13 Best Makeup Artist-Approved Lip Balms To Treat Cold Sores (2024)
Find instant winter-time relief with the much-needed TLC from these lip care brands.
Shawnda Dorantes, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, is the founder and Master Injector at Beauty Lounge Medical Spa. She has 15 years of experience in the beauty industry and 13 years as a registered nurse.
Dorantes began her career as a Beauty Advisor for Estee Lauder.
Read full bio of Shawnda Dorantes
Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
Read full bio of Oyendrila Kanjilal
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 3 yearsEshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.
Read full bio of Eshna Das
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A frequent sign of a viral infection is cold sores, also called fever blisters. These blisters are filled with fluid and are noticed around the lips. The perfect solution to these painful and irritating blisters is using the best lips balms for cold sores. Cold sores are extremely contagious and may become inflammatory. However, using the right lip balms soothes the irritation and gives you some relief.
Scroll down to learn about the best medicated lip balms available online for treating those frustrating cold sores. Keep reading to know more!
In This Article
13 Best Lip Balms For Cold Sores Treatment (2024)
1. Best With Natural Ingredients:Burt’s Bees Medicated Moisturizing Lip Balm
The Burt’s Bees Medicated Lip Balm is infused with organic butter and natural oil from eucalyptus that relieves pain and itching from fever blisters and cold sores. The 100% natural formula moisturizes and renews your lips. The melting butter in this organic lip balm helps get rid of dead skin cells gently and makes your lips kissably soft and plump. The refreshing aroma of eucalyptus and methanol is a perfect companion to the soothing and cooling sensation. Shawnda Dorantes, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, adds, “Eucalyptus is an essential oil that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can make it a potentially effective treatment for cold sores. However, it is important to note that there is limited research on the use of eucalyptus oil specifically for cold sores.” Click on the video for an honest review of the Burt’s Bees Medicated Moisturizing Lip Balm.
Pros
- 100% natural ingredients
- Moistening and softening
- Provides a cooling effect
- Natural fragrance
- Fast-acting
Cons
- None
Pro TipWear this lip balm beneath matte lipstick to avoid drying out of your lips and to keep them nourished.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With 25,122 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.
2. Best Hypoallergenic:Dan’s CortiBalm Lip Balm
The Dr. Dan’s Lip Balm is formulated with 1% hydrocortisone that provides relief from dry, chapped lips. This scientifically formulated medicated lip balm is a dermatologically-tested formula that offers protection from fever blisters and cold sores. It has healing properties that help reduce swelling, itching, and redness. The infused natural oils with beeswax protect the hydrating barrier and seal moisture. The lip balm is hypoallergenic, perfect for most skin disorders, and proven to deliver good results.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Gentle on sensitive skin type
- Dermatologocally-approved
- Reduce irritation
- Promotes faster healing
Cons
-
- May not be suitable for lip eczema
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is so liked by shoppers that it has gained over 6,421 great reviews on Amazon.
3. Best Medicated:Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment
The Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment contains four active ingredients that provide relief from pain, itching, lip sores, and blisters. It contains 0.5% camphor, 1.1% dimethicone, 0.625% methanol, and 0.5% phenol that soothe soreness. Shawnda Dorantes, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, adds, “Dimethicone is a silicone-based ingredient that is commonly found in skincare and cosmetic products. It is primarily used as an emollient and skin protectant due to its ability to form a protective barrier on the skin. While there is limited research on the use of dimethicone specifically for cold sores, it is possible that it could provide some benefits.
The antibacterial, antifungal properties, and the healing effect of camphor relieve skin irritation and itchiness. The moisturizing and emollient base in the clinically-proven Blistex Lip Ointment prevents painful cracking of lips and seals hydration. It also heals dry, chapped lips, and improves the overall lip condition. Apply this lip balm five minutes before applying any lip colors. The video will help you to decide if you want to buy Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment.
Pros
- Deep penetration
- Healsdry, chapped lips
- Softens lip cells
- Emollient base
- Clinically-proven
- Elevates lip moisture
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 5,279 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.
| Burt’s Bees Medicated Moisturizing Lip Balm Best With Natural Ingredients | Dan’s CortiBalm Lip Balm Best Hypoallergenic | Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment Best Medicated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Medicated | Cream White | Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment 0.21 Oz (Pack of 2) |
| Skin Type | All | Dry | Sensitive |
| Dimensions | 2.78 x 0.75 x 4.45 inches | 5 x 4 x 2 inches | 6 x 6 x 10 inches |
| Weight | 0.01 Ounces. | 0.14 Ounces | 0.4 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 25,122 | 6,421 | 5,279 |
| Price | $8.49 | $16.5 | $4.0 |
4. Best For Fast Relief:Quantum Health Lip Clear Lysine+ Lip Care Ointment
The Quantum Health Lip Clear Lysine+ Lip Care Ointment reduces healing time. It also alleviates soreness, pain, and redness associated with cold sores and blisters. The soothing, moisturizing, and cooling ingredients are effective in providing quick relief from pain and itching. The innovative science-based formula contains methanol, lysine, calendula, olive oil, propolis, and zinc oxide.
