The Curator: Dry, cracked lips? Start with these editor-approved picks

A little skincare, a little shine–this is exactly the balance I look for in an everyday lip product. Shea and murumuru seed butters help condition dry lips, while vegan waxes give the formula its smooth, glossy finish that gives bare lips a boost and looks extra fun over lipstick. The sweet mint flavour adds a refreshing touch, though I’d save this version for days when lips aren’t irritated.

For a fuller-looking pout with a thick, balmy finish, this mask brings a little extra to the lip-care conversation. A four-peptide blend and konjac hyaluronic complex target the appearance of fullness, while vanillyl butyl ether creates the formula’s warming, subtly tingling sensation. If volume is the goal, this lip mask is your go-to.

Part balm, part gloss and part exfoliating treatment, this tinted lippie takes a multitasking approach to lip care. Açaí and mongongo butters provide nourishment, while hibiscus enzymes, lactic acid and pyruvic acid help smooth surface texture. I’d treat this as a maintenance pick for lips that are in good condition but feeling a little rough.

I love the idea of giving lip care its own bedtime moment, right alongside moisturizer. This leave-on mask combines the brand’s Berry Fruit Complex with murumuru seed and shea butters to help nourish lips while you sleep. Apply a generous layer before bed, then gently wipe away any excess in the morning. Consider it a little extra attention for a part of the face that’s easy to forget.

Sometimes, the appeal is in keeping things simple. This familiar twist-up balm uses beeswax to help seal in moisture, with peppermint oil providing its signature refreshing feel. The three-pack makes it easy to keep one in your handbag, one at your desk and one wherever lip balms mysteriously disappear.

There’s something undeniably appealing about a lip balm that sounds like dessert. This vanilla-scented butter pairs a clear, glossy finish with vitamin E and a lightweight, cushiony feel. I’d put it in the everyday beauty category: something to swipe on when you want soft-looking lips and a little shine without reaching for a full lip look. Flavour-sensitive lips may prefer an unscented option.

When the brief is comfort, I’m less interested in a pretty tint and more interested in what’s inside the tube. This balm pairs five per cent panthenol with shea butter to help support the lips’ protective barrier and relieve dryness. The straightforward squeeze-tube format makes frequent application easy–because lip care shouldn’t require a mirror or an entire beauty routine.

K-beauty has plenty to offer beyond face serums, and this lip treatment takes an ingredient-focused approach. The colourless, fragrance-free formula combines PDRN with exfoliating ingredients, including hibiscus-derived AHA and lactic acid, in a rich texture designed to cling comfortably to lips. I’d consider it for maintaining smoother-looking texture between dry spells, rather than as a first step for cracked lips that need a gentler routine.

For the days when I want colour without committing to lipstick, a tinted balm makes perfect sense. This buttery formula delivers buildable colour and shine, with shea, mango and cocoa butters plus a hyaluronic acid blend for added hydration. The lip-hugging applicator is a thoughtful touch, making it easy to swipe on a sheer wash or build things up. Low effort, lovely payoff.

A fancy lip wardrobe has its place, but I always leave room for the basics. This mini jar uses petroleum jelly to help lock in moisture, with cocoa butter and a natural-looking glossy finish adding to its appeal. It’s an affordable option for keeping lips feeling protected. If fragrance tends to bother you, I’d choose plain, fragrance-free petroleum jelly instead of the cocoa butter version.

I like a multitasking beauty product, and this treatment pairs hydration with a focus on visibly fuller, smoother-looking lips. Hyaluronic acid filling spheres and a pro-collagen peptide anchor the formula, which is fragrance-free and designed to feel non-sticky. For anyone curious about a lip volumizer without an added scent or that tingling sensation, it’s an option worth considering.