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Chapped lips can seem like a minor annoyance in your day-to-day routine, but dry, cracked lips on a run can be inordinately distracting. That’s why we smacked our lips with more than 40 varieties to determine the best lip balms for runners.
Best Unscented: m/f people SPF Lip Balm, $6
We love that this balm is unfussy on every level—from its simple design to its unscented flavor—yet it moisturizes using aloe and vitamin E with a perfectly satiny feel.
Best SPF: eos Active Lip Balm Lemon Twist With SPF 15, $3.29
Designed to resist sweat while providing broad-spectrum sun protection, this zesty lemon-flavored balm softens lips while it protects.
Best Fruity Flavor: American Provenance Natural Lip Balm Grapefruit, $3
This well-priced citrusy balm won us over with its perfectly subtle flavor and lasting power, thanks to natural ingredients like mango butter, shea butter and almond oil.
Best Organic: Moroccan Magic Argan & Essential Oil Lip Balm Coconut Almond, $12 For Three-Pack
Buttery smooth application, a delightfully beachy coconut flavor and an infusion of 100 percent pure argan oil add up to a winner.
Most Unique Flavor: All Good Lips SPF 15 Chai, $3.50
Reminiscent of one of our favorite warm bevvies, this smooth-feeling and sun-protecting lip balm makes us want to curl up in front of a fire after a run.
Best Mint: Green Goo Cool Mint, $3.95
The strong wintry-fresh flavor of this herbal-based balm leaves your lips tingling (in a good way!), and the coconut and vitamin E oils make it feel like it’s actually healing them.
Most Moisturizing: LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask, $20
While not technically a “balm,” this luxuriously silky lip mask brings moisture back to even the most damaged lips, thanks to its antioxidant-rich mix of berries.
Best Skin And Lips Double Duty: Em & El Organics Ultimate Healing Lip Balm, $10
The pleasant flavor from herb-infused coconut oil in this all-around skin balm makes this little tin worth keeping around—it keeps lips moist and tames dry skin anywhere on the body.
Best Drugstore Buy: Carmex Comfort Care Lip Balm Mixed Berry, $1.99
Thanks to its natural colloidal oatmeal formula, this lip balm has a creamy texture and a long-lasting moisturizing effect without being overly flavored.
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