When talking about Korean skincare routine, you probably first think about facial beauty products. However, lip care is a very important part of Korean skincare. In fact, lip balms are – among other K-beauty products – extremely popular.
A good and safe lip balm has so many benefits for your dry and chapped lips. It will definitely keep your lips hydrated, but it will also protect your lips from all the, potentially negative, impacts from the outside – and give it that glossy finish.
Plus, as the lips are like the door to your mouth, it is highly important for a lip balm to have only pure stuff on its ingredient list.
To save you time on research, I prepared a list of the best Korean lip balms, that are safe and beneficial for your lips (including sensitive lips!).
Read carefully, to find out which one is the best Korean lip balm & lip oil for you.
PRO TIP: If you struggle with dry and chapped lips, or simply want to give your lips some extra TLC, you should definitely check out Korean lip masks.
You put them on your lips and leave overnight (without washing off). Lip mask can provide extra hydration and nourishment that your cracked lips need.
8 Best Korean Lip Balms You Need To Try – Ranking
You are probably very eager to learn which one is the best Korean lip balm, or, more exactly – which of these lip balms will nourish your lips in the right way and provide you with long-lasting hydration, meeting all your needs.
Well, each of these is definitely great, but still has its own – unique properties to give you plump lips. And rest assured, that all of these Korean lip balms are 100% safe, for your natural lip care.
1. Sioris More Than Lip Balm
My verdict: Overall safest & best Korean lip balm
If you are wondering what the perfect lip balm look like – you are in the right place.
And, by that, I don’t think about the fancy packaging. No. It’s all about the ingredients.
This particular lip balm contains exclusively natural ingredients, among which, are most – organic.
It is formulated with natural oils – including coconut oil, olive oil, and perilla seed oil – and shea butter.
But, maybe even more importantly, it is free from all bad ingredients, including (potentially irritating) stearate ingredients.
Why You Will Love It?
- Rich and buttery
This Korean lip balm has a unique smooth and rich texture that will do miracles on your cracked lips, or simply dry lips crying for hydration.
But, despite its buttery (yet non-sticky) formula, it is still quickly absorbed and glides easily on your lips – so easy application is not an issue here.
- Instant soothing
According to women’s reviews, this hydrating lip balm offers immediate effects, melting easily right away, and calming chapped lips instantly.
Also – apparently, if applied overnight, it may completely heal your lips even when they’re dry to the point of bleeding.
- Multi-beneficial
This Korean lip balm is great as it can be used as a balm on other areas of dry skin. Women state it worked greatly on their cuticles and heels, providing a protective film, too.
Keep In Mind
Although this is, definitely, one of the best Korean lip balms, it is a bit pricey. Organic ingredients cost more!
2. Dr. Ceuracle Vegan Active Berry Lips Oil
My verdict: Best Korean lip oil to achieve glossy lips
This transparent lip oil is on the list of best Korean lip care products for a reason.
It has a lightweight, quick-absorbing formula with vegan ingredients that will moisturize lips in a second.
It contains vitamin E, jojoba, castor and grape seed oils, plus squalane and glycerin to nurture your lips.
It doesn’t have any tint, but gives lippies lovely juicy look and gentle glow.
Why You Will Love It?
- Moisture lock
This lip balm forms some type of barrier on your lips to keep them hydrated, but also prevents moisture from evaporating.
What you will see? You will see highly glossy lips that will feel non-sticky. And you will enjoy it!
- Slows down lip again
Just like our skin, lippies age too! What’s unique about this lip oil is that it contains resveratrol – amazing ingredient that according to studies reduces skin aging sings.
How cool is that?!
- Easy application
This oil has perfect on-the-go packaging with a lip brush for easy use. So, it is great for everyday use even on your most busy days.
Keep In Mind
It absorbs fast, which means after about half an hour the glow is gone. But the good news is that the nourishing effect stays!
3. Dr. Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea Lip Balm
My verdict: Lightweight balm for daily use
Another miraculous Korean lip balm is the one from Dr. Ceraucle. It contains kombucha complex, shea butter, ceramide and fermented oil among the hydrating ingredients.
All is mixed into the very moisturizing formula (yet lightweight) that will definitely heal your dehydrated lips.
