At some point in our lives, we’ve all been devoted to a lip balm. Whether you’re a Vaseline veteran or strictly SPF, there are hundreds on the market to choose from. And while some pass lip balms off as a marketing ploy, they actually need to be a staple part of your beauty arsenal.

Dr Anjali Mahto, Consultant Dermatologist at Skin55 and author of The Skincare Bible: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Great Skin, confirms that a good lip balm should be an essential part of your everyday skincare routine, especially in summer. She says, “The skin on your lips is significantly thinner than that on the rest of your body - during the summer months it is more susceptible to the damage caused by UVA and UBV rays. A good lip balm can help with loss of surface moisture too.”

As well protecting your lips, balms are very on trend, too. Natural beauty is making a serious come-back, with many of us learning to embrace our freckled faces and bushy brows. So, a subtly tinted hydrating lip balm is about to become our new beach-bag-best-friend.

With all of this in mind, the lip balm has had a serious makeover with the chicest packaging to date. Here, we pick of the must-have lip balms this summer… 

Burt’s Bees BBTB Strawberry Lip Balm (limited-edition) 

Burt’s Bees beeswax lip balm is renowned for its natural ingredients and hydrating formula. So what’s new this time? The limited-edition Strawberry Lip Balm supports the #bringbackthebees campaign; for every lip balm sold 5,000 bee-friendly wildflower seeds will be planted. A no brainer? We think so.

£3.99, amazon.co.uk

NARS Orgasm Afterglow Lip Balm

The new NARS Orgasm range introduces the Orgasm Afterglow lip balm – and we are sold. With a subtle wash of universally skin-complimenting pink, this hydrating best-friend will quench thirsty-looking lips and will compliment even the most minimal make-up look.

£22, narscosmetics.co.uk

Shiseido UV Lip Colour Splash 

SPF lip balms (although very important) can have a tendency to leave your lips looking a little like they belong to the Snow Queen. Shiseido have considered almost 300 raw materials in their UV Lip Colour Splash to prevent this white-lip problem. Weightless, fresh, and with a promising protection of SPF 30, this holiday essential is ticking all the right boxes.

£23, johnlewis.com 

Guerlain Terracotta Kiss Delight 

In true Guerlain style, their new luscious addition contains a half balm, half gloss formula in three different shades. Hyaluronic acid not only gives instant moisture but subtly plumps your lips to leave them fuller. Your new companion for long summer nights.

£24, houseoffraser.co.uk

Tom Ford Lumiere Lip

If the classic chic packaging of Tom Ford was not enough to entice you, then the perfectly customized glow of the Lumiere Lip will. With the papaya coloured balm reacting to your lips’ natural Ph, this balm creates a wash of colour based on your skins natural undertones. Look no further for your perfect natural lip-glow.

£36, johnlewis.com

Givenchy Le Rouge Perfecto

The Givenchy Le Rouge Perfecto became a crowd favourite after its original launch in 2016. With a 3-in-1 formula of moisture, lip care and unique colouring, Givenchy have launched three new shades. Our favourite? No4 Blue Pink for a punchy pout-worthy plum.

£28, givenchybeauty.com (available from August 2018)

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balm 

If you’re looking for the ultimate lip balm upgrade, then take a moment for Chanel’s newest addition. Available in three shades (light, medium and deep), the sheer wash of colour from these balms will instantly freshen up your whole look. Enriched with moringa butter, this lip balm is the ultimate moisture surge your lips need.

£31, chanel.com

Main image: Getty