Best Lip Balms for Winter for Dry & Chapped Lips

• 10 Best Winter Lip Balms
• How to Choose the Good Lip Balm?
• Tips For Lip Care
• FAQs

Winter can be tough on your lips. The cold wind, dry indoor heating, and cold weather may easily turn them dry, cracked, and uncomfortable. Lips, unlike the rest of your body, do not have oil glands to keep themselves naturally moist, and this causes them to be more vulnerable in winter seasons. Finding the best lip balm for winter isn’t just a struggle; it’s a must-have secret to keeping your lips soft, healthy, and perfectly hydrated all season long. Whether it is a natural lip balm full of oils to nourish your lips or a tinted balm to add a touch of color and the top dermatologist-trusted lip balm of winter 2025 can keep your lips warm, soft, and secure throughout the cold weather. In fact, for these reasons, using a lip balm in winter is a must, and you’ll find the best options listed below. 

Why Do You Need a Lip Balm in Winter?

The unique structure of lip skin and the challenging environmental conditions of winter make your lip vulnerable, making a lip balm not just a cosmetic choice, but a necessity. Let’s understand this part a bit more in detail:

The Vulnerable Nature of Lip Skin

Your lips are fundamentally different from the rest of your skin, and thus, they are more vulnerable. Let’s understand the difference:

• Lack of Oil Glands: Unlike the rest of your skin, your lips don't have sebaceous or oil glands. Without these glands, your lips can’t sustain the moisture, resulting in dryness and cracks in winter.

• Thinner Stratum Corneum: The upper layer of the skin, known as stratum corneum, is comparatively thinner on the lips than on the face. Due to this thin protective layer of skin, lips are less effective at retaining moisture and are more susceptible to environmental damage.

• High Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL): The skin barrier on the lip region is also weak, and thus, water evaporates from the lips very easily. Cold, dry air increases this water loss.

The Harsh Winter Environment

Winter conditions actively strip moisture away from your lips. Let’s check out what leads to these problems: 

• Low Humidity Outdoors: Cold air naturally holds less moisture than warm air. When you’re outdoors, this dry, cold air constantly pulls moisture away from your skin and lips via evaporation.

• Heated Indoor Air: The use of central heating systems indoors dramatically lowers the humidity. Moving from cold, dry outdoor air to warm, dry indoor air creates a constant cycle of moisture depletion for your lips. 

• Windburn: Winter wind is a major culprit. The constant flow of cold, dry air over the lips can cause irritation, inflammation, and accelerate cracking, leading to painful windburn.

Protection and Healing

A quality lip balm acts as an external line of defence and a healing agent. It contains occlusive ingredients such as beeswax, petrolatum, or shea butter that form a physical seal over the lip surface, acting as a surrogate for the missing oil glands. This barrier prevents TEWL, slowing down evaporation, and protects the delicate skin from cold air, wind, and low humidity. 

On the other hand, the moisturising agents such as humectants and emollients present in the lip balm smooth and soften the skin, helping to heal existing cracks and dryness. Apart from this, lip balms can also help your lips avoid damage from the sun and UV rays. Some of the best lip balm for winter contains SPF that prevents sun damage and long-term ageing of the lip skin.

The Consequences of Not Using a Lip Balm

Ignoring lip balm in winter comes with several drawbacks. Let’s have a look at what it costs if you ignore:

• Chapping and Flaking: Dry, rough, and peeling skin.

• Cracks and Fissures: Painful splits in the skin that often bleed.

• Infection (Cheilitis): When deep cracks occur, they can become inflamed or infected.

• Discomfort and Pain: A tight, burning, or stinging sensation.

In simple terms, a lip balm is an essential skin care product, especially in winter, because it compensates for your lips’ natural weaknesses by providing an external, protective seal against the aggressive moisture-sapping environment (such as low humidity, cold air, and windburn).

How to Choose the Right Lip Balm in Winter?

Finding a good lip balm for winter is essential to keep your lips healthy and hydrated during winter. Choosing the right formula ensures your lips stay soft, healthy, and protected all season.

• Hydrating Ingredients: Select your lip balms with nourishing components like shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, beeswax, or hyaluronic acid. These help to hydrate and maintain lip moisture, prevent dryness, and support the natural barrier function of your lips.

• Avoid Irritants: Stay away from lip balms that contain harsh chemicals like alcohol or strong fragrances, as they can irritate delicate winter lips and worsen chapping. 

• UV Protection: Especially in winter, UV rays can affect your lips. Lip Balms with SPF will give an extra layer of protection against sun damage.

• Tinted or Natural: Tinted lip balms offer hydration along with a subtle touch of color (light pink), while natural, fragrance-free balms focus purely on nourishing and protecting lips from cold winds.

• Check Texture & Thickness: Thick formulas are good for very dry or flaking lips; they will work to give a durable protective layer, whereas thin formulas, lip balms will suit daily hydration.

Top 10 Lip Balms for Winter for Dry Lips

You can find an effective balance between a tinted lip balm that can be used daily, a lip repairing balm when your lips are cracked, and a lip lightening balm with an SPF that a dermatologist would suggest you use. To help you pick the best one, we have selected the top 10 lip balm for winter, which are the results of clinically tested and provide nourishment.