Thanks to botanical squalane and ceramide, this Korean lip balm will strengthen moisture barrier of your lips’ skin and, therefore, protect your lips from any environmental damage – and prevent chapping of your lips.
Additionally, it’s vegan, cruelty-free – and, of course, completely free from harsh chemicals.
Why You Will Love It?
- Lightweight formula
While it does have soft, buttery texture, it still glides on your lips smoothly without leaving any sticky feeling afterwards.
This is thanks to its skin-friendly formula, that provides hydration without greasiness and stickiness. That makes it a great lip balm for everyday wear.
- No allergies whatsoever
According to this lip balm’s reviews of those with a sensitive skin and allergies/intolerances, this balm worked great for them, and it actually replaced their regular lip products and traditional lipsticks which caused them some sensitivities or reactions.
Plus, they say its light, scentless, and with no taste – all of which is recommended for sensitive skin types.
Keep In Mind
If you have dry chapped lips, cracked lips, or just veeery dry lips, maybe this lip balm is not powerful enough.
It is made to be lightweight and to feel smooth on your (smooth) lips, but for some more severe dryness, this may not be enough.
5. COSRX Lip Plump (Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Lip Plumper)
My verdict: Great gentle exfoliator for smoother lips
This COSRX lip balm comes in very cool packaging – it comes in a fancy jar. But, more importantly, it is a perfect lip balm for all of you who feel your lips lack energy and life. Why?
It contains vitamin C and Volufiline, which enhance your lip skin health and vitality.
Furthermore, exfoliators like AHAs and BHAs help remove dead skin cells, which is highly important in Korean lip care routine. These key ingredients have a special plumping effect you will see soon.
What’s more, it contains natural ingredients only, so you can be sure it’s safe for your lips. No harsh ingredients at all!
Why You Will Love It?
- Consistency
This plumper has a jelly-like consistency that can be easily scooped up and applied to your lips.
Furthermore, it melts easily in contact with your lips and creates a water-glow lip.
For the same reason, a little goes a long way, so you need only a small amount of the product to do the work. And no, it’s not greasy at all!
- Plump lips
According to the reviews of women who use this lip balm, it works incredibly in creating – and maintaining smooth lips.
It exfoliates dead skin cells and turns your dry lips – into lips feeling soft and smooth, with the additional effect – plumping.
Apparently, if you put it on at night – in the morning your lips will look like you’ve gotten filler overnight. Worth trying, right?
Keep In Mind
As it contains exfoliators, it does tingle a bit after applying, but it’s not unbearable – and it is completely normal.
Additionally, it is rather on the higher end with its price. But, if it’s worth it, you will not regret.
5. Nooni Lip Oil
My verdict: Best non-sticky Korean lip oil
This lip oil is a non-sticky moisturizing balm that will definitely help you soften your lips and that will nourish them just as it should.
Some of the key ingredients are green tea seed oil, which makes this product a very hydrating balm.
Plus, it will soothe your dry chapped lips nicely, with a glossy finish.
Apple seed oil in this product will leave you with moist lips, soft as silk.
Additionally, this lip oil contains vitamin E – and vitamins A and C, found in the botanical oil blend. These have antioxidant properties and nourish your lips perfectly, too.
It also contains jojoba oil for lips feeling soft and luscious.
Of course, it contains zero bad ingredients, and it’s entirely safe for you and your lips.
Why You Will Love It?
- Choices
This lip oil comes in 6 different flavors, so you can choose. My personal favorite is appletta (apple tea) lip oil with very nice scent.
However, the other flavors also have adorable scents (gives you a craving, mmm), and have unique, nice colored lip tint, too. And yes, each type works great on any skin tone.
- Apply lip balm easily
Thanks to the pointed doe foot applicator – or a lip brush, you will have no issues with applying your lip gloss-like lip oil. This really makes a precise application “a breeze”.
In addition to the applicator, the texture of this oil is so lightweight, so you don’t need to put any effort to apply it to your lips.
Keep In Mind
This K-beauty lip balm is really lightweight, with an almost runny texture. That is great for everyday use, but it may not be moisturizing enough for very dry lips.
6. Torriden SOLID IN Ceramide Lip Essence
My verdict: Best Korean flavorless & scentless lip balm
This lip balm contains some key ingredients that will definitely provide deep hydration to your lips – and that will help soften lips easily.
