The beauty world is full of trends; while some are simply experimental and aimed at trying new products, others are backed by solid evidence. One such trend every beauty enthusiast should consider adding to their routine is lip masks.
While the lips may look and feel different, they are just as prone to cracking, dehydration, fine lines, and sun damage as other areas of the skin. As such, introducing the right lip product can give your lip that much-needed care.
Nonetheless, not all products are formulated equal. More often than not, it takes some trial and error to find the perfect formula you wouldn’t mind applying repeatedly. Thankfully, many people are obsessed with identifying the best products when it comes to skincare. Lip products are not left out, with the #lipbalm hashtag gaining over a billion views and engagements on TikTok.
What does this mean? Well, you don’t have to go through the stress of trial and error to find the perfect lip balm; several beauty TikTokers and estheticians have done the hard work for you. We’ll explore seven of the best and most trusted lip masks for soft, smooth lips. But first!
What is a Lip Mask?
Lip masks are gel-like treatments designed to hydrate and nourish your lips deeply. Often containing powerful moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and shea butter, lip masks work to soothe and plump the lips. Whether you prefer a quick 20-minute boost or a complete overnight transformation, there is a lip mask to suit any requirement.
That said, lip masks shouldn’t be confused with balms; while both offer similar benefits, masks are ultra-thick compared to balms. Also, unlike balms and other lip products like oils and glosses, masks are formulated to last longer, making them perfect for overnight beauty routines and extremely dry conditions.
What to Look For in Lip Masks
Lip masks are adept at providing hydration, so it comes as no surprise that they are formulated predominantly with emollients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, butter, and natural oils. But, as with face masks, some lip masks contain active ingredients to deliver more targeted results.
For instance, masks formulated to address flaking include exfoliating ingredients like AHAs or plant extracts. On the other hand, some products are formulated with collagen to address fine lines around the mouth and make the lips a lot more plump. Whichever lip mask you choose should depend on its composition and how well it suits individual needs.
The Best Lip Masks For Soft Smooth Lips
Exploring the range of lip care products available today can be overwhelming, with different products promising nourishment and hydration. Well, don’t fret; we’ve done the work for you. Discover our top seven lip masks that deliver overnight hydration and nourishment.
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Lip Mask
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Lip Mask is our first pick for soft, smooth lips. This hydrating leave-on lip mask is formulated with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and castor seed oil to provide comprehensive hydration and moisturization for even the driest lips. Its non-greasy and non-sticky finish also means the elf lip mask can be applied overnight and with other lip products for the best results.
Like every other e.l.f. SKIN product, the elf lip mask is also cruelty-free and vegan. It’s formulated without sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or any harsh ingredient, making it the perfect product for everyone. Simply apply a generous amount onto clean, dry lips with your finger or the spatula with the product.
LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask
Having explored tons of lip formulas, the Laneige lip sleeping mask stands out as a fan favorite, and for a good reason. This product strikes the perfect balance between a jelly and a cream, ensuring it doesn’t just hydrate but also makes the lips feel much more plump. Formulated with vitamin C, shea butter, and various fruit extracts, the Laneige lip mask does a great job of locking hydration and keeping the lip moisturized for as much as eight hours.
This overnight lip mask is super lightweight yet feels nourishing. You also don’t have to worry about the stickiness of most lip products. The lip mask also features a delicious range of flavors, including berry, gummy bear, mango, sweet candy, peppermint, and vanilla; there’s something for everyone.
Mario Badescu Lip Mask
Mario Badescu is known for its effective skincare products, and its lip mask is just as good. Touted as one of the more inventive night treatment lip products, the Mario Badescu Lip Mask combines botanical extracts and natural oils to deliver soft, hydrated lips by morning.
It’s also formulated with acai berries, rich in vitamins C and A, and fatty acids that protect the lips from sun damage and environmental stress. While it has a super thick texture, the lip mask features a unique consistency that blends perfectly into the lip, feels lightweight, and leaves a glossy finish. Mario Badescu Lip Mask is affordable and can be used anytime in the day or overnight.
Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask
The Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask is another product with a massive online following, praised for its ability to comfort, hydrate, and lock in moisture. It has an emollient texture that provides a non-sticky, pretty, and glossy finish.
The mask’s lightweight texture results from its glycerin and fatty acid composition, and it also contains squalene and vitamin E for its fantastic moisturizing properties. Tatcha lip mask is also free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and phthalates, so you don’t have to worry about adverse reactions.
W7 Super Sweet Dreams Lip Mask
W7 Super Sweet Dreams Lip Mask is a collection of flavored lip masks formulated to protect and nourish dry lips. Well known for its effectiveness in soothing dry, chapped lips, this lip mask delivers intense hydration, leaving your lips feeling soft and supple by morning.
Enriched with grape seed, coconut oils, and vitamin E, the W7 Super Sweet Lip Mask hydrates and offers additional antioxidant protection, protecting your lips from the effects of free radicals. What more? The mask has a lightweight consistency and gives off a sweet strawberry scent, making it the perfect product for overnight use.
Grace & Stella Lip Mask
Grace and Stella Lip Mask is a clean, vegan, paraben-free, and sulfate-free lip treatment, perfect for healing chapped, dry lips. Formulated with vitamin-rich shea butter and plant-derived ingredients like jojoba seed, this product delivers optimal lip moisture with a glossy, pretty pink finish.
Whether you apply it during the day or overnight, you can be sure to have soft and nourished lips with the Grace and Stella Lip Mask. Simply apply a generous layer alone on the lips or use it with lip color for shine.
Milani Rose Butter Lip Mask
Last on our list is the Milani Rose Butter Lip Mask. The product catches the eye with its rose-themed packaging that gives a touch of luxury. However, the Milani Rose Butter Lip Mask delivers impressive results beyond its elegant packaging, leaving lips hydrated and plump.
The lip mask has a rich, thick texture that glides smoothly onto the lips. Despite its thick consistency, it has a lightweight feel on the lips without any greasy residue. The subtle rose scent also adds that bit of luxury, making each application akin to a spa treatment. Its hydrating effect, pleasant scent, and packaging make it a standout product in an increasingly saturated lip treatment market.
How to Use a Lip Mask
Incorporating a lip mask into your beauty routine can be a game-changer, but while it might seem straightforward, maximizing the benefits of a lip mask requires a few key steps. First, always ensure your lips are clean and dry; you could choose to remove flakes with a gentle scrub for the best results.
Then, apply a generous amount of the mask before going to bed. Following up with a lip balm to lock in moisture is also good practice. Estheticians recommend incorporating a lip mask into your routine about two to three times weekly for the best results.
Achieving soft, hydrated lips is ultimately possible with the right overnight lip mask. From thick formulas to lightweight, scented products, the seven best lip masks we’ve explored offer various options to suit diverse needs and preferences.
Resources:
https://www.pinkvilla.com/select/best-overnight-lip-masks-1293462
https://www.allure.com/gallery/best-lip-mask
https://www.byrdie.com/best-lip-masks-4797536
