Dry, flaky lips are inevitable during the harsh winter season — but lip masks are here to save the day. These incredibly hydrating balms are specifically made for the lips and are super helpful to apply before wearing lipliner and matte lipstick. Our top-rated lip mask picks make excellent last-minute beauty gifts for Valentine's Day, birthday presents, and self-care gifts just because you deserve to have soft, pillowy, flake-free lips all 2024.
But what should you consider before gifting lip masks? As Best Products' beauty editor and resident lip mask obsessive, I consulted one of my most trusted dermatologist sources about all things lip masks. She and I also shared our favorite lip masks. A bonus: They start at just $7, so you can gift some to your friends, family, and yourself without exceeding your budget.
Best Overall: Best Budget: e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Lip Mask Best of Celeb Beauty: Best for Clinically-Proven Results: fresh Sugar Recovery Lip Mask Advanced TherapyBest Under $10:
NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, M.D., FAAD, likes lip masks because they typically have a higher occlusive content than lip balms. Occlusives are hydrating ingredients that form a protective barrier between the lips and elements that prevent moisture loss, similar to slugging for the lips.
Some lip masks, such as the Byroe Mojito Lip Mask, contain mild exfoliating ingredients to help smooth the lips, but there is also the potential for irritation. Luckily for your gift recipient, I am a fan of that lip mask and offer a handy tip for using it safely. As for the other lip masks on this list, they're filled with hydrating ingredients that shouldn't cause any irritations to their lips.
To simplify shopping for lip masks, here's a quick rundown of common occlusive ingredients broken down by categories.
Types of Occlusives:Fatty acids: Linoleic acid, which is found in argan, sunflower, and grape seed oilsSilicone derivatives: DimethiconeOils and waxes: Squalane, lanolin, shea butter, mango butter, beeswax, carnauba, paraffin, and petrolatumTypes of Humectants:King also enjoys lip masks containing humectants because they attract water and surge your giftee's lips with much-needed hydration.
Some common humectants are hyaluronic acid, glycerin, amino acids, peptides, and honey. Fun beauty fact: Hyaluronic acid is a next-level moisture magnet that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, so it guarantees your giftee's pout will be well-moisturized. It's found in several of our must-have lip masks, including the Best Tested , , and LAWLESS Forget the Filler Overnight Lip Plumping Mask.
These gift-worthy lip masks are all highly rated and available at your most trusted beauty retailers, including Sephora, Ulta, and Amazon. Some are favorites of King and myself due to their impressive ingredient list and results. I carefully vetted the other lip masks and considered their key ingredients to ensure they were made with a healthy balance of humectant and occlusive ingredients.
Regardless of which lip mask you order, your giftee will love how soft and supple their lips feel. And given their entry-level price point, you can afford to treat yourself to a lip mask (or a dozen!) because you also deserve a little self-care gift!
1Best Overall
ProsCons
Skip if your giftee doesn't like sweet-smelling productsLaneige lip mask is legendary in the beauty world, and soon, your giftee will be obsessed, too! One swipe of the antioxidant-rich formula before bedtime, and they'll wake up with a softer, plumper pout. It's my all-time favorite lip mask that I've been using for years, and since it's never once disappointed me and my dry lips, I knew it deserved the top spot.
Your loved one will thank you for gifting this rich, balmy texture that melts like butter into every line of their mouth. Their lips will love soaking up the skincare-quality ingredients, such as vitamin C, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, leaving your pout incredibly soft and hydrated.
It's also one of the few lip masks on this list with a tiny spatula, ensuring your giftee can apply this line-smoothing lip mask in the most sanitary and ~extra~ way possible. Be sure to check out our full review for even more details.
Rating | 4.7-star average from more than 36,540 Amazon reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredients | Vitamin C, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants |
2Best Budget
Pros
Includes a spatula
Fresh berry scentCons
Reviewers say it can stain their pillows if they blow an excessive layer of productLooking for a hydrating but affordable pick? delivers a handy giftable treat for only $7. If you're feeling extra generous, then surprise them with the 4-piece set, which comes with two balms and two spatulas for $14.
Amazon reviewers have many rave things to say about this cheap beauty solution, but one thing they all agree on is that it's a reliable option for healing chapped lips.
Rating | 4.6-star average from 912 Amazon reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid, squalane, and castor seed oil |
3Best Under-$50
Pros
Layers nicely with makeup
Lips are softer, smoother, and more hydrated after the first useCons
Might be too luxe for someI know spending close to $50 for a lip mask sounds a bit off-putting, but I regularly use this lip mask, and I absolutely love it! It’s a super hydrating and soothing option that treats and prevents chapped, tight lips.
