Some lips need more than a simple balm, especially after a cold or a long flight. Peptide and ceramide lip treatments go a step further, helping lips feel smoother and look fuller over time.

Allies of Skin Peptide & Ceramide Repair Lip Balm does exactly what the name promises. ANFISA AN-GLOSS is a ceramide lip treatment with a glossy finish. Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Gloss Balm uses three peptides to smooth lines. LANEIGE Flush Pop is a clear peptide gloss that plumps and brings out your natural color. EADEM Le Chouchou in Butter Mochi is an unscented, clear peptide balm made to soften dry, flaky lips. Dermaclara Peptide Infused Lip Serum is a light serum for under a balm. Kopari Tri-Peptide Lip Oil is shiny and soft, and Tatcha The Melting Lip Balm in Sheer Red melts into an oil with a hint of color.

Pairing tip: put a peptide treatment on at night and a plain balm in the morning. The treatment works while you sleep, the balm protects during the day.

What I would skip: a peptide gloss on badly cracked lips. It can sting. Start with a plain balm for a few days, then add the treatment once lips have healed a little.

A multi-use balm is the most useful thing you can keep in a bag. These work on lips, cheeks, cuticles and any dry patch, so they replace three or four other products.

Kate McLeod The Everywhere Stick is made with four plant butters and is exactly what it says. Dior Le Baume uses hyaluronic acid and comes in a pretty tin. Gucci Baume Nourrissant Universel is a rich, all-over balm. CHANEL N°1 Lip and Cheek Balm adds a flush of color to lips and cheeks. Olio E Osso Lip, Cheek & Lid Balm in Apricot is a soft color for three places at once. Luna Daily The Nip and Lip Balm has a cooling tip and is gentle enough for very sensitive skin. Dore Le Baume is an all-in-one balm, and Erbaviva Lip & Cheek Balm is soft and simple.

How to use them: warm a little between your fingers and press it onto cuticles, dry elbows and the sides of your nose. Then swipe what is left on your lips.

What I would skip: using a tinted multi-use balm near your eyes if it is not labeled for lids. Stick to the ones made for that, like the Olio E Osso.

Keep the ordinary lip balm by your bed, a simple SPF balm in your coat and a multi-use stick in your bag. Add a peptide treatment at night if your lips feel rough or look thin. That covers every situation from a commute to a flight. The best lip balms are the ones you actually use, so pick textures you like and put them where you will see them. Replace any balm that smells odd or has been open for more than a year, and wash your hands before dipping into any pot. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Dr. Squatch Lip Balm and Other No Fuss Balms and Aquaphor Lip Balm and the Thick Repair Balms to Pair With It.