Winter is famous for windburn and extreme temperatures, but chapped lips can be a nuisance in any season! Chapstick is a great solution to the irritation, itching, and burning that go along with lips that are injured from getting too dry. However, it can be tough to know which product is the best chapstick for you. 

Are you looking for an everyday protector that seals in moisture? Do you need a heavy-duty, medical-grade healing solution? Or are you hoping for an all-organic, cruelty-free product that you feel good about buying? 

Whatever your needs may be, the best chapstick for you is out there. The selections in this guide range from simple products that can be applied under (or over) lipstick or lip gloss, to top-quality, handmade skincare products that provide the best in moisture control and healing. 

Kids get chapped lips, too! To protect your kiddos from windburn and irritation, try Sky Organics' Beeswax Lip Balm. This top-rated set is the best chapstick for families and people with sensitive skin. 

Choose from six delicious flavors, all included in this six-pack box and made from ethically-sourced beeswax and organic ingredients. Eucalyptus Mint, Strawberry Bliss, Tangy Citrus, Tropical Coconut, Cherry Bomb, and Tahitian Vanilla are all gluten-free, paraben-free, and safe for kids to use. 

The formula also includes nourishing ingredients like coconut oil and vitamin E, which work together to moisturize and soften the lips with every application. This beeswax-based lip balm goes on smooth, without leaving behind a waxy or grimy residue. After just one day, you'll have noticeably softer and moister lips! 

If you're looking for the best organic Chapstick with flavors that will appeal to kids, you've found a match with Sky Organics. The Sky Organics Beeswax Lip Balm is the best Chapstick for families and lick-lippers alike -- these six flavors are so delicious, you'll use them again and again!

Key Features
  • 6 flavors available
  • 100% vegan, all-natural, and organic
  • Gluten free
  • Ethically sourced beeswax base
Specifications
  • Package Size: 0.16 ounces
  • Number of Flavors: 6
  • Effectiveness Time: 2 hours
  • 100% Natural: Yes
  • Organic: Yes
  • Cruelty Free: Yes
  • Brand: Sky Organics
Pros
  • Great for kids and adults alike
  • Amazon's #1-rated lip butter
  • Made from organic ingredients
  • No waxy feel
Cons
  • No sun protection
Premium pick

2. Smith's Rosebud Salve

8.00 / 10
Read Reviews

When you're looking for the best chapstick, do you want an untested product or a tried-and-true formula that's been around since 1892? Smith's Rosebud Salve is a beloved family balm that treats many minor ailments, from chapped lips to diaper rash, minor burns, and dry elbows. 

This much-loved formula is available in a tin or a tube. Keep the tin on your bedside table for daily use in the morning or at night, and tuck a tube in your purse or carry-on bag as you go about your everyday and travel routines. This salve moisturizes and protects damaged, dried-out skin, leaving your lips and skin nourished without an overpowering aroma. 

One issue many shoppers face when looking for the best chapstick is finding a fragrance that doesn't set off allergies. Smith's Rosebud Salve comes with a "barely there" rose scent that's perfect for sensitive skin types. 

If you're looking for convenience, efficiency, and versatility in your chapstick, Smith's Rosebud Salve is a great all-in-one go-to to add to your skincare routine. 

Key Features
  • Available as a tube or tin of salve
  • Gentle rose fragrance
  • Moisturizes and treats dry, chapped lips
  • Glossy, non-sticky, non-waxy formula
Specifications
  • Package Size: 0.64 ounces
  • Number of Flavors: 1
  • Effectiveness Time: All day
  • 100% Natural: No
  • Organic: No
  • Cruelty Free: No
  • Brand: Smith's
Pros
  • Can be used for burns, diaper rash, and minor burns
  • Rose scent is light enough for sensitive skin
  • Comes in a tin or convenient tube (choose your favorite)
  • Excellent for on-the-go and at home use
Cons
  • Prone to melting in heat
  • Gets very messy if over-used
Best value

3. Blistex Lip Medex

9.50 / 10
Read Reviews

There's nothing worse than severely chapped lips in the middle of winter. Blistex Lip Medex uses a medical-grade formula to heal, moisturize, and protect injured lips. Unlike regular wax-based "stick" lip balms, Blistex Lip Medex is applied as a salve from a tin, and acts as a barrier between the outside world and your lips as they heal. 

