Best Lip Balms for Dry, Chapped Lips (Under $20 and Up)
#ad · Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are checked automatically and may change; confirm on the retailer’s site.
Last updated November 2, 2026 with prices from our daily check.
Cold, dry weather is when chapped lips start, and a lip balm is the cheapest fix in beauty if you pick the right one. This page lists every lip balm in our daily price check, grouped by price, with the ingredient advice from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) so you can check any label yourself. We have not tested these products; we track their prices.
What to look for on the label
The AAD recommends lip products with one or more of: petrolatum or white petroleum jelly, mineral oil, dimethicone, ceramides, shea butter, castor seed oil or hemp seed oil. Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic formulas are the safest bet while lips are cracked. For very dry lips the AAD suggests a thick ointment such as white petroleum jelly, because it seals in water longer than waxes or oils.
What to skip while lips are chapped
The AAD lists camphor, eucalyptus, menthol, fragrance, flavorings (especially cinnamon, citrus, mint and peppermint), lanolin, octinoxate, oxybenzone, phenol, propyl gallate and salicylic acid as ingredients to stop using until your lips heal. A balm that burns, stings or tingles is irritating your lips, not “working”. Many balms below are scented or flavored, so open the retailer page and read the full ingredient list before you buy.
Daytime: use SPF
Lips burn too, even in winter. The AAD advises a non-irritating lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before going outdoors, ideally with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, reapplied every two hours outside. Check the active ingredients on any SPF balm, since many use chemical filters instead.
Lip balms with SPF for daytime (1)
Sun protection in a balm. Check the active ingredients for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Lip balms $20 and under (5)
Everyday balms worth keeping in a bag, a car and on the nightstand.
Lip balms $20 to $35 (3)
Mid-range balms and sets.
Splurge lip balms over $35 (4)
Prestige and luxury balms. Pricier does not mean more effective; compare the ingredient list with the cheaper picks.
Popular lip care on Amazon
Bestsellers on Amazon. We don't show Amazon prices here; click to see today's price. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment (14 oz)
Multi-purpose skin protectant.
Check price on AmazonLANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask (Berry)
Overnight lip treatment bestseller.
Check price on AmazonBuying tips
- Apply balm several times a day and before bed; keep one by your bed and one in your bag.
- Stop licking, biting or picking your lips. Saliva evaporates and leaves lips drier.
- Run a humidifier in the bedroom, especially if you breathe through your mouth at night.
- Compare price per gram or ounce: tube and pot sizes vary widely, from a few grams to 15 g or more.
- If chapped lips do not improve after two to three weeks, see a dermatologist; persistent chapping can have other causes.
Sources: American Academy of Dermatology: 7 dermatologists’ tips for healing dry, chapped lips
Click any product for its full price history and a link to the retailer.
Related buying guides
- Best Hand Creams for Dry, Cracked Hands (Under $15 and Up)
- Best Face Serums: Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid and More
- Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Damaged, Dry Hair
- Best Body Wash and Body Lotion for Dry Skin
- Best Foundation for Acne-Prone and Oily Skin
- Best Mascara: Volumizing, Lengthening and Waterproof
See today’s real price drops · Sunscreen price drops · Lips price drops