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Lip masks for cracked lips that literally work overnight.
Lips tend to dry out faster than the rest of your skin, and that's why hydration is key for keeping lips protected. "The lip skin is so thin and sensitive it simply cannot tolerate some of the products we use on the rest of our face," says dermatologist Erum Ilyas, MD. "Lip masks can be very effective to heal the our delicate lips overnight."
When even drinking water still doesn't help, it's smart to look for a good lip mask or hydrating lip treatment to stop the dryness and pain that comes from chapped lips, or cheilitis. To find only the best lip masks that really work for dry and cracked lips, Good Housekeeping Institute's Beauty Lab recommends looking for lip masks that contain emollients and occlusive.
"Emollients smooth out skin and lips by filling in cracks and holes," says Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek. Emollients include conditioning oils like mineral or plant oil. Dr. Ilyas also suggests to look for formulas packed with vitamin E, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid — all of which help achieve hydration and moisture. "Occlusives act like sealants to lock in benefits," she adds. Occlusives commonly are a type of wax that acts as a barrier from environmental factors (think beeswax, petrolatum, and petroleum jelly).
See below for the best lip masks of 2020, including Korean lip masks, lip plumping masks, and even lip treatments that help to soothe wrinkles or sensitive skin. These top picks range from the best-selling lip masks on Amazon to luxury lip masks like Laneige, to personal favorites from dermatologists and beauty experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. No matter what kind of lip issues you're dealing with, you'll find one on this list that works for you.
This lip treatment did so well in our Lab tests that it earned a Good Housekeeping Beauty Award! This Intensive Lip Treatment is packed with ceramides, or oils naturally found in the skin that help protect and moisturize your lips as you sleep. One tester reported seeing improvement with her cracked lips within just a few nights.
Wnek enjoys using this Neosporin lip therapy treatment because she finds that it's the only product that restores her lips when they become chapped and inflamed. The brand itself claims that the lip therapy is clinically proven to restore healthier lips in just three days. It uses the over-the-counter active ingredient petrolatum to protect the sensitive lip skin. "I use it a few nights in a row until my lips return to their non-inflamed state," she says.
No wonder this lip mask is a cult-favorite and a top-searched item online: Its Moisture Wrap technology uses a smooth blend of hyaluronic acid and minerals to help lock in moisture, plus it contains vitamin C and antioxidants. It sinks in quickly and leaves a subtle, fragrant smell. You can purchase it in apple lime, vanilla, and original scent.
Patchology is known for their adorably packaged and super-effective beauty and skincare items. The brand claims its Keep Smiling lip gel sheet masks help with dryness and soothe irritation. They're infused with violet, lavender petal tee, and coconut extract to smooth your pout. These single-use cooling gel patches cost $3 apiece or $5 for a pack of two.
Boasting a 4.5 star rating, Amazon reviewers reported having fuller and softer lips in just a few days. "I really like this product for an overnight lift," says one reviewer. It contains collagen peptide formula, which the brand claims helps to renew lip and skin tissue. Reviewers also note that the mask absorbs rather quickly, and that while directions say to use at night, many apply the lip mask during the day too.
Dr. Ilyas recommends this Korean lip mask for cracked lips because she says the ingredients are safe and effective at hydration. It's packed with mint extract for a refreshing tingle, plus a smart botanical oil blend mixed with vitamins A, C, & E to lock in moisture. "It works so well overnight to really hydrate and make the lips feel supple," says Dr. Ilyas. It even comes with a tiny spatula for clean and sanitary application.
Coconut oil and mango butter are two key ingredients in this mask that help moisturize and soothe the lips while you doze off. Good Housekeeping beauty director April Franzino calls it one of her personal favorites: "It’s packed with nourishing plant butters like shea, cocoa, and mango, and oils such as coconut, castor, and jojoba," she explains. "I slather this thick mask all over my lips before bed so it softens them while I sleep."
This non-sticky jelly lip mask has earned a cult following in no time. I uses Japanese peach extract to help soften the lips and smooth fine lines. "Made with hydrating squalane and camellia seed oil, plus sweet, fragrant botanical extracts like peach fruit water and rose flower extract, this jelly-like lip mask feels like a pampering treat — and I haven’t woken up with dry lips since I started using it," says Franzino.
This best-selling lip mask uses coconut and jojoba oil to help naturally boost the collagen in your lips. One Amazon reviewer who says she has aging lips swears by this lip mask by BeauteHacks. She found in her experience that it helps the lips to feel softer and look plumper, "but not the Botox plump, but rather pillow plump," she says.
Formulated with soothing ingredients like seaberry and rice bran wax, this balm-to-gloss mask keeps your lips looking and feeling healthy. When applied, a natural mix of conditioning butters and extracts nourish the lips and absorb quickly while you sleep. Sephora reviewers mention that since it has a heavier consistency and tends to thicken up, it should only be used at night.
Made with just two all-natural ingredients (lanolin and lanolin oil), this powerful hydrator is ideal for night use and is an editor favorite. "This super-thick ointment is the only lip balm that's ever actually healed my lips," says Jessica Teich, Good Housekeeping editor. "It's not billed exclusively for night use, but slather it on before bed and after one or two nights, you won't even need lip balm during the day. It's that good."