Cold winds, low humidity and central heating leave lips dry, cracked and sore. The skin on your lips is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face — and it has no oil glands of its own — so it needs extra protection, especially in winter. We've rounded up the best lip balms for dry and chapped lips you can buy in the UK in 2026, plus the ingredients that secretly make things worse.
Why lips get so dry and chapped
Lips lack the sebaceous (oil) glands that keep the rest of your skin lubricated, and the skin is far thinner, so they lose water quickly and burn easily in the sun. Add cold wind, indoor heating and the habit of licking your lips — saliva evaporates and leaves them drier than before — and you have classic chapping. The fix is an occlusive balm that seals in moisture, used often.
The best lip balms for dry, chapped lips
Dr.PAWPAW Original Balm
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A multipurpose balm with PAWPAW (papaya), olive and aloe that's nourishing without feeling waxy. Long-lasting, lightly soothing and great value. A reliable everyday pick for dry lips that also works on cuticles and dry patches.
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Carmex Classic Lip Balm
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A long-standing favourite for badly chapped lips. Rich and protective with a light tingle from menthol — soothing for most, though those with very sensitive lips may prefer a menthol-free option. Comes in pot, stick and tube.
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Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
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A beeswax-and-oils formula with a cult following. Natural, moisturising and peppermint-scented (the mint can be too much for very sensitive lips). A solid, widely available choice for everyday dryness.
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Vaseline Original / Petroleum Jelly
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Pure petrolatum is one of the most effective occlusives there is — it seals in moisture beautifully overnight. Cheap, fragrance-free and gentle. Apply a thick layer before bed to wake up to softer lips.
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Aquaphor Lip Repair
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A healing ointment with petrolatum, shea butter and vitamins that's brilliant for cracked, raw or peeling lips. Fragrance-free and gentle enough for very sensitive or broken skin.
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Ingredients that can make chapped lips worse
Some popular lip balms contain ingredients that feel nice briefly but dry lips out over time, keeping you reaching for the tube. Watch out for:
- Menthol, camphor and phenol — that cooling tingle can irritate and dehydrate sensitive lips.
- Added fragrance and flavour — a common cause of allergic, dry, peeling lips.
- Salicylic acid — exfoliating acids on already-cracked lips can sting and worsen damage.
- Drying alcohols high up the ingredient list.
For sore, cracked lips, the simplest formulas — plain petrolatum or a fragrance-free healing ointment — are usually best.
How to heal chapped lips fast
Stop licking and picking, apply a fragrance-free occlusive balm every couple of hours and a thick layer overnight, drink enough water, and protect against wind and sun. For stubborn flaking, very gently smooth lips with a soft damp cloth (never a harsh scrub) before balm. If lips stay cracked, sore or develop sores after a week or two, see a pharmacist or GP — it could be a deficiency, an allergy or an infection rather than simple chapping.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best lip balm for very chapped lips?
For badly chapped or cracked lips, a fragrance-free occlusive like Vaseline or Aquaphor Lip Repair works best, especially applied thickly overnight. Dr.PAWPAW is our favourite everyday all-rounder.
Why are my lips always dry no matter what balm I use?
Often the balm itself is the problem — menthol, camphor, fragrance or flavour can dry lips and create a cycle of reapplying. Switch to a plain, fragrance-free balm, stop licking your lips, and protect them from wind and sun.
Is Vaseline good for chapped lips?
Yes. Petroleum jelly is an excellent occlusive that seals in moisture and is gentle and fragrance-free. It works best layered over a damp or lightly moisturised lip, especially overnight.
Should my lip balm have SPF?
For daytime, yes. Lips burn easily and UV damage worsens dryness and ageing, so a daytime balm with SPF 15–30 is ideal. You can use a richer non-SPF balm overnight.
