19 Must-Buy Lip Balms in Japan: Tinted, Moisturizing, and Sunscreen Varieties

Do Japanese lip balms expire?

According to Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, cosmetics that don't deteriorate within three years of manufacture generally don't require an expiration date on the packaging.

To prolong the life of your lip balm, however, avoid storing it in hot, humid places or in direct sunlight, and keep it sealed. Once opened, use it quickly as exposure to air can degrade its quality.

4 popular lip balms rated by Japan's beauty website @cosme

Many people rely on @cosme, Japan's largest beauty review site, for the latest beauty trends. Every year, @cosme ranks skincare and makeup products based on user reviews. Let's take a look at some top-rated lip balms in Japan that you’ll want to add to your must-buy list.

Canmake: Plump Lip Care Scrub

Canmake's Plump Lip Care Scrub removes dead skin and moisturizes without the need for rinsing or wiping. Containing seven carefully selected moisturizing ingredients, it forms a protective film on the lips, preventing dryness and maintaining moisture for long-lasting plump and hydrated lips.

The honey-like sugar scrub particles in the lip balm dissolve instantly upon contact with the lips, gently removing aged keratin and easily improving dry and dull lips.

Revlon: Kiss Sugar Scrub

Revlon's Kiss Sugar Scrub has a dual function of lip care and exfoliation. It gently removes lip keratin with sugar microparticles and moisturizes the lips with three fruit oils including pomegranate seed oil. It can be used for lip care during both day and night, providing long-lasting plumpness and moisture. It's also suitable as a base before applying lipstick and leaves a fresh mint scent when applied.

Dior: Lip Maximizer

Dior's Lip Maximizer makes your lips soft and full with just one application. It contains hyaluronic acid plumping micro-pearls to enhance moisture. Available in multiple colors, it can be used as a lip gloss on its own or as a base for lip makeup, giving your lips a plump and glossy look.

Curél: Moisture Lip Care Balm

Curél's Moisture Lip Care Balm contains a moisturizing ceramide that enhances moisture and protection for the delicate lip skin, restoring it to a soft, plump state. With an anti-inflammatory agent, it effectively soothes dry, peeling lips. It's perfect for daily use and as a lipstick base.

8 fragrance-free and medicated clear lip balms

Clear, colorless lip balms are suitable for all occasions, whether you're out or at home. They're handy for both daily lip care and makeup application. Get to know Japan’s eight bestselling varieties.

Pola: B.A Lip Serum

Pola's B.A Lip Serum contains a complex moisturizing component and essence, that enhance lip elasticity for a fuller, three-dimensional appearance. Its lightweight formula provides ample hydration, even for sensitive lips, while forming a thick moisturizing barrier for a soft, plump feel.

DHC: Medicated Lip Cream

DHC's Medicated Lip Cream, made with olive essence oil and natural plant ingredients, is lightweight and non-sticky, providing excellent coverage and hydration. One application repairs and moisturizes dry lips, keeping them hydrated all day. It can be used before and after makeup to prevent dryness and add a natural shine.

There's also a medicated Sensitive Lip Cream and one for extra moisture, so make sure to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Curél: Moisture Lip Care Cream

Curél's Moisture Lip Care Cream is formulated for the delicate skin of the lips, featuring a moisturizing ceramide that boosts hydration and protection. It includes an anti-inflammatory agent to soften and plump dry, peeling lips. Ideal for daily use and as a lipstick base.

Chanel: Hydra Beauty Nutrition Nourishing Lip Care

Chanel's Hydra Beauty Nutrition Nourishing Lip Care contains the moisturizing component Camellia Extract PFA, providing deep moisturization and repair for delicate lip skin, intensively nourishing dry and damaged areas to create moisturized and plump lips. Just a light application daily is enough, but for particularly dry lips, apply a thick layer at night for renewed soft and moist lips the next day.

Mentholatum: Water Lip UV

Mentholatum's Water Lip UV contains super hyaluronic acid and collagen as moisturizing ingredients, helping to lock in moisture for a long time and protect the lips from dryness and UV damage, creating a plump and moist effect. This lip balm is fragrance-free, gently caring for your lips.

Nivea: Deep Moisture Lip Balm

Nivea's Deep Moisture Lip Balm contains natural moisturizing ingredients like royal jelly extract and olive oil. Its smooth texture easily covers the lips, preventing dryness and maintaining long-lasting moisture. It also contains UV protection ingredients, vitamin E, and glycyrrhizic acid dipotassium to help prevent lip roughness and cracking. The product feels light and non-sticky, and can be used as a base for lipstick.

