The Best Tinted Lip Balm You Can Buy in 2021

I think we all can agree that nothing looks or feels worse than the sting of cracked lips on your way to catch the subway. Yes, matte lipstick is stunning, but that isn’t going to moisturize chapped lips. Though I can’t deny the benefits of traditional lip balm, there isn’t the same excitement without having the option to dress up your lip shade. So what did the beauty gods do? They made tinted lip balm. It’s a perfect way to dress up your outfit with a pop of color but without drying out your lips. Ingenious, really. So, I’ve rounded up some highly reviewed tinted lip balms to keep your lips hydrated and kissable 💋

Best With Jojoba Oil: Physicians Formula Treatment 

Since 1937, Physicians Formula has produced makeup and skincare products that are both hypoallergenic and great for sensitive skin. One of their bestsellers is their Organic Wear Tinted Lip Treatment, which is available in five different nude colors. It hydrated and conditions lips while adding a pop of color. As a bonus, all of its key ingredients are organic, including shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil.

Best Cheap: e.l.f. Cosmetics Essential Lip Kiss Balm

Who doesn’t love a good bargain find? At $3, this e.l.f. Cosmetics Essential Lip Kiss Balm is an absolute steal. Formulated with Vitamin A &E, grape seed oil, and jojoba oil, this balm will protect and nourish your lips as the heat turns up this spring. This product is vegan and comes with a minty flavor so your lips continue to look and feel fresh.

Best Cruelty-Free: Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother Gloss

There’s nothing like a great drugstore find. Neutrogena MoistureShine Tinted Lip Soother Gloss has an SPF 20 for sun protection and glycerin, cucumber, and chamomile for moisture. The lip shine is long-lasting with a fabulous sheen, so your pout can look good all day long. And the best part is, that this gloss is packaged in a portable, travel-size container for your post-COVID extravaganza.

Best With SPF: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

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Yes, this lip balm is a bit pricier than Burt’s Bees, but with 9K reviews on Sephora, and 6700 of them being overwhelmingly positive, I’d say it’s worth the $24. Made with literal sugar to help with moisture, along with meadowfoam, black currant seed oil, and grapeseed oil to smooth and soften, your lips will be hydrated all day long. Plus it comes in 14 shades to choose from and has added SPF 15, because yes, your lips also need protection from the sun.

Best Cheap: Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm

Sometimes, I wish I had Jessica Alba’s life. I mean to have a sustainable company, providing clean consumer products, AND having a blockbuster film career. I mean, really what can be better? In lieu of swapping lives, I’ve turned to Honest beauty products, namely its tinted lip balm. Its formula locks in moisture for over six hours, using avocado and pomegranate oils to keep lips feeling soft and smooth.

Best With SPF: COOLA Mineral Liplux® Organic SPF 30

Looking to enhance your lips but also give them an extra layer of protection? Get your SPF on with the COOLA’s Mineral Liplux Organic Tinted Lip Balm. It gives you a subtle hint of color while improving your skin’s creamy and smooth qualities. This balm is also formulated with mongongo oil, which is rich in nutrients and has anti-aging properties.

Best for Hydration: BECCA Hydra-Light Plumping Lip Balm

Free gift with purchase

Infused with beauty favorite hyaluronic acid, BECCA Cosmetics Hydra-Light Plumping Lip Balm is guaranteed to keep your lips feeling hydrated ALL. DAY. LONG. The peptide complex will plump your lips and smooth the appearance of lines. With buildable color and the mango flavor, this lip balm is a great addition to your cosmetics collection.

Best for Sheer Color: INC.redible Jammy Lips Lacquer Lip Tint

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Restore your lips’ natural shine with INC.redible’s juicy lacquer lip tint. Vegan and cruelty-free, this product makes your lips look impossibly plump and full of gorgeous colors. The applicator is designed to glide on easily and give you that cute look in-between lip gloss and lipstick.

Best On-the-Go Beauty: Laneige Lip Glowy Balm

With over 2k reviews, Laneige Lip Glowy Balm has tons of fans. It’s got five cute shades named after different fruits and is super lightweight, as it’s infused with shea butter for extra hydration. It’s also free of sulfates or any other bad things for your skin, just moisture, and vibes here. And if this is just as good as their lip- and water sleeping masks, you’ll definitely be satisfied.

This story was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher on 09/18/2020 and updated with new information by Juliana Clark on 04/20/2021.