Lip Balms have always been and always will be an irreplaceable item on your vanity. While you might not know what exactly is in your favorite lip balm, that specific brand, and flavor seems to work just right. If you’re looking for something new, more affordable, and a lot better, take a look at our list of the 6 best budget lip balms to find the right fit!
We have included the price of the products along with the names, but do note that prices can change depending on when you read the article.
How Lip Balms Work
Lip balms serve varied purposes for each individual. A regular petroleum jelly balm is best for protecting and healing chapped lips while ones with vitamin C are great for depigmentation. Some of the latest lip balms have up to 30 SPF that protects your lips from sun damage. A tinted lip balm is great for when you want subtle color but also want to keep your lips moisturized.
Lip balms are made of a highly moisturizing natural substance that keeps lips moist and allows them to heal faster. Today most lip balms are enriched with vitamins E and C to give your lips an extra boost from within. Following is a list of products that have been tried and tested by a group of men and women. Here’s their verdict:
Best Lip Balms – under Rs 500.
Even though a lip balm is one of the most important parts of your skincare routine, no one wants to spend too much on it, and you really don’t have to. The cheapest-decent lip balm on the market costs about Rs 50 ($0.62 USD) while the most expensive Bobbi Brown lip balm is priced at a whopping Rs 2800 ($34.52 USD). Some of the best lip balms however don’t even cost more than Rs 400. Here’s the list of our best picks.
1. Sebamed Lip Defense SPF 30– (MRP 445): Sebamed lip balms have been around since time immemorial. It was one of the first lip balms to have SPF in the Indian market. This lip balm is slightly on the expensive side but makes up for the price with its amazing ingredients. The balm contains vitamin E and jojoba oil that nourishes and heals broken skin quickly.
Product Details:
Contains Jojoba oil, vitamin E, and Ricinus communis seed oil
- 4.8 gm stick
- Not tinted
- SPF 30
- Added Fragrance
Why we love it:
- 4-5 Hours of Moisturization
- Sun Protection (SPF 30)
- No tint. Slightly glossy finish
- Non-sticky and light
- Heals and Nourishes your lips
- Mostly composed of natural ingredients
- The fragrance is light and not overpowering
Cons:
- Has Added fragrance
- Is slightly expensive
- Not easily available offline
- No colors available
2. Maybelline New York Baby Lips Color Balm SPF 20 – (MRP 175)
Baby Lips by Maybelline has been a popular favorite not only among teens but people of all ages. This balm has it all from a beautiful tint to long-lasting moisture.
Product Details:
- Contains Shea Butter
- 4 gm stick
- Tinted
- SPF 11-20
- Added Fragrance
Why we love it:
- 3-4 Hours of Moisturization
- Sun Protection (SPF 20)
- Soft Tint that enhances sun protection
- Affordable
- Non-sticky and light
- Actually heals chapped lips
- Transferable
Cons:
- Mostly composed of chemicals
- Has Added fragrance
- The market is full of dupes
3. Aqualogica Hydrate+ Luscious Lip Balm– (MRP 349): The Aqualogica lip balm has everything your lips need. Coconut oil helps lock moisture and has anti-bacterial properties while hyaluronic acid gives intense hydration. Aqualogica lip balms not only have SPF 20 but also give broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Product Details:
Contains Coconut Oil, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E
- 4 gm stick
- Not tinted
- SPF 20, UVA/UVB protection
- No Added Fragrance
Why we love it:
- 3-4 Hours of Moisturization
- Sun Protection (SPF 20)
- No tint. Slightly glossy finish
- Non-sticky and light
- Heals and Nourishes your lips
- Has natural ingredients
- The fragrance is light and not overpowering
Cons:
Not easily available offline
4. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Balm SPF 15– (MRP 300) Palmer’s is a USA-based skin and hair care brand that has been around since the 19th century! Palmer’s lip balms have been a household staple in America for many years. The pack says “ultra-moisturizing” and does exactly that with the boost of vitamin E. This amazing balm is available on Amazon at just Rs 300 (PACK OF 2).
