5 New Products for Chapped Lips That Blow Away Basic Balms

‘Tis the season for dry puckers. (Photo: Shutterstock)

We hear you—attempting to cure your cracked, flaky lips can be frustrating, time-consuming, and flat-out painful. “Our lips bear the brunt of winter’s cold, dry air because this area of skin is very thin, and doesn’t have oil glands like the rest of our face,” says Joel Schlessinger, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf advisor. “Additionally, our lips are constantly exposed to things like wind, sun, and other environmental factors that aggravate irritation.”

It’s true that we have winter’s freezing temps and bitter 30 mph winds to thank for causing us to throw shade at our favorite bold lipstick and cringe at the thought of making it to first base this Valentine’s Day. But you don’t have to settle for an inflamed and shriveled pout. There are some new lip treatments on the market that seriously hydrate, nourish, and repair—unlike the basic balms of days past.

Here are our favorites—you’ll be back to taking those duck-face selfies in no time.

1. Glamglow Poutmud Fizzy Lip Exfoliating Treatment
The idea of “scrubbing” at your cracked lips might sound painful, but just like your body and face require exfoliation to shed dead skin cells and create new ones, so does your kisser. This multi-action treatment consists of Caribbean cane sugar, Hawaiian sea salt, and hibiscus flower powder with a tropical fruit blend of sweet almond oil, guava, star fruit, and lychee (a.k.a. an all-expenses paid vacation for your lips).

Buy it: $24, sephora.com

2. Kissamint Miss Independamint
This is the ultimate date-night accessory: a hydrating lip conditioner that doubles as a breath freshener. Yes, you read that right. It’s dual-sided—one end offers a clear, moisturizing balm in a delicious peppermint candy flavor, and the other contains drops of minty goodness to freshen up stale breath.

Buy it: $20, kissamint.myshopify.com

3. Patchology FlashPatch Lip Gels
You rely on your favorite face mask to hydrate and rejuvenate your sad winter skin—and this product offers the same type of treatment for your lips. Each container comes with 25 lip-shaped patches that you lay over your lips for about five minutes. Once you remove the gel patch, you’re left with a sliminess that actually feels like heaven—we promise. The hydrating ingredients will seep into your lips before you know it, leaving you with a smoother, softer pucker.

Buy it: $50, patchology.com

4. Clinique Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub & Lip Balm
Sometimes you want more from your lip moisturizer—like some color or maybe a little gloss. And that’s what this dual-sided lip treat offers: a sugar-smoothing scrub on one side and a tinted moisturizing balm on the other. The scrub helps remove those drying dead skin cells, while the balm gives you long-lasting moisturization and natural-looking color.

Buy it: $20, sephora.com

5. Laneige Special Care Lip Sleeping Mask
Did you know your whole body goes through a renewal process overnight? So it only makes sense to use those eight hours of zzz’s to relieve your dry and chapped lips. Laneige uses new technology combined with a vitamin C complex to form a wrap over your lip’s surface, helping to absorb and retain moisture. Here’s to waking up in the a.m. with a smoother and suppler smile!

Buy it: $25, insiderbeauty.com

More from Women’s Health:

Here’s Why Your Acne Is Even Worse in the Winter

Why You Absolutely Need to Use a Humidifier During Winter

5 Ways to Cure Your Itchy, Flaky Winter Scalp

By Jenn Sinrich