1. WishCare Ceramide Lip Balm - Tinted SPF 50 PA+++

This tinted Lip balm is a perfect formulation that combines beauty with care. This lip balm protects against UV rays while ceramides repair the lip barrier. It is perfect for daily use, adding a natural tint while keeping lips nourished and hydrated.

Benefits:

• SPF 50 PA+++, which protects from strong UV rays
  

• Ceramides repair and strengthen the lip barrier
  

• Maintain moisture for long-lasting softness
  

• Gives a minimum tint for natural-looking lips
  

• Lightweight, non-greasy texture suitable for all-day use

2. Melalumin Lip Lightener SPF 15

Specifically formulated for pigmented lips, this lip balm is enriched with brightening ingredients like shea butter, almond oil, and protects from sun damage. This is perfect for smokers, people with naturally dark lips, or those exposed to UV rays.

Benefits:

• Helps reduce lip darkness with consistent use
  

• SPF 15 shields lips from UV damage
  

• Hydrates and prevents dryness in cold weather
  

• Smoothens rough and flaky lips
  

• Protects against pigmentation caused by smoking
  

• Ideal for daily winter lip care

3. Chaptex Lip Care Lip Balm SPF 15

This Lip Balm is a simple yet effective daily-use formulation enriched with moisturising agents. It is perfect for people looking for an affordable, everyday solution to keep their lips healthy in winter.

Benefits:

• SPF 15 prevents sun-related damage
  

• Provides daily hydration and moisture
  

• Protects lips from cracking and roughness
  

• Lightweight and easy to reapply
  

• Suitable for both men and women
  

• Maintains lip softness throughout the day

4. Sebamed Lip Defense Triple Protection SPF 30

This Lip balm is a clinically-rich formulation, known for its triple action: hydration, repair, and UV protection. With cera alba and capric, it is a reliable option for protecting lips in harsh & cold weather.

Benefits:

• SPF 30 protects against UV damage
  

• Vitamin E provides antioxidant support
  

• Repairs chapped and dry lips effectively
  

• Shields lips from windburn and cold weather
  

• Hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin
  

• Dermatologist-recommended lip care

5. Minimalist 8% L-Ascorbic Acid Lip Treatment Balm

This lip balm is a dermatologist-recommended lip treatment, infused with ceramide, vitamin C, making it ideal for people stressed with lip pigmentation, dryness, or cracked lips. Its antioxidant-rich formula not only smooths your lips but also hydrates and repairs them from within, making it perfect for winter care.

Benefits:

• Fades dark lip pigmentation with potent Vitamin C
  

• Brightens rough lips for a naturally pinkish tint
  

• Provides antioxidant defense against free radical damage
  

• Deeply hydrates chapped lips in winter
  

• Repairs damage caused by smoking and sun exposure
  

• Improves lip texture for a smooth, soft finish
  

6. Deyga Beetroot Lip Balm 8Hrs+ Hydration

This Lip balm is a hydrating lip care product that combines the power of beetroot with skin-friendly emollients to keep your lips soft, hydrated, and naturally tinted. It offers up to 8 hours of hydration while also targeting pigmentation and adding a subtle, healthy color, ideal for daily use to keep lips smooth and vibrant.

Benefits:

• Provides long-lasting hydration (up to 8 hours)
• Helps reduce dark pigmentation on the lips
• Adds a natural tint/color, enhancing lip appearance
• Contains beetroot, which is rich in nutrients and antioxidants (for healthier lips)
• Softens and smooths dry, chapped lips
• Protects lips from becoming dull or lifeless

7. UV Doux Lip Lightening Balm SPF 40 PA++

This doctor-recommended lip balm is made to lighten dark lips while offering broad-spectrum sun protection. It’s a great choice for people spending time outdoors, especially in the winter season.

Benefits:

• SPF 40 PA++ ensures strong sun protection
  

• Reduces existing lip pigmentation
  

• Prevents further tanning and UV-related darkening
  

• Hydrates and softens lips
  

• Repairs sun-induced lip damage
  

• Recommended for sensitive lips
  

8. NMFe Lip Care Gel SPF 40+

This Lip care gel is made from Aloe vera & Vitamin E Acetate. This balm protective and hydrating choice that keeps lips plump, soft, & smooth. It’s perfect for those who want both taste and care in one.

Benefits:

• SPF 40+ protects against harmful UV rays
  

• Hydrates lips to keep them plump and smooth

• Prevents cracks and dryness in winter
  

• Lightweight and comfortable for daily wear
  

• Suitable for all skin types

9. Plum Candy Melts Red Velvet Love Tinted Lip Balm

This Lip balm is a fun, fruity, and effective lip product from Plum that combines the goodness of shea butter and cocoa butter with a natural tint. It not only keeps lips hydrated but also doubles as a tinted lip color for everyday wear.