Blistex Lip Medex is designed to restore your lips' healthy moisture levels. Relying on the same formula Blistex has improved over more than three decades, the Medex edition is the best chapstick for people who need a medical solution to their chapped lips.

Keep a tin by your bedside table for night or morning use. If you're heading out for a night on the town, you can use Blistex Lip Medex as an alternative to lip gloss. Apply over your makeup for a healthy, shiny finish! Plus, this product can be used to treat mild burns and cold sores as well. 

When regular lip balm just won't cut it, Blistex Lip Medex is there to get the job done. For the best medical alternative to Chapstick, trust in a tried-and-true formula that has satisfied families for years. 

Key Features
  • Medicated formula
  • Heals chapped lips and restores healthy moisture balance
  • Acts as a barrier between lips and elements
  • Provides relief from itching, soreness, and heat
  • 3-pack of 0.25-ounce tins
Specifications
  • Package Size: 0.25 ounces
  • Number of Flavors: 1
  • Effectiveness Time: 30 minutes
  • 100% Natural: No
  • Organic: No
  • Cruelty Free: No
  • Brand: Blistex
Pros
  • High-octane medical formula
  • Heals, doesn't simply cover hurt lips
  • Designed to soothe and cool chapped, irritated lips
  • Convenient for travel
Cons
  • Only available in a tin
  • Can be messy
  • Strong medical smell

One of the most frustrating things about the long winter months is the frequent wind, snow, and freezing conditions that come along. Jack Black's Intense Therapy Lip Balm is the best chapstick to combat the winter elements. This lip balm offers a skin protectant and a sunscreen at the same time, with built-in 25 SPF protection. 

Unlike regular "wax stick" alternatives, Jack Black's Intense Therapy Lip Balm protects against windburn and extreme temperatures. Instead of just treating symptoms as they appear, this lip balm can be applied proactively for up to 30 minutes of protection from the elements. Plus, the vitamin- and antioxidant-rich formula soothes and nourishes the lips with every application. 

Jack Black offers an excellent range of flavors, including Cucumber Lime, Basil Lemon, Pineapple Mint, Winter Melon, Lavender, Pomegranate, Vanilla Mint, and Natural Mint & Shea Butter. Not only does this exquisite formula keep the lips protected, it tastes and smells great, too! 

If you're airing out your snow pants and winter coats, it's a good idea to fill the pockets with Jack Black's Intense Therapy Lip Balm. This lip balm is the best chapstick for intense winter conditions, especially if your lips are already prone to chapping or windburn. 

Key Features
  • Sun protection (SPF 25)
  • Soothes dry, chapped, irritated lips
  • Contains antioxidants like vitamin E and green tea
  • Non-wax alternative to "stick" balms
  • Oil-free
Specifications
  • Package Size: 1.2 x 0.8 x 3.4 inches
  • Number of Flavors: 12
  • Effectiveness Time: 30 minutes
  • 100% Natural: No
  • Organic: No
  • Cruelty Free: Yes
  • Brand: Jack Black
Pros
  • Sunscreen and lip balm in one
  • Intense treatment for dry, damaged lips
  • Wide range of flavors
  • Guards against windburn and irritation
Cons
  • Not fully organic
  • Flavors may be too "intense" for people with sensitive skin

When you're looking for the best Chapstick on the market, why not pick a handmade, organic, locally sourced lip balm? Portland Bee Balm is made from the highest quality local ingredients in the Pacific Northwest.

The beeswax base comes from local hives, and the all-natural, organic ingredients come from local markets and farms around the Portland area. Every tube is made by hand, using a cultivated, delicious recipe made from natural oils and additives. No harmful chemicals here! 

Unlike other wax-based lip balms, Portland Bee Balm comes with a matte finish and isn't sticky or clumpy. Choose from four flavors: Unscented, Solar Eclipse, Oregon Mint, or Rose Garden. Each of these flavors is crafted from all-natural ingredients that moisturize, soften, and protect the lips with a single application. 

For the best Chapstick handmade from locally sourced, all-natural, organic ingredients, look no further than Portland Bee Balm. The company is proud to be part of the One Percent for the Planet initiative, and donates one percent of all revenues to the Portland Urban Beekeepers Association. 

