Do I Really Need CBD Lip Balm? Understanding the Benefits

Cold. Wind. Sun. Dry air. In winter, our skin takes a beating, including our lips. Standard lip balms are great for sealing in existing moisture, which is great if you’re ahead of the game. But what happens when your lips need a little more? And not one of the “medicated” products on the market?

CBD lip balm is an excellent alternative to both. Not only does it provide the protection you need, but the CBD actually works with your body to relieve symptoms associated with chapped lips.

Quick Links:

• What Is CBD Lip Balm?
• The Benefits of CBD Lip Balm
• When CBD Lip Balm Is Especially Helpful
• What to Look for in a Quality CBD Lip Balm

What Is CBD Lip Balm?

CBD lip balm isn’t your average lip balm; it goes beyond traditional wax-based moisturizers. While regular lip balms focus primarily on sealing in moisture, CBD lip balm is infused with hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), known for its soothing, antioxidant, and skin-nourishing properties.

Like standard lip balms, it still contains a blend of hydrating oils, butters, and natural waxes (think shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, or plant-based alternatives). But the addition of CBD elevates it from a simple moisturizer to a functional topical CBD product designed to support healthier lips, especially when they’re exposed to seasonal illness, cold weather, wind, sun, or dry mountain air.

Because CBD interacts with the skin's endocannabinoid system, it may help calm irritation, reduce the discomfort of chapped or wind-burned lips, and support overall lip barrier health. This makes CBD lip balm a valuable upgrade for anyone who spends time outdoors, whether you’re skiing, hiking, trail running, or simply braving winter conditions (like shoveling the driveway!).

CBD Lip Balm vs. Hemp Lip Balm

CBD lip balm and hemp lip balm are two distinct products, even though they both come from the hemp plant. The difference comes down to what part of the plant is used and what benefits it provides.

CBD Lip Balm

• Contains CBD (cannabidiol) extracted from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant.
• Offers functional botanical benefits as described above. 
• Is a topical CBD product because it interacts with skin’s endocannabinoid system.

Hemp Lip Balm

• Contains hemp seed oil, which is pressed from the seeds of the plant.
  Hemp seed oil is rich in omega fatty acids and deeply moisturizing but contains little to no CBD.
• Provides hydration and nourishment but lacks the targeted soothing effects associated with CBD.

Both can be great for dry, chapped lips, but CBD lip balm offers additional soothing and recovery benefits.

The Benefits of CBD Lip Balm

The truth about CBD lip balm is more than just anecdotal. Recent research suggests it offers more than basic moisture. In fact, over the last two years, dermatology and cannabinoid-science studies have taken a deeper look at how CBD supports skin health, particularly in areas prone to dryness and irritation, like the lips.

Let’s start with this: while your hands and other exposed skin are vulnerable to cold, wind, sunburn and more, your lips are especially vulnerable. Because they lack oil glands (like the rest of your skin), and are especially vulnerable to exposure. One of the clearest benefits of CBD lip balm involves CBD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity that combats the impact of exposure.

In fact, 2025 dermatology study found that cannabidiol helps regulate inflammatory pathways in skin cells while reducing oxidative stress, two of the primary contributors to dryness and irritation (1). 

Not only does it work to protect your lips, but recent studies have also highlighted CBD’s moisturizing and skin-barrier-supporting properties. One report found that CBD helps promote a healthier moisture balance in the skin, contributing to better barrier function and reduced trans-epidermal water loss (1). When combined with hydrating butters and oils, CBD may enhance a lip balm’s ability to keep lips soft and better protected from environmental stressors.

Protection is great, but what about repair? Who among us hasn’t lost a lip balm, left it in a pocket and sent it through the wash? When the damage is done, there is also promising evidence for CBD’s wound-healing and soothing benefits.

One study found that CBD contributed to improved skin regeneration and reductions in redness, discomfort, and itchiness across multiple conditions (2). While these studies targeted broader skin applications than lips, there’s still reason to believe the same benefits — reduced inflammation, enhanced tissue repair, and improved comfort — will translate to common lip concerns like cracking, peeling, and irritation.

While there aren’t many lip-specific studies, and additional research would certainly help, the existing research suggests that CBD lip balm can offer meaningful benefits beyond simple hydration. In other words, it’s a better for your lips than what you might find on the shelf of your local store.

When CBD Lip Balm Is Especially Helpful

As temperatures drop and winter sets in, the conditions that cause chapped or irritated lips become far more intense, which makes CBD lip balm especially valuable during cold-season transitions.

