the Experts Say
SPY spoke to three skincare experts to find out which are the best lip balms for men. Jake Jaime, a skincare product designer, beauty influencer, and self-described lip balm obsessive weighed in, alongside skincare and beauty blogger Bart Kaczanowicz and long-time grooming editor Garrett Munce.
Jaime said that he rarely goes out without a cheap, everyday lip balm, both to avoid the feeling of chapped lips and for aesthetic reasons. “A small coating of balm makes the lips look so healthy and fresh!” Jaime said. “I hate the way my lips feel without it.” Kaczanowicz emphasized not overcomplicating the decision. He says you need it to keep your lips moisturized, be easy to apply, and not lose its shape over time since a mushy swivel stick is worse than flaky lips.
The experts also gave us picks for luxe lip masks that you’re meant to use overnight, a step up in the cosmetic game but something that can make a serious difference in long-term hydration if used properly. Men who experience chronically dry lips, especially in the winter, should tune in. For those who don’t want to go that far, a daily-use product is still a must. Read on to hear the top picks.
BEST OVERALL
Aquaphor Lip Repair
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The best lip balm overall is a simple, ubiquitous product: Aquaphor. There are a few different Aquaphor formulas, but they’re very similar. Kaczanowicz recommends the Healing Ointment, which can be used on the lips and anywhere on the body. Jaime, meanwhile, recommended Aquaphor’s SPF 30 lip formula, which gives some UV protection as well. “Aquaphor does it all!” Jaime said. “It really is the ultimate lip balm for all skin types.” If even beauty pros with access to the highest-end products keep coming back, that’s all the endorsement you need.
BEST LIP BALM WITH SPF
Supergoop! Lip Shield SPF 30 Mint
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SPECIALTY PRODUCT: “No one makes sunscreen like Supergoop! and the lip balm is no exception,” Munce said. “Good protective factor, broad spectrum, it’s even water and sweat-resistant without feeling heavy or sticky on your lips.”
ALSO CONSIDER: Both Munce and Kaczanowicz also recommend the Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm as another high-quality option with SPF. “It’s super thick and super hydrating, way more than your average cheap stick,” Munce said.
BEST OVERNIGHT LIP BALM MASK
In Fiore Veloutee Complexe
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ROI: At $85, this mask isn’t cheap. But Kaczanowicz says it’s worth it. “It’s a stunning, soft balm formula the brand refers to as ‘The Last Lip Treatment You’ll Ever Need’ and I concur,” Kaczanowicz said. “This luxe treat is meticulously formulated and heals, rejuvenates, and protects the skin against any harmful exposure to the environment.”
MULTI-PURPOSE: “It’s incredibly nourishing and can also be used around the eyes,” Kaczanowicz said. The skin around the eyes is infamously sensitive and delicate, so any product with ingredients that work there is worth investing in.
BEST IN A PINCH
Carmex Classic Lip Balm (4pk)
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BACKUP: If you can’t find Aquaphor or even standard Vaseline, Munce says to go for the old, reliable Carmex. It’s petroleum-based, so “it’s great at both moisturizing and protecting lips,” Munce said.
TRAVEL HACK: “I also like that it comes in a tube,” Munce said. “When I travel, I try to avoid tubs that I have to dip my fingers into because I seem to always get sick when I travel and I try to do whatever I can to minimize germ exposure.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Balm
What is lip balm made of?
Many balms are petroleum-based, essentially, Vaseline with other ingredients. Some however will contain beeswax and other lipids like coconut or jojoba oil. Carmex, for instance, has a bit of salicylic acid that Munce says is good for keeping lips smooth.
How much does lip balm cost?
The price range in this list is anywhere from a couple of dollars to a whopping $80 for the most luxurious option. The mid-range for a good, top-tier specialty product appears to be around $10 per small tube, typically a quarter or a third of an ounce.
When should I wear lip balm?
Ideally, every day. A light balm for daily use will keep you from chapping or cracking in normal conditions, and heftier products will keep you safe in the elements and can help repair any damage you sustain.
What’s the difference between lip balm and Chapstick?
Chapstick is a brand, officially, but the two terms are often used interchangeably to talk about moisturizing lip products. Chapstick tends to be more of a wax-based substance that comes in a small tube and is solid, whereas a balm is a liquid that spreads on easier and feels lighter.
