Pout Science: The 10 Best Lip Balms That Actually Fix Everything in 2025

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who treat lip balm like an afterthought, and those who treat it like currency. In 2025, we’ve officially entered the era of the latter. Because the right balm doesn’t just soothe a split lip—it becomes part of your signature. It says something about your taste, your routine, your ability to stay soft in a world that dries you out.

So we combed through Elle’s definitive guide and added our own obsessive testing to bring you the ten best lip balms of the year. Think of this not as a shopping list—but a toolkit for every possible lip emergency.

1. Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment
Hailey Bieber’s minimalist darling hits the sweet spot: glassy finish, peptide-powered hydration, and a formula that hugs lips without the sticky guilt. It’s skincare disguised as lip gloss—and a Gen Z staple for a reason.

2. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Still undefeated in the overnight category. Rich, cushiony, and kissed with berry, this K-beauty icon repairs lips like it’s erasing regret. Wake up with a pout that looks like you haven’t spoken a word of stress in months.

3. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
The influencer’s balm of choice, this one smells like a warm vanilla cloud and leaves lips buttery, not greasy. The color tints are wearable, flirtatious, and wildly photogenic. Expect DMs.

4. Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Not chic, but iconic. This one’s for the pragmatists—the people who don’t care about packaging, only performance. Dermatologist-approved and eternally effective, it’s your emergency blanket in a tube.

5. La Mer The Lip Balm
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s worth the flex. La Mer’s balm is velvet in a pot, with a cooling effect and just enough mint to feel couture. For those who want their self-care with a side of status.

6. Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm
This classic continues to earn its seat with a buttery-soft texture and a subtle citrus twist. Long-lasting, deeply nourishing, and perfect under lipstick—it’s the Swiss Army knife of balms.

7. Dr. Pawpaw Original Balm
Multitasking, plant-based, and wildly underrated. This UK cult favorite works on lips, cuticles, even flyaways. One editor said, “It’s the one product I’d hoard in an apocalypse.”

8. Glossier Balm Dotcom (Reformulated)
Now vegan and slicker than ever. With scents like Wild Fig and Mint, the updated Balm Dotcom leans a little less waxy and a lot more wearable. Still a mainstay for makeup artists and cool-girls everywhere.

9. ILIA Lip Wrap Reviving Balm
A newer contender but already a winner, ILIA’s balm offers barrier repair and shine with ingredients like prickly pear and hyaluronic acid. Think organic elegance with clinical receipts.

10. EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 36
We had to include one for the smart girls. This SPF-rich balm is light, invisible, and perfect for preventing sun damage without sacrificing comfort. Because future-proofing your face should include your lips.