Key Features
  • Made by hand in Portland, Oregon
  • Made from carefully sourced local, organic ingredients
  • Beeswax base with essential oils, vitamins, and minerals
  • 3-pack of 0.6-ounce tubes
Specifications
  • Package Size: 0.6 ounces
  • Number of Flavors: 4
  • Effectiveness Time: 2 hours to overnight
  • 100% Natural: Yes
  • Organic: Yes
  • Cruelty Free: Yes
  • Brand: Portland Bee Balm
Pros
  • One percent of revenues go to the Portland Urban Beekeepers Association
  • Beeswax is sourced from local Pacific Northwest hives
  • Eco-friendly packaging
  • Matte finish
Cons
  • May melt in high temperatures

When you're looking for the best chapstick, it's never a bad choice to shop for Burt's Bees. This well-known product line offers a wide range of balms, lotions, and other skincare products enriched with beeswax, antioxidants, vitamins, and all-natural ingredients. 

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm is the best chapstick made from all-natural ingredients. This lip balm infuses a decadent beeswax base with antioxidant- and vitamin-rich natural ingredients. Flavorings like peppermint oil, vanilla bean, and honey add a great scent and even greater healing benefits. 

To find your favorite Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, choose from nine flavors, including Vanilla Bean, Wild Cherry, Pomegranate, Pink Grapefruit, Strawberry, Mango Butter, Honey, Coconut & Pear, or flavor-free Beeswax. All flavors in the lip balm series are paraben-, phthalate-, and petrolatum-free. The all-natural ingredients offer your lips the ultimate protection from the elements without any artificial additives or chemicals. 

Whether you're planning for winter or looking for a year-long skincare companion, Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm is the best Chapstick for people committed to an organic lifestyle. 

Key Features
  • 100% natural ingredients
  • Free from parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, or SLS
  • Beeswax-based formula
  • Matte finish
Specifications
  • Package Size: 0.3 ounces (2 pack)
  • Number of Flavors: 9
  • Effectiveness Time: As needed
  • 100% Natural: Yes
  • Organic: Yes
  • Cruelty Free: Yes
  • Brand: Burt's Bees
Pros
  • Good for use in all seasons
  • Cost-effective 2-pack
  • All-natural, cruelty-free ingredients
  • Enriched with antioxidants and Vitamin E
Cons
  • May have a strong, medicinal smell
  • Natural ingredients may be allergy triggers

For outdoor enthusiasts, the best chapstick is the one that keeps up with an active lifestyle. Neutrogena's Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer blends the best of lip balm with SPF 15 sunscreen, moisturizing and protecting your lips from any elements. 

This cost-effective multi-pack offers three 15-ounce tubes, perfect to keep in snow pants, a coat pocket, or an overnight bag. Whether you're hitting the slopes or hitting the town, Neutrogena keeps up with you. This lip balm can be worn under makeup as a moisturizing, healing layer. 

Be sure to apply at least 15 minutes before heading out into the sun, and reapply every two hours for maximum effectiveness. Unlike other lip balms, Neutrogena's Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer is fragrance-free, so it won't exacerbate allergies or leave a bad taste in your mouth. Plus, the trademarked recipe glides on smooth without that waxy, clingy feeling! 

When you're looking for the best Chapstick for every season, put Neutrogena on your shopping list. The Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer is the best guard against chapped lips, no matter the weather. 

Key Features
  • Moisturizes, conditions, and protects lips
  • Includes SPF 15 sunscreen
  • Includes 3 15-ounce tubes
  • Fragrance-free
Specifications
  • Package Size: 0.15 ounces
  • Number of Flavors: 1
  • Effectiveness Time: 2 hours
  • 100% Natural: No
  • Organic: No
  • Cruelty Free: No
  • Brand: Neutrogena
Pros
  • Protects against sunburn-causing UVB rays and harmful UVA rays
  • Defends against premature signs of aging and uneven skin tone
  • Fragrance-free for people with allergy concerns
  • No waxy feel
  • Can be worn under makeup
Cons
  • Many chemical ingredients

Turn to the traditions of Sweden for this all-natural healing lip remedy. Lypsyl Intense Protection Lip Balm is the best chapstick with all-natural ingredients, featuring real Swedish beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamins A and E. 