Aesop: Cedar & Citrus Lip Salve

Aesop's Cedar & Citrus Lip Salve is suitable for all skin types, especially dry lips. It contains plant-derived emollient ingredients like grapefruit, cedar, and orange peel, along with a repairing and nourishing formula that provides powerful moisturization for dehydrated or cracked lips, keeping them smooth and soft.

Shiseido: Moilip Lip Cream

Shiseido's Moilip Lip Cream contains five effective ingredients including allantoin, and vitamins B6 and E, effectively suppressing lip inflammation, repairing dry and rough lips, and maintaining healthy skin and mucous membranes. It's suitable for symptoms such as lip cracking, cold sores, cheilitis, and angular cheilitis. The tube packaging allows for direct application, making lip care easy.

4 vibrant color lip balms

These four lip balms below help you create elegant, cute, or lively looks, featuring easy-to-use tinted balms and vibrant lipsticks—ideal for any occasion.

Orbis: Lip Balm UV

Orbis' Lip Balm UV effectively blocks ultraviolet rays while providing moisturizing and tinting functions, caring for lip skin that's often overlooked in daily sun protection. The lip balm contains rich moisturizing ingredients, peony extract, and myrtle plant essence, effectively improving lip cracking and dullness. It can also be used as a base for lipstick.

Amplitude: Conspicuous Lips

Amplitude's Conspicuous Lips series features a perfect ratio of wax, oil, and powder, making the lipstick texture easy to spread while adhering closely to the lips. The moisturizing oils prevent lip dryness, maintaining a perfect look for hours. It's available in various shades including coffee, coral, and rose pink. The smooth texture feels comfortable on the lips, effortlessly creating a light and radiant glow.

Ettusais: Lip Essence (Deep Moist)

Ettusais' Lip Essence (Deep Moist) contains excellent moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, honey, and glycerin, combined with Hyper Gloss Oil and natural jojoba oil. It provides long-lasting plumpness and shine to your lips, leaving them with a natural pink tint and nourishing them all day long.

The Public Organic: Essential Oil Color Lip Stick

Public Organic’s Essential Oil Color Lip Stick features 100 percent natural mineral pigments for vibrant color. Infused with organic castor oil, red raspberry oil, and smooth plant oils, it deeply moisturizes dry lips. Available in a limited-edition mixed color, as well as brown, red, and pink, it creates a variety of captivating looks.

3 lip balms for men

Men's lips tend to be rougher and drier than women's, so daily care and moisturizing are essential. Below are three popular, best-selling lip balms for men, featuring sleek, portable packaging.

Nivea Men: Lip Care

Nivea Men's Lip Care uses a durable formula that doesn't easily come off, preventing lip dryness and keeping men's lips moisturized. It contains effective ingredients like vitamin E, moisturizing hyaluronic acid, and amino acids to help lock in moisture for long periods. It also includes UV protection to shield your lips from sun damage. The matte finish doesn't shine, making it easy for men to use.

Chez Moi: Bro. for Men Color Lip Balm

Chez Moi’s Bro. for Men Color Lip Balm contains beauty-enhancing moisturizing ingredients like squalane, shea butter, and jojoba seed oil. It offers long-lasting hydration, preventing lip cracking and roughness.

It can be used at any time and is recommended for nighttime lip care to help create moisturized lips. The tinted version has a natural pink tone, suitable for those with dull lip color. A colorless version is also available.

Gatsby: Super Moist Lip Cream

Gatsby’s Super Moist Lip Cream boasts dual moisturizing power with hyaluronic acid and collagen, providing long-lasting hydration without stickiness. It also contains medicinal ingredients, anti-inflammatory components, and UV protection to shield your lips from sun damage and prevent cracking and roughness. The lip balm has a fresh citrus scent and is preservative-free, gently caring for your lips.

Buy lip balms and other beauty products tax-free on WAmazing Shop

To save time queuing and selecting products at drugstores and department store counters, buy tax-free on WAmazing Shop. Along with lip balms, you can purchase a wide range of skincare products, medications (*), and popular snacks all at once. You can then pick up your order at designated airports or major train stations across Japan.

(*) Medications sold on WAmazing Shop are not eligible for tax-free purchases, and all prices shown include tax. However, at checkout, the tax is deducted, resulting in a final purchase price equivalent to the tax-free price.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.