Cold, wind, dry air, and sun can all cause lips to get dry and chapped by drawing moisture away. Prevention is key, and numerous lip balm options are available.
Some men swear by the minty ones, others stick to the unscented, and then there are the “one-and-done” types who’ll use anything within reach. With so many products available and everyone having an opinion, it can be challenging to determine what actually works.
At MASC, we strive to be transparent and say things as they are. Our in-house expert team and feedback from thousands of men who shop from us have informed this review list.
In this review, we spotlight four truly amazing lip balms for men, starting with the popularly loved Jack Black, known for its various scents and its exceptionally hydrating properties.
What is the Best Lip Balm for Men?
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Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25: Overall Top Pick All-rounder
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Malin & Goetz Mojito Lip Balm: Best for lightweight, long‑lasting hydration with a pleasant scent
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Brickell No‑Shine Lip Balm: Best for a no-shine, natural formula with SPF
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Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Lip Balm: Best for flavorful, luxurious feel (if scent is your thing)
You want to pick a lip balm that’s effective but not overly greasy or glossy. A lot of lip balms out there either feel too heavy or dry out too soon.
A good purchase would be a balm that balances hydration and protection, and even offers protective agents like Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and vitamin E.
To make a more informed decision, we provide more detail about each of our top picks in the following sections.
1. Jack Black Motion Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25
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Price: $140
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Size: 7g net weight
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Key ingredients: Cocoa Seed Butter, Lanolin, Beeswax, Ozokerite, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Shea Butter, Flavor, Avocado Oil, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearol Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Microcrystalline Wax, and Green Tea Leaf Extract.
Buy if…
The Jack Black line is like the Swiss Army Knife of quality, affordable men's products, and this minty lip balm is no exception.
It is a perfect recommendation for any man, particularly worried about dry lips. This will help prevent that.
It is enriched with superior skin conditioners and antioxidants. What makes this brand stand out is that it has social proof. There are also other varieties of flavors aside from mint. On the MASC store, you will find Jack Black lip balm in lemon, grapefruit, and black tea flavors.
Unlike waxy sticks, this balm penetrates quickly to provide instant relief. The broad-spectrum sun protection with an SPF of 25 is also a huge plus, as it guards your lips against windburn and temperature extremes.
2. Malin & Goetz Mojito Lip Balm
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Price: $25
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Size: 10ml
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Key ingredients: hydrogenated polyisobutene, ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymer, ethylhexyl palmitate, and a mojito-inspired fragrance (including citral and limonene).
Buy if…
The best, succinct way to describe the performance of this Malin & Goetz Mojito Lip Balm is that it delivers one of the best long-lasting protections from dryness.
It contains a blend of fatty acids that offer a layer of nourishing protection from day to night.
One of the things that makes it stand out is how quickly it absorbs and does not transfer, requiring no constant reapplication. Mojito flavor is also a huge bonus for men who like a pleasant scent.
3. Brickell Peppermint Lip Balm
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Price: $10
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Size: 4.5ml
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Key ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Beeswax, Olive Oil, Peppermint Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Vitamin E, Rosemary Leaf Extract, and Aloe Vera.
Buy if…
The Brickell Peppermint Lip Balm features a slight cooling sensation from the peppermint, keeping your lips moisturized for an extended period. The SPF 15 is a bonus.
If you prioritize using a lip balm that doesn't make it look like you're wearing lipstick, this is a perfect pick. It has a no-shine formula.
Everything about this lip balm is organic, which makes it stand out. This includes Organic Olive Oil and Vitamin E, which nourish and hydrate your lips, as well as organic Beeswax that seals in moisture to prevent it from escaping.
Generally, lip balms with peppermint may spur some doubts. However, that's precisely where this product surprises us. The concentration of the flavor sent is not too intense for those who are sensitive.
There's no mess when applying it to the lips, and it is not chalky. Thus, this lip balm moisturizes effectively without being overly greasy.
4. Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Lip Balm
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Price: $32
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Size: 12ml
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Key ingredients: Watermelon Seed Oil, Nourishing Shea Butter, and Rosehip Oil, packed with antioxidants.
Buy if…
If you've been hesitant about buying a lip balm due to sensitive lip or skin, then you should consider this Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Lip Balm. It is formulated with a blend of 98% natural ingredients like shea butter and antioxidant-rich rosehip oil.
Although it may not appeal to men who dislike the “lipstick” appearance due to the Gel-balm texture with a glossy finish, it is surely non-sticky.
It also features a slim profile, making it convenient to use. You'll need to apply using fingertips and smooth evenly over your lips.
The sweet yet subtle scent of vanilla and watermelon is another major highlight of this lip balm.
This is a lip balm ideal for use on-the go and can even be applied to tame brows, add shine to the cheeks or tend to any dry patches.
What to Consider When Picking Buying Lip Balms For Men
When picking a lip balm, less is more. Products packed with too many ingredients, especially those with added flavors or high levels of plant extracts, can actually irritate your skin instead of helping it.
So let's start with the obvious consideration:
First, look at the ingredients
Opt for a balm that contains simple, nourishing ingredients like petroleum jelly, shea butter, or beeswax. These ingredients act as barriers, sealing in moisture and keeping wind and cold air from drying out your lips. Avoid lip balms loaded with flavorings, strong fragrances, menthol, or camphor. These may feel refreshing at first but often end up irritating your lips over time or causing you to lick your lips more, which worsens dryness.
In some cases, they can even trigger allergic reactions that lead to redness and rashes around the mouth.
For this review, we focused solely on lip balms for men that contain proven ingredients that actually do the job. Elements such as petroleum jelly, shea butter, ceramides, or dimethicone are great for locking in moisture and healing dry, chapped lips. Your lips will thank you.
For usage, follow the instructions provided on the packaging. However, generally, applying every couple of hours throughout the day (and don’t skip bedtime) works.
And if your lips stay cracked or sore no matter what you try, it might be time to see a dermatologist.
Choose the right texture
Men usually prefer a balm that feels smooth but not sticky or overly glossy. A matte or semi-matte finish is usually ideal. You want something you can wear confidently in public or during work without feeling like you’re wearing lipstick.
Sun protection is often ignored, but it is very necessary
Your lips can burn just like the rest of your skin, especially if you work outdoors, drive a lot, or spend time in direct sunlight. Look for a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher. If your lips would typically start to burn after about 10 minutes in the sun with no protection, applying a lip balm with SPF 15 means it would take 15 times longer (about 150 minutes) for your lips to start burning. Therefore, the higher the SPF, the greater the protection it provides.
Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is ideal for this purpose, as they provide physical sun protection without irritating sensitive lips.
Packaging
Stick formats are cleaner and more convenient for men on the go, especially if you don’t want to dip your finger into a tin. That way, you’re more likely to use it regularly, which is what really keeps lips healthy.
Final Verdict
It's a tall order to point at a single lip balm for men and claim it to be the best. This is because each product has its unique offering, which aligns with different personal preferences.
However, these four lip balms excellently deliver when it comes to protection from dryness. To be more specific, the Jack Black lip balm for men is a good choice if you're particularly concerned about maximum hydration and SPF.
If you prefer a lightweight, long-lasting formula with a mild scent, Malin & Goetz Lip Balm excels in this area.
Brickell lip balms perform well in the above areas, too, but you will like them more if you're all about no shine and a minty fresh feel.
