We Tested 25 Different Lip Masks — These 13 Left Our Lips Kissably Soft

From the consistency to the applicator and scent, our tester loved every aspect of using this mask. “It's the best of both worlds between a lip jelly and a cream without being too heavy nor too light,” they say. The luscious mask comes in five fun scents (including the original berry, which is our favorite), easily spreads with the included applicator wand and leaves a glossy sheen without feeling sticky or oily. 

Though it’s meant to be used overnight, the mask made a significant difference in our tester’s lips in just 30 minutes, thanks to its blend of vitamin C, shea butter, and other antioxidants. “I struggle with dry, parched, and crackly lips,” says our tester. “This mask left my lips feeling and looking extra juicy, soft and well-hydrated.” Securing perfect scores in every category, it’s no surprise that this mask has a cult following and is also a favorite with celebs, like Kendall Jenner.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Shea Butter | Size: 0.7 oz | Packaging: Jar

This adorable set is an incredible value because it comes with a day and night mask for the price of one. “The day mask feels smooth like a balm, while the night mask has more of a sticky texture,” describes our tester. Both masks left her lips hydrated, thanks to a blend of honey, beeswax, and vitamin E. The formulas also have mineral oil, which attracts moisture from the air and binds it into the skin to increase hydration. Since the balms didn’t leave too much of a gloss or sheen, our tester could see herself using them under a lipstick or stain for extra moisture. The honey dipper-shaped applicators are so cute, too, you’ll be wanting to apply these masks all day.

 Key Ingredients: Honey, Beeswax, Vitamin E | Size: 0.35 oz each | Packaging: Jar

To get the most out of your lip mask, Celebrity Master Esthetician Sarah Akram recommends first gently exfoliating your lips, especially if they are very dry and cracked. If you prefer to knock out two steps with one product, though, Fresh’s Sugar Recovery Lip Mask exfoliates and nourishes at the same time. The formula contains superfine sugar molecules that buff away dead skin, so the medley of moisturizing ingredients can deeply penetrate your lips. The hyaluronic acid draws in moisture while berry wax and shea butter act as a protective barrier to lock in the hydration. After 30 minutes, the mask left our tester’s lips noticeably more plump, hydrated, and restored.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter, Sugar | Size: 0.35 oz | Packaging: Jar

Certified by the Environmental Working Group and Leaping Bunny, Beautycounter’s lip treatment is a clean formula and free from any animal testing. Alternatively, it uses plant-based oils like jojoba to moisturize and antioxidants like vitamin E to reverse sun damage. “The calendula and chamomile oils create a sweet scent and a really nice sheen,” says our tester. “I love the way the gloss accentuates the natural pigment of my lips.”The conditioner left the tester’s lips feeling instantly hydrated without any sticky residue, too. If you’re looking for a way to get a clean, cruelty-free, and kissable smile, this is it.

Key Ingredients: Avocado Oil, Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil | Size: 0.4 oz | Packaging: Jar

If you want to smother your lips in the softest, smoothest cocoon, we recommend this lip butter from Kiehl’s. The formula contains mango butter and grapeseed oil, which our tester loves for its lightweight feel and high absorbency. “The mask was light as a feather and practically melted into my lips,” says our tester. The fragrance-free formula is extra gentle, too, and instantly soothed her inflammation. “My parched lips went from dry to the most supple lips ever,” she adds. Because of how quickly the treatment absorbs, it doesn’t easily rub off compared to others, meaning it will spend more time on your lips than your pillowcase. And with no glossy sheen, this butter can easily double as a daytime balm.

Key Ingredients: Mango Butter, Grapeseed Oil | Size: 0.35 oz | Packaging: Jar

Not everyone is a fan of having to dip their fingers into a little tub, so for easy, on-the-go moisture, reach for this lip treatment in a tube. The blend of shea butter and castor seed oil made our tester’s lips incredibly soft, smooth, and flake-free. Because the formula has a thicker consistency, it’s a little tacky — but that ensures its staying power. You can also apply the vegan, paraben-free treatment to other dry areas of your body, like your cuticles, for some extra TLC. Who doesn’t love a multitasking product?

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Castor Seed Oil | Size: 0.34 oz | Packaging: Tube

Related: The Best Cuticle Oils

You’ve probably heard of Aqua Bomb’s hydrating powers for your skin — this is the brand’s version for your lips. Just like water, the formula is lightweight, but still provides your lips with hours of moisture. “Even after eating, drinking, and hours passing by, the mask was still visible,” says our tester. “My lips felt very hydrated and supple.” The secret is superpower ingredients, including cica which helps soothe inflammation and rebuild the skin barrier, says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. Our tester loves the cute packaging and that a little of the product goes a long way, though she wishes the little jar came with an applicator for simpler scooping.