Lysine is a well-researched amino acid that suppresses the activity of arginine, which is a common trigger for the development of cold sores and blisters. Calendula and methanol are calming and soothing ingredients that heal irritated skin. Olive oil provides moisturizing benefits. Zinc oxide is a healing ingredient that inhibits viral replication and promotes rapid recovery. This award-winning brand provides instant relief from burning and itching and reduces symptoms after 3 days. It is tested by the reviewers and has proven to give positive results.
Pros
- Provides fast relief
- Cuts down healing time
- Clinically tested
- Alleviates cold sore outbreaks
Cons
-
- Expensive
Did You Know?Lip Clear Lysine+ Ointment received the Essential Supplements Award from Taste for Life Magazine in 2017.
5. Best With Cooling Effect:BlistexLip Medex Lip Balm
The BlistexLip MedexBalm restores moisture balance and relieves sore lips. It is formulated with camphor, methanol, beeswax, lanolin, castor seed oil, organic shea butter, and cocoa seed butter. The nut butter is an excellent emollient that is readily absorbed in the skin and leaves your lips feeling soft, smooth, and plump. The medicated and botanical extracts deliver a noticeable and immediate cooling action from the hot, itching sensation of sore lips. The healing formula provides a natural barrier that helps lip cells maintain the moisture balance.
Pros
- Provides fast relief
- Alleviates dryness
- Cooling effect
- Maintains moisture balance
Cons
- None
6. Best Moisturizing: DocoShield Cold Sore Prevention Lip Balm
The DocoShieldLip Balm is designed to give complete relief from cold sores. It is formulated with 10%docosanol, which makes it a perfect lip balm for protecting healthy cells from being affected by the virus. It effectively stops viral cell replication by halting their growth and spread. It contains moisturizing botanical extracts and jojoba oil that seal hydration and keep your lips stay healthy and plump for long. Using this medicated lip balm regularly can prevent cold sore outbreaks as it provides a cool and soothing sensation to sore lips. It is smooth in texture and lightly scented. It makes you feel fresh and rejuvenated. From the reviewer’s experience and after testing, it is known to provide good results.
Pros
- Highly moisturizing
- Can be used daily
- Helps prevent virus spread
Cons
-
- Texture could be too waxy
Did You Know?Docosanol, a key ingredient in DocoShield Cold Sore Prevention Lip Balm, is one of the only FDA-approved OTC medication available for treating cold sores.
7. Best Antimicrobial:Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Lip Rescue
Desert Essence is a therapeutic-grade lip balm formulated with eco-harvest tea tree oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E. The comforting and moisturizing botanical extracts soothe soreness and all eviate the redness and inflammation caused by cold sores. The tea tree oil is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. It targets bacteria and hinders their growth, reducing inflammation. The emollient and natural beauty of aloe vera redefines the skin and offers cooling effects. The beeswax softens and protects dry, cracked lips. The cooling flavor of spearmint and peppermint offers further relief from the burning sensation.
Pros
- Antimicrobial
- Non-GMO
- 100% vegan
- Paraben-free
- No added fragrances or colors
- TEA/MEA/DEA-free
Cons
-
- Texture could be too grainy
8. Best For Sun Protection:Herpecin-L Lip Balm
The Herpecin-L Lip Balm provides real relief from fever blisters, cold sores, and dry, chapped skin. It is enriched with antioxidants like lysine, vitamins B6, C, and E, and lemon balm. It comes with SPF 30. Lysine hinders the growth of bacteria while the vitamins and lemon balm calm, soothe, cool, and soften chapped lips. The lip balm provides long-lasting relief from cracked lips, cold sores, sun exposure, and fever blisters. It is non-waxy and easy to apply.