Winter air is significantly drier, both outdoors and inside heated buildings, which quickly pulls moisture from the lips. Because lips lack oil glands, they can’t replenish hydration on their own. This is where CBD’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-repairing properties offer meaningful support.

CBD lip balm is also particularly helpful in environments with cold wind, fluctuating temperatures, or high UV exposure, such as skiing, winter running, or simply walking in dry, windy climates (we’re looking at you, Colorado!). And sun exposure isn’t something we should overlook in the winter, though many do. UV rays reflect off snow and can dry and inflame the lips just as aggressively as summer sun.

CBD’s support for tissue repair can also assist in soothing cracked or peeling lips that result from the constant cycle of cold exposure outside and dry heat indoors (2).

Beyond seasonal weather, CBD lip balm is also useful for other issues. Many everyday habits can unintentionally damage the lips, including frequent lip licking, mouth breathing (especially at night), dehydration, or irritation from spicy foods, certain cosmetics, and long-wear matte lipsticks.

For people who are prone to chronic dryness or sensitivity, CBD’s moisturizing and barrier-supporting effects may help strengthen the lips’ resilience over time. With research showing that CBD can help reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier and reduce trans-epidermal water loss, a CBD lip balm may offer longer-lasting relief compared to traditional wax-based balms (1).

Whether you're dealing with winter winds, indoor dryness, or year-round habits that stress the lips, CBD lip balm offers a calming, restorative option designed to work with the skin’s natural repair processes. They can also help combat both environmental and behavioral causes of chapping, helping to keep lips comfortable, hydrated, and soft through winter (and into summer).

What to Look for in a Quality CBD Lip Balm

As with all CBD products, not all CBD lip balms are created equally, and the benefits depend heavily on product quality, formulation, and sourcing. A well-made CBD lip balm should pair the right concentration of CBD with supportive botanicals and clean, skin-nourishing ingredients.

As you evaluate options, here are a few key elements that suggest a formula is designed to deliver the soothing, moisturizing, and restorative effects supported in current research.

1. Hemp-Derived, Third-Party Tested CBD
The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-healing benefits of CBD depend on purity and accurate dosing. Look for brands that provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from an independent third-part lab confirming CBD content, cannabinoid profile, and absence of contaminants like pesticides, mold, and heavy metals. This ensures the CBD used in the balm is both safe and effective.

2. Full-Spectrum or Broad-Spectrum Extracts
Both full-spectrum CBD and broad-spectrum CBD contain a wider range of beneficial cannabinoids and plant compounds that may work synergistically, enhancing the soothing and barrier-supporting benefits described in current dermatology research. While isolates can still be effective, many users prefer the more well-rounded support that full-plant extracts provide.

3. Clean, Nourishing Base Ingredients
Because CBD works best when combined with high-quality emollients, choose balms that use natural oils, butters, and waxes, such as shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil, or jojoba. These ingredients help trap moisture, support the lip barrier, and complement CBD’s moisturizing benefits noted in recent studies. Avoid formulas with petroleum bases, artificial fragrances, parabens, or drying alcohols, which can counteract the very effects you’re trying to achieve.

4. Adequate CBD Concentration
While there’s no single universal dose for lip care, balms with very low CBD content may not deliver the targeted benefits identified in topical research. Look for products that clearly list milligrams of CBD per tube or per application. This way you can choose a CBD lip balm aligned with your needs, especially if your lips are prone to cracking, irritation, or seasonal dryness.

5. Transparency and Responsible Sourcing
Finally, choose brands that clearly explain where their hemp comes from, how it’s extracted, and what additional botanicals or ingredients they use. High-quality CBD lip balms come from companies committed to safe sourcing, clear testing, and clean formulations. All of these are essential for experiencing the full soothing and protective benefits that modern research supports.

At SuperTrees, all of our CBD products start with locally-sourced organic hemp and the cleanest extraction process possible. We third-party test and provide those result to our customers. What started with a mission to help our family became a mission to bring the benefits of CBD to a larger audience.

It’s why we’re particularly proud of products like our CBD lip balm. Whether your lips are already feeling the impact of winter or you’re just looking to keep them feeling great through the season, give it a try. Have questions? Feel free to reach out to our team!

Sources:

1. Kretkowska, M., et al. (2025). Cannabidiol in dermatology: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Biomolecules, 15(9), 1219. https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/9/1219

2. Fetterman, J. L., et al. (2025). Systematic review of topical cannabinoids in dermatology. Frontiers in Pharmacology. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1609667/full