Your cheeks and forehead aren’t the only parts of your face that need hydration. Your lips deserve plenty of TLC too—and there are lots of balms, oils, and masks that claim to make your pout irresistibly soft, moisturized, and plump. That’s why we’ve dedicated an entire category of our 2024 Healthy Beauty Awards to those luscious lips of yours.
To find the best-of-the-best formulas to nourish your lips (and sometimes add a little bit of shine or color), our testers spent months playing with dozens of products that promised dewy, smooth, and kissable results. After countless rounds of swiping, smacking, and puckering, we’re happy to announce the top nine winners that have earned permanent spots in our purses and on our bedside tables.
Be sure to check out the rest of SELF’s 2024 Healthy Beauty Award winners here.
Best SPF Lip Balm: Aquaphor Lip Protectant + Sunscreen
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Aquaphor
Lip Protectant + Sunscreen
Why we love it: They call ’em classics for a reason. This Aquaphor staple is made with petrolatum (or petroleum jelly), an occlusive that completely coats your lips to lock in moisture. Plus it has SPF 30 to shield your delicate and extra vulnerable skin from sun damage. (Because what’s worse than dry lips? Sunburnt ones.)
Bonus points, per the experts: In addition to the petrolatum, this balm is made with hydrating glycerin, panthenol, and castor oil.
One tester said: “I apply my regular Aquaphor lip balm constantly, and this version with SPF is my new go-to. I keep a tube next to my keys—that way, I’ll always remember to put it on before leaving the house. That’s how much I love this product! So moisturizing and a true holy grail.”
Best Lip Mask: Lanolips 12-Hour Overnight Lip Mask
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Lanolips
12-Hour Overnight Lip Mask
Why we love it: If you’re all about aesthetically pleasing beauty products, you’ll love this one from Lanolips (the cheery lavender tube will pop on your vanity!). But this mask’s appeal goes beyond looks: It’s also packed with nourishing hyaluronic acid and ceramides that’ll work overnight to keep your lips juicy and hydrated.
Bonus points, per the experts: It also contains moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E, as well as vitamin C to brighten and protect against environmental damage.
One tester said: “I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I work in a hospital and have to wear a mask for many hours, which dries out my lips. After having this on all day, my lips stayed moisturized thanks to its superthick consistency.”
Best Lip Balm: Burt’s Bees Shea + Coconut Oil Moisturizing Lip Balm
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Burt’s Bees
Shea + Coconut Oil Moisturizing Lip Balm
Why we love it: Our testers said this lip balm glides on smoothly and is so lightweight, it almost feels like you’re not wearing anything at all. But don’t let that fool you: It’s loaded with ultra-hydrating ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter—so rest assured it doesn’t skimp on moisture.
Bonus points, per the experts: Occlusives like cocoa butter, coconut oil, castor oil, and jojoba oil keep lips protected and hydrated.
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One tester said: “This saved me during the winter months when I was getting incredibly chapped and flaky lips. I even used it on my dry knuckles, and it worked wonders. This was far more moisturizing than any run-of-the-mill chapstick I’ve ever tried.”
Best Lip Balm (Splurge): Kylie Skin Lip Butter
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Kylie Skin
Lip Butter
Why we love it: This balm feels luxuriously velvety and nourishing, which is why we’d say it’s worth the extra dollars. Our testers confirmed it’s long-lasting and easily melts into the skin instead of just sitting on the surface. Plus it adds some shine and brings out the natural rosiness in your lips.
Bonus points, per the experts: This lip balm is made with shea butter and vitamin E.
One tester said: “OBSESSED with the texture of this product. Your lips will feel—and look—amazing. I became kind of addicted to using this and kept applying it over and over again because I love it so much.”
Best Treatment for Dry, Cracked, and Angry Lips: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Lips
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La Roche-Posay
Cicaplast Lips
Why we love it: When standard balms aren’t enough for your peeled, cracked lips, turn to this healing treatment from La Roche-Posay. Testers were impressed by the instant relief it offered during cold and dry months—all thanks to soothing ingredients like panthenol (which calms irritated or inflamed skin).
One tester said: “As someone with super-dry lips, I’m up for trying anything that might offer some relief. This treatment reminded me of a Vaseline balm in terms of texture, and it worked so well that I barely had to reapply. It made a night and day difference in my chronically chapped lips.”
Best Plumping and Smoothing Lip Treatment: Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Lip Filler
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Peter Thomas Roth
Instant FIRMx Lip Filler
Why we love it: Injectibles not your thing? Needles aren’t required to achieve a pillowy pout thanks to this Peter Thomas Roth winner that’s packed with plumping hyaluronic acid. This product checked all of our boxes: No dreaded stinging, burning, or swelling—just a smooth and thick consistency that glides on effortlessly and gives your lips deep hydration and pain-free fullness.
Bonus points, per the experts: Squalane is a derm-favorite ingredient that helps trap moisture, while jojoba oil, castor oil, vitamin E, shea butter, and cocoa butter all work to nourish your lips.
One tester said: “I’m wary of products that promise to be ‘filling,’ but I love Peter Thomas Roth and trusted this treatment would be skin-first—and I was right. It’s not sticky and has a lovely smoothing, blurring effect that made my lips look softer and bigger. Most plumping treatments feel like BS to me, but this one truly doesn’t. It’s in my bag wherever I go!”
Best Lip Oil: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Lip Oil
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Neutrogena
Hydro Boost Lip Oil
Why we love it: This fan-favorite beauty staple delivers both the shine of a luxe gloss and the benefits of a more moisturizing balm. It’s a great option for folks who want a no-frills product, since our testers said it has no artificially sweet smell or taste. Plus it has a subtle pink hue that’ll elevate your no-makeup makeup look or add an extra pop when layered over your favorite lipstick or tint.
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One tester said: “This lip oil changed my life! I absolutely love how thick and sturdy the applicator is—it holds so much more product. The shine is really natural-looking and I always get compliments. I rarely have to reapply, and I bring this with me everywhere. I was so sad when I ran out. Will definitely be buying again.”
Best Lip Oil (Splurge): Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil
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Summer Fridays
Dream Lip Oil
Why we love it: Here’s a lippie that’s as effective as it is adorable. With four dreamy shades to choose from (all shades of rose or berry that compliment a range of skin tones), Summer Fridays’s latest offering delivers a sheer finish for a subtle and buildable look. And unlike many makeup products that fade or dry out your lips, this one keeps them hydrated for hours.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product is infused with jojoba, avocado, and castor oils.
One tester said: “I’ve always been curious about the hype behind Summer Fridays and well…. This dream oil is SO divine. It’s silky-smooth and lasts all day long, unlike other lip items I’ve reviewed. The colors are gorgeous.”
Best Lip Scrub: Poppy & Pout Sweet Mint Exfoliating Lip Scrub
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Poppy & Pout
Sweet Mint Exfoliating Lip Scrub
Why we love it: Exfoliating isn’t just for your face. Gently buffing away dead skin cells with a scrub can leave your lips feeling smooth and soft—and this one was our top pick. Its sweet mint flavor is super appetizing (but please don’t eat it!). And don’t be fooled by the tiny little jar: Our testers confirmed a little truly goes a long way.
Bonus points, per the experts: Even though it’s a scrub, this product also contains nourishing ingredients like coconut oil and vitamin E to hydrate and soften the lips.
One tester said: “I’m someone who suffers from super dry, cracked lips, so I was thrilled to give this lip scrub a go—and I wasn’t disappointed. Immediately, I felt relief and even noticed a nice, enhanced rosy color to my lips. They felt so soft, which was a nice change when I tested it in the winter. This product is perfect!”
