I have large lips so they tend to dry out quickly, so effective lip balms are one of my obsessions. I’ve been trying out some products to try to keep my lips moisturised overnight – here’s a review of:
- No Frills Budget Options
- Chapstick Cake Batter
- Chapstick Dual Action Hydration Lock
- Nivea Pure and Natural Lip Care with Chamomile and Calendula
- More Fun Options
- Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
- The Face Shop Lovely ME:EX Dessert Lip Balm
- “Natural” Lip Balms
- Nuxe Rêve de Miel Baume Levres
- Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask
- Moogoo Tingling Honey Lip Balm
- Burt’s Bees Moisturising Lip Balm with Mango Butter
No Frills Budget Options
Chapstick Cake Batter
Chapstick Cake Batter (around $4 for 4 g) is a limited edition lip balm from Chapstick that’s now part of their regular collection. I’m a huge fan of their menthol-free lip balms, and having it in a delicious vanilla flavour just takes the cake (ha!). It’s also reasonably hard so it lasts quite a while. This has been a staple of my routine for a while. The only complaint I have is that if my lips are dry and aren’t hydrated, it doesn’t work so well, so I put some face moisturiser or toner on my lips first – I’d much rather have both steps in the one product though.
Ingredients: Petrolatum, Paraffin, Mineral Oil, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacryladipate-2, Medium-Chain Triglycerides, Arachidyl Propionate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Beeswax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Isopropyl Myristate, Flavor, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Benzyl Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Triacetin, Titanium Dioxide, Methylparaben, Saccharin, Alumina, Propylparaben, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica.
Chapstick Dual Action Hydration Lock
Chapstick Dual Action Hydration Lock ($5.25 for 4.4 g) (now rebranded as Day & Night) would’ve potentially answered my prayers above, but it fell short because it still ended up being a two-step product, and while it was better at hydrating my lips than the plain Chapstick, the lack of humectants was still noticeable. I did really like the design of the double-ended tube though!
I find it a little strange that it’s been rebranded from a two-step layering product to a separate day and night use product – I think they weren’t really sure where they were going with the product, which may be why there was that lack of humectants. Interestingly the Moisture Lock end has sunscreen ingredients in it, and in the US it’s labelled SPF 12.
Hydration (Night) Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Beeswax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Octyldodecanol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Flavor, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate.
Moisture Lock (Day) Ingredients: Petrolatum, Paraffin, Isocetyl Stearate, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Oxybenzone, Beeswax, Isocetyl Lanolate, Isocetyl Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lanolin, Carnauba Wax, Mineral Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Methylparaben, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Fragrance, Propylparaben.
Nivea Pure and Natural Lip Care with Chamomile and Calendula
I’ve been a fan of Nivea lip balms ($4.49 AUD for 4.8 g) for ages (see e.g. , and they all tend to work really well for me. My lips just seem to love heavy occlusives! This version is unfortunately discontinued, but I really liked the fragrance – it was very floral and soapy, which was great for making me snack less.
Ingredients: Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline Wax/Cire microcristalline, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl Palmitate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Polyisobutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Myristyl Myristate, C20-40 Alkyl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycerin, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire de carnauba, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Beeswax/Cire d’abeille, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Extract, Calcium Carbonate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Water/Eau, Neohesperidin Dihydrochalcone, BHT, Fragrance/Parfum, Titanium Dioxide, Blue 1 Lake.20
More Fun Options
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($24.63 AUD for 20 g on iHerb) is another favourite that I’ve seen on every skincare addict’s shelf, but this time I wasn’t quite as disappointed! It’s a waxy lip balm in a jar that comes with a little silicone spatula. I really like when jars come with spatulas for the cleanliness factor, although I would prefer it if the spatula could be attached to the product somehow.
This worked pretty well at moisturising my lips, and smelled really nice. The price looks a bit steep at first, but it’s actually OK if you look at it per gram which isn’t that different from Chapstick.
Ingredients: Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated C6-14 Olefin Polymers, Polybutene, Microcrystalline Wax, Shea Butter, Synthetic Wax, Candelilla Wax, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Hydrogenated Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Mica, Astrocaryum murumuru Seed Butter, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Aromatics, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Methicone, Carnauba Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, CI 15985, CI 15850, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Water, Potassium Alginate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Lycium Fruit Extract, Cranberry Fruit Extract, Strawberry Fruit Extract, Raspberry Fruit Extract, Sapindus mukurossi Fruit Extract, Blueberry Fruit Extract, Rubus chamaemorus Seed Extract, Coffee Extract, Chenopodium quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ascorbyl Glucoside
The Face Shop Lovely ME:EX Dessert Lip Balm
The Face Shop Lovely ME:EX Dessert Lip Balm (~$9 for 6 g) is a super cute, super moisturising clear yellow balm in a pot. I bought it mostly because it was adorable, but happily it turned out to be a pretty awesome product. It successfully keeps my lips hydrated overnight (though maybe not quite as good as Chapstick or Nivea), and the fact that the little honey dispenser applicator lives in the lid is awesome (take notes, Laneige!). It smells a bit like flowery honey – sort of like jasmine tea.
