Some balms lean on ingredients you might already know from skin care. The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm is a multi-use balm for lips, elbows and cuticles. Biossance Pro-Peptide Lip Perfector Balm in Blush Quartz pairs a peptide with hyaluronic acid, and the page promises 24-hour moisture. The INKEY List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm is made to plump over time without tingle or irritation, which I like for sensitive lips.

EADEM Le Chouchou in Butter Mochi is an unscented clear peptide balm with hibiscus acids that gently soften flaky skin. Moroccanoil Lip Balm in Moroccan Mint Tea has a transparent sheen and pairs argan oil with peptides. Farmacy Lip Smoothie in Pear Kiwi has vitamin C and peptides, with a clear glossy finish. rhode Peptide Lip Treatment in Watermelon Slice is a high shine glaze with peptide, shea butter and vitamin E. U Beauty The Plasma Lip Compound in Universal is a lip treatment that the brand says builds density and volume over four weeks.

A pairing tip: Farmacy says its balm can prime the lips or sit on top of lipstick as a gloss. That is a good trick with any of the clear ones here.

What I would skip: layering the glossy ones over the Cicaplast balm in the morning. Two slick layers make lipstick slide.

Not every balm needs a story. Nécessaire The Lip Balm has a clear, semi-gloss finish with niacinamide, ceramides, shea butter and mint oil, and the page says it is made without synthetic fragrance. indē wild Dewy Lip Treatment is a buttery balm with hyaluronic acid, peptides and squalane, with a high-shine finish. Topicals Slick Salve in Acai is a glossy balm with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, and the brand says a thick layer works overnight as a mask.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Lip Balm comes in a squeeze tube and promises comfort for up to eight hours. Farmacy Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm uses honey, beeswax and cupuacu butter, and can be a primer before color. Les Filles en Rouje Le Baume in Chéri is a tinted balm you can build from a sheer tint to lipstick-level color. MARA Hydrating Sea Silk Lip Balm in Soft Coral uses an algae complex and can be used as an overnight mask. Chanel Hydra Beauty Nourishing Lip Care is a restorative balm with Camellia oil.

What I would skip: a tinted balm like Rouje on very dry lips without a plain balm underneath. Prep first, then color.

Pick the balm around what your lips are doing. If they feel raw, start with the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast lip balm or Nutritic, because the pages describe them as light and non-greasy. If they are only dry, a squalane or peptide balm from the middle of this list is plenty. If you want color, go for Rouje or Iris&Romeo. Give any new balm a full week before you decide, and keep one plain tube by the bed. I would also keep a second tube in your bag for the day, so the first stays by the bed.