10 Best Tinted Lip Balms 2024 for Sheer Tints, Tested & Reviewed

Hyaluronic acid

This humectant is arguably the most popular hydrator in skin care. Doris Day, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure that hyaluronic acid is “great at holding water and giving skin resilience and firmness.” She also noted that, while injecting hyaluronic acid into the deeper layers of the skin will provide the most effective results and help restore lost volume, this ingredient is quite beneficial as a topical. “When used in creams, lotions, and serums, it can also do wonders for rejuvenation and hydration,” she said.

Shea butter

While humectants like hyaluronic acid actually bind water to the surface layer of the skin, emollients like shea butter act as a seal to prevent moisture loss while reducing roughness and flaking. “Shea butter is rich in essential fatty acids, making it an excellent emollient for the skin, helping to simultaneously moisturize and protect against water loss,” Kim Nichols, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Greenwich, Connecticut, previously told Allure. Dr. Nichols added that shea butter is also a great source of vitamins A (also known as retinol) and E, two antioxidants that soothe and soften irritated, dry, and itchy skin. “This combination of powerhouse ingredients makes shea butter an ideal ingredient to help soothe symptoms of common skin-care conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis, to name a few,” she says.

Jojoba oil

Despite having “oil” in its name, jojoba oil is relatively lightweight. “Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax, which is why it feels less greasy on skin compared to oils,” cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson and founder of BeautyStat previously told Allure. Unlike most oils, jojoba oil is mainly composed of fatty acids, alcohol, and hydrocarbons. According to Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, jojoba oil’s composition is what gives its moisturizing properties a light texture that won’t clog pores as easily as other oils. “It acts as both a humectant to draw moisture in and an emollient that softens and smoothes the skin,” she said.

What’s the difference between tinted lip balms and lip tints?

They may have similar names but tinted lip balms focus on moisture replenishment while lip tints and stains provide more potent color. Though not every lip stain can be considered a moisturizing balm, Cincinnati, Ohio-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos previously told Allure that, depending on composition, just about any lip product can act as a tint. “The color additives are the primary determinant of whether a color actually stains the lips,” she says. “It’s really about the chemistry of the color additives that contribute to staining, so balms, glosses, and lipsticks can all be lip stains.”

Meet the experts

• Doris Day, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist,
• Kim Nichols, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Greenwich, Connecticut
• Ron Robinson, a cosmetic chemist and founder of skin-care brand BeautyStat
• Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Kelly Dobos, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based cosmetic chemist

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.