How to Pick a Lip Balm
Are Pricey Lip Balms Really Worth It? We Asked the Experts
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Like bobby pins and hair ties, lip balms often get lost in the abyss of puffy coat pockets or in the many crevices of our handbags. Its ability to just disappear before we hit the bottom of its stick dispenser or miniature pot might make it hard for someone to imagine dropping nearly a Benjamin on one. While lip balms can cost as low as $2, the price can also skyrocket to around $100.
There is a reason for the disparity. According to cosmetic chemist Ginger King, you can have peace of mind knowing that the pricing is impacted heavily by the ingredients in the balm. "Because balms are free of water, the value of the product is already much higher than your skin care," she said, adding that its small size is likely the reason why consumers don't feel its value.
As for the ingredients, read the back of the label to decipher if it's truly worth the cost. "A basic lip balm is made from cannula wax, and that's dirt cheap," King said. She explains that though you need wax to seal in moisture, "you really need a combination of that, moisturising oils [and/or] ceramides to make lips feel moisturised." Dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, M.D. likes balms that mix in jojoba and sunflower oils "that are naturally compatible with existing oils in the skin, [making them] absorb really well for true moisturising," as well as hydrating lanolin and coconut oil. The addition of said ingredients — along with sunscreen and lip plumping components — can cause a jump in price, but make it more efficacious depending on what you're looking for.
So keep tabs on your lip balm, as it can actually be a worthwhile investment. Shop our favourites, ahead.
Supergoop! Acai Fusion Lip Balm
The emollient Supergoop! Acai Fusion Lip Balm ($10) tastes fruity while protecting lips with an SPF of 30.
Beauty by POPSUGAR Be Sweet Tinted Lip Balm
The award for "most comfortable formula" goes to Beauty by POPSUGAR Be Sweet Tinted Lip Balm ($20), which our editors are prone to stashing whenever they're in need of on-the-go tszujing.
Sol de Janeiro My Sol Stick SPF 50
Sol de Janeiro My Sol Stick SPF 50 ($26) has you covered — use the SPF 50 balm on lips, cheeks, hands and everywhere else you want to swipe it on.
Milk Kush Lip Balms
Milk Kush Lip Balm ($16) gives lips a slight tint, a surge of moisture from numerous oils and butters, and a fresh, soothing feeling with its peppermint and nonpsychoactive hemp oil.
Laneige Glowy Lip Balm in Berry
Cue the nostalgia. From the outside, the Laneige Glowy Lip Balm in Berry ($15) looks like it's straight from the early 2000's with its tube that's reminiscent of the iconic Juicy Tube by Lance. On the inside you'll find a non-sticky formula that instantly softens and soothes chapped lips.