Pros
- Fast-acting
- Natural ingredients
- Offers sun protection
- Non-waxy formula
Cons
- None
9. Best Hydrating:Christopher’s Cold Sore Relief Lip Balm
Image: Christopher’s Dr. Christopher’s Cold Sore Relief Lip Balm helps heal lip soreness. The hydrating formula has golden seal root, garlic bulb, skullcap herb, olive oil, and beeswax. The golden seal root helps reduce inflammation when applied to rashes and ulcers. The balm helps reduce infection and itching. The natural antiseptic properties of the balm soothe the tingling sensation and heal blisters and cold sores. Garlic has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties that halt bacterial growth and improve blood circulation. The moisturizing benefits of olive oil leave the lips appearing kissably soft, smooth, and plumped.
Pros
- Antimicrobial
- Natural ingredients
- Soothes soreness
Cons
- None
10. Best Nourishing Formula:Urban ReLeaf Lemon Balm & Lysine Extreme Lip Defense
The Urban ReLeaf Lip Defense Balm is formulated with a gentle and soothing formula that suppresses cold sores and future breakouts. It is made with 100% natural lemon balm and lysine that quickly heal, soothe, and protect the irritated skin. Lysine helps build collagen in the skin. It helps treat cold sores and improves skin elasticity and firmness. Lemon balm is a powerful herbal remedy that possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It has calming, soothing, healing, and tightening properties. Zinc oxide speeds up the healing process. This invigorating, nourishing formula is safe and effective for daily use to rejuvenate skin on the lips.
Pros
- 100% natural ingredients
- Heals and soothes lip skin
- Suppresses future outbreaks
- Acts as a deep moisturizing base
- Fast-acting
Cons
-
- Texture could be too gritty
11. Best With Natural Minerals:Carmex Cold Daily Care Lip Balm
The Carmex Cold Daily Care Lip Balm soothes, smoothens, softens, and protects delicate lip skin. It has octinoxate and oxybenzone, which act as potent sunscreens to protect your lips from environmental aggressors. The moisture shield helps hide redness with a blend of natural minerals. It is a clinically-proven and dermatologically-tested formula to alleviate itch and pain in case of damaged skin.
Pros
- Soothing and protecting
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen
- Natural minerals
- Absorbs easily
- Dermatologically-tested
Cons
- None
12. Best For Overnight Treatment:Carmex Classic Lip Balm
The Carmex Classis Lip Balm is a blessing for your lips. It has a slightly greasy texture, but you can use it as a lip mask at night. . You will wake up to the softest, most rejuvenated lips! The nourishing ingredients help moisturize, protect, heal, and keep your lips hydrated.
Pros
- Works best with just one use
- Treats chapped lips
Cons
- None
13. Best Anti-Inflammatory: Abreva Cold Sore Cream + Chapstick Moisturizer Lip Care Package
The Abreva Lip Care Package contains Cold Sore Cream and Chapstick that keep the lips smooth and healthy. The FDA-approved antiviral cold sore cream contains 10% docosanol, which helps treat a recurring cold sore. It is clinically proven to inhibit the development of cold sores. It reduces the healing time by penetrating deeply and blocking the virus that causes cold sores. Docosanol also helps mitigate cold sore symptoms, such as pain, tingling, itching, and burning. The chapstick moisturizer keeps the lips healthy-looking and smooth. It is enriched with moisturizing ingredients like aloe and vitamin E oil. This nourishing lip balm with SPF forms a protective barrier to prevent moisture loss and chapping skin. It comes with SPF 15, which protects your lips from harmful UV rays. This chapstick glides smoothly on your lips, delivering long-lasting relief from dryness.
Pros
- FDA-approved
- Tasteless
- SPF 15
- Contains moisturizing ingredients
- Long-lasting
- Promotes quick healing
Cons
- None
Applying a lip balm for cold sores moisturizes your lips and relieves you from pain or irritation as it forms a protective layer on your lips. However, not all lip balms are created equally. There are many different types, some with more benefits than others. The following buying guide will help you understand how to buy the best lip balms for cold sore treatment.
How To Choose The Best Lip Balms To Treat Cold Sores – Buying Guide
- 100% natural ingredients
To treat cold sores, look for a lip balm made with 100% natural ingredients, including fruit extract or natural oils. It should have no chemicals or preservatives added and should preferably be tested by a board certified dermatologist. Natural ingredients are hypoallergenic, which doesn’t harm your lips. Choose a lip balm with a high concentration of active ingredients that provide long-lasting healing and fast acting effect on cold sores.
- Smooth application
A lip balm must provide a smooth application without leaving a greasy residue. A good quality lip balm gets you smooth and soft lips with easy application. When applied to your lips, your lip balm must be easy to use without causing any pain or burning sensation.
- Long-lasting
Be sure to get a lip balm with long-lasting moisturizing effects. Look for lip balms that offer intense hydration and long-lasting relief against sore lips. A good lip balm shall also prevent sore lips from forming.
