Finding a really good lip balm that actually helps retain moisture in your lips is not an easy task. I have sensitive lips that are prone to peeling and a lot of lip balms just create a greasy feel on the lips that just seems to sit on top and not do much. Most importantly they don’t last.

Here are some of my top picks.

1. Carmex Classic by Carmex
   

   

   It claims “long-lasting relief for dry, chapped lips”. Every time a product says long lasting then it’s something I’ve got to try. What is the use of a lip balm if you have to keep applying constantly? It’s a hassle and even if you like to care for your lips like I do, you end up not doing it.

   This lip balm comes in a pot form which isn’t my favorite form of packaging as it isn’t travel friendly (since you need clean fingers to use it). However it definitely lives up to the claim. As it isn’t the longest lasting one of the bunch it definitely brings moisture and relief.

   It does have a slight minty feel and if you either don’t care for mint or are sensitive to it you might take that in mind. I know I am sensitive but the feeling isn’t overwhelming. You get 7.5 grams of product which is a good amount.

   In France you can now find it in pharmacies and in the USA it’s found at your local drugstore.

2. Lip Medex by Blistex
   

   

   This one has a cooling effect that can cause some tingling and discomfort if your lips are very sensitive. So keep that in mind. It has a minty sent and taste which I find lovely but if you don’t care for mint you might want to stay away from it. The packaging is in tub form.

   Since my lips are sensitive I just waited a couple of months after opening the packaging, and when I applied the noticeable cooling effect had diminished. This is not something I would necessarily recommend, it’s just something I did in order to use up the product because first of all it does work and second of all I didn’t want to waste it.

3. Dermophil indien

   

   It’s a French pharmacy brand that doesn’t get enough love and recognition in my opinion. I never hear anyone mention in beauty blogs. Sure the packaging isn’t particularly sexy but you get what you need : a down to earth lip balm in stick form that is highly effective. It stays on the lips, doesn’t have an overly shiny finish. It caters to sensitive prone skin and seems to be easily tolerated by most skin types. The range has expanded to sports lip products both for summer or winter.
4. Eight hour nourishing lip balm by Elizabeth Arden
   

   

   The only down side I find to this product is that it is overly sticky. If you don’t mind the sticky feeling on your lips or you hair getting stuck in it, then it’s the perfect companion for dry lips. It also provides high shine on the lips. This one is again on the pricy side. It has an SPF of 20 and you get 14.8 ml of product.

5. Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil

   

   

   
   

   While this technically isn’t a traditional lip balm, I thought it was worth the mention as such lip products claiming to have the same effects as lip balms are popping up all over the internet. This Clarins lip treatment combines the power of plant oils to nourish and enhance the beauty of your lips. It is closer to a gloss than a lip balm but I do think it works very well and keeping my lips happy. Surprisingly it’s not as sticky as the oil make it sounds. Finally I simply adore the “cocoon” applicator that it comes with. It’s a modified and improved version in my opinion of the classic dofut applicator.

6. Burts bees beeswax lip balm tin
   

   

   This lip balm is a lot like the Lip Medex by Blistex as is is minty and can give you a slight tingly feeling on the lips. So use with caution if your lips are extra sensitive. It has a very waxy consistency which isn’t surprising based on its name !

7. Baby Lips in Intense care by Maybelline
   

   

   Usually stick forms seem to work less effectively. Maybe something in the formula that makes the balm into a stick form takes away from the moisture element. Surprisingly especially for a drug store product Baby lips works pretty well.

8. Rêve de miel by Nuxe – Ultra nourishing lip balm
   

   

   This cult classic has a slightly gritty texture makes this balm perfect to put on before bed. It also has an interesting matte finish which is rare in a lip balm that is typically shiny. This one has a truly moisturizing effect that actually lasts as well. It tastes ever so slightly of grapefruit.

   This one is definitely on the pricier side of lip balms. It can’t be found in the drug stores but only in French pharmacies. It’s around 13.21 euros but you do get 15g.

   It has a pretty thick consistency so I wouldn’t recommend it for day time wear underneath another lippie. I leave mine on my bed side table and put it on at night and wake up with perfectly supple and plump. Ready for lipstick application !

9. Lancôme Jucy Tube

   

   Just like the Clarins Lip Oil  Treatment, this isn’t technically a lip balm but it’s a great moisturizing lip gloss. It adds a hint of color and perfects the look of your lips. If you have very pigmented lips it might not show up as much. It’s not sticky at all which is definite plus for me !

10. Bariéderm by Uriage – Repair and insulation lip balm
    

    

    My all time favorite. It combines a very efficient moisturizing formula that glides on the lips provides decent shine without a mirror effect and most importantly for me loooong lasting benefit. I don’t have to constantly reapply with this formula. It has an interesting technology that creates a barrier between your lips and the air thereby trapping the moisture in your skin. It truly isolates the skin’s surface and deeply soothes as it repairs the chapped skin. This product lives up a 100% to its claims which is a rare occurrence in the beauty world.

    I love the packaging as it has a squeezy tube with a tapered tip that delivers just the right amount on your lips. No need to use your fingers so it’s precise and clean.

    It’s a lip savior I love it. Enough said : Go grab it!

Here are some of my misses

1. Born Lippy by the Body Shop
   

   

   This lip balm just seems to add a greasy slip on top of my lips without penetrating and helping restore moisture. It also tends to fade pretty quickly on me. I was disappointed because I tried this out in fruity flavor and it didn’t perform as well as the coconut born lippy. the coconut while not being great seems to work a little at least.

2. Nivea balm – Labello
   

   

   Every one seems to rave about this one but I don’t get the hype. It’s just a standard drugstore lip balm that doesn’t work for my lips. I guess my lips are high maintenance :).

3. Cicaplast by La Roche-Posay
   

   

   I was looking for an alternative to my number one favorite the Bariéderm by Uriage when I came across this lip balm. It is in a squeeze tube my favorite type of packaging but most especially the claim on the lip balm was “barrier repairing balm”. As you now know that’s the first thing I look for in a balm, for it to create a barrier between my lips and the elements. This product was a fail because it had my expectations soaring and didn’t follow through. I’m not saying it’s a bad product for those of you who don’t have lips in need of heavy duty miniaturization but it works but its the kind that just slips off for me. I have to keep applying even though it does feel nice when going on.

   These are my personal thoughts and opinions and what works for my lip type. Please keep in mind that just because it didn’t work out for me doesn’t mean it won’t be a holy grail product for someone else. Everyone’s tastes and preferences are unique.

   What are your hits and misses in the lip balm category?

Shop my post :

Carmex – Lip balm : USA (here) France (here)

Blistex – Lip Medex : USA (here) France (here)

Burts Bees – Lip Balm : USA (here) France (here)

Dermphile Indien : USA (here) France (here)

Body Shop – Born Lippy : USA (here) France (here)

Clarins – Lip Oil : USA (here) France (here)

Maybelline – Baby lips :  USA (here) France (here)

Elizabeth Arden – Eight Hour Nourishing Lip Balm :  USA (here) France (here)

Nuxe – Rêve de Miel : USA (here) France (here)

Uriage – Bariéderm : USA (here) France (here)

Lancôme – Jucy Tube : USA (here) France (here)

Nivea – Labello : USA (here) France (here)