Best Moisturizing Balms for Lips, Skin & Hair - Expert Reviews

Peter Ardito

Quick Quencher

Kiehl's Imperial Body Balm ($42, kiehls.com) looks and feels rich, thanks to shea butter and sea buckthorn berry oil, a healing emollient.

Tester says: "This soaks into my dry skin immediately and leaves it really silky."
— Hannah Rone, Portageville, Missouri

Peter Ardito

Lip Saver

Coconut and sunflower oils in Burt's Bees Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai Berry ($2.99, burtsbees.com) stave off chapping.

Tester says: "It's glossier and less waxy than other balms. I reapply it several times a day to keep my lips supersoft."
— Annie Hildebrandt, Overland Park, Kansas

Peter Ardito

Tension Tamer

Massage soothing lavender-scented Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Night Health Bedtime Balm ($25, origins.com) into your shoulders, neck, and feet.

Tester says: "It repairs my skin and also helps me wind down after a tough workout."
— Robin Davis, Dallas

Peter Ardito

Head-to-Toe Hydrator

Lush Ultrabalm ($12.95, lushusa.com) conditions elbows, cuticles, heels, and knees with just three ingredients: candelilla wax, rose wax, and jojoba oil.

Tester says: "My hands feel callus-free after I lift weights."
— Erin Keiser, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Peter Ardito

Glow Giver

Swipe sheer, coral-tinted L'Oreal Paris HIP Studio Secrets Professional Jelly Balm in Ripe ($9, drugstores) onto your lips, cheeks, and even eyelids for instant radiance.

Tester says: "It stays in place all day without feeling sticky."
— Cassie Batchelder, Lakeville, Minnesota

Peter Ardito

Smooth Operator

Carol's Daughter Hair Balm ($13, carolsdaughter.com) prevents pouf with strand-protecting sweet-almond and soy oils.

Tester says: "My hair looks frizz-free, even when I run outside in the Chicago dampness."
— Nicolette Melvin, Macomb, Illinois

Peter Ardito

Editor's Pick: Conditioning Cleanser

Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Hydrating Cleansing Balm ($25, philosophy.com) washes away dirt, leaving moisturizing fatty acids behind.

Tester says: "This keeps my face so supple, I can skip lotion."
— Eleanor Langston, beauty director

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, November/December 2010.