Key Ingredients: Cica, Shea Butter, Madecassoide | Size: 0.7 oz | Packaging: Jar

Why only moisturize your lips when you can also exfoliate and plump them with the same product? This mask has papaya enzymes which naturally dissolve dead skin so the moisturizing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, can penetrate deeper. According to Dr. Ward, because our lips are a very prominent part of our face, they take quite a beating from the elements; but regular use of this exfoliant can help reduce wrinkles, including along the lip contour. L-Ornithine Amino Acid, which works to plump the skin, helps to further minimize fine lines, too. Though the mask does have a slight tingly feeling, our tester didn’t find this uncomfortable. In fact, it became one of her favorite lip masks. “It feels very nourishing on the lips making them feel instantly softer and smoother,” she says. For even more hydration, the brand recommends applying a lip balm on top.

Key Ingredients: Papaya Enzymes, Hyaluronic Acid, L-Ornithine Amino Acid | Size: 1 oz | Packaging: Jar

Thanks to the smooth metal applicator, this mask soothes your lips on contact while keeping the application process hygienic. “The mask immediately melts into the lips, the texture is amazing, and my lips feel smooth and hydrated,” says our tester. The blend of various oils, radish seed extract, and antioxidants hydrates while further reducing loss of elasticity and sun damage. Our commerce writer Maya Gandara also swears by this mask to soothe her chronically-chapped lips, and says it instantly makes flakes and dry patches disappear. With its luxurious look and feel, you’ll want to keep this mask right on your nightstand.

Key Ingredients: Castor Oil, Abyssinian Oil, Jojoba Oil | Size: 0.5 oz | Packaging: Jar

Who doesn’t want to wake up with soft, plump lips? With this mask, you can. One of the main ingredients is squalane, which is praised for replenishing your skin’s moisture barrier while being lightweight and non-comedogenic. Another star ingredient is coconut oil, which according to board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., delivers anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties in the skin, Describing the mask as creamy and light, our tester says it made her lips look fuller and plumper. “It’s very hydrating and my lips immediately feel softer, smoother, and more hydrated,” they say. After using this mask, we now understand why it’s called beauty sleep.

Key Ingredients: Squalane, Coconut Oil | Size: 0.5 oz | Packaging: Tube

Anyone that’s a fan of Nars’ universally flattering Orgasm blush will rejoice knowing they can get the same color on their lips in a super-hydrating form. Besides imparting a subtle peachy sheen, the balm nourishes your lips with sunflower and echium oils as well as balloon vine, a tropical plant that soothes and replenishes dry skin. “My lips feel soft, nourished, and creamy,” says our tester. “When I removed the mask, my lips remained hydrated and smooth, too.” The cute millennial pink jar will look adorable coming out of your purse when you want to add a pop of color and moisturize your lips during the day. It’s important to note that the jar doesn’t come with an applicator, which our tester found slightly disappointing considering the price of the product.

Key Ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Echium Oil, Balloon Vine | Size: 0.33 oz | Packaging: Jar

Sometimes you need to pull out the big guns for some heavy-duty TLC. Likening the consistency to Vaseline, our tester found this mask thick and heavy, which she expected for a deep, overnight treatment. The vegan, cruelty-free formula combines hyaluronic acid and four plant-derived oils, including sweet almond oil, for deep nourishment. High in vitamin E and fatty acids, sweet almond oil is a jack of all trades, as it hydrates, slows signs of aging, reverses sun damage, and calms skin irritation. Our tester certainly saw the ingredients working. “After completely removing the mask, my lips felt smooth and soft,” they say. Infused with flavors of chamomile, honey, and vanilla, the mask is extra calming as you apply it before bed. Since it is so thick, our tester wishes the jar came with an applicator rather than having to waste some product on her fingers.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil | Size: 0.5 oz | Packaging: Jar

Loaded with vitamins, oils, and fatty acids, this mask brings your lips back to life, making them appear plumper by morning. Our tester says the pink jelly feels like Vaseline, and applies very smoothly with no stickiness. Coming with an applicator, it was easy to swipe across her lips and a little went a long way, meaning this jar will last you a while. Made from two different butters and fruit oils, the cocktail drenched our tester’s lips with hydration. “It feels extremely hydrating and my lips look softer and more moisturized,” she says. Though you are meant to use the mask overnight, even just 30 minutes gave our tester’s lips a decent boost.

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Illipe Seed Butter, Strawberry and Raspberry Seed Oils | Size: 0.5 oz | Packaging: Jar