Even the most diehard skincare devotees are guilty of leaving their lips high and dry. Your kisser might be a different color than the rest of your face, but it's still skin. The thin surface layer is particularly prone to dryness, cracking, fine lines, and other types of sun damage. With the right lip mask, you can give your lips the TLC they deserve.
Byrdie Tested & Approved
Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask is our number one pick. We loved the consistency, moisturizing formula, gentle exfoliating effects, and subtle glossy sheen. For something more affordable, we recommend Mented Balms Away Coconut Lip Treatment, which goes on like a creamy lip gloss and delivers ample moisture, eliminating all flakes,
Esthetician Jodi Shays recommends formulas with antioxidants like niacinamide, vitamin C, vitamin E, and silymarin (milk thistle). "Antioxidants in lip masks help prevent premature signs of aging and also help retain moisture—less chance of chapping!—so your lips appear smoother," she tells Byrdie.
Beyond that, some formulas gently exfoliate to dry skin and flakey lips. "They can also be very healing for those exposed to the elements," Shays adds. To help you narrow down your options, we tried over two dozen lip masks in The Lab. We evaluated each formula on feel, hydration delivered, and how they make your lips look before landing on ten we'd reach for again and again.
These are the best lip masks tested by Byrdie.
Best Overall
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Creamy, jelly consistency
Not sticky or greasy
Contains fragrance
Who else recommends it? Allure, Women's Wear Daily, and Town & Country all picked the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.
What do buyers say? 93% of 14,800+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
We tried lots of excellent formulas, but in the end, Laneige was a clear winner. Describing it as the perfect cross "between a jelly and a cream," our tester loved the consistency of the brand's beloved Lip Sleeping Mask. It comes with an applicator wand and spreads easily without a sticky or greasy feeling—and a little goes a long way.
After applying the mask, our tester (who normally battles parched, crackly lips) was thoroughly impressed. In addition to a slightly glossy sheen, her lips felt "extra juicy" from hydration and looked supremely soft and supple. She tried the original berry formula, which has a subtle rosy tint that complemented the natural pink of her lips. (There are now five yummy flavors to choose from.)
As the name suggests, the Lip Sleeping Mask is supposed to be an overnight treatment. Keeping a container in your nightstand drawer isn't a bad idea, but since most of it absorbs within about a half-hour, we think it's great for daytime use too. Upon wiping off the remaining residue an hour later, our tester saw a noticeable improvement in the condition of her lips. In the end, we just wish this product was more affordable.
Price at time of publish: $24
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, vitamin C, fruit extracts | Size: 0.7 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
What Our Editors Say
"I struggle with dry, parched, and crackly lips that always chafe up. I could tell a difference immediately after applying it. This mask left my lips feeling extra juicy. They feel and look super soft, supple, and well-hydrated." —Danielle Ransom, Product Tester
Best Budget
Mented Cosmetics Balms Away Coconut Lip Treatment
Hygienic container
Creamy consistency
Leaves lips soft and smooth
Slightly tacky
Not technically a mask
For something more wallet-friendly, go with Mented. Balms Away comes in a hygienic tube and applies like a lip gloss. Our tester found the formula slightly tacky but still nice and creamy.
Calling on a blend of shea butter and castor oil, it delivered ample moisture, eliminated all flakes, and left her with noticeably softer, smoother lips. While this isn't technically a mask, it's still a great lip balm that gets the job done.
Price at time of publish: $11.99
Key Ingredients: Castor oil, shea butter | Size: 0.3 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
Kaplan MD Perfect Pout Lip Mask
Light, creamy consistency
Softens and moisturizes
Gently exfoliates
Expensive
If you're open to spending a little extra to treat your lips, Kaplan MD won't let you down. The brand's Perfect Pout Mask comes with a handy applicator tool, making it easy to scoop out and apply. Our tester loved the light, creamy consistency, noting that it melted right into her lips.
Since it's formulated to treat fine lines on and around the lips, it gently exfoliates with organic papaya enzymes, adds fullness with amino acids, then replenishes lost moisture. After leaving it on for the recommended five minutes, then wiping it off, our tester was left with softer, smoother, more hydrated lips.