Benefits:

• Adds a natural red tint for fresh-looking lips
  

• Shea butter and cocoa butter provide deep hydration
  

• Prevents winter-induced dryness and flaking
  

• Sweet fragrance makes the application enjoyable
  

• 100% vegan and cruelty-free
  

• Combines lip care with beauty in one product

10. Pecefino Lip Balm

This Lip balm is a gentle and nourishing lip care product formulated with natural oils and emollients. This is perfect for sensitive lips. It provides long-lasting moisture and protection against harsh winter winds.

Benefits:

• Deeply hydrates and prevents dryness
  

• Repairs cracked, chapped lips in winter
  

• Creates a protective barrier against cold winds
  

• Lightweight and easily absorbed
  

• Suitable for sensitive skin and daily use
  

• Keeps lips soft, supple, and healthy

How to Use a Lip Balm in Winter?

Using the Lip Balm correctly is equally important as its usage in winter. The best lip balm usage isn’t a quick swipe; it’s a strategic procedure ensuring maximum hydration that creates an effective occlusive seal against the harsh effects of cold wind, low humidity, and dry indoor heat. Let’s understand this process, elaborately:

• Preparation: Before applying your intensive lip treatment, it’s important to prepare the surface first. So, the first step of applying the lip balm is gentle lip exfoliation. Once or twice a week, gently remove the dead skin cells and flakiness that prevent balm absorption. It’s always recommended to use a soft, fine sugar scrub or a damp washcloth. It’s necessary to make sure that you don’t over-exfoliate, as scrubbing too aggressively or too often can damage the delicate lip barrier, leading to more chapping and irritation. Apply your balm to slightly damp lips after cleansing or washing your face.

• Application: In winter, applying lip balm frequently is considered a best practice. Reapply your winter lip balm regularly, ideally every 2-3 hours, or immediately after eating, drinking, or wiping your mouth. Always choose a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher, such as Lipz Lip Moisturiser SPF 15, Melalumin Lip Lightener SPF 15, Lipedge Butter Lip Balm SPF 15, etc., for daytime, as the UV rays are present year-round, and intensify in winter. Apply a thin, even layer to the entire lip surface and slightly beyond the lip line. Use your finger or press your lips together gently to spread the product, ensuring a complete occlusive seal against the cold. If wearing a color, apply a light, hydrating balm first, and allow it to absorb for a few minutes before applying your lipstick.

Overnight Lip Care Treatment for Maximum Results

Night is the best time for deep healing as the skin repairs itself while you sleep. And, thus, following a dedicated lip care treatment at night can really be helpful. 

Overnight Treatment: Before bed, it’s recommended to apply a thick, generous layer of a heavy-duty product such as an intensive lip mask or a lip balm rich in lanolin, petrolatum, or shea butter. This overnight treatment creates a long-lasting moisture lock, allowing the lip balm ingredients to penetrate and repair chapped lips without interruption.

Additionally, there are some habit correction and internal hydration requirements needed that intensifies the results. 

Habit Correction & Internal Hydration

To maintain lip hydration, it’s essential to start the hydration process internally. There are some poor habits that often lead to dehydrated lips and various underlying conditions. Let’s quickly have a look:

• Avoid Licking Lips: It’s one of the biggest causes of chronic chapping of lips in winter. Saliva contains enzymes that break down the lip skin barrier, and the evaporation of moisture can leave your lips dry. It’s always recommended to use a quality lip balm instead.

• Stay Hydrated: In winter, we often reduce our water consumption, causing internal dehydration. It’s essential to maintain a high daily water intake to combat indoor heating and dry air. This can also help you in preventing dry, cracked lips in winter.

• Use Humidifier: Using a humidifier is one of the best practices you can follow. It will restore the moisture in the air that directly supports the effectiveness of your winter lip care routine.

Effective Lip Care Tips for Cold Weather

Maintaining lip health in winter requires consistent care. With these simple lip care changes, with a high-quality winter lip balm, your lips can remain smooth, nourished, and comfortable during the winter season.

• Frequent Application: Apply your lip balm multiple times in a day, generally use only before going outside and before sleeping, to keep your lips consistently hydrated.

• Gentle Exfoliation: Remove dead skin once or twice a week using home remedies with a soft scrub or a squishy toothbrush. Avoid harsh tools that can damage delicate lip tissue.

• Stay Hydrated: Internal hydration also requires you to drink enough water, and it keeps your lips moist and soft.

• Avoid Licking Your Lips: Several licks on the lips reduce the moisture, and hence the lips become drier and more easily chapped, so do not lick them.

• Protective Layer: It is best to have a lip balm that forms a protective layer over the lips against cold, wind, and bad environmental conditions so that the lips can feel soft and very comfortable.

• Routine: With these care practices, selecting the right balm can keep your lips in good health and nourished throughout the winter period.

Final Words

During winter, your lips might be tough and dry, but there is a way to take care of them and stay healthy, soft, and unharmed throughout the winter. Choosing a balm containing nourishing properties, the right consistency, & SPF, along with such simple routines as regular application, gentle peeling, and hydration, will guarantee that your lips feel comfortable and strong. With proper lip care or tinted balms, as long as it is constantly covered and moist. Incorporate lip care in your routine in the winter months, and you will have smooth, moist, and healthy lips regardless of the weather.