Those ingredients include organic jojoba seed oil and ceramides.
Thanks to jojoba oil and ceramide, but also a special wax and other beneficial ingredients, this balm creates a moisture barrier on the upper layer of your lips, locking in the moisture.
Of course, without any harsh chemicals.
Additionally, it acts as an exfoliator – removing dead skin cells, leaving your lips supple and soft.
Why You Will Love It?
- Juicy lips
According to user reviews, many women noticed plump, juicy lips immediately after using this balm. It creates a hydration layer without a sticky feeling, yet with a lip gloss effect.
And this effect lasts, so you don’t have to repeatedly apply your lip balm all over again.
- Flavorless and scentless
If you – or your lips, or skin – are sensitive, you will love this balm. It has no flavor and no scent at all. So, it feels more natural than regular lip balms.
Otherwise, scent or flavor may gradually create a problem, as they may encourage you to lick your lips, which may, eventually, make your lips drier and even more chapped.
Keep In Mind
Some women found that tingling feeling somewhat discomforting. However, note that this is due to the product’s exfoliating properties.
7. Laneige Lip Treatment Balm
My verdict: Best balm to achieve fuller lips
This luxurious, fancy lip balm will coat your lips for the hydrated, soft, supple lips you are dreaming of. It is formulated with coconut oil which provides deep moisture.
Another two key ingredients of this balm, for Korean gradient lips are peptide and adenosine that help visibly smooth and firm lip wrinkles.
Being free from potentially harmful ingredients, this is a great balm choice, especially for those with normal and dry skin.
With this lip treatment balm, you will experience a cooling sensation after the application, which feels great if you have damaged lip skin.
The application of the balm itself is also easy, as the applicator is stored in the lid for easier and cleaner use.
Why You Will Love It?
- Fuller lips
This lip balm instantly smooths your lip wrinkles and imperfections and boosts the lip fullness look.
You will have the feeling you just had your fillers on, as you will definitely notice that your lips got fuller.
- Pearly glow
According to women who use this lip balm, shine this product gives is amazing.
Apparently, it provides you with a pearly glow with a subtle sheen you will just – adore.
And yes, all of this comes with non-sticky feeling.
Keep In Mind
This balm has a piña colada-scent, which some women find to be a little too strong for a lip balm.
So, if you are sensitive to smell, you may want to consider some other balm.
Also, many women find this balm a bit more pricey.
PRO TIP: For those of you with wrinkles – I recommend you to use this balm together with the Lip Sleeping Mask. This combo will give you the best results.
8. Etude Veware Vegan Signature Lip Balm
My verdict: Ultra moisturizing Korean lip balm for chapped lips
Among the best Korean lip balms, Etude lip balm is unique for its moisturizing texture that helps keep your lips hydrated and smooth, without making them greasy or sticky. It doesn’t feel “waxy” as many other lip balms.
It contains great ingredients, including 5% of shea butter, as well as castor and sunflower seed oils.
The thing that I like most about this lip balm is that it’s free free from talc, polyacrylamide, mineral oil, artificial fragrances, synthetic colors, imidazolidinyl urea, triethanolamine, silicone oil, PEG, and other potentially harmful chemicals.
Why You Will Love It?
- Dry lips cure
This balm is perfect solution for lip flakes and dryness.
It’s gentle, lightweight, yet provides excellent hydration for long tine.
Women who have issues with dry lips swear it is a lip-saver for them. No more chapped lips. Plus, you will love its glossy finish!
- Lasts long
Due to its thick texture, a little of the product goes a really long way. Plus, one layer is enough to keep your lips moisturized.
- Vegan
This lip balm is certified in Korean as vegan and it’s free from animal-derived ingredients!
Keep In Mind
There is no doubt this lip balm will make your lips smooth. But – it does cost quite a lot.
It’s one of the most pricey Korean lip balms.
Final Decision: What Is The Best Korean Lip Balm?
Among the listed Korean beauty lip balms, I think the best one is the Sioris More Than Lip Balm. It contains natural, and mostly organic ingredients, with a perfect texture to leave you with adorably soft lips.
If you’d prefer oil consistency, I recommend you to try out Dr. Ceuracle Berry Lip Oil. It has awesome nourishing ingredients, provides great hydration to chapped lips and reduces aging signs!
