There are many things we love about the weather cooling down.
Rugging up in layer upon layer of comfy clothing, snuggling down with a cup of tea and a good book – talk about cosy.
But with icy weather comes the dreaded dry and chapped lips of winter.
Our lips are extremely delicate, the thin skin dries out easily, is susceptible to sun and wind burn and can fall victim to dry weather.
And when the icy winds of winter arrive, it is all too common to find yourself with sore, chapped lips.
What actually helps dry lips?
Founder and CEO of Australian cult-beauty brand Lanolips, Kirsten Carriol, knows her stuff when it comes to treating dry and dehydrated lips.
“The skin on your lips is fragile, very fragile. It is essentially an extension of the skin inside your cheeks. It doesn’t even have oil glands and as a result, needs lots of special attention”, she says.
“Hydrated skin is proven to be the number one way to plump skin cells and keep the skin looking smooth and healthy, and functioning as it should. Healthy, hydrated skin is also able to protect itself against environmental damage like cold winter temperatures and windburn!”
Keeping lips hydrated means keeping them happy once the weather turns, and finding a high-quality and intensely moisturising lip balm is the key to avoiding the discomfort, redness and pain of chapped lips.
And whatever you do, don’t lick your lips. We get it, it’s tempting! But according to Kirsten, “the saliva causes evaporation, which dries them out even more”, making it the worst thing you could do for sore, dry lips!
If lip balm just isn’t cutting it, THE ICONIC‘s Head of Beauty, Sophie Howe, suggests taking a page out of the skincare book and trying out lip slugging.
“To try lip-slugging yourself, apply a thin and hydrating lip balm … followed by a thick, balmy product … to seal in moisture and hydration. Leave products on overnight and wake up to a baby soft pout”.
Ready to tackle your dry lips and head into winter with a stunning, pout-ready smile? Read on to find our top picks and expert recommendations for the best lip balms to keep your lips hydrated all season long.
The best lip balms for dry lips this winter
The Original 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm
$19 at Sephora
This multi-award-winning ointment is a cult product for a reason. It holds up to 400 per cent of its weight in moisture, meaning it’s a must for dry and dehydrated lips.
Lanolin, which is the product’s super-ingredient, “is ‘semi-occlusive’, which means it is a brilliant breathable barrier – working to let your lips ‘self-hydrate’ from within (your body is pretty magical if you give it the tools to let it fix itself)”, says Kirsten.
Dermal Therapy Lip Balm Original
$6.99 at Adore Beauty
A personal favourite of our shopping editor, Chanelle, the Dermal Therapy Lip Balm is a total classic.
“In case you haven’t seen my ridiculous lip balm collection (scroll up if you missed it), I’ve genuinely tried everything. This one from Dermal Therapy has been the one I reach for most this winter,” she says.
She’s not the only one who thinks so. The Dermal Therapy Lip Balm is the most upvoted pick in this Holy Grail Lip Balm thread on Reddit.
LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask
$31 at Sephora
Another one voted highly on Reddit is this cult-overnight treatment that deeply moisturises and nourishes your lips while you sleep, leaving them feeling soft, smooth, and rejuvenated in the morning. It also comes in a huge array of flavours to suit your taste!
“But I find with lip care, you need to be disciplined and stick to the routine – day and night. I have been using Laniege lip mask for the last 5 years and haven’t had a dry/cracked lip,” one Reddit user shared.
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
$4 at Woolworths
When in doubt, you truly can’t go wrong with a tub of plain ol’ Vaseline.
“[It’s] the only thing that doesn’t make my lips even drier over time,” one Reddit user shared in the thread. Others agreed.
“Was waiting for someone to comment Vaseline. Love it.”
Carmex Classic Lip Balm Tube
$6.50 at Priceline
“Another favourite of mine is Carmex, of course. It’s a simple, easy pick, so you can throw it in your basket as you browse online. Priceline stocks a whole range of flavours, tubes and balms to choose from,” says Chanelle.
What is lip slugging?
“Lip slugging” is a beauty trend (thank you, TikTok, for introducing us to endless trends to try) that involves applying a thick layer of a hydrating or occlusive product, like a lip mask or heavy balm, to the lips before bedtime.
The idea was inspired by the Korean beauty concept of “slugging,” which involves applying a thick layer of petroleum jelly or a similar product to the face to lock in moisture overnight.
Lip slugging aims to deeply hydrate and repair the lips, especially useful for those with dry or chapped lips. If you want to try it out, look for thicker, mask-like products such as the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.
How often should you apply lip balm to hydrate your lips?
Generally, applying lip balm 2-3 times daily, or as needed, helps maintain lip hydration. Factors like weather conditions, indoor heating or air conditioning, and personal habits such as lip licking or smoking may increase the need for more frequent application.
It’s essential to listen to your lips; if they feel dry or chapped, reapply lip balm. Opt for products with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or hyaluronic acid to effectively moisturise and protect the delicate skin on your lips.
Why trust WHO Shopping?
WHO has been covering celebrity culture, red carpet moments and entertainment news for decades. Our shopping team works alongside our entertainment editors to identify the exact products behind the looks everyone’s talking about, from awards season glam to off-duty essentials.
We regularly consult stylists, makeup artists, trainers and industry insiders to verify product details and understand why these items perform under real-world conditions. When we recommend something, it’s because it’s genuinely relevant to the moment, not just trending.
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