Product Details:
- Contains vitamin E and cocoa butter
- 4 gm stick
- Not tinted
- SPF 15
- Added Cocoa Fragrance
Why we love it:
- 4-5 Hours of Moisturization
- Sun Protection (SPF 15)
- No tint. Slightly glossy finish
- Non-sticky and light
- Heals and Nourishes your lips
- Composed of natural ingredients
- The fragrance is heavenly
Cons:
- Has a strong fragrance that might irritate sensitive skin
- Not available offline
- No colors available
5. Dot & Key Gloss Boss Tinted Lip Balm SPF 30 Vitamin C + E – (MRP 249): The Dot & Key Gloss Boss lip balm has some of the most interesting qualities. Apart from moisturizing chapped lips, vitamin C brightens pigmented lips and vitamin E nourishes the skin from within. Moreover, you also get SPF 30 from protection against those harsh UV rays.
The product is available in three exciting colors and also has a no-color option. All four variants have fruity fragrances and a highly glossy finish. If you’re a fan of glossy lipsticks, this is your best choice. Our favorite variant is the “Cocoa Mint” flavor, which has a chocolatey smell and a beautiful nude pink-brown tint.
Product Details:
- Contains vitamins E and C
- 12 gm tube
- Tinted and non-tinted variants are available
- SPF 30
- Added Fruity Fragrance
Why we love it:
- Sun Protection (SPF 30)
- Highly Tinted and VERY glossy
- Tint enhances sun protection
- Non-sticky and light
- Heals and Nourishes your lips
- Lightens dark lips
- The fragrance is heavenly
- Lots of colors and fragrances to choose from
- Great quantity, low price
Cons:
- Has a strong and unbearable fragrance that can also be tasted
- Not available offline
- No colors available
- Extremely Transferable
- Requires frequent re-application
6. Minimalist Lip Balm SPF 30- (MRP 299) – The minimalist lip balm is slightly pricey but does sport some good features. This lip balm is one of the very few products that do not have any fragrance and leaves a matt finish. It is made with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, shea butter, and avocado butter – completely vegan and cruelty-free.
Product Details:
- Contains Hyaluronic Acid, shea butter, and avocado butter
- 8 gm of product in a jar
- Non-tinted
- SPF 30
- Fragrance-Free
Why we love it:
- 3-4 hours of moisturization
- Sun Protection (SPF 30)
- Heals and Nourishes your lips
- Stays on for long
Cons:
- Not available offline
- No colors available
- Thick and Heavy feeling
- Bulky inconvenient packaging
- Takes way too long to deliver
Conclusion
Our best lip balm pick for this year is Sebamed’s lip balm with SPF 20!
Most lip balms do nothing more than keep your skin moisturized and protected from the cold. Well, that is all you need. Dermatologists have revealed that added vitamins in lip balms and lip masks don’t really seep into the skin or help in any way. Just stick to natural and long-lasting products, expensive doesn’t mean better!
FAQ
Which is the best affordable lip balm?
When it comes to affordability the best lip balm would be simple petroleum jelly by any brand. Next on your list should be the Nivea Essential Lip balm which has a refreshing minty fragrance priced at just Rs 49!
Which lip balm is best for daily use?
The best daily-use lip balms are organic coconut oil, shea butter, and petroleum jelly. You may choose any brand, but they should have only one ingredient which is organic and natural. Some brand options are Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, Organic Harvest Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, and Forest Essentials Luscious Lip Balm Narangi Glaze.
Which is the No 1 lip balm in India?
While there is no data to know which is the best lip balm in India. Vaseline’s Petroleum Jelly seems to be the first choice for most families. In our list, the Sebamed lip balm with SPF 30 and Maybelline’s Baby Lips with SPF 20 share the top spot.
Which lip balm is best for pink lips?
Most lip balms target only chapped lips. If you wish to brighten your lips and make them look pinker, go for one with vitamin C or exfoliants. Some of the best-rated brightening lip balms are: Dot and Key Gloss Boss Lip Balm, Minimalist SPF 30 with Ceramide and HA,
