Hydrating Lip Balm

Occlusion is the job

Lip skin has no oil glands of its own, so it loses moisture faster than anywhere else on the face. A balm works by sealing that moisture in: beeswax and jojoba esters form the flexible seal, while coconut, shea, cocoa, olive, grape seed and avocado supply the emollients underneath.

Anhydrous by design

There is no water in the formula, nothing to evaporate away, which is why a true balm outlasts a lip gloss or cream by hours.

The finish

Orange, peppermint and spearmint oils give the fresh scent and the faint cooling tingle on application.

Dry, chapped or weather-worn lips, and anyone in air-conditioning, sun or retinoid routines, all three are hard on lips.

Worth knowing

The mint oils give a deliberate tingle on application. Skin with a known mint or citrus sensitivity should choose an unfragranced balm instead.

Apply as often as lips want it, after cleansing, before bed, and under lipstick.

On retinoid nights, a layer over the lip line before applying your treatment keeps product where it belongs.

Use alongside

Everything, and note the retinoid trick above: a balm border around the lips is the classic buffer when using Retinol Brulee or Retinal LGS+.