Although I like each of these lip masks for various reasons, this one is truly a game-changer. For starters, PCA Skin was created by an aesthetician and developed by a dermatologist, so you know the science-focused line is on point. Second, my skincare fairy godmother, aka aesthetician Alessandra Cavallero of Spa Bem-Ti-Vi, gives it a thumbs up.
Notably, it's made with nourishing ingredients, such as squalane, shea butter, vitamin E, and a botanical blend chockfull of lipids and fatty acids to protect your giftee's lips. Since they only need a little product, each container will last for at least a few months of daily use, so the cost per use is totally fair.
Rating | 4.4-star average from nearly 70 Amazon reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredients | Squalane, shea butter, vitamin E, and a botanical blend |
4Best of K-Beauty
Pros
Fragrance- and paraben-free
Hypoallergenic, so it's safe for sensitive lipsCons
Reviewers say it tingles but they wish it also plumped their poutBeauty enthusiasts and TikTokers can't get enough of the COSRX skincare products. Given the brand's popularity and the impressive ingredient list of its lip mask, I knew the pink Lip Sleep was a worthy inclusion.
COSRX has four different lip masks, but Lip Sleep is the most hydrating IMO. There's also a yellow version that is more for soothing, but this pick has a potent combination of shea butter and ceramide, offering rich hydration for softer, pillowy lips.
Rating | 4.3-star average from 413 Amazon reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredient | Shea butter and ceremides |
5Best Under $10
Pros
Natural rose scentCons
Not as hydrating as more expensive optionsOpt for this one from Milani if you've only got a crisp Alexander Hamilton to spend on a lip mask. Pro makeup artists adore the brand because they make some great MAC Cosmetics dupes, so my expectations were high.
This $10 lip mask is a worthy gift because the combination of rose oil, shea butter, cupuacu butter, and hyaluronic acid conditions my lips overnight. However, it's not as deeply hydrating as other options on this list — and TBH, if you're only spending $10 on a lip mask, you can't expect it to outperform higher-end products, but for the price, it's definitely a standout.
Rating | 4.4-star average from more than 1,870 Amazon reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredients | Rose oil, shea butter, cupuacu butter, and hyaluronic acid |
6Best of Celeb Beauty
Pros
Smells like vanilla
Conditions lipsCons
Skip if your giftee is allergic to parfumMany celebrity beauty brands are on the market, but one standout from the bunch is JLO BEAUTY. Lopez's new release is infused with an emollient blend of moisturizers to seal in hydration, while candelilla leaf extract smooths the lips.
The pink lip mask has a slightly thicker consistency that is smooth to apply, but it takes a little longer to melt with the warmth of my finger. After slathering on the mask, it conditions and visibly smooths lip lines.
Rating | 3.7-star average from 40 Amazon reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredient | Candelilla wax |
7Best for Clinically-Proven Results
Pros
Dermatologist-tested
Intensely nourishing and restorativeCons
Skip if your giftee isn't keen on sweet scentsSince I already loved fresh's Sugar Recovery Lip Mask Advanced Therapy lip balm, I knew their lip mask would be an excellent alternative. It's thicker and more hydrating than a traditional balm.
This leave-on product is clinically proven to soothe lips overnight by utilizing hydrating and nourishing shea butter with a conditioning berry wax blend. It's also infused with sugar, which offers long-lasting hydration, and hyaluronic acid to fill in lip lines for a fuller effect.
Rating | 4.7-star average from 625 Sephora reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredients | Shea butter, berry wax, sugar, and hyaluronic acid |
8Best Lip Smoothing Formula
Pros
Award winner
Tropical citrus scentCons
Might be too luxe for someI know $55 is a significant investment, but this silky lip mask is like two products in one. Hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil surge the lips with much-needed moisture, while lemon and lime, which are rich in alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), exfoliate away dead skin cells, revealing a smoother pout sans lip scrub.
It's a very hydrating and moisturizing lip mask, but it contains AHAs to help smooth the lips, so I would not recommend applying it more than once daily.
Mojitos inspired the citrusy scent and ingredients, so this lip mask has a refreshing cooling sensation upon application.
Rating | 4.7-star average from 57 Byroe reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredients | Lemon and lime-derived AHA, mojito calm, and hyaluronic plump-8 |
9Best of French Beauty
Pros
Non-sticky formula
Reviewers with extra-sensitive skin say it doesn't irritate their lipsCons
Skip if your giftee prefers a shiny finishDon't you just hate it when your hair accidentally gets stuck onto your lips? Despite its incredibly soothing and repairing formula, your giftee will appreciate that BAUME LÈVRES COCOON doesn't leave behind an annoying sticky finish.
