When Dr. Jessica Wu spoke with Today about the cure for chapped lips, it’s no surprise that she mentioned Lip Balm (especially one that includes SPF). She suggested that “if you're going to apply lip balm, don't just go for it in the daytime; apply it before bed, too. Look for ingredients like shea butter, glycerin or natural oils.”

And so, in our search for the best Lip Balms, that’s exactly what we did. We found lip balms that work great in the daytime (those are the ones with SPF), work great at night (those are the thicker and usually more expensive balms), and even ones that come with a little extra shine and color.

Now:

If you’re not currently using lip balm on a daily basis or if you’re unsatisfied with the one you currently have, what are you waiting for? Lip balm isn’t just for people who suffer from chapped lips or cold sores. In fact, lip balm works great as a general protectant from the sun, heat, dryness, and even from your own saliva.

Sounds crazy, right?

But according to Dr. Adam Friedman, “Your saliva contains enzymes designed to break down fats and proteins—basically, the stuff your lips are made of.”

Yikes.

Whether you’re reading this in the summer or the dead of winter, now is the perfect time to get on board with one of the best lip balms. You take such great care of your skin otherwise when you apply sunscreen, anti-aging creams, and other moisturizers. Your lips deserve just as good of treatment, if not better.

And for you ladies that want to give your pout a boost once you’ve found your best lip balm, check out Faveable’s picks for the best lip plumpers.