10 Best Tinted Lip Balms in the Philippines 2021 - Buying Guide Reviewed By Dermatologist

Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is also a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila.

She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.

From barely there sheens to high pigmentation, here are the best tinted lip balms guaranteed to prettify your pout while moisturizing them.

Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.

Tinted lip balms are great for everyday makeup looks as it is not too heavy but it can give you a natural look that is subtly made up, without being too overpowering. 

This can come in handy in today’s quarantine setup, when you want to look put together but don’t want to go overboard, especially since you’ll be wearing face masks most of the time anyway.

If you’re a beginner to makeup, you can opt for tinted lip balms if you’re not ready to take the plunge to other pigmented lip products, as it can give you a wash of color while nourishing your lip at the same time. Some have buildable formulas that you can repeatedly apply if you want more color that’s still subtle. 

Tinted lip balms have evolved and can give as much pigmentation as regular lipsticks. Here’s what you should keep in mind before buying. 

Tinted lip balms can come in retractable tubes or in those little pots or tubs. Both are portable enough to bring along anywhere, so it comes down to a matter of your preference.

Tube types are convenient for when you are on the go as you can use it like a regular lipstick, and it is more hygienic because you apply it directly to your lips. A tub is more environment friendly as the container is reusable and you are able to control the amount of product you need. 

A lip balm’s main purpose is to provide nourishment to your lips, so you should select products that will moisturize your pout and keep it from drying out. Ingredients such as shea butter can help heal chapped lips, as well as keep it soft and subtle.

Coconut and jojoba oil help keep the skin moist and form a layer around it to seal in the moisture. Vitamin E can help maintain soft and supple lips by slowing down aging and is good for protecting your lips against dry weather conditions. 

Your lips have thin skin, making it more susceptible to damage from UV rays as it lacks barriers like oil and sweat glands to protect it. If you regularly go out in the sun, you risk your lips getting sunburned or chapped as they dry out faster.

Ideally, your lip balm should contain SPF 30, however this can be tricky as majority of lip products range from SPF 15 - 20. In any case, try to select products that contain sunscreen in them to provide added layer of protection to your lips. 

Some lip balms only have a hint of color, while others are more pigmented, like a regular lipstick. Depending on the look that you want to go for, try to select products that are pigmented enough for you not to apply other products on your lips.

After all, the point of a tinted lip balm is to be an alternative for lipsticks, lip tints, and whatnot. This would defeat the purpose of using tinted lip balms if you’re going to add different products. 

Tinted lip balms don’t have to mean selecting standout colors, choose tones that will flatter you as it is meant to give off a natural look, think “my lips but better”.

Opt for shades that have a hint of pink in them for a subtle daytime look that is work appropriate. If you have deep skin tone, you can go for balms with an orange hue to suit your sun-kissed glow.

The nice thing about tinted lip balms is that they go on quite sheer and not as pigmented as lipsticks, so you can freely pick any shade without worrying if it won’t complement you. 

Tired of having a flaky pout? Here are ways you can get rid of dry, chapped lips for a smooth pucker.

Are you guilty of licking your lips when they feel dry? If you want to reduce chapped lips, you should avoid licking your lips because it makes them drier. This is because your saliva contains digestive enzymes that can break down your lip’s delicate skin.

This can make them drier and more vulnerable to dry air, and may even cause your skin to bleed. Instead of licking your lips, apply a lip balm instead to moisturize your lips. 

To prevent your lips from getting chapped, reapply it every so often. This also prevents you from licking your lips or picking at the dry skin. Be careful though, not to go overboard.

Generally you should apply lip balm in the morning, after eating or drinking, and at night before bed to seal in moisture. 

One way to get rid of flaky lips is to exfoliate them. But be careful not to overdo it. You should only exfoliate your lips about once or twice a week to avoid irritating them. You can purchase lip scrubs or create your own to slough off dead skin cells and reveal soft lips underneath.

Start with clean and dry lips; make sure it is free of any product. Use a lip scrub and rub it in circular motions on your lips. Take care not to be too harsh with your movements as it could break the skin. Wash or wipe off the product and apply lip balm afterwards. 

This part of the article features Dr. Katrina Luz's answers to some of the internet's most asked questions!

Not necessarily! It all boils down to the formulation of the lip balm. Read the label to know what you're getting out of the lip balm. If in doubt, Ask Your Derma!

1. By staining the skin with a solution of dyes that penetrates the outer layer of the lip skin
2. By covering the lips with a colored layer, which hides any skin roughness. 

So in a sense, yes they do stain the lips. But lip balms now are also surprisingly very easy to remove and wash off.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, some ingredients to avoid when your lips are chapped include camphor, eucalyptus, fragrance, lanolin, menthol, octinoxate or oxybenzone, phenol (or phenyl), propyl gallate, and salicylic acid.

1. Patch test! Try out the lip balm and see if you develop a reaction to any of the ingredients in it.
2. Choose what suits you!

Now that you’ve been acquainted with tinted lip balms, here are other lip products you can check out if you want a bolder pout. 

Subtly enhance your look with tinted lip balms; they are a great alternative for lipsticks as they provide the same function but with the added benefit of moisturizing your lips. It’s a great way to enhance your natural lip color in a subtle way.

Author: Justine Cuizon

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