The 21 Best Lip Masks for Softer, Plumper Lips Overnight

TikTok convinced me to go down the cruelty-free lip mask hole, and I’m so glad it did, because it led me to Alypyn Beauty’s lip mask. Formulated with sweet blue agave leaf, hyaluronic acid, and Jackson Hole willow bark, this mask hydrates, softens, and smooths lips while making them appear fuller and plumper. Plus, it smells great, is vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging. It hasn’t left my bedside since I got it. —Danielle Sinay, associate beauty editor

I have perpetually cracked lips, and this is one of the few lip masks I've found that can restore them to a softer state. It's not the thickest treatment I own, but because its formulated with nourishing essential oils like castor, grapeseed, and argan, it hydrates far better than some of the heavier formulas that just sit on top of my lips. —Talia Abbas, senior commerce editor

It was love at first sight when I first beheld Tatcha's Kissu Lip Mask, which is beloved by Jennifer Aniston and Meghan Markle. Sometimes I apply with my fingers when I'm feeling lazy, but I also can't resist the accompanying tiny gold spatula, which glides across the surface and deposits the perfect amount of leave-on jelly treatment. The formula contains hydrating squalane, camellia oil, and peach extract to give lips a lush, full finish and get rid of all traces of chapping and flaking. It feels incredibly nourishing and comforting once applied and not sticky in the slightest. I've been applying a bedtime lip mask for as long as I can remember, and this one has become a fast favorite. I also use it during the day because I can't get enough of the soft, smooth results. —Sarah Y. Wu, contributing editor

Cay Skin's lip mask was another cruelty-free lip mask find, and I love it so much I've been influenced to buy two of the brand's balms. Formulated with all-natural hibiscus extract, aloe stem cells, and sea moss, this mask smells amazing and makes my lips look and feel so soft, smooth, and luscious for hours on end. And it's vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. 10 out of 10. —D.S.

I like using this as an overnight lip treatment. The creamy texture is different from a traditional lip balm and really helps locks in moisture overnight. When I wake up in the morning, my lips are soft and smooth to the touch. —Andrea Navarro, commerce writer

At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, this is the mother of lip masks. It was gifted to me by a friend in a thoughtful midpandemic care package, and I've never looked back. The formula is thick and buttery without feeling sticky or goopy; I slather it on before bed and wake up with the lips of an angel. My favorite thing about this lip mask is how indulgent and luxurious it feels as a finishing step to my evening skin care routine. Just call me a pampered bedtime diva. —Macaela MacKenzie, contributor

Kiehl's Buttermask for Lips is lightly scented without being overpowering, while also feeling like such a treat to use. It makes me feel like I'm on a private island getting a spa treatment. —Jessica Radloff, senior West Coast editor

Besides looking like the most adorable little pot of grape Jell-O, this jelly-textured lip mask is deeply hydrating and feels like the most luxurious slippery oil on your lips. The squalene and apricot kernel oil in the formula seriously do their job. My lips feel softer and smoother almost instantly. —Lindsay Schallon, contributor

The term “holy grail” isn’t one I throw around lightly, but it’s on point for this classic Lano balm. Whether I’m struggling with chronic seasonal chapping or just regular dryness, this overnight super-balm quickly comes to the rescue. It isn’t too thick or goopy—in fact, it's a bit thinner in consistency than you might expect from a heavy-duty lip mask. So feel free to pile it on! —Shanna Shipin, commerce editor

I usually opt for affordable products when it comes to lips, but the splurge-worthy Sisley Nutritive Lip Balm was the beauty upgrade I didn’t know I needed. With mango butter, shea oil, and jojoba oil, it’s nourishing and regenerative. It has a nonsticky finish, making it a go-to for me both in the morning, before I apply makeup, and in the evening, as a part of my nightly skin care routine. —Allie Folino, art director

If you think your lips don't need a skin care routine, think again—and then head on over to Sara Happ's line to get educated. Much like night creams are thicker and richer, this nighttime balm is also super thick (almost sticky) and works to rejuvenate your lips overnight. I've been using it for just over a month, and I'm hooked. I love waking up and still feeling the blanket of moisture on my lips from the night before. It's definitely cut down on my lip balm use throughout the day. The best part is that it plumps your lips over time and makes them feel incredible. —Bella Cacciatore, contributor

This treatment has become a crucial part of my nighttime routine: I swipe it on just before I climb into bed, press my lips together, and instantly feel soothed as a cooling, minty sensation is activated. I can then rest easy knowing that I'll wake up to softer, flake-free lips. —Anna Moeslein, deputy editor

If you're looking for a super-hydrating lip salve—or even something that could replace your beloved petroleum jelly—Mara's Sea Silk Lip Balm is calling your name. I know, because I was an Aquaphor girlie until Sephora suggestions put this one on my radar, and I haven't looked back since. I love it so much I got two more so I could keep one at my bedside and one in my bag, and take the other to work—I am that obsessed. Formulated with Algae Plumping Complex, hydrating seed butters, and vegan waxes (an alternative to beeswax), this vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free balm doesn't just moisturize but plumps, smooths, and soothes your lips too. Plus, it comes in recyclable packaging. —D.S.

Mario Badescu's lip mask is made with acai and vanilla, which is so hydrating and supple that I put it on even during the day instead of just at night. It's that good. —J.R.

This K-beauty balm gets so many rave reviews I knew I had to check it out. The thick balm has a salvelike texture that covers and coats dry lips in a healing formula while you sleep. I'm amazed at how fast it works when my lips are in their worst, wind-chapped shape. Gentle AHAs derived from apple water sweep away flakes, while plant oils and shea butter lock in moisture. I'm happy to report it's 100% worth the hype. —S.Y.W.

Any fan of the original Burt's Bees lip balm will love this souped-up overnight version. It's got the tingly peppermint oil like the OG, but also contains moisture-locking ceramides to keep your lips from drying out while you sleep. —L.S.

I keep this by my bed and put it on right before I go to sleep. It's just a thick, simple balm that I can always trust to do the job. It's also saved me a few times as a targeted treatment when I've gone too far with exfoliating or had bad reactions to new products. Aside from being an amazing lip mask, it's also great as an allover salve for sensitive skin, and one bottle lasts for ages. —Jenny Singer, contributor

This balm has kept my lips smooth, soft, and glossy all winter long. I'm not a fan of the stickiness or strong fruity scents that a lot of thick balms or overnight lip masks usually have. You won't find any of that with Aquaphor—just plenty of moisturization. It's no surprise it's been a drugstore gem for years. —Michella Oré, contributor

I love Payot's targeted approach to skin care, and its extra-nourishing lip mask easily lives up to the rest of the line. The melt-in texture comes courtesy of a blend of nourishing oils: sweet almond, raspberry seed, meadowfoam, and coconut. These get blended in with a shea butter and beeswax base for a repairing balm that lends instant relief to chapped lips. Slicking on a (nonsticky) coat before bed is the perfect way to wind down. —S.Y.W.

I'm obsessed with Glamglow's PoutMud Wet Lip. It's one of the few things I've been sent as a writer that I actually bought again. It's goopy in the most luxurious way and has a really pretty shine. I love to glop it on before bed and wake up with baby-soft (and pepperminty) lips. —M.M.

I swear by this allover balm for healing dry lips both at night and in the morning. It softens them immediately and keeps them moisturized for hours thanks to the vitamin E in the formula. —J.R.