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1. Carmex Daily Care Moisturizing Lip Balm
Carmex Lip Balm is a staple product in the industry. They’ve offered protection for lips for as long as most SPY Editors can remember. The fresh cherry tube offers SPF sun protection and water resistance for up to 80 minutes.
There’s a reason Carmex is the OG. It takes one application to keep lips moisturized for most of the day. The cherry flavor was very nostalgic for us to smell and taste, like what you’d expect from a ’90s playground popsicle. Typically at SPY, we’re not for overbearing scents or flavors in our skincare products, but this was pleasant.
Carmex lip balm isn’t too thick but definitely feels like it’s giving your lips a good coat. We wouldn’t mind if it were a little thicker, but the proof is in how long it lasts.
We’re also big fans of the classic twist applicator. It’s easy to use and doesn’t get your hands messy while applying the balm.
Pros: Enjoyable Flavor, Easy to use and apply, Few applications needed
Cons: Uses animal byproducts (lanolin).
Carmex Daily Care Moisturizing Lip Balm
2. Chapstick
Chapstick isn’t just an OG lip balm player — it’s a household name. They’ve been around for 130 years saving our lips from chapping and cracking. We tested the SPF version in the easy-to-use twist applicator that offers the eight-hour moisture of the original Chapstick with the added bonus of sun protection. They also use an aloe extract that helps soothe your lips and keeps them nice and comfy.
We’re always fans of the added SPF bonus when it comes to lip balms because lips are one of the last body parts you think of when it comes to sun protection.
There isn’t much flavor when it comes to this version, but we didn’t mind it. It just felt like a silk coat on the lips after application. Our team noticed it working through most of the day. We’re not sure we exactly clocked a full eight hours, but it was certainly doing at least a half-day’s work before reapplication.
Pros: Easy to use and apply, Lasted a majority of the day, Very affordable
Cons: Uses animal products.
Chapstick
3. Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, dating back to 1991 in Maine, made our top three because of its attention to sustainability and natural ingredients. Their mix of ingredients helps condition skin and moisturize lips simultaneously.
The SPY team is a huge fan of Burt’s Bees lip balm because we found it very easy to apply and the peppermint flavor left a nice tingle on the lips. This lip balm is a bit thicker than the previous ones we tested, but that helps it last all day. While we like to think that the best lip balms for men are free of animal products, Burts products are “beegan,” meaning they only contain products from bees; in this case, beeswax. With that said, we appreciate that Burt’s beeswax is responsibly sourced and all other ingredients are natural.
Pros: Responsibly sourced beeswax, Pleasant flavors, Easy application.
Cons: Waxier than most balms we tested.
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
4. Sun Bum CocoBalm Lip Balm
Sun Bum claims that this is their best lip balm. It features aloe vera and coconut oil to help soothe lips and keep them moisturized. We learned that other than this product, there are lip balms with SPF available because, well, it’s in the brand’s name.
The CocoBalm is one of the best lip balms for men that we tested because of its pleasant scent and light soothing sensation. We liked the Aloe Wave flavor, which surprised us. It was truly like tasting a small ocean current if that ocean was made up of liquid aloe — we mean that in the best way possible.
The SunBum Cocobalm is a thinner lip balm and even though our team needed a few more reapplications than average, the flavor made up for it. We’d definitely keep this in our Dopp kits or desks as a go-to.
Pros: A unique and refreshing flavor, Smooth finish, Not super thick and messy
Cons: More than 1-2 applications to last throughout the day.
Sun Bum CocoBalm Lip Balm
5. Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm
We like the sound of an Intense Therapy Lip Balm. Jack Black pays close attention to what your lips need to stay healthy, hydrated, and protected. They packed their balm with loads of natural ingredients including Green Tea, Vitamin E, Shea Butter, and Avacado Oil.
This was one of our favorites. We’re suckers for a minty lip balm because that tingle makes it feel like it’s working. And we learned that Jack Black knows what they’re doing because, not only did we forget about dry lips after one swipe, but their lip balm also lasted all day.
With their thicker formula, they recommend an application every 2 hours and if you’re heading into the sun, be sure to apply 15 minutes beforehand for optimal results. The tube is also a great applicator for avoiding messiness — we loved it.
Pros: Minty flavor and sensation, Long-lasting, Immediate soothing effects, FDA-Approved skin protectant.
Cons: Some options are more economical.
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm
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