What Is The Best Korean SPF Lip Balm?
For beautiful lips, you need to protect them from all the outside stressors – including UV damage. So, you may want to find a lip balm with SPF.
One of the best SPF K beauty products for lip care is TonyMoly Peach Lip Balm.
It has SPF 15 to protect your lips from the sun and the potential damage, but it also contains shea butter vitamin E and vitamin C that help nourish and hydrate your lips.
However, you need to keep in mind it contains ingredients from grey area like phenoxyethanol and petrolatum, and even a paraben! (to be precise: butylparaben).
Best Korean Lip Balms – FAQ
Who would think that choosing a lip balm could be so confusing, with so many questions, right?
For that reasons, I answered the most frequently asked questions regarding K-beauty lip care products.
Why Do I Need A Lip Balm?
If you don’t want dry, chapped, cracked lips with wrinkles, you would probably want to use a lip balm.
Lip balms have so many benefits, for hydrating and moisturizing your lips, giving them that soft touch and shine.
Although it might be tempting, remember that it’s not safe to apply body lotion or hand lotion to your lips! You need a balm that is specifically designed for lip area.
How Often Should I Apply Lip Balm?
You can apply lip balm as often as you want, but I would recommend at least once a day.
For better results, even more often. In fact, you can use the lip balm all day (and all night) long.
Are Korean Lip Balms Good?
K beauty products are generally good, with more natural formulations and ingredients. Therefore, Korean lip balms are also a great option.
How Do Koreans Take Care Of Their Lips?
Koreans have a specific skincare routine. Lips are not an exception.
After removing the lip products or makeup, they exfoliate their lips with a lip scrub. This step is followed by hydrating, and putting on a lip mask.
How Can I Get Korean Pink Lips Naturally?
There are some ingredients in Korean beauty lip care products, which may contribute to getting natural pink lips.
These ingredients include hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, peptides, and collagen. It is also important to use a lip balm with SPF.
How To Choose The Best Korean Lip Balm For Your Lips?
When choosing the right Korean beauty lip balm, you need to make sure you choose the ingredients for your skin type, or skin concerns.
So, if you have a lot of dead skin on your lips, you need to look for exfoliating ingredients, such as ginseng or bamboo extract.
If your skin is sensitive, you would benefit from lip balm containing aloe vera or chamomile.
For dry skin, you would definitely want to use most hydrating ingredients, such as shea butter and cocoa butter.
If your lips are just looking dull, you may want to try balms with brightening ingredients – as is vitamin C, for example.
For oily skin, you need to be careful that your lip balm doesn’t contain oils or comedogenic ingredients.
Which Ingredients Should I Look For In Korean Lip Balms?
Before buying a lip balm, check the ingredient list for lip balms that contain nourishing and hydrating ingredients.
This includes: shea butter, cocoa butter, mango seed butter, beeswax, plant oils (jojoba oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, castor seed oil, macadamia nut oil, sunflower seed oil), and natural extracts (like tomato extracts, rich in Lycopene).
Which Ingredients Should I Avoid In Lip Balm?
Avoid lip balms with potential irritants like fragrances, artificial dyes, or harsh chemicals.
How Often Should I Exfoliate My Lips?
That depends on your lips “condition”. However, if you are a starter, begin with a once-a-week exfoliating routine, to avoid any irritation.
You can later increase the frequency to 2-3 times a week.
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.
All pictures in this article with YouAreBeautie logo belong to YouAreBeautie.com and were taken by the owner of this website. All these images are copyright-protected.
Sources of pictures:
- Pictures of Sioris balm belong to Sioris Brand. Source: https://en.sioris.co.kr/
- Pictures of Dr. Ceuracle balm belong to Dr. Ceuracle Brand. Source: https://www.instagram.com/dr.ceuracle_global/
- Pictures of COSRX Lip Plump belong to COSRX Brand. Source: https://www.cosrx.com/
- Pictures of Etude balm belong to Etude Brand. Source: https://www.etude.com/int/en/
- Pictures of Torriden Lip Essence belong to Torriden Brand. Source: https://www.instagram.com/torriden_official/
- Pictures of Laneige Lip Treatment Balm belong to Laneige Brand. Source: https://us.laneige.com/