Ingredients: Mineral Oil, Diisostearyl Malate, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Polybutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Silica, Hydroxystearic Acid, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dimethicone, Aluminum Hydroxide, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15985, CI 19140.
“Natural” Lip Balms
Nuxe Rêve de Miel Baume Levres
I’d heard so many rave reviews about Nuxe Rêve de Miel Baume Levres ($19.99 AUD for 15 g), and it’s no longer sold in stores in Australia (although it’s available in Adore Beauty), so I asked two separate friends to buy this for me when they went to France. I had high hopes and I think that’s the reason I ended up disappointed.
I generally don’t like lip balms in jars and much prefer tubes for convenience, but if it’s a good product I’ll make an exception. Reve de Miel balm comes in a heavy glass tub that feels really luxe, and it smells like citrus mixed with honey. Unfortunately, it didn’t really keep my lips moisturised overnight as well as I expected.
When I complained about how this lip balm didn’t work for me on Instagram, a lot of people commented saying that it didn’t work for them either, which made me feel like much less of a freak! A few makeup artists also mentioned to me that it works well as a balm for use under matte lipstick, so I’ll be giving that a go soon… but so far, as an overnight balm, it gets a thumbs down from me.
Ingredients: Cera Alba/Beeswax, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Olus Oil/Vegetable Oil, Lecithin, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Mel/Honey, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Candelilla Cera/Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Allantoin, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, BHT, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Geraniol.
Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask
Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask ($40 AUD for 15 g) is a vanilla-scented lanolin-based product that comes in a squeezy tube. It’s almost like a lip gloss, and comes in a few shades in case you want a bit of colour as well – I have the Champagne version which is pretty much just sparkles.
It’s up there with the most hydrating lip products I’ve ever tried! But the worst thing about this is that it’s pretty darn expensive, and because it’s quite tacky, it can get a bit messy to use (compared to a tube, anyway).
Ingredients: Lanolin (medical grade), Organic Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Organic Agave Tequilana (Blue Agave) Nectar, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables, Organic Cera Alba (Beeswax), Flavor, Vanillin, Siraitia Grosvenori (Monk Fruit), Vanilla Tahitensis (Vanilla) Fruit Extract, Organic Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Trans-Resveratrol, Vitis Vinefera (Grape) Oil, Tocopherol Acetate, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract (and) Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract (and) Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil.
Moogoo Tingling Honey Lip Balm
Moogoo Tingling Honey Lip Balm ($4.50 AUD for 5 g) comes from Australian natural brand Moogoo. It’s a lemon-scented beeswax balm that has a “tingling” sensation from the menthol. It performed pretty well for a natural lip balm on me, although not quite as well as a petrochemical-based occlusive lip balm. But I really wanted a lip balm for overnight use, and the tingling isn’t that great for relaxing and sleeping. (Moogoo do also have a product with similar ingredients without the menthol (Cow Lick Lip Balm) which doesn’t have menthol, which might be more suitable, but I’m yet to try it.)
Ingredients: Cera Alba (Beeswax), Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Allantoin, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Oil, Menthol, Mel (Honey).
Burt’s Bees Moisturising Lip Balm with Mango Butter
Burt’s Bees Moisturising Lip Balm with Mango Butter ($6.99 for 4.3 g) is based on sunflower and coconut oils, and beeswax, like many natural lip balms. It performs pretty well for a natural lip balm, but again my lips need more occlusives than they can give, so I’ve had to layer Vaseline on top for it to last overnight.
Ingredients: Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Aroma (Natural Flavour), Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Lanolin, Ammonium Glycyrrhizinate, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Canola Oil, Limonene, Linalool.
Verdict
Overall I think my lips are just really prone to dehydration, and so generally the heavier petroleum-derived occlusives work better for me than “natural” ingredients. If your lips are a bit less dehydration-prone then I think the natural options will work better for you, but for me they don’t last and I wake up with dry lips.
Some of these products were provided for editorial consideration, which did not affect my opinion. This post also contains affiliate links – if you decide to click through and support Lab Muffin financially (at no extra cost to you), thank you! For more information, see Disclosure Policy.
Michelle, have you tried petroleum jelly? Works very well for me.
hi michelle, just curious, if you use the spatula for any jar packaged items, how often do you clean the spatula? is wiping it with tissue prior to every dip enough? thanks.
and i second you, nivea makes such cheap and great lipbalm product!
You should try Ren’s emollient rescue lip balm! It was the only thing that helped me this winter – I was on isotretinoin AND in Norway with sub zero degrees/dry air and winds.. it’s very glossy but worked way better than anything else, including the laneige lip mask!
