The best lip balms consistently earn a spot in our travel bags year round. Nothing dries out your skin quite like a long-haul flight, so having a go-to lip product that you know will hydrate and soothe is crucial. Finding a coveted lip balm you actually love is not always as easy as it should be—some are greasy or sticky, others overly scented, and then there’s the ones that simply don’t last.
We asked our Traveler editors about their favorite lip balms for day-long flights, cold weather trips, and everything in between. From tinted balms that will last all night long to SPF-friendly lip treatments for your next vacation, we’ve rounded up our list of the 14 best lip balms to keep in your tote, cosmetic case, or extra slim travel bag. Whether you’re headed on a winter ski trip or visiting a dry climate for a day spent hiking, these are the hydrating lip balms worth packing.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
The best everyday lip balms
Burt’s Bees original lip balm
I’ve used Burt’s Bees for many years. It’s perfect! It always soothes my chapped lips, even in the harshest climates—I’ve relied on it in the bone-dry Atacama desert of Chile, frigid Antarctica, and on countless day-long flights. Plus, the trademark yellow packaging makes it easy to find in my bag. —Megan Spurrell, senior editor
Lesse soothing lip balm
I carry this lip balm from organic and sustainable skincare line Lesse everywhere with me—from beach vacations to long flights to cold walks through New York City. The blend of jojoba, calendula, and mint means it smells great, and it’s moisturizing enough that I only need to apply it once or twice a day. Bonus: The 100 percent paper tube is recyclable. —Lale Arikoglu, articles director
Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1
This is seriously the best balm ever, and I have tried a million of them. It’s super hydrating, thinner than most (so a little bit goes a long way), and shiny without being greasy, often replacing the need for a lip gloss when I go out. It also comes in a slim tube, making it easy to drop into every bag and pocket I own. —Arati Menon, global digital director
Dionis Goat Milk lip balm set
My mom sent me a pack of these lip balm sticks for my birthday, and I’ve been working my way through the different scents ever since (peppermint is my current go-to). I like how hydrating and wide they are—especially during colder months, I need all the coverage I can get. —Madison Flager, senior commerce editor
C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Lip Balm
This is the perfect hydrating lip balm. It soothes my lips, keeps them from chapping in the winter, and often is my lazy-day stand-in for gloss. Plus, it has no discernible fragrance or flavor, which is exactly how I like it. Just note that its consistency runs thinner than many other lip balms, so you need very little at a time. Also, a shout-out to C.O. Bigelow, which is literally one of my favorite apothecaries in the world. It is steeped in history: It sits on 6th Avenue in Greenwich Village and has been serving New Yorkers from the same location since 1838, which makes it the oldest-standing apothecary in America! Inside, it has managed to retain both its old-world charm and its personalized customer care—catnip for someone like me. —A.M.
Vaseline lip therapy
Vaseline has been used in my family for years and has always been the best remedy for dry skin. Even with minimal product applied, my lips stay soft and moisturized for hours no matter how low the temperature drops or how harshly the wind blows. —Paris Wilson, commerce producer
The best tinted lip balms
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm
Meet my holy grail lip balm. I keep quite a few beloved lip products in my travel makeup bag, but somehow I always go back to this one. It’s available in a few different shades, but I swear by berry. It leaves a light pink finish while also hydrating my lips with shea butter, making it the ideal go-to for no makeup days. It lasts for hours and leaves a shiny finish without feeling sticky. —Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
I take this tube of Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in vanilla beige with me everywhere these days because it’s the perfect warm neutral zhuzh for my dry winter lips, and wears like a deep-moisturizing balm without leaving any color behind. It’s especially nice for those dressed-up times when I’d otherwise use a liner and a gloss–it feels like both of those items in one product. —Shannon McMahon, destinations editor
Sunnies Face lip treat
I buy six of these at a time since I go through them so quickly. The balm feels weightless and keeps my lips soft and moisturized for hours. It comes in seven colors, though my favorite is a sheer red, poppy, that looks very flattering on my medium skin tone. —Alexandra Sanidad, research director
The best multi-purpose lip balms
Dr. PawPaw multipurpose lip balm
If there is one beauty product I recommend to my friends when they visit Australia, it’s Dr. PawPaw soothing balm. Up until recently I had to have my mom mail it over to me in care packages, but luckily there are now a number of retailers who carry the brand, which is made in the UK by an Australian-born founder. The balm looks similar to petroleum jelly, but is much thicker and feels more nourishing, rather than just acting like a barrier. It naturally contains vitamins A, C and E, and Dr. PawPaw’s formulation also includes castor oil, aloe vera, and olive oil, so it’s not just great for lips but also your nails. —Lauren Burvill, commerce editor, Condé Nast Traveller UK
Dr. Hauschka lip balm
I don’t travel anywhere–even to my corner coffee shop–without Dr. Hauschka Lip Balm. It comes in a little pot or a stick (perfect when you’re on the plane and want a hands-free application). It’s a German natural skin care brand that has been around since the 1960s; it manages to deliver products that are good for both you and the earth while still feeling a bit luxe. The balm is jojoba and apricot seed oil based and has the most addictive feeling—silky but not at all sticky. Longtime-user tip: It’s great to pat a bit under your eyes or on your cheekbones when you need quick highlights or to rub into dry cuticles. —Rebecca Misner, senior features editor
Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve
I’ve used this lip salve since I was a kid, and I rarely travel without a tin of it. It’s ultra-hydrating, especially in cold or dry climates, and doubles as a balm to soothe small cuts or skin irritations. —M.F.
The best SPF lip balms
Sun Bum SPF 30 Sunscreen lip balm
There’s truly nothing worse than burnt lips—especially when you’re on vacation. This SPF lip balm is tucked away in every beach bag I own (plus some pockets for good measure). From surfing in Costa Rica to fishing in Cape Cod, Sun Bum’s classic coconut scent is connected to some of my fondest fun-in-the-sun memories. It feels so good you’ll never forget to reapply. —Hannah Towey, associate editor of transportation and travel news
Aquaphor lip protectant + sunscreen
Maybe it’s a little clinical, but when your lips are dry from plane air—or facing the elements on an outdoors trip—nothing hits like Aquaphor. I have tubes of the stuff in most of my bags, waiting to drench my chapped lips, and SPF-protect them as needed. —M.S.
Supergoop! Play SPF 30 lip balm
I pack the Supergoop Play lip balm with me on all of my summer beach trips. Applying SPF to your lips is just as important as it is for your face and body—they’re one of the most sun-sensitive spots. Not only does this lip balm keep my lips protected from the sun’s harmful rays, but it keeps them hydrated thanks to its moisturizing shea butter. This one stays on even after I’m in the water swimming or sweating in high temperatures by the hotel pool. —M.K.