The refined formula protects, moisturizes, and softens the lips all at once. The gentle mint flavor adds a pleasant aroma and taste without overpowering the senses or burning the skin. Plus, the tube's built-in slide allows for easy application with a single swipe. 

Lypsyl Intense Protection Lip Balm is the best chapstick for people who care deeply about where their products are sourced. This lip balm is not tested on animals, and contains all-natural ingredients. This way, you're protecting yourself from chapped lips and contributing to healthy, sustainable business practices! 

If you're looking for a natural chapstick, Lypsyl's trusted formula is the way to go. Store a tube in your pocket or purse and go about your day, knowing your lips are moisturized, soft, and protected from the elements. 

Key Features
  • All-natural ingredients
  • Not tested on animals
  • Contains 3 0.10-ounce tubes
  • Mint flavored
Specifications
  • Package Size: 0.10 ounces
  • Number of Flavors: 1
  • Effectiveness Time: 30 minutes
  • 100% Natural: Yes
  • Organic: No
  • Cruelty Free: Yes
  • Brand: Lypsyl
Pros
  • Cruelty free
  • Contains Swedish beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamins A and E
  • Moisturizes, softens, and protects the lips naturally
  • Includes built-in slide for easy application
Cons
  • Can be messy

Olive oil. Rosemary extract. Vanilla mint. These may sound like ingredients in a delicious dessert, but they're actually the key components in Linhart's 100% Natural Beeswax Lip Balm! 

This high-quality, organic lip balm is the best chapstick for nature lovers who rely on top-notch beeswax products. Specially formulated by world-renowned NYC dentists Jan and Zachary Linhart, this organic formula moisturizes, softens, and protects the lips without leaving a greasy or waxy feeling behind. Plus, this lip balm includes SPF 15 sunscreen for maximum protection. 

A little goes a long way, so you know you're getting your money's worth with Linhart! This beeswax lip balm works with a single application, and should be re-applied every two hours or so for maximum effectiveness. The gentle mint flavor accentuates the healing experience without the burn of stronger scents (but it may tingle a bit for people with sensitive skin). 

When you're looking for the best chapstick with ingredients provided by Mother Nature, Linhart's 100% Natural Beeswax Lip Balm is the right product for you. 

Key Features
  • 100% natural, organic ingredients
  • Enriched with vitamins, natural oils, and extracts
  • Spearmint flavor
  • Includes SPF 15 sunscreen
Specifications
  • Package Size: 0.6 ounces
  • Number of Flavors: 1
  • Effectiveness Time: 2 hours
  • 100% Natural: Yes
  • Organic: Yes
  • Cruelty Free: Yes
  • Brand: Linhart
Pros
  • Formulated from plant oils that mimic the skin's natural oil
  • High quality, all-natural, organic ingredients
  • No waxy feel
  • Protects from the sun as well as chapping
  • Vitamin and nutrient-enriched
Cons
  • Mint flavor may cause tingles

When you're looking for a heavy-duty chapped lip solution, Carmex has you covered. Carmex's Classic Lip Balm is the best chapstick for people who struggle with windburn and irritation during cold weather.

This medicated lip balm contains specialty added ingredients that work together for complete lip care. Cocoa butter smooths the skin and moisturizes the lips, while camphor and menthol offer a soothing, cooling sensation for irritated skin. Meanwhile, the patented medicated formula heals skin abrasions, leaving your lips soothed, healed, and protected at all times. 

While Carmex Classic only comes in one flavor, it is available in tube, tin, and stick forms, making it the best chapstick for travel and everyday use. Plus, a little goes a long way—a single application lasts all day, giving you the ultimate cold-weather protection for a fraction of the cost of other skincare products. 

Chapped lips are no fun. Luckily, Carmex Classic Lip Balm offers the best protection for all skin types during extreme temperatures. Simply pop a tube, stick, or tin in your travel bag, and you're ready to weather any weather. 

