I am obsessed with finding peppermint chapstick, mint lip balms and the best mint lip glosses.
My obsession probably started on a brutally cold east coast winter when some kind soul handed me a tiny tub of Carmex. Sweet cooling relief! How could I go back to a non minty/mentholated lip treatment? I’ve since ditched the Carmex in favor of more moisturizing and luxurious lippies, but I still get nostalgic about the original unisex appeal of this classic brand.
Over the years I have collected and hoarded my beloved mint lip glosses, lip balm and lipsticks. I cling to my favorites like they are my talismans of protection from the harsh cold world. In a way, they are.
You will find minty lip stuffs tucked into the pockets of all my coats and hidden inside every one of my bags and purses. When I find one I like, I buy several. There is nothing worse than not having lip balm handy when you need one. My lippies have the magical power of waking me up and making me feel refreshed even when I’m technically not. First thing I reach for at the end of a long flight or when I’m hot, sweaty or sleep deprived. Lip balm is a travel essential all year round! You can prevent chapped lips to some extent, but once they happen, you’re going to be seeking relief!
It’s winter chapping season, and time to stock up on mint lip products!
- Nothing feels better on wind chapped lips that a cool peppermint lip remedy.
- Lip balms make excellent stocking stuffers
- Breath freshening peppermint lip glosses are perfect for those holiday moments when you are just hanging around under some mistletoe
- Lip balm can also be used on chapped cheeks and dry cuticles in a pinch.
This post contains affiliate links. This doesn’t affect the price you pay for any of these products, or which ones I have recommended – it just means that I get a small percentage of the proceeds, which helps me offset the cost of running a blog. I have personally purchased and tried all of the brands linked below.
Lip Balm vs Lip Gloss vs Chapstick?
Do you know the difference between your favorite types of lip moisturizers?
Lip Balms – The Comforting Ones
A balm is defined as a fragrant ointment or preparation used to heal or soothe the skin. Balms are more medicinal in purpose than cosmetic, so they are generally untinted. Some balms may be naturally tinted by the ingredients. Occasionally lip balms are colored to do double duty and achieve the same effect as a cosmetic product. Lip Balms are traditionally sold in small plastic tubs or metal tins.
Lip balms are applied with a finger or with a lip brush. This means that lip balms are more likely to harbor bacteria. You should always make sure to wash your hands before you apply lip balm from a tub or tin. Texture-wise, lip balms are thicker than an ointment and softer than a lipstick.
Lip balm can feel oily or sticky depending on the ingredients in the product. A good balm should feel comforting, not uncomfortable.
Chapstick Style Lip Balms – The Portable Ones
Chapstick is a brand name, associated with lip balms that have been mixed with a wax or another thickener to make the balm firmer. The addition of a thickener makes it possible to mold the balm into a stick shape and place it in a portable container – generally a plastic tube filled with the solidified balm.
Chapsticks have a lid to protect the balm and a screw type mechanism at the base of the tube that allows you to raise up the level of the product as you use it up. This iconic delivery system is associated with the Chapstick brand, and the name is now applied to all lip balms in plastic tubes that use a similar mechanism. It’s sort of like “Band aids” being used to describe all bandages.
Chapsticks are a very handy way to deliver lip relief. They travel well and are generally more sanitary because you can apply the lip product without having to use your finger or any additional tools. They are popular with men and women.
Chapsticks can be tinted, or untinted and usually have a matte finish, though that is not always the case. Chapsticks can feel waxy or oily depending on what is used as a thickener. They should not feel as though you have wax deposited on your lips, however. They should feel comfortable and natural.
Lip Gloss – The Sexy, Shiny Ones
Lip gloss is much more liquid than lip balm or chapstick. It is occasionally sold in a pot like a balm, but more often lipgloss is sold in a tube.
Lip gloss tubes may be outfitted with an applicator tip, making the application similar to chapstick. Another option is a small vial of gloss with a sponge tipped applicator wand. The wand absorbs the lipgloss and makes it easy to apply without using your fingers directly on the product.
Lip gloss can be clean or tinted, and is always shiny – hence the word “gloss.” Lip glosses can feel oily or sticky depending on what is used to achieve shine and longevity. A good lip gloss should not feel uncomfortable.
Feeling less confused now? Don’t get too comfy! It can still be hard to know what to search for as all these lip treats are sold almost interchangeably. Never fear. I’m breaking down the following products into categories and explaining the differences for you. I am only sharing my favorite brands. I have personally tried and loved ALL of these products and would recommend them to friends, family, and anyone who wants to kiss or be kissed by me this holiday season!
My Favorite Unisex Mint Chapstick Style Lip Balms
Burt’s Bees Medicated Moisturizing Lip Balm with Menthol and Eucalyptus is a cooling soothing treat for seriously chapped kissers. Technically it is not mint but menthol and eucalyptus that gives this chapstick its sweet relief. This is a good one for apres ski or snowman building.