Price at time of publish: $35
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, amino acid, organic papaya enzymes | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
"It feels very nourishing on the lips, making them instantly softer and smoother. This would be a product I would use throughout the year in any weather. Loved it!"—Sunita Mahtani, Product Tester
Best Value
She Loves 2PCS Lip Mask Overnight
Pack of two
Generous amount
Very hydrating
Inconvenient applicator
This value pack of lip masks comes with two generously sized jars, offering you the most bang for your buck. One is for daytime use, and the other is a nighttime treatment. Our tester said the former is a smooth balm, and the latter has a stickier texture.
These masks come with an applicator, which is thoughtful but not the most practical, as you have to wash and store it after each use. After giving both formulas a chance to do their thing, our tester's lips looked and felt more hydrated. While these gel masks don't leave a glossy sheen, they're still great on their own or underneath other lip products.
Price at time of publish: $18.99
Key Ingredients: Honey, beeswax, vitamin E | Size: 0.4 ounces (each) | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Application
Dermelect Smooth & Supple Lip Mask Melt
Zinc-tipped applicator
Not tacky or sticky
Extremely hydrating
Not travel-friendly
Dermelect's Lip Mask Melt comes with a ball-tipped applicator. Our tester said the super-luxe, non-sticky formula has an "amazing slip" and melts right into the lips. Combined with the zinc-coated wand, it has a nice cooling effect while delivering ample moisture, soothing sensitivity, and nourishing sunburned or wind-chapped lips.
We loved the packaging of this high-end mask. While we wouldn't hesitate to set it out on our bathroom counter or nightstand, the large-ish container and applicator tool make it not the most travel-friendly.
Price at time of publish: $26
Key Ingredients: Castor oil, primrose oil, jojoba oil | Size: 0.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Overnight
Averr Goodnight Kiss Lip Mask
Jelly consistency
Extremely hydrating
Leaves lips soft
Pricey
Goodnight Kiss was the best overnight mask we tried. Our tester loved the Vaseline-like jelly consistency, noting that it went on smoothly without feeling sticky. She said her lips looked immediately softer and more moisturized.
It's a great pre-bedtime treatment, but you'll still reap the benefits of wearing it for shorter periods during the day. And although it's on the pricier side, this lip mask comes in a decent-sized container, and a little goes a long way, so it should last you.
Price at time of publish: $25
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, sunflower seed oil, fruit extracts | Size: 0.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Gel
Belif Aqua Bomb Overnight Lip Mask
Smooth and creamy
Very hydrating
Leaves lips supple
No applicator tool
If you prefer gel formulas, this one's for you. Belif's Aqua Bomb went on pretty effortlessly, our tester loved the smooth, lightweight, easy-to-spread texture, and she said a little goes a long way.
This Korean lip mask delivers instant moisture. Our tester's lips were still hydrated and notably supple after letting the conditioning, restorative formula do its thing for several hours. Although she wished it came with an applicator tool, which makes products easier to scoop with long nails, she said she'd definitely recommend the product and buy it again herself.
Price at time of publish: $22
Key Ingredients: Cica, madecassoside, shea butter | Size: 0.7 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Hydrating
Kiehl's Buttermask Intense Repair Lip Treatment
Absorbent yet moisturizing
Soothes irritation
Smells amazing
Reviewers didn’t like the beeswax smell
Can be difficult to get product out of jar
Dry, chapped lips? Kiehl's Buttermask is your new best friend. The thick, nourishing formula went on as smooth as, well…butter. After quickly melting into our tester's lips, the product was barely visible but felt like "the softest, smoothest cocoon."
This mask moisturized her previously parched lips and left them supple while soothing irritation. She loved the natural mango-coconutty scent too. While it's billed as an overnight treatment, the highly absorbent, fast-acting formula could work as a daytime lip balm.
Price at time of publish: $26
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, mango butter | Size: 0.4 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
"My parched lips went from dry to the most supple lips ever. The difference was stark."—Danielle Ransom, Product Tester
Best Cruelty-Free
Beautycounter Lip Conditioner in Calendula
Naturally derived formula
Highly moisturizing
Glowy sheen
Not vegan-friendly
Beautycounter's non-sticky, highly moisturizing Lip Conditioner was also a hit in The Lab. Our tester loved the subtly sweet scent of the naturally derived formula. It went on smoothly, leaving her lips extremely hydrated with a glowy sheen.
