Lip Balms & Treatments for Dry Skin

Lip Balms and Treatments for Dry, Chapped Lips

Lips have very few oil glands of their own, so they dry out quickly once the weather turns. A balm is for everyday comfort. A treatment is for lips that already feel tight or flaky. You'll find both here, from Eucerin and Bioderma to SkinCeuticals and iS Clinical.

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Eucerin Acute Lip Balm 10mlEucerin Acute Lip Balm 10ml
Eucerin Acute Lip Balm 10ml

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Lip Balms & Treatments for Dry Skin

About Lip Balms & Treatments for Dry Skin

How to Choose a Lip Balm for Dry Lips

Start with how your lips feel. A little tight? An everyday balm you can reapply through the day will do the job. Flaky or cracked? Choose a plain balm and use it often. If your lips never quite settle, a treatment with hyaluronic acid or peptides is the next step up. For more choice, browse our lip care and lip balms.

Making Lip Treatments Work Harder

If your lips are flaky, exfoliate gently first, then apply your treatment and finish with a balm if they need extra comfort. iS Clinical's Lip Polish and Youth Lip Elixir are made to be used in that order. Give any new treatment a few days before you judge it, and stop using it if your lips feel sore or irritated.

Not Sure Which Lip Balm Is Right for You?

Want advice tailored to your skin? Start with our free online skin test. You can also contact our expert team for one-to-one advice, and read our blog for expert tips on building a routine that supports your skin goals.

Lip Balms for Dry, Cracked Lips

Start here if your lips feel tight and sore. Eucerin Acute Lip Balm is fragrance-free and made for dry, cracked lips, so it suits skin that doesn't like perfume. Caudalie's Lip Conditioner is lighter, with shea butter and a vanilla and orange blossom scent. Bioderma's Atoderm Moisturising Stick is made for dry, sensitive lips, though it does smell of raspberry.

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Lip Treatments for Lips That Stay Dry

A treatment is for lips that stay dry whatever balm you use. SkinCeuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair is a creamy formula with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. iS Clinical works in two steps. Buff away flaky skin with the Lip Polish first, then smooth the Youth Lip Elixir on top. iS Clinical suggests using the polish two to three times a week.

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Plumping Lip Treatments for Lines and Volume

Some lip treatments go further than moisture and are made with lines and volume in mind. PCA Skin says its Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster uses peptides and Ultra Filling Spheres to hydrate and plump. NeoStrata Lip Wrinkle Repair is a cream you glide on and above the lip line twice a day. Revision's YouthFull Lip Replenisher is a new arrival that can be worn alone or over lip colour.

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Expert Tip for Dry Lips

"Lips have thinner skin than the rest of your face and very few oil glands, so they lose moisture quickly. Put balm on before they feel tight, not after. Try not to lick them. It feels like relief for a minute, then leaves them drier. Leave flaky bits alone too, as picking makes them sorer and slower to settle. If your lips stay sore for weeks, speak to your pharmacist or GP."

- Kimberley, Clinic and Customer Experience Manager.

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How to Protect Your Hands & Lips This Winter

Cold air and central heating are hard on lips. Our winter guide has tips for keeping lips comfortable once the temperature drops.

read the guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best lip balm for dry lips?

It depends on what your lips need. For cracked, sore lips, Eucerin Acute Lip Balm is a sensible start. If you just want everyday comfort, a lighter balm such as Caudalie's Lip Conditioner is easier to live with.

What's the difference between a lip balm and a lip treatment?

A balm mainly sits on the surface and helps stop moisture escaping, which makes it the one to keep in your bag. A treatment usually adds ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or peptides and tends to feel richer. Use a balm whenever your lips feel dry, and a treatment when they need more than a balm gives them.

Why do my lips keep drying out?

Lip skin is thin and has very few oil glands, so cold air and central heating dry it out quickly. Licking your lips makes it worse, because the moisture evaporates and takes some of your own with it. If your lips are dry all year round, or the corners keep cracking, mention it to your pharmacist or GP.

How often should I apply lip balm?

Whenever your lips feel dry or tight. Balm wears off when you eat and drink, so you'll usually need to top it up afterwards. Treatments often come with their own advice, so check the pack. iS Clinical Lip Polish, for example, is used two to three times a week.

What should I put on cracked lips?

Keep it simple. A fragrance-free balm applied often is the safest start, as scent can sting split skin. Try not to pick at the cracks. If the cracks bleed, or haven't improved after a week or two, see your pharmacist or GP.

Can lip treatments help with lines around the mouth?

Some are made with those lines in mind, such as NeoStrata Lip Wrinkle Repair. Better hydration can make lines look softer, but no lip product will remove them. Patch test first, and stop using it if your skin feels sore.

Is it worth using lip balm overnight?

Yes. Your lips don't get topped up while you sleep, so a thicker layer before bed helps them last until morning. Put it on once you've finished brushing your teeth and have had your last drink of the night.

Do I still need SPF on my lips in winter?

Lips can burn and they're easy to forget. SPF matters most in spring and summer, but it's worth wearing on bright days all year. None of the lip products on this page are SPF balms, so add one on top if you're outdoors for long. Our lip care and lip balms have more to choose from.