The CBD lip balm benefits dermatologists want you to know about

You can find CBD in practically every product imaginable. Sometimes, it’s serving an actual purpose (like for showering or for muscle soreness), and sometimes it’s more of a marketing ploy (looking at you, CBD leggings). But experts agree that the CBD lip balm benefits are legit, and when your lips get extra dry this winter, it could be worth slathering on.

When used in a lip balm, CBD extract works to moisturize dry, damaged lips. “CBD is very nourishing and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe chapped skin,” says Claudia Mata, co-founder of Vertly. Much like the most dermatologist-recommended ingredient to heal chapped lips (beeswax!), CBD is another top contender for hydration. “With a well-made CBD lip balm, the CBD oil will seal moisture in your lips, preventing them from becoming dry or flaky,” says Gretchen Frieling, MD, triple-board certified dermatopathologist.

It does this by acting as an antibacterial and an antioxidant. For example, Dr. Frieling points to a study that reveals that CBD contains antibacterial compounds that help keep your lips protected. As an antioxidant, “CBD can help skin stabilize free radicals and [better protect itself from] overexposure to the elements,” she says. “It can also help reduce redness and irritation around the lip area, and can be helpful if you are experiencing cold sores, the aftermath of allergies, or have inflamed lips due to a dehydrated epidermis.”

When shopping for a CBD-spiked lip balm to add to your collection, it’s important to make sure that the product has the proper ingredient in its formula. “Benefits from CBD products depend on how much of the mixture’s composition is made up of CBD and how much the marketing plays up the presence of CBD,” warns Dr. Frieling. A lot of this has to do with unclear product labels that conflate hemp oil and CBD oil, (cannabis sativa oil, for example is just hemp oil). Hemp seed oil is cold-pressed from seeds and has moisturizing properties, but CBD oil contains those active compounds from cannabinoids, which contain anti-inflammatory benefits.

On the label, Dr. Frieling says there are three common terms to look for to know you’re getting the maximum amount of benefits: isolate, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum. “Three of the terms being used [for CBD] are isolate, which means the product contains pure CBD with no other cannabinoid or additive; full-spectrum, which refers to a product that contains all parts of the hemp plant plus CBD; and broad-spectrum, which is similar to full-spectrum but has different levels of trace THC,” she says.

To help you navigate the beauty aisles in your quest for softer, more moisturized lips, keep scrolling for the best CBD lip balms you can buy.

Vertly CBD Infused Lip Balm Sticks, $24

Vertly’s balm contains 50 milligrams of full-spectrum CBD along with various rich, nourishing butters, hempseed oil, and jojoba oil for all-day-long moisture. You can opt for the sheer, or the rose-tinted stick for a wash of color.

Cannuka CBD Hydrating Lip Balm, $9

Quench dry, dehydrated lips with this all-star balm filled with CBD isolate, beeswax, coconut and rose hip oils, and Manuka honey, which is another super-healing beauty ingredient.

Smith & Cult Locked & Lit CBD Lip Balm, $21

The anti-inflammatory powers of cannabidiol extract work with MCT oil, apple seed oil, and vitamins A and E for all-over moisture. Plus it smells so enticing with its fresh apple scent.

Naturally G4U Be Well CBD Sweet Relief Lip Mend, $10

Heal your chapped pout with a swipe of this balm that’s filled with CBD, olive fruit oil, shea butter, all trusty moisturizers, plus enticing vanilla for a subtle scent.

Uncle Bud’s CBD Lip Balm, $8

Keep this ultra-nourishing, lip-tingling balm in every purse, which uses CBD oil, invigorating peppermint, and fatty acids to keep your lips soft and happy.

Elixinol CBD Lip Balm, $8

Repair winter-ravaged dry lips with Elixinol’s formula, which is packed with hydrating vitamin E, omega oils, and olive oil along with the active CBD extract.

If you’re looking for a more dressed-up option, try this CBD-infused lip gloss by Saint Jane Beauty for soft lips and some shine. And here’s the low-down on the rising trend of CBD alternatives—like CBC, CBG, and CBN—that are hitting the wellness world.