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To begin, let us state unequivocally that we are not advocating that you swap out your lip balm for a lip mask. Lip balms are a cherished cosmetic product mainstay for a reason, and they deserve to have a permanent home in your handbag, wallet, nightstand, etc. Rather than that, we’d like to argue that a lip mask is not a substitute for a balm, but rather a great compliment.
Jodi Shays, esthetician, and proprietor of Queen Bee Salon and Spa suggest lip masks containing antioxidants, Vitamin E, and silymarin. “Antioxidants in lip masks help prevent early symptoms of aging and also aid in moisture retention (less risk of chapping!) to give the appearance of smoother lips,” she explains. “They can also be quite beneficial for people who have been exposed to the outdoors… Always choose a reputable brand whose claims are backed up by science.” The ones listed below are excellent places to begin, since they provide hydration, smoothing, and softening effects (and more).
Jodi Shays has been a California licensed esthetician for over two decades. Additionally, she is the proprietor of Queen Bee Salon & Spa, which has facilities in Culver City and Seattle, and a skincare brand of her own.
The following are the greatest lip masks to try right now.
Best Overall: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
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Best Natural: Kaplan MD Perfect Pout Lip Mask
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Jojoba oil is a natural oil derived from the seeds of the Chinensis plant, a drought-tolerant shrub found in southern Arizona, California, and Mexico. It hydrates and protects the skin’s moisture barrier without clogging pores or aggravating acne.
Consider this recipe to be a high-performance lip balm. It’s ultra-thick and ultra-rich, containing profoundly moisturizing jojoba and sweet almond oils, among others. Plus, it contains calming chamomile, which makes it ideal for night. You can wipe away any excess in the morning, but we typically find that it is completely absorbed by the time we awaken.

This drugstore find is so amazing that it may even compete with the brand’s signature balm. The single-use mask, infused with meadowfoam seed and almond oils, instantly moisturizes lips; we’re talking five minutes or less, with no rinsing necessary afterward. Take our advice and bring one on your next overnight trip to briefly massage your lips before arrival.
Best Patch: skyn ICELAND Plumping Lip Gels

Just like a nice de-puffing eye patch is a necessary part of our preparations for a big night out, this lip patch is as well. It couldn’t be simpler (or less messy) to apply—simply stick it to clean, makeup-free lips. It delivers a strong punch of natural ingredients in only ten minutes, plumping, filling up fine wrinkles, and hydrating your lips, leaving them looking better than ever and ready for lipstick.
Best Fast-Acting: Patchology Flashpatch Hydrating Lip Gels
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Green tea is a botanical beverage made from the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis tea plant. Green tea contains polyphenols (a.k.a. catechins), which are thought to help the skin owing to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Are you pressed for time? Without a doubt. These patches are supposed to work in five minutes, which means you can apply one at your desk if you’re heading straight from work to a first date. (No? Is it just us?) A slew of skincare ingredients—including niacinamide, peptides, and green tea extract—soothes and provide anti-aging effects, while also moisturizing and improving the contour of your lips.
Best Tinted: Bite Beauty Agave Lip Masks
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Because this product is designed to be worn all day, we adore the shimmering, rose tint. However, this is not makeup; you are receiving the tremendous advantages of a mask, because to the abundance of moisturizing and antioxidant-rich substances. Additionally, it is vegan, which is not often the case with lip balms, many of which typically contain animal-derived components such as beeswax and lanolin.
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Nobody likes wrinkles on their face, but there is something particularly vexing about those teeny-tiny fine lines that appear on and around their lips. Enter this remedy, which utilizes a unique chemical called Maxi-Lip to minimize the appearance of wrinkles while also making your pout appear fuller. We’re here for both, as well as the moisturizing advantages of shea butter and hyaluronic acid.
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Best Hydrating: Kiehl’s Buttermask for Lips
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With a name like ‘buttermask,’ you know this would be insanely moisturizing, and this product does not disappoint. Even the most parched and cracked lips may be cured with a few applications of this coconut oil and mango butter-infused balm. Additionally, you may swipe on a tiny coating, keep it on for 15 minutes, and repeat throughout the day, or apply on a thicker layer and use it overnight.
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While clay masks are plentiful for the face, they may be just as good for the lips. Bentonite clay detoxifies, hydrates, and calms the skin with this application. 4 As a reminder, this goes on quite thick; it should resemble cake icing on your lips. Leave it on for two to twenty minutes—you’ll get the advantages anyway.
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As with all of this brand’s products, the recipe is inspired by ancient Japanese beauty secrets. In this case, it’s Japanese peach extract; Japanese ladies used to treat dry lips using a mixture of peach seeds and oils. (Category: Who knew?) With a unique, non-sticky gel structure, this effectively combats dry lips, owing to the peach extract and Tsubaki oil, a fatty acid-rich oil. Top tip: For optimal results, leave it on without rinsing.