For anyone with dry, chapped, or cracked lips looking for an everyday occlusive balm; the petrolatum base makes it a straightforward moisture-sealing product rather than a treatment for a specific skin condition. Because the ingredient list includes UV-filtering compounds, it may also appeal to people who want some incidental sun protection on their lips, though this shouldn't be relied on as a dedicated sunscreen without confirming the SPF rating printed on the packaging. It's a general consumer product, not aimed at a particular hair or skin type beyond lip dryness.

Chapped lips lose moisture through evaporation faster than skin elsewhere on the face because lips have no oil glands of their own, and petrolatum works by forming a barrier that slows that moisture loss rather than adding hydration itself. This balm pairs that barrier function with plant oils — hemp seed oil, shea butter, sunflower and soybean oils — that supply fatty acids and vitamin E to support the skin underneath while the petrolatum does the sealing. Because the current formula also includes UV-filtering ingredients, it may offer some incidental protection against sun-related dryness, though the core case for using it is the same either way: a straightforward barrier-repair balm for everyday chapped-lip relief.

Apply directly to lips as needed throughout the day, including before sun exposure or in cold/dry weather if relying on it for that added layer of protection. Reapply after eating, drinking, or wiping the lips, since the balm will transfer off with contact.

Pros: petrolatum is a well-established occlusive that seals in moisture effectively, so this balm addresses lip dryness directly rather than relying on a fragrance-forward formula; shea butter and hemp seed oil add emollient, fatty-acid-rich conditioning on top of the petrolatum base; the current paraben-free formulation is an actual reformulation from an earlier version of this same product, which older retailer listings show contained isopropyl-, butyl- and isobutylparaben.

Cons: because it contains UV-filter ingredients without a clearly stated SPF or Drug Facts panel on Hempz's current official product page, buyers can't be certain what level of sun protection, if any, is being actively claimed; it's a flavored/fragranced balm with citrus notes rather than fragrance-free, which can be irritating for people with sensitive or reactive lips; as a petrolatum-heavy formula it can feel more occlusive/glossy than a wax-based stick balm.