- Provides fast relief
Choose a lip balm that provides immediate relief and fast healing of damaged skin. When you apply the balm, the sore will instantly feel better. Getting a lip balm that does the job as fast as possible is essential.
- Hydrating and moisturizing
Apart from providing relief, a lip balm should also nourish and moisturize the lips. It will make the lips feel soft during and after. Choose a lip balm with nourishing oils, butter, other common ingredients that prevent chapping of the lips.
These are the 13 best lip balms that provide soothing relief when you have cold sores. In the following section, we will understand more about cold sores.
What Is A Cold Sore?
A cold sore or Herpes labialisis a painful blister that is caused by the herpes virus. It is typically formed on one side of the lips. It is a fluid-filled blister that can easily break open when you talk, laugh, or chew. The fluid oozes out and may create a wound as well as a scar (1).
It is important to note the symptoms of cold sores and get them checked as soon as possible and use an appropriate product to treat the same. The next section discusses some common symptoms that accompany cold sores.
What Are The Symptoms Of Cold Sores?
- Painful blisters
- Mild fever
- Muscle aches
- Severe wounds
- Tingling and itching
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Swollen lymph nodes
You must be wondering how a lip balm can ease the pain associated with cold sores. We have covered that in the following section.
Why Use Lip Balms For Cold Sores?
Cold sores are highly contagious and can spread easily. Lip balms are the easiest, cheapest, and travel-friendly options that can be used along with proper medication. The natural formula with active ingredients helps soften, hydrate, and nourish the chapped, painful lips. These blisters can cause pain while healing. Using lip balms is a faster way to heal chapped lips as they offer a soothing and cooling sensation.
Infographic: Cold Sore Lip Balm: Things To Look For And Ingredients
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are a common symptom of a viral illness. These blisters contain fluid and are seen around the lips. Cold sores are very infectious and may develop inflammation. Using the finest lip balms made specifically for cold sores can help relieve irritation and provide some comfort.
The infographic below lists the ingredients and things to look for in cold sore lip balm. Check it out! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Viral infections like cold sores or fever blisters are fluid-filled sacs around the lips that easily break open. The fluid that oozes out is extremely contagious and can inflame the affected area. Medicated lip balms contain antiseptic properties and also provide deep hydration to the lips, help soften the sores, reduce irritation, and heal cracked lips. The Burt’s Bees Medicated Moisturizing Lip Balm is made with natural ingredients, offering fast-acting relief, while the Dan’s CortiBalm Lip Balm is suitable for sensitive lips and aids in deeper healing of the lips. The Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment offers intense cooling action to cater to sore and irritated lips. These lip balms are hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and dermatologically tested. However, some products may have a sticky texture and are too waxy or grainy. So, read the reviews well before making a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are chapsticks good for treating cold sores?
Chap sticks that are formulated with natural moisturizing ingredients with medicinal properties can help treat cold sores.
How do you treat cold sores on your lips fast?
Severe cold sores need medical attention. Cold sores that are not so severe can be treated by using medicated lip balms. You can also use a cold compress for relief from the pain and burning sensation.
Should you throw away a lip balm after treating a cold sore?
Lip balm should always be kept in your bags. It is the easiest and quickest way to moisturize dry, chapped lips. You can continue to use it even after treating your cold sore.
What lip balms are good for cold sores?
Lip balms that calm the soreness and nourish dry lips are good for inhibiting cold sores. You can opt for the Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment, a clinically proven lip balm to ease cold sores.
What’s the best thing to put on a cold sore on your lip?
You can apply the following products to your lips during a cold sore.
• Aloe vera gel
• Lemon lip balm
• Sunscreen
• Icepack
• Lysine
• Petroleum jelly
What gets rid of cold sores overnight?
You can take medicines such as ibuprofen or apply lip care products such as lip balms or aloe vera gel to reduce the pain of a cold sore.
Should you keep a cold sore, moist, or dry?
You should apply creams, balms, and gels to your lips to prevent flare-ups. So, maintaining a warm, moist environment during a cold sore will treat it quickly.
Are chapsticks good for treating cold sores?
Yes, chapsticks are effective in treating cold sores as they moisturize the lips and help prevent further flare-ups.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a certified skin care coach and loves to provide well-researched articles for her readers. She conducts her research online by checking various user feedback and reviews to provide you with the list of the best lip balms for cold sores. Apart from providing a cooling effect, these lip balms also renew your lips, making them soft and plumpy.
Read full bio of Shawnda Dorantes
Read full bio of Oyendrila Kanjilal
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