Editor-Approved Lip Masks for Hydrated, Luscious Lips
July 22, 2024
Your bag, desk drawers, and car’s cup holder may already house various lip balms. But sometimes you may want a little extra nourishment. That’s where lip masks can come in handy. Like face masks and hair masks, lip masks target specific concerns (like dryness or dullness) and are perfect to use when your pout needs a pick-me-up. If you’re looking for something indulgent to add to your lip care routine, you’ve come to the right place. Below, find five lip treatments our editors love—plus a few tips on how to get the most out of your chosen lip moisturizer.
Our Favorite Lip Masks
Kiehl’s Buttermask For Lips
If you’re looking for serious TLC, this overnight lip mask from Kiehl’s should be on your radar. It’s formulated with fairly-traded coconut oil and wild mango butter and delivers intense hydration, leaving your lips feeling soft and smooth. While the nourishing formula is designed for overnight use, you can also apply it as needed during the day for a dose of moisture whenever you need it. It also makes a great primer for lipstick—just apply 15 minutes before you start your makeup routine and dab off the excess before applying your lipstick.
Biotherm Lip Balm Beurre de Levres
This soothing lip balm from French pharmacy favorite Biotherm is jam-packed with naturally derived vegetable oils and acacia sugar. The butter-like balm helps nourish and hydrate the lips. It also feels incredible on dry, chapped lips and melts down with a matte finish—making it a great pick for those who prefer a more natural look.
Aēsop Cedar & Citrus Lip Salve
This gel-oil balm from Aēsop is a great option for all skin types. It contains a thoughtful blend of vegetable-derived emollients and provides exceptional moisturization to help nourish, smooth, and soften dry and chapped lips.
SkinCeuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair
You probably know SkinCeuticals best for its iconic CE Ferulic Serum, but equally worth attention is its antioxidant lip treatment. This emollient-infused formula with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid helps attract and retain water to hydrate dry, tight lips. Plus, it helps fight signs of environmental damage—use it daily to help keep your lips looking and feeling their best.
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Lips Hydration Restore Lip Balm
If you’re prone to chapped lips, you’re probably familiar with just how uncomfortable it can be. Enter: La Roche-Posay’s barrier-repairing lip balm. The gentle formula is infused with a slew of skin-friendly ingredients, including vitamin B5 and sustainably sourced shea butter, and helps soothe and relieve even extremely dry lips. Plus, it boasts a comfortable, non-greasy texture that makes it a great pick for day or night—in other words, anytime your lips need some immediate attention. No wonder it’s a favorite among our editors.
What To Look For in a Lip Mask
Often, when people are on the hunt for a product to add to their routine, they’re looking for the best. But the truth is, there is no single best lip treatment—it all depends on what benefits you’re seeking (and what works for you may not work the same for somebody else).
That being said, most great lip masks share similar characteristics. Firstly, and arguably most importantly, they’re hydrating—that is, after all, their purpose. Look for nourishing ingredients such as plant oils or butters. These emollients help trap in hydration while also making your lips feel soft and smooth.
You’ll also want to take your intended usage into consideration. For example, a thick, rich lip mask may be great if you’re only going to use it at night, while a lightweight option will probably be a better choice for daytime wear. Other things to think about while you browse your options are the finish (for example: matte versus glossy) and whether or not you want your lip mask to be fragranced. All of these factors can help narrow down your options and make it easier to find the best lip mask for you.
Why Should I Use a Lip Mask?
We don’t typically think of the lips as part of our skin, but they are. However, the skin on the lips is far thinner (and, by extension, far more delicate) than the skin elsewhere on your face. As such, it needs special care to look and feel its best. Lip masks can help provide intense moisture and nourishment to this delicate area, often without requiring frequent reapplication. Because of the deep hydration they provide, lip masks are particularly beneficial for those who live in cold or dry climates—conditions that may make chapped lips more likely.
Also worth mentioning is that lip makeup (like lipsticks and glosses) tends to apply more evenly and look better on smooth, well-moisturized lips. So if you’re someone who wears lipstick often, adding a heavy-duty lip moisturizer to your regular routine can help you get the most mileage out of your makeup.
How Often Should You Use a Lip Mask?
How often you use a lip mask depends on a few factors, including how dry or chapped your lips are and the specific formula you choose. Many lip masks are intended to be used on a daily basis, but we recommend looking at the directions on the mask you choose for guidance.
How Do I Prep for a Lip Mask?
If you have a lot of dead skin on your lips, your lip mask may not be able to penetrate as deeply as it should. So before applying your hydrating lip treatment, consider gently exfoliating your lips with a lip scrub.
Once you've exfoliated your lips, smooth on your lip mask of choice and hit the sheets—or the streets—with a soft, smooth pout.
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