We compared two supermarket-staple lip balms: the Vaseline Lip Therapy Original and the NIVEA Original Care Lip Balm.
What we looked at
Listed protection, main ingredients, moisture claims, size, and price including price per gram.
The verdict
If you want a lip balm with SPF 15 against UVA and UVB rays, made with petroleum jelly and pro-vitamin E, the Vaseline Lip Therapy is the sun-protection pick, at £2.49 for 4g. If you would rather pay less, £1.75 for 4.8g (about 36p a gram against 62p), for a shea-butter formula with 100% natural origin ingredients and a stated 24-hour moisture, the NIVEA is the value option, though its listing does not mention SPF.
A £2.49 petroleum-jelly lip balm with SPF 15 and pro-vitamin E.
A £1.75 shea-butter lip balm stick with a larger 4.8g size.
Vaseline Lip Therapy Original Lip Balm, 4 g — Has SPF 15
Intended for: Marketed as an original lip balm that softens, soothes and hydrates dry lips, made with triple-purified Vaseline petroleum jelly and pro-vitamin E, with SPF 15 against UVA and UVB rays.
What we liked
- Stated SPF 15 protection against UVA and UVB rays
- Instantly softens, soothes and hydrates dry lips, per the listing
- Locks in moisture to help lips recover
- Contains triple-purified petroleum jelly and pro-vitamin E
- Dermatologically tested, per the listing
Worth knowing
- Smaller at 4g and costs more per gram: about 62p against about 36p
- Costs 74p more than the NIVEA on these listings
Best for
- Everyday use in sunny or windy weather
- Anyone who wants SPF in their lip balm
- Very dry, sore-feeling lips
Not ideal for
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Anyone who wants plant-based natural-origin ingredients
NIVEA Original Care Lip Balm, 4.8 g — Best Value
Intended for: Marketed as a hydrating lip balm stick with shea butter, natural oils and vitamins that gives 24-hour-plus moisture and supports the lips' protective barrier, with a formula of 100% natural origin ingredients.
What we liked
- Cheaper than the Vaseline, at £1.75 for a larger 4.8g stick
- Stated 24H+ moisture
- Supports the lips' protective barrier, per the listing
- Formula of 100% natural origin ingredients including ethically sourced shea butter
- Smooth texture, per the listing
Worth knowing
- The listing does not mention SPF
- The moisture and barrier claims are the manufacturer's own
Best for
- Everyday lip care on a budget
- Anyone who prefers natural-origin ingredients
- Keeping a spare in every bag
Not ideal for
- Anyone who wants sun protection in their lip balm
- Buyers who want a petroleum-jelly formula
