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My 10 Best Korean Lip Balms

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It’s only a few years since the world of K-Beauty came into our lives from South Korea.

It started with the 10 Step Korean Beauty Routine, which made us all start to pay more attention to how we look after our skin.

This routine ensures that facial skin is prepped, polished and nourished in every way possible through the use of various products.

It became so popular throughout other countries, at a time when we all started to realize the importance of self-care.

The Korean glass skin trend also made its way to the Western world and launched many of us into a lifetime love of Korean beauty.

Korean beauty products really took off outside of Korea, and benefit all of us no matter our skin tone or skin type.

As a result we now have so many familiar K-Beauty products and brands among our beauty arsenal.

But did you know there is also a Korean lip care routine?

Like the routine for skin, this involves the use of exfoliators, lip masks and lip balms.

Dry skin on the lips is not a good look, and these Korean lip balms work hard to prevent it.

If you’re interested in K-Beauty and the lip products often used in the routine, you’re in the right place.

Below are the best Korean lip balms on the market that are available to us all today.

The best Korean lip balms

Scroll down to see the list of the best Korean lip balms and let your lips thank you later.

korean lip balm

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How do Koreans take care of their lips?

To get super smooth lips, Koreans regularly exfoliate their lips with a lip scrub to remove dead skin cells.

Often this step is followed up with a lip patch which is like a sheet mask for the lips.

Finally there is the application of a daytime lip balm (often containing SPF to prevent any damage to lips from the sun’s UV rays). 

At night, lip masks are used as an extra step towards getting the perfect pout. 

best korean lip balm on woman

Below is a choice of the best Korean lip balm options you can find to suit any budget.

The very best Korean lip balm options

Here are the best Korean lip balms you can pick to keep your lips soft and moisturized.

Torriden SOLID In Ceramide Lip Essence $9.99

This is a great lip balm for anyone with sensitive lips or cracked lips.

best korean lip balm from torriden
Image: Torriden

It contains some amazing ingredients that you usually find in skincare products rather than lip balms.

There are five different ceramides in this Korean lip balm, which are Ceramide NP, NS, AS, EOP, and AP.

These work to restore the natural barrier of the lips, preventing moisture loss and subsequently dryness and dehydration which can lead to flaking lips.

You’ll also find lots of beneficial oils in the ingredients list and no nasties like mineral oil or parabens.

As an added bonus this is a cruelty free lip balm and it’s also suitable for vegans.

I’M MEME Pep! Balm $12

One of the most affordable Korean lip tints, this is also a great lip balm at the same time.

best korean tinted lip balm
Image: I’M MEME

It’s a moisturizing balm which contains shea butter to prevent dehydrated lips.

This is actually a multi-use product, a lot like a Glossier Cloud Paint, which you can also use on your cheeks for a subtle flush of color.

It has a velvety matte finish for a more natural look, and comes in a range of flattering shades.

Nooni Appleberry Lip Oil $12

This vegan-friendly and cruelty free lip oil works just like a lip balm but also has a glossy finish with a tint.

one of the best korean lip balms available from nooni
Image: Nooni

This Korean lip oil provides a flush of glossy light pink lip color but won’t dry out your lips.

That’s because it contains lots of natural ingredients like argan oil, apple seed oil, jojoba seed oil and macadamia nut seed oil.

If you love a glossy look but need a moisturizing formula at the same time, this is one of the best Korean lip balms for you.

Saranghae Radiant Glow Lip Treatment

This is among the best Korean lip balms for dehydrated lips as it contains hyaluronic acid.

best lip balm korean from Saranghae
Image: Saranghae

This works to lock in moisture within the lips, ensuring they stay hydrated from the inside out.

It’s the perfect lip balm if you find that you have a lot of lines on your lips as this K-Beauty lip balm will smooth them out a little.

You can use it overnight or during the daytime, and with the addition of shea butter and apricot oil you’ll find you have moist lips for hours on end.

It’s a cruelty free product too.

Frudia Mango Honey Lip Mask $7.20

This is the best Korean lip balm if you love a thick balm which stays put on your lips until the end of the day.

frudia k beauty lip balm
Image: Frudia

It also gently exfoliates your lips at the same time as moisturizing them through the addition of fruit extracts or acids like blueberry and grapefruit extracts.

