If you’re a person of a certain age, you likely have a stash of your favorite anti-aging products in your beauty arsenal. Hydrating eye cream, retinol serums, collagen night creams — you’re familiar. But one area you may be overlooking is your lips.
Lips become thinner as we get older, but certain lip balms are designed to keep the signs of aging at bay. Some are even formulated to reduce fine lines, keeping lips smooth.
If you’ve never shopped for a lip balm to use in this way before, you could probably use a little help figuring out which one is best for you. No need to fret (that will just cause wrinkles).
Rounded up here are some popular options to consider.
A vitamin E-rich cream that reduces fine lines
For less than $10, this anti-aging lip balm from Burt’s Bees is a steal. People are obsessed with it: More than 16,000 people have bought and rated it on Amazon, giving it a collective rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Made with vitamin E, it helps lips maintain their natural moisture barrier, keeping them smooth with no cracked lines.
Promising review: “The first night I got this I immediately applied it. The next day my lips weren't chapped! I was so happy. Every time I wake up, my lips are always chapped and now with this they’re not! If I'm being honest, this is probably my favorite buy from Amazon. Highly recommend.” — Maya
A winter lip care combo
Essence Gant, a HuffPost contributor, recently sang the praises of winter lip care. She swears by the Maed Revive lip balm and Topicals Slick Salve Glossy lip balm. The Maed balm is nourishing without being too heavy or thick, and the slick salve is soothing with a blend of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and rice bran wax.
A lip balm with shea butter and SPF
Ask any dermatologist what’s most important for preserving skin and they’ll answer with three letters: SPF. If you’re forgetting to apply SPF to your lips, that stops now. This Jack Black lip balm has SPF 25, plus shea butter, which keeps lips moisturized and smooth.
Promising review: “This is my second time buying this. It took me about a year to get through a tube. I put it on at night to wear to bed. I like it because it is thick and seems to keep my lips healthy. I also like it because it’s no-nonsense. No smells or flavors. It has shea butter and SPF (not that I really need that at night). They have scented ones, but for me this one is the best.” — PJ
A lip mask with vitamin C
Made to be applied before bedtime, this lip mask by Laneige is made with antioxidant-rich berry fruit complex, shea butter and murumuru seed extract, which is super moisturizing. The combo works to keep lips soft and smooth — no cracked lines here!
Promising review: “I have been using this lip sleeping mask for years. I try to incorporate some other ones to see if I can find a second option, but I always come back to this product. As soon as I stop using this product, my lips feel and look different. I always wake up with super hydrated and plump lips. It stays on all night and I don’t have a problem with transferring the product some other places. I love this product. Highly recommend.” — MMartinez
These collagen lip masks
Another collagen-rich product to consider is this pack of lip masks. Wear it for 20 minutes and, when done regularly, you’ll notice fine lines on your lips disappear.
Promising review: “This product is a miracle for dry lips. You will notice the difference the first time you use it. It’s amazing what using a product for 20 minutes for three to five days can do for your lips.” — Senija Mehmedovic
This glossy balm in different hues that doubles as an overnight lip mask
This is another product that gives lips a hint of color while it works to nourish them. Made by Julep, there are eight different colors to choose from (including a plain gloss, if you don’t want any color at all) and the balms are made with shea butter and antioxidant-rich songyi mushroom extract peptides. Wear it during the day or at night, while you sleep.
Promising review: “I wear this every night at bedtime and I love it. My lips are more moist and seem fuller after using for a month. Get it!” — Tiffany S
A colorless lip balm that plumps lips while you sleep
You’ll notice a difference in how hydrated and plump your lips look just one night after applying this Revision Skincare lip balm — at least, one former HuffPost editor did. While it does have a slight sheen to it, this lip balm is colorless. The key ingredients are hyaluronic acid (which helps lips retain moisture) and THD ascorbate (a powerful antioxidant).
Promising review: “When I say I cannot live without this, it is an understatement. It will not move all day and all night, even after eating and drinking. I get so many questions and compliments on how my lips look so glossy. My lips used to crack and peel because they were so dry and ever since using this I have not had a problem. Worth every penny!” — Amanda J
A lip balm made with coconut oil and shea butter that smells like peaches
The moisturizing powers of both coconut oil and shea butter are well-known. This Yuglow lip balm combines them so you can benefit from both, as well as beeswax and jojoba oil, which also help lock in moisture. It has a nice, peachy smell too.
Promising review: “I have and always will be gatekeeping this. I know it says to wear it at night, but I wear it when I go out as well. I used to have very dry lips but after using this daily, my lips are like clouds.” — Funky monkey
This lip oil full of vitamins
Made with essential oils and vitamins, this lip oil from Hourglass goes on clear and can be worn during the day or at night while you sleep. The ingredients are formulated to both moisturize lips as well as reduce the appearance of lip wrinkles.
Promising review: “Works as an exfoliating agent and makes my lips softer, smoother looking and naturally pinker (youthful). I will be purchasing again!” — Kristi Jones
A lip balm that increases collagen production in three days
Yes, this anti-aging lip balm from U Beauty is a bit pricier than the others, but it’s formulated to boost collagen production in lips after just three days of consistent use. It’s made with hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, collagen peptides and vitamin E to both plump and soften lips. Choose from between 10 different tints.
Promising review: “I used the original lip compound and wanted to try the new colors. Makes my lips extra soft, great moisturizing treatment and color just enhances the product. I would highly recommended even if the price is high." — Audrey
A lip duo for double the benefits
Snag yourself both a lip balm and a lip mask for under $20 right now (regularly $24). Made by Kaplan MD, both products are meant to nourish lips and keep them looking young. The balm is made with SPF 30 and the mask has two types of hyaluronic acid and 22 organic plant extracts.
Promising review: “I was skeptical at first, but this made my lips feel so soft. I loved the lip balm that came with it and will definitely order more.” — Amanda