This product is Leaping Bunny certified as cruelty-free. It's also EWG-verified, meaning it meets the Environmental Working Group's standards for products formulated without potentially harmful substances. But just a heads up, it contains lanolin, which comes from sheep's wool, so it's not vegan.
Price at time of publish: $22
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, shea butter, calendula oil, chamomile, lanolin | Size: 0.4 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
"I love that this is a safe alternative and free of any [synthetic] chemicals. The calendula and chamomile oils offer a sweet scent and a nice sheen." —Jeanie Voltsinis, Product Tester
Best Multi-Use
Aceology Overnight Lip Mask
Not sticky or tacky
Soft, light, and creamy
Good for all dry spots
Unhygienic application
Aceology's Overnight Lip Mask is much more than a bedtime treatment. Containing a blend of skin-loving plant oils and squalane, the all-star balm can address dryness or cracking on your elbows, knees, cuticles, and any other areas craving some TLC.
Our tester said the non-tacky formula is lightweight yet creamy and nourishing. Her lips were immediately softer, smoother, and hydrated, and they looked noticeably plumper. The only thing to note is that since it doesn't have an applicator tip like most tube-style lip balms, you have to use your finger, which isn't the most hygienic.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, macadamia oil, olive oil, squalane | Size: 0.5–1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask is our number one pick. We loved the creamy jelly consistency, highly moisturizing formula, gentle exfoliating effects, and subtle glossy sheen. For something more affordable, we recommend Mented Balms Away Coconut Lip Treatment. And if you're willing to pay a premium for the top-shelf stuff, Kaplan MD Perfect Pout Lip Mask is an excellent choice.
How We Tested
Byrdie editors researched today's best-selling, highest-rated lip masks before selecting 25 to try out first-hand. Our testers carefully evaluated the ingredient lists and applied the formulas per the brands' recommended instructions. The tests were performed both at home (for overnight treatments) and in The Lab, our in-house product testing facility.
The products then received a score from one to five for feel, hydration, and look. With price and end results taken into consideration, those with the highest scores were chosen for this list. Most of the featured lip masks received perfect scores in all categories, so we can recommend them with almost no caveats.
Other Options We Tested
CosRX Lip Sleep Propolis Sleeping Mask
This product has a thick, slightly sticky consistency. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially for an overnight treatment, our tester's concern was that it could smear onto the surrounding skin and potentially cause irritation or a breakout. Other than that, she loved the softening, moisturizing effect, and glossy sheen.
Nars Orgasm Lip Mask
Though it was a bit tacky, our tester liked the creamy consistency of this product. Since it didn't come with any instructions, she assumed it was a leave-on mask. Upon wiping it off, her lips felt nourished, hydrated, and smooth.
Ilia Lip Wrap Overnight Mask
Ilia's take on lip masks is a bit grainy and doesn't dissolve like a leave-on treatment, so it feels more like a scrub. While it left little white flecks on our tester's lips, she said it had a softening, nourishing effect. This is sort of beside the point, but she also liked the luxurious appeal of the frosted glass jar.
What to Look For in a Lip Mask
Hydrating ingredients
Ideally, formulas will contain humectants (such as hyaluronic acid) to attract moisture to the lips, emollients (such as oils) to soften the skin, and occlusives (such as shea butter).
Exfoliating ingredients
To help combat flakes and especially chapped lips, try a lip mask that contains exfoliating ingredients; papaya enzymes are commonly found in many formulas.
What Is Byrdie Verified?
Did you notice the Byrdie Verified seal of approval at the top of this story? This seal means that our team has researched and tested every product on this list using a unique methodology that’s designed to focus on what our readers really want to know—and to deliver insights that you can’t find anywhere else. Occasionally, beauty brands and PR agencies will send us samples for coverage consideration, but our thoughts and opinions are fully our own. If you visit links within our content, we may receive commissions from your purchases, but we never receive any compensation or consideration for the content of our recommendations. In short, the Byrdie Verified seal stands for product recommendations you can trust.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a freelance beauty writer and product reviewer. For this story, she compiled tester insights, the expertise of an esthetician, and ingredients research from peer-reviewed journals to craft thoughtful, trustworthy recommendations. Of the above products, she has personally tried Laneige, Kiehl's, Beautycounter, and CosRX. Theresa covers skincare, makeup, and at-home beauty treatments at Byrdie. You can read more of her articles on People, MyDomaine, and Travel + Leisure.