Dr Bronner’s Organic Peppermint Lip Balm is a simple classic with all the organic goodness of the brand. Nothing too fancy here – just an all purpose lip product that’s good for all day, every day. The avocado infused lip balm is lightweight and neither waxy or greasy. It’s great for husbands, kids, and you need one in your purse. This is a magic owie eraser – just all around lifesaver.
Doctor Lip Bangs Lip Freak Buzzing Lip Balm is a whole new balm experience that you might have to brace yourself for. These balms are intensely minty and literally make your lips feel like they are buzzing. It stings a little, when you first apply it, but not in a bad way. Just know it’s more intense than normal mint lip balm before you apply it. This is probably not one for the kids, if they are sensitive. While this balm is very fun and lightly moisturizing, I would not recommend using it on badly chapped lips.
Another extra minty balm classic, J.R. Watkins Lip Balm is the kind of lip balm you want your date to have in his pocket. Preferably he’s applied it before he leans in for that goodnight kiss… There’s just enough there to ensure soft, fresh, pillowy lips. But not so much that you feel like you’re snow tubing on a slip and slide. I buy this for my guys and then steal it.
The Best Mint Lip Gloss
One thing I love about mint lipgloss is that these can be applied over a matte lipstick. Sometimes you just need a little extra shine or protection from the elements. Bath & Body Works C.O. Bigelow Mentha Supreme 2X Lip Shine #503 is my gold standard. It’s doubly minty and doubly shiny and that’s why I cannot walk past this store without buying more. I slick it on alone or over lipstick all winter long.
C.O. Bigelow Mentha Shimmer Bare Mint No 1648 is my #1 go to gloss when I have my hair in a messy bun, and I’m running errands. Which is basically every day. It’s got just enough tint and a sexy shimmer that make you look pulled together and polished. Even if you are grocery shopping in your PJs/yoga pants.
Mario Badescu Mint Lip Gloss has some magical soothing properties that are hard to describe. This one makes your lips super soft and also makes them look and feel plumped up. Maybe it’s the minty hydration.
Multi-flavored Peppermint Lip Balm
Beard and Lady – Link’s Lip Balm – Peanut Butter Peppermint -“Peculiarly Perfect” – Peanut butter mint balm. Created by YouTube celebrities Rhett and Link from Good Mythical Morning. I know it sounds weird. I do. But it works. It’s kind of a snack too. If you like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and mint lip balm. Welcome.
Smith’s Rosebud Lip Balm, Minted Rose, .8 Ounce is a lip balm tin you could travel back in time with. It’s just like the stuff we used to pop into the apothecary for. By we, I mean my great grandma. I really appreciate this old fashioned classic formula and presentation and the mint/rose combo is divine. This stays in my bag year round. I have been known to use it on frazzled cuticles and fried split ends as well as my lips.
eos Super Soft Shea Sphere Lip Balm – Vanilla Mint is a modern classic. When these little ball shaped balms came to the market, they challenged everything we thought about how lip balm was supposed to be shaped and applied. It’s ergonomic, sanitary, easy to apply and best of all, this solid balm is deeply moisturizing and not at all waxy.
It’s not a lip balm it’s a lip butter… Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Lip Butter is a rich and luxurious lip treat made from cocoa butter that will make your brain think you are having dessert every time you put it on. It’s incredibly effective at moisturizing as well. Skip dessert, apply lipgloss.
The Best Minty Lip Balms with SPF
Maybe you are going skiing or skating this winter. Or maybe you are heading somewhere tropical and will be spending time on the beach. Either way you will want to make sure your cooling balm has protection. Don’t go out without it!
COOLA Organic Liplux Sport Lip Balm Sunscreen packs an SPF of 30 and will keep your lovely lips soft and unscorched as long as you apply it every two hours or so. It’s a vanilla mint flavor and my kids try to steal these if I don’t keep an eye on them.
Supergoop! Fusion Lip Balm SPF 30 can be worn with or without your favorite lipstick. It locks in moisture while keeping out harmful sun rays. It’s very easy to apply thanks to the lipgloss style tube. Perfect for moms who need a product that swipes on quickly.
JACK BLACK – Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 is an interesting hybrid. It’s a gloss style applicator but the product is clearly being marketed towards men who want more than a waxy stick to keep their lips soft and comfortable. This brand has a cult following. It’s easy to see why. This is the good stuff. It isn’t too sweet, you cannot taste the sunscreen and this balm actually works very well to heal chapping. You might forget to apply it when your chapped lips are suddenly cured.
Sweet Peppermint Lip Relief
One last tip: Try exfoliating your lips for an extra soft feeling. Did you know lips can be exfoliated? If your lips are lightly chapped and peeling, try mixing a dollop of peppermint lip balm with a quarter teaspoon of sugar. Use an old soft toothbrush or a washcloth to gently “scrub” your lips with the combined balm and sugar. Don’t overdo this or scrub lips that are severely chapped and/or split. A little light scrubbing can speed the removal of dead skin and leave your lips smooth and ready to accept lipstick or gloss. Be sure to follow this treatment with more lip balm!
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