Key Features
  • Available as a tin, tube, or stick
  • Medicated lip balm
  • Moisturizing formula with cocoa butter
  • Added camphor and menthol for cooling
Specifications
  • Package Size: 5 x 4 x 1 inches
  • Number of Flavors: 1
  • Effectiveness Time: All day
  • 100% Natural: No
  • Organic: No
  • Cruelty Free: No
  • Brand: Carmex
Pros
  • Medicated formula soothes, heals, and protects chapped lips
  • Long-lasting (a little goes a long way)
  • Cocoa butter softens skin while moisturizing
  • Convenient for travel
Cons
  • Strong medical smell
  • Contains parabens and other additives

Where do chapped lips come from, anyway?

We've all dealt with the uncomfortable and common nuisance that comes with extreme temperatures, windburn, or dehydration. Lip chapping, also known as cheilitis, comes about when the skin of the lips gets exposed to unpleasant conditions. Cheilitis is a familiar sight: dry, cracked lips with flaking or peeling skin. While this condition isn't life-threatening, it is annoying. If left untreated, chapped lips can become extremely itchy and painful.

Winter is prime time for chapped lips, when temperatures plunge and freezing winds rise. Between home remedies and carefully-selected lip balms, you can keep your lips soft, moistened, and protected no matter the season.

How can I protect my lips from the elements?

  1. Use a top-quality lip balm. The products in this guide have all been chosen for their effectiveness and quality. While regular Chapstick products can be effective, some of the additives in the ingredients may not agree with your skin, and could actually dry them out more over time through over-use. Find a product that works for your skin type and stick to it!
  2. Exfoliate and moisturize. When you're washing your face, never skip your lips! Exfoliation is a great step to add to your skincare routine, especially during the winter, when wind and cold dry out the lips and leave a lot of dead skin behind. Freshly exfoliated skin is primed to accept moisture and nourishment, but it's also prone to drying out, so be sure to moisturize with the proper lip balm after exfoliating.
  3. Try a natural remedy. If you're prone to excessively chapped lips, some natural remedies can help your lips restore healthy moisture levels. Coconut oil, avocado oil, and aloe vera can all be used like lip balms. These natural ingredients are rich in antioxidants, and have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. While these shouldn't be used as a complete replacement for lip balm, they can be a great overnight treatment or comfort in a pinch.
  4. Drink water. Stay hydrated! It can be tough to drink enough water in any season, but the lips and extremities are among the first parts of the body to suffer the effects of dehydration. If you're not drinking enough water, your skin will dry out much faster, leaving to quicker and more severe chapping over time.
  5. Sleep with a humidifier. Forced air (air conditioning and heat) can cause our homes to become extremely dry. Molecules in the air suck moisture out of our skin, so sleeping with a humidifier adds much-needed hydration back into the air of your bedroom. Combined with other treatments, a humidifier can have a great impact on your skin quality and elasticity.
  6. Avoid smoking and alcohol. Tobacco and alcohol, besides their other health drawbacks, are known to reduce the skin's ability to hold moisture. Combined with rough weather, dehydration, or extreme temperatures, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol is a surefire route to drying out your lips.
  7. Commit to sun protection. Sunburn usually shows up on the lips as cracking, peeling, and other signs of chapping. Many lip balms come with sun protection built in, so it's a good idea to invest in a product that protects you from the sun as well as outside elements.
  8. Read the ingredients. Many skincare products contain a mix of chemicals that, while not inherently harmful, may disagree with certain skin types. For example, many lip balms contain an ingredient called camphor, which is known to dry out skin when people have a sensitivity to it. If you're ever in doubt, it's a good idea to stick to products with 100% natural or organic ingredients.  
  9. Break the lip-licking habit. Believe it or not, licking your lips actually dries them out further. Our saliva is naturally salty and acidic (since it's the body's first step to breaking down food). This breakdown process affects the skin as well, so excessively licking your lips can cause them to chap more. (I know, I know, that cherry lip gloss is delicious.)
  10. Talk to your doctor. If you're having trouble keeping your lips moisturized, it may be a sign that you're dealing with some other medical issue. Many medications can make the body more prone to dehydration, or the skin more vulnerable to drying out. If you find yourself constantly applying lip balm and seeing little improvement, your doctor can work with you to see if you're sensitive to an ingredient, need to change a medication, or dealing with some other issue.

Chapped lips are a major nuisance, but they don't have to be part of your everyday routine. With the right mix of skincare and lip balm application, you can bid chapped lips adieu in every season!

Resources—Medical News Today, WebMD, colorescience

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