All the Lip Balms In the World and I'll Never Stop Using This $2 Formula

When I was a kid, my mom would lather me up with Vaseline to every single day to make sure my skin was soft. I never questioned the method of her pasting me with the iconic petroleum jelly: It was affordable and kept my skin hydrated from head to toe. Little did she know that 20 years later, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly would still be the backbone of bathroom vanities, makeup bags, and car armrests everywhere. People would also start referring to her practice of giving me a Vaseline topcoat as slugging, a popular method for retaining moisture in the skin. 

Vaseline has expanded, offering a range of lip products that pack the benefits of petroleum jelly in various balms. Vaseline's Cocoa Butter Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter is one of its most popular options. It offers the same hydrating benefits in a cocoa butter and vanilla fragrance that is almost good enough to eat. It's been a staple in my makeup bag for ages, and—no matter how many fancy new lip products come out—I find myself reaching for it consistently. Ahead, read my honest review of the famous Lip Therapy product. 

About My Skin: Dry, especially in the winter months

I am 100% a lip licker; all winter long, and I hate the taut, cracking feeling that happens when a gust of wind hits my face. The main ingredient in many lip balms I've tried is menthol, which tends to be more drying than moisturizing in the long run. Since I am not much of a lipstick person, I like to have my natural lips looking smooth and hydrated throughout the day, and this can be difficult when some products provide the initial shine without long-term hydration. With winter weather in full swing, I've circled back to Vaseline's Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter, an old-reliable that always comes in handy. 

How to Use It: A little goes a long way

Using Vaseline's Cocoa Butter Lip Therapy is simple. I used a DIY lip scrub before application to buff off dead skin. After washing that off, I applied the Vaseline Cocoa Butter Lip Therapy with a cotton applicator to prevent contaminating the jar with germy hands (Vaseline also offers a stick option). I applied this all over my lips and lightly dabbed off any excess product that felt too heavy. If my cuticles feel extra dry, I sometimes massage any excess into my skin. A tin of this product usually lasts me months since you don't need huge globs of product for nourishing results.

The Results: Hydrated, shiny lips

Here you can see the simple yet stunning results of using Vaseline's Lip Therapy. The before photo is how my lips before my lip scrub with no product at all. After talking and walking around in cold temperatures, my skin usually gets really dry. After using the lip jelly, my lips are hydrated and look like I applied a coat of clear gloss.

Similar Products: You've got options

Lucas' Papaw Ointment ($9): This formula uses petroleum jelly, papaya fruit extract, aloe vera, and olive oil to hydrate your lips. It also comes lightly tinted if you want to enhance your natural lip color. 

Aquaphor Lip Repair ($5): Like Vaseline, Aquaphor is an iconic brand known for its healing products. The lip repair tube bottles the classic Aquaphor Healing Ointment into a pocket-friendly version that you can apply to your lips throughout the day. 

Glossier Balm Dotcom ($12): This formula uses castor oil, beeswax, and lanolin as its moisturizing base. It also comes in a handful of yummy scents and color options if you prefer a sheer wash of color with your lip balm.