In this Korean lip balm you also get mango seed butter and Ceramide NP.

Frudia is a well-known Korean beauty brand that’s sold in a lot of US stores now so this is fairly easy to find.

It gets awesome reviews as well.

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Skinfood Tomato Jelly Tint Lip Balm $5.60

This is a tinted lip balm which will add a light hint of color to your lips.

korean spf lip balm
Image: Skinfood

It’s one of those great daily lip balms which are easy to apply without a mirror, even with the tint, as it’s so subtle that it’s basically foolproof.

This unique formula contains tomato extracts alongside macadamia seed oil, jojoba oil and Vitamin E to soften the lips and keep them feeling comfortable throughout the day.

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm $18

You’re probably familiar with the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, which is an overnight lip mask in a little pot.

laneige korean lip balm
Image: Laneige

It’s often touted as the best Korean lip balm out there, but did you know their Lip Glowy Balm is the perfect travel-friendly lip balm from their range?

If you love the Lip Sleeping Mask then you will love this, which comes in a tube that you can just throw in your purse for easy application during the day.

It contains hydrating murumuru butter and shea butter to keep dry lips at bay.

The Lip Glowy Balm comes in different scents and gets amazing reviews.

MACQUEEN Loving You Tint Lip Balm $7.90

This is one of the best Korean lip balms if you’re interested in hanbang, or traditional Korean herbal ingredients used in beauty products.

best korean lip balm with spf from macqueen
Image: MACQUEEN

Korean women have followed the principles of hanbang for years, which focusses on the method of healing using natural ingredients in skin care.

The MACQUEEN lip balm contains shea butter, beeswax, avocado oil and lanolin for their soothing and moisturizing properties.

This product is also a K-Beauty lip tint that changes color according to body heat, and it comes in three different shades.

The look is a very natural lip with a hint of a tint that can be built up by layering extra product.

The Crème Shop Macaron Lip Balms $9

If you love cute packaging this is the best lip balm for you.

cute packaging korean lip balm
Image: The Crème Shop

The adorable Macaron lip balms from The Crème Shop are cruelty free lip balms which come in the sweetest packaging you’ll ever see.

There are lots of different flavors to choose from including apple blossom, strawberry banana, watermelon taffy and caramel pudding.

This Korean lip balm has a creamy formula and contains the antioxidant Vitamin E to protect lips from free radicals and pollution.

They are the perfect option for dry lips and are really affordable too.

Laneige Layering Lip Bar $19.49

This is the best Korean lip balm if you love the look of Korean gradient lips.

laneige layering lip bar
Image: Laneige

It works like traditional lipsticks but functions like a lip balm too, and the gradient color tone will give you ombre lips easily.

Its Moisture Wrap technology has a variety of benefits for the lips, and the six layers of color in each Lip Bar gives an effortless gradient look.

The best part is that it’s so convenient that you don’t need concealer and a lip brush to do it; just a swipe of this.

This product’s key ingredients include hyaluronic acid, glycerin and fruit extracts for soft, smooth lips.

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The Korean beauty industry has started to dominate the beauty world in recent years and shows no signs of stopping.

People love the 10-step routine for skin as well as the Korean lip care products which give you moisturized and plump lips, often with that signature gradient shading.

There is a best Korean lip balm for everyday wear, special occasion use and as part of your nighttime routine.

More Korean beauty:

Best Korean cleansing balms

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best Korean lip balm?

There are lots of really good Korean lip balms available with really nourishing ingredients. Some of the best include Laneige Lip Glowy Balm, Torriden SOLID In Ceramide Lip Essence, and I’M MEME Pep! Balm.

Which lip balms do Koreans use?

There are lots of lip balm brands which are popular in Korea. Some of the most popular Korean lip balms include Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, Etude House Honey Cera Repair Lip Balm, Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Lip Balm, I’m Meme Pep! Balm, and Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Lip Balm.

Are Korean lip balms good?

Korean lip balms are generally considered to be good because they are made with high-quality ingredients and are often formulated with natural extracts and oils. Korean lip balms are also known for their moisturizing and nourishing properties. If you are looking for a lip balm that will keep your lips hydrated and protected, then a Korean lip balm is a good option.

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Melissa Jane Lee

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