I Have Chronically Dry Lips—This Expert-Approved Product Leaves Them Soft All Day
I just asked a skin-specialist doctor to answer my burning questions about how to find the best lip treatments for dry lips.
There’s just over a month until the start of spring; however, we’re still experiencing cold temperatures here in the UK. And, of course, this means that my face, and more specifically my lips, are still very much suffering from the chills, wind and overly harsh weather conditions. After what feels like trying hundreds of lip balms and lip masks to no avail, I finally decided to turn to a slightly more intense formula to keep my lips looking and feeling their healthiest. Enter: the lip treatment.
I’m well aware that with so many lip treatments promising miracles, it’s tough to know what actually works. So to help, I decided to reach out to Dr Nabil Jetha, an aesthetic doctor, skin specialist and founder of the Dr Nabil Jetha Clinic, for advice on how to find the best lip treatments for every budget and skin type. Here’s what he had to say.
What Is a Lip Treatment?
Dr Jetha says, "A lip treatment is targeted skincare for the lips, designed to repair, hydrate and protect the delicate lip skin. Because lips are thinner and lack oil glands, they’re more prone to dryness, sensitivity and early ageing, meaning they need formulas that actively support repair rather than just temporary comfort."
What Is the Difference Between a Lip Treatment and a Lip Balm?
"Lip balms tend to sit on the surface of the lips, acting as a protective seal to lock in moisture. While helpful for short-term comfort or hydration, they don’t typically address the underlying condition of the lips. Lip treatments work more deeply, supporting fragile lip skin by strengthening the skin barrier, improving hydration and encouraging repair over time rather than simply soothing dryness in the moment."
What Ingredients Should I Look for in a Lip Treatment?
"Look for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides to support the skin barrier, peptides to smooth and soften and nourishing lipids like shea butter or squalane. Gentle exfoliating ingredients, such as PHAs, can help smooth flaky skin without disrupting the barrier. In contrast, strong fragrances, menthol, alcohol and harsh exfoliants should be avoided, as they can worsen dryness over time."
@brittanyelizadavy wears Rhode's Unscented Peptide Lip Treatment (£20)
How Often Should I Use a Lip Treatment?
"Most lip treatments can be used once or twice daily, with evening application being particularly effective as it supports the lips’ natural overnight repair process."
With that information in mind, I went on the hunt to find the best lip treatments to combat dryness and leave my lips looking and feeling healthy all day. Keep scrolling if you, too, are interested in finding out which lip treatments come editor-approved and are well worth the investment.
The Best Lip Treatments
1. Best Overall Treatment: Rhode Unscented Peptide Lip Treatment, £20
2. Best Balm Formula: Gisou Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy, £24
3. Best Colour Range: Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Lip Treatment, £18
4. Best Gel Formula: Laneige Bouncy & Firm Lip Treatment, £23
5. Best Overnight Treatment: ILIA Beauty Lip Wrap Overnight Mask, £26
6. Best Plumping Formula: Dr. Dennis Gross Derminfusions Lip Treatment, £46
7. Best Gloss Formula: Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm, £26
8. Best Luxury Treatment: Dior Addict Lip Butter High-Shine Treatment, £33
The Best Lip Treatments
1. Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment
Key ingredients: Peptides, shea butter, cupuaçu, babassu, vitamin E
Scented? No
Tinted? No
Other scents available: Strawberry Glaze, Watermelon Slice, Salted Caramel, Rhode Vanilla
Sometimes, I just want a lip treatment that does the job without all the frills of a fancy scent or tint of colour, and Rhode’s unscented peptide lip treatment does the trick every time. Not only is it filled with peptides, shea butter and vitamin E to keep my lips soft and hydrated, but it also comes with the ultra-glossy finish that I love, even on my no-makeup days. Not to mention, there are also a number of clear but deliciously scented options for those who want that. I personally swap between the unscented and strawberry glaze scents.
2. Gisou Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy
Key ingredients: Mirsalehi honey, collagen active, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
Scented? Very light honey scent
Tinted? No
When my lips get really dry, I always turn to a thick mask that I can layer on. Gisou’s Honey Glaze lip therapy is a rich but not sticky texture that seamlessly melts in, leaving my lips looking and feeling noticeably softer each time I use it. It’s a clear formula with a subtly sweet scent (from the Mirsalehi honey) that I love. Not to mention a little goes a very long way, so it will last you for ages.
3. Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Lip Treatment
Key ingredients: Peptides, kokum seed butter, mango seed butter, acai sterols, Scandinavian cloudberry oil, lactic acid
Scented? Vanilla scent
Tinted? No
Other colours available: Sweet Macaron, Peach Glaze, Cocoa Crème, Citrus Sunshine, Glimmer Citrus Sunshine, Crème Brulee, Glimmer Crème Brulee, Strawberry Sorbet, Glimmer Strawberry Sorbet, Glimmer Lingonberry Jam
I first tried Ole Henriksen’s Pout Preserve lip treatment last year after constantly seeing it on my TikTok FYP, and trust me when I tell you that it’s well worth the hype. I use the shades Crème Brulee and Peach Glaze as normal glosses along with lip liners, but when I just want a clear formula that does the job on no-makeup days, Vanilla Bonbon is my first port of call. It melts into my lips beautifully, leaving them soft and plump. Plus, the lactic acid and peptides work in tandem to gently exfoliate dead skin and nourish the lips over time.
4. Laneige Bouncy & Firm Lip Treatment
Key ingredients: Peony and collagen complex™, peptide water, ceramides, hyaluronic acid complex, squalane, vitamin E
Scented? Very light floral scent
Tinted? No
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love a glossy lip. So what better lip treatment to opt for than one with a gel-like texture? Laneige’s Bouncy & Firm lip treatment is a thick, jelly-like formula that’s thick but not sticky at all. The blend of collagen, peptide water, and ceramides leaves my lips feeling hydrated and soft. This treatment works great at night, when I can slather it on for ultra-plump lips in the morning. However, the added spatula means that I can take it with me in my handbag on those days when my lips are really suffering from the harsh weather.
5. ILIA Beauty Lip Wrap Overnight Mask
Key ingredients: Sea succulent, papaya enzymes, hyaluronic acid, Wakastim sea algae, shea butter
Scented? No
Tinted? No
When my lips get really dehydrated and flaky, I turn to a lip treatment that helps to exfoliate away the dead skin. Ilia’s Lip Wrap Overnight Mask is formulated with potent levels of exfoliating and hydrating ingredients that help to work away dry skin and leave soft and smooth lips in its place. I keep it on the nightstand next to my bed and can definitely see the difference in my lips in the morning. My only note would be that the pot does not come with a spatula, which might be a setback for some.
6. Dr. Dennis Gross Derminfusions Lip Treatment
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptide complex, ectoin, squalane, coconut oil
Scented? No
Tinted? No
Other colours available: Beige, Brown, Pink, Berry
I’m always sceptical of lip treatments that sit at a higher price point, for no other reason than the fact that there are plenty of effective products that sit well under the £25 mark. However, Dr. Dennis Gross’ Derminfusions lip treatment is well worth the investment, in my opinion. The blend of hyaluronic acid, peptides and squalane leaves my lips looking plump and naturally-voluminous when I wake up in the mornings, not to mention, it has that super-glossy finish that I love. Normally, I reach for the clear version, but the brand has also recently released tinted versions for those who prefer that. Now, I have to warn you that this will tingle just a tad the first time you use it, so if you have ultra-sensitive lips or don’t like that sensation, this one might not be for you. But I personally love it.
7. Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm
Key ingredients: 3X pro-collagen peptides, shea butter, castor seed oil. sesame seed oil
Scented? Light vanilla scent
Tinted? No
Other colours available: Plum Berry
If you’re looking for a product that naturally restores volume to the lips without a tingling sensation, I’d recommend giving Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm a try. The 3-in-1 hybrid combines a powerful lip treatment, sheer gloss and nourishing balm to get rid of fine lines, add volume and deeply hydrate the lips with continued use. I love how cushiony it feels without feeling sticky, plus it works perfectly in place of my clear lip gloss for days out.
8. Dior Addict Lip Butter High-Shine Treatment
Key ingredients: Peptide and ceramide duo, squalane, sweet cherry oil, castor oil. peppermint oil
Scented? Very light vanilla scent
Tinted? Very sheer neutral brown.
Other colours available: 101 Glazed Pink, 102 Glazed Lavender, 104 Black Cherry, 105 Lychee
When I’m heading into the office or going out on a casual day, and I want to give my lips a wash of colour without compromising on nourishing ingredients, I turn to the Dior Addict Lip Butter high-shine treatment. Containing a peptide-ceramide duo, the lip butter helps to reduce fine lines and repair the skin barrier on the lips. The shade ‘103 Toffee’, a sheer neutral brown, is my personal favourite, but all five shades are sheer enough to suit a wide range of skin tones and undertones. It very quickly gained a permanent place in my handbag as I love that I can pair it with my dark brown lip liner to complete my makeup, but also still get all the benefits from a regular lip treatment.
How We Tested
As editors, we have tried a lot of lip treatments between us. From cold spells to summer heatwaves, we put each treatment through its paces to see how it performs in every situation. The best lip treatments were chosen based on their longevity on the lips, as well as their ability to combat dry and dehydrated lips over a significant period of time.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