Plus, dry lips don't stand a chance against this deeply hydrating lip mask from Payot. It's infused with nourishing ingredients, like castor oil, shea butter, and carnauba wax, to soften and hydrate dry lips overnight. It has a beautiful texture that melts into the lips, while emollients, such as coconut oil, protect cracked lips.
Rating | 4.6-star average from 7 Payot reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredients | Castor seed oil, shea butter, beeswax, carnauba wax, andmeadowfoam seed oil |
10Fast-Acting Formula
Pros
Great for traveling
Diminishes the appearance of vertical lip linesCons
Skip if they prefer thicker lip masksYour beauty-loving bestie is probably familiar with undereye patches or sheet masks, and these Patchology lip masks are a similar concept, only made for their mouth. Each one contains the brand's HydraSurge5 moisture system that delivers deep hydration to their lips in just 5 minutes.
Amazon reviewers say these rejuvenating lip masks prevent their lips from getting dry and chapped. “I LOVE THESE and use one daily. These are a great item to help me control my wrinkles,” says one 5-star Amazon review. The reviewer loves them so much that they put them in gift bundles for house guests, and now their friends are all recent converts!
Rating | 4.2-star average from more than 358 Amazon reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredients | Peptides, green tea, and niacinamide |
11Best Sheet Lip Mask
Pros
Great stocking stuffers
Dermatologist-testedCons
Some reviewers say the masks are too small for their likingWe all know and love Burt’s Bees, so this is a solid lip mask gift option because of brand recognition. Luckily, the hydrating lip mask lives up to Burt’s Bees stellar reputation.
Help them bring dry lips back to life the natural way with this nourishing Burt’s Bees lip mask that uses 100% natural ingredients, including meadowfoam seed oil, almond oil, and sunflower oil. The six-pack of single-use masks couldn’t be more perfect for travel.
“I have very dry, sensitive skin, and I love using the Burt’s Bees lip mask. I’ve been using the lip masks, and they always help heal my lips — they aren’t too smelly and leave my lips very moisturized,” says one 5-star Amazon review.
Rating | 4.6-star average from 912 Amazon reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid, squalane, and castor seed oil |
12Best for 12-Hour Hydration
Pros
Available in 4 colors
Derm-testedCons
Skip if your giftee doesn't like tinted lip productsKing enjoys this vegan lip mask because it contains a blend of olive, argan, rosehip, sunflower seed, and raspberry seed oils to hydrate, moisturize, and support the skin barrier. She’s also impressed that 100% of a consumer panel of 33 participants reported that it felt richer than regular lip balm and that their lips instantly felt smoother and soothed.
She’s not the only fan — online reviewers say it’s a top-notch lip mask that makes for a lovely beauty gift. “I’ll definitely be purchasing this for years to come. Please don’t discontinue,” says one Ulta reviewer who has used this for about a year.
Rating | 4.6-star average from 912 Amazon reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid, squalane, and castor seed oil |
13Best for Plumping Lips
Pros
Clean at Sephora
Woman-ownedCons
Skip if they can’t handle mild tingling sensationsI previously named this one of the best new beauty products of January 2022, and I'm still enamored with this lip mask more than a year later — and your giftee will love it as well.
MAXI-LIP helps fill in noticeable lip lines, while hyaluronic acid and shea butter leave my lips softer. When I wake up in the morning, my lips still feel supple, and I don't have to use a regular lip balm until the early afternoon.
Rating | 4.6-star average from 912 Amazon reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid, squalane, and castor seed oil |
14Best Gel-Textured Lip Mask
Pros
Not heavy
AAPI- and woman-owned businessCons
A little stickyThis lip mask has a cooling gel texture that will instantly pump up the hydration in your lips. I love its jelly texture made from Japanese peaches and olive-derived squalane that instantly softens, smoothes, and plumps lips for a kissable finish.
Despite being incredibly hydrating, this lip mask doesn't leave my lips feeling heavy or goopy. It's a product I always borrow and forget to return to my mom, so do your loved one a favor and gift them this lip mask.
While you're at it, gift yourself one, too — because who doesn't love and deserve to enjoy long-lasting lip hydration?
Rating | 4.6-star average from 912 Amazon reviews |
---|---|
Best Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid, squalane, and castor seed oil |
The best hot cloth cleanser to steam and clean your pores
The best women’s electric razor according to real reviews
The best IPL hair removal devices to get you ready for the summer
The best retinol serums to fight ageing and improve skin texture
7 best moisturisers for combination skin that are perfect for any budget
The best moisturiser for dry skin to instantly hydrate
The best shampoo for red hair to keep those locks fiery
The best henna hair dye for a new natural alternative
Best hydrating cleansers for a splash of moisture everyday
The 15 best hot air brushes for your easiest at