I love Nivea balms, they definitely do something. Didn’t have as much luck with Chapstick.
Bite balm gave me pretty nasty allergies, which is very unusual for me, and I’ve read many other people had a similar experience. Dangers of “natural”. ?
Hi Michelle, Have you tried Shea Moisture, Shea butter lip balm? I think its great especially overnight.
You should try La Roche Posay Cicaplast Levre Lip Balm. If you watch Nadine Baggott on YouTube (skincare guru) she raves about this and says its the only one out there that actually heals lips not just coats them with petrolatum. I just ordered from EBAY so I haven’t tried it yet-but I have high hopes!
when i remember(^^) i put on vaseline before bedtime and my lips are transformed in the morning. during the day, i been loving blistex. i currently use the medicated option just cuz that’s the one i happened to have (not sure how i got it though!) so it’s minty and cool, but i’ll probably repurchase blistex. it comes with SPF 15!
It’s a splurge but I recommend Drunk Elephant Lippe. I bought it as a treat and now can’t live without it.
Yay! It isn’t just me that can’t get on with the Nuxe Reve de Miel. Sidenote: The stick version is a bit better but still not great.
Don’t know if you can get it in Australia, but if you can I highly recommend La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast Lips, it’s in a tube. You only need a little & it’s just brilliant; no fragrance, no flavour, no irritating ingredients, and most importantly it works better than any other lip balm I’ve ever used (and I’ve used A LOT).
Glad I’m not the only one who is a sucker for dessert-smelling lip balms!
Like you, my lips are really prone to dehydration. They D/C’d my HG (a Korean product from Lioele) and since then the best thing I’ve found is a Creme Brulee scented mini tub of Vaseline from Japan. I think you’d love that if you ever find it!
I’ve always been a fan of the Mecca Cosmetica Lip De luscious overnight lip treatment and I’ve gone through about 3 jars! But I think it’s time for a change – the Laniege one looks so enticing!
I love the Burt’s Bees with Mango Butter. I have tried other Burt’s Bees chapsticks but the mango one is the best and actually lasts through the night for me.
my forever HG is nivea balm. cheap trusty easy to find and does the job well. however i’m just curious, to michelle and every reader here, if you use the spatula to pick the jar-packaged product, how often do you clean the spatula itself? and how? does a tissue wipe enough?
My lips are always chapped and dehydrated. The main thing that works for me is constantly applying. These two brands however I’ve found the best the best of the 30+ I’ve tried.
Cheap:
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Balm
https://www.amazon.com/Palmers-Cocoa-Butter-Formula-Balm/dp/B004RIS32I/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_194_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=DZZ58A9HH9GK06D2082J&th=1
Overly expensive, but lovely:
Fresh Sugar (there are a bunch of shades, but they are pretty similar – although I think the less pigmented ones are better)
https://www.sephora.com/product/sugar-advanced-therapy-lip-treatment-P302103?skuId=1378215&icid2=products%20grid:p302103
Ohhh, thank you for this–and for mentioning menthols and fragrances, which induce dermatitis and cheilitis in more people than is commonly understood. Low-tech lipcare products too frequently leave out the “care” altogether for reasons of laziness and price point. Unless they’re creating a two-step process, a plain occlusive does not a lipbalm make! You’re just sealing in already dry lips, ya bozos!
I really enjoy Burts Bees and Nivea balms as well! My fave overnight lip treatment has to be Lucas Papaw Ointment. I know it’s basically fruity Vaseline, but I prefer the texture, scent, and packaging (tube) to a tub of Vaseline. It’s also a great lip gloss in a pinch 🙂
Like you I’ve spend a lot of money on lip balms, including the Nuxe which I also didn’t like. i tried to use it as a cuticle balm but wasn’t happy either.
Now – I am a 63 years old woman who lived for 30 years in Alice Springs – dry, hot, then more dry. The best thing ever I found for my lips is Lucas pawpaw ointment. You can buy it in a small tube with slanted applicator, perfect for lips. I tried other pawpaw balms, but this one is the best and the only one I know of that lists how much of the actual papaya there is – 39mg/g and that’s 39% so I am getting value for money! I live in USA now and still buy this ointment via Amazon.
Pure lanolin nipple balms make the best lip balms! I discovered this when starting breastfeeding my daughter (it gets better, I didn’t have to keep using it). Similar type of skin I think. I also put my hyaluronic acid serum on my lips as well as the rest of my face.
Strangely, Lanolips didn’t work as well, also tastes vile.
Tempted to try the La Roche Posay Cicaplast balm though…
Hi Michelle,
If you like more natural products, Burt’s Bees has a fairly new product, Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment. I live in a very hot, dry place in the United States and it’s right up there with petroleum jelly or the Bite Agave mask. The only downside for you, it’s also in a tub format. I use it night nightly and wake with soft, moisturized lips.
Thanks for this article, and Lab Muffin in general!