Gone are the days when lip balm was just that forgotten crusty tube rolling around at the bottom of your bag. In 2025, lip balms have taken center stage—and honestly? It’s about time. No longer just a quick fix for chapped lips, today’s balms are beauty powerhouses. They’re formulated with nourishing butters, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and even SPF, making them as much a skincare essential as they are a makeup must-have.
Obviously, the trend has exploded across social media, with TikTok beauty gurus raving about their latest finds and celebrities casually name-dropping their go-to flavors in interviews. From barely-there balms with a glossy sheen to tinted formulas that double as your lip color, the options are endless. Packaging has had a glow-up too—think chic tubes, luxe compacts, and sustainable materials that make reapplying feel like an indulgent moment, not a chore.
Whether you’re after a simple swipe of hydration or a statement-making shine, lip balm has officially earned a permanent place in your beauty lineup, which is why we’re diving into all things balm, sharing our favorites and why we love them. Let’s go!
The Low-Maintenance Beauty Movement
The low-maintenance beauty movement is all about products that deliver maximum impact with minimal effort—and lip balms are the poster child for this philosophy. A single swipe can hydrate, add a hint of color, and give lips that healthy, just-bitten look without the fuss of a full lipstick routine.
It’s the multi-tasking appeal that makes them irresistible. Many modern formulas go beyond basic moisture, doubling as a gloss, a subtle tint, or even a nourishing overnight mask. You can toss one in your bag, keep one at your desk, and stash another on your nightstand—and each will work overtime for you, no mirror required.
Plus, they fit seamlessly into any beauty style. Whether you’re a “barely-there” kind of person or someone who loves layering lip products for a custom look, lip balms make it easy to feel polished and put-together in seconds.
Innovation in Formulation
Today’s lip balms aren’t just about slathering on some basic wax and hoping they hydrate or nourish—they’re mini marvels of modern beauty science. Formulas today are packed with skin-loving, hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and plant oils that work to lock in moisture while keeping lips soft and smooth all day. Many even include barrier-repairing ceramides and antioxidant-rich botanicals to protect against environmental stressors.
Color and scent have also gotten a serious upgrade. Tinted balms now offer everything from barely-there washes of nude and pink to bolder berry hues, while flavored options channel dessert menus (like our Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm, which comes in flavors like Blackberry Sorbet and Strawberry Shortcake).
And for the ingredient-conscious crowd, clean beauty formulations are leading the way. You’ll find balms free of parabens, phthalates, and mineral oil, with many brands leaning into vegan and cruelty-free certifications. The result? Lip balms that feel as good to use as they do to wear—blending performance and peace of mind with every swipe.
Building Your Lip Balm Collection
When it comes to lip balms, everyone knows one is never enough. Just like you have different shoes for different outfits, different balms can be for every mood, moment, and occasion. A hydrating lip maskis perfect for overnight repair or those extra-dry winter days. A lightweight, glossy formula works great for work meetings or coffee dates when you want just a hint of sheen. And for that effortless pop of color? A tinted balm brings together hydration and a little touch of glam in one swipe.
Stock your bag, desk drawer, and nightstand with options that cater to your lips’ every need. From hydrating balms that lock in moisture to skin-loving blends with nourishing oils and antioxidants, there’s a formula for every moment.
We asked our e.l.f. family what lip balm flavors they’re currently loving, and the flavors they’d love to see next in our lineup. The answers were juicy—literally.
Vanilla Frosting Flavored Lip Balm
Sweet, creamy, and just a little nostalgic, our Vanilla Frosting flavored lip balm is the balm equivalent of comfort food. One of our team’s top picks, it’s a go-to for anyone who wants their lips to feel like they’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket (with a side of dessert).
“I cannot get enough of Vanilla Frosting,” says a member from our social team. “It’s like dessert for your lips—but in a totally wearable, everyday way.”
Peach Iced-Tea Flavored Lip Balm
Although this flavor isn’t a part of our current Squeeze Me line up, our team agrees that this flavor would be an absolute fan-favorite! Soft, juicy, and oh-so-sweet—peach iced-tea has long been a favorite flavor in everything from candies to drinks, so it only makes sense it would shine in a lip balm. The thought of a Peach Iced-tea flavored balm instantly conjures up summer afternoons, fresh fruit stands, and that delicate balance of tangy-sweet that feels refreshing with every swipe.
“A peach iced-tea lip balm would be an absolute dream. It’s fruity without being overpowering, playful while still feeling fresh, and would definitely become an everyday go-to. I personally always want lips that taste like summer!” - e.l.f. family
Strawberry Flavored Lip Balm
Bright, juicy, and just the right amount of sweet— our Strawberry flavored lip balm is the kind of hydrating balm that feels like summer in your pocket, and it’s currently available! It’s the perfect pick-me-up for mid-day touch-ups or those moments when lips need both hydration and a little happy boost.
“Strawberry is my ride-or-die flavor right now,” says a member of the team. “It’s that classic, fruity flavor you never really grow out of. I reach for it constantly!”
Lime Flavored Lip Balm
With its tangy-citrus kick, lime would bring an energizing twist to our balm family, making it the perfect pick-me-up flavor for when you want something playful and mood-boosting. Pair that with the silky, skin-loving hydration of our balm formula, and it’s basically a recipe for instant lip-refreshment. Even though this flavor isn’t available, we’re thinking it’d def be a fan-favorite if it was!
Members of our e.l.f. family feel the same way: “Lime would be such a unique addition to our lineup—a little tart, a little sweet, and super refreshing. It’s the kind of flavor that would wake up your senses every time you applied it!”
Grape Flavored Lip Balm
Our hot take? Grape is the perfectly subtle flavor for a lip balm. It’s juicy without being overpowering, but delivers just the right pop of fruity flavor while keeping lips soft, smooth, and ready for anything. We absolutely love that this flavor is already a part of our current lip balm line up—it’s one of our go to’s!
“Squeeze Me Lip Balm in Grape is such an underrated flavor,” shares a fellow team member. “It’s fun, it’s different, and it just makes me happy every time I put it on.”
Cola Flavored Lip Balm
We’ve heard the whole spectrum when it comes to dream lip balm flavors, but one that comes up often *and* wins points for the most unique award is cola flavored lip balm. That balance of caramel-like sweetness with a tiny hint of spice would make this balm feel playful yet comforting, like your favorite childhood treat upgraded for grown-up self-care. We would absolutely love to see this flavor come to life someday!
As one team member puts it, “If a cola-flavored lip balm ever happened, it’s game over. I love the idea of something sweet, fizzy, and just a little unexpected.”