Chapped Lips Season: Two Better Alternatives to ChapStick and Burt’s Bees

Man sitting outside a ski lodge, relaxing.

You don’t need to be outside in a blizzard to end up with dry, chapped lips.

Winter dries you out in quieter ways:

  • More coffee, less water
  • Indoor heat running nonstop
  • Cold air outside, dry air inside
  • Lower humidity, higher dehydration

The result is the same: lips that feel tight, flaky, or cracked. Followed by a reflex to reach for whatever you’ve always used.

Usually it’s ChapStick. Sometimes it’s Burt’s Bees. Both are familiar. Neither is built for every guy.

We just followed The Henkey’s Standard  and ended up with two better answers to the same problem.

First: what chapped lips actually need

Most lip balms do one thing well: they seal your lips.

That helps in the moment, but sealing in moisture isn't the same as repair. If you feel like you’re applying balm all day and still ending up dry, this is why.

You need a lip balm to do 3 things:

  • Seal: helps prevent moisture loss
  • Nourish: softens and conditions so lips feel smooth again
  • Support barrier repair: helps strengthen the lip barrier so it holds moisture better over time

ChapStick and Burt’s Bees can help with sealing and comfort. But if you want something that feels better and performs better, you need to choose based on what kind of product you’ll actually use.


The Henkey’s shortcut: do you like traditional lip balm?

If you like the feel of traditional lip balm (but want a better one): choose Blu Atlas

Blu Atlas Lip Balm

Blu Atlas Nourishing Lip Balm is a classic lip balm — done right.

It’s built the way traditional balm was meant to work:

  • Beeswax to protect and seal
  • Shea + cocoa butters to deeply condition
  • Botanical oils (avocado, jojoba, argan, buriti, moringa) to restore softness and flexibility

What makes it different from Burt’s Bees or ChapStick: it’s a cleaner, more intentional build with a richer conditioning feel — the kind that lasts longer so you’re not reapplying every 20 minutes.

Pick Blu Atlas if:

  • Your lips get dry or flaky every winter
  • You want something comforting and protective
  • You don’t mind a classic balm texture

Shop Blu Atlas Lip Balm


If you hate traditional lip balm (texture, shine, waxy feel): choose Cardon.

Cardon Matte Lip Balm

Some guys avoid lip balm entirely — not because they don’t need it, but because they hate how it feels.

Cardon Matte Lip Balm is for that guy.

Instead of leaning on the classic “waxy coat” approach, Cardon treats lips like skincare:

  • Ceramide NP to help support barrier repair and strengthen moisture retention
  • Cactus extract to calm and hydrate
  • Apple seed oil for lightweight nourishment
  • Matte finish so it disappears on the lips (no shine, no gloss, no weird feel)

Pick Cardon if:

  • You don’t like traditional balm texture
  • You want something you’ll actually use daily
  • You’re tired of constant reapplication and want lips that hold up better over time

Shop Cardon Matte Lip Balm


So which one is “better”?

Neither. That’s the point.

Blu Atlas is a better-built version of the traditional balm most guys already understand: nourishing and longer-lasting.

Cardon is a modern, matte alternative for guys who don’t want traditional balm feel. The upgrade:  it’s the only option here that explicitly supports barrier repair with ceramides.

The real win: you pick the one you’ll actually use. Because the best lip balm is the one that’s in your pocket when winter hits.


Want to go deeper on “barrier repair”?

If you’ve ever wondered why lip balms sometimes feel like a temporary fix, it usually comes down to the difference between sealing and repairing.

Next up: a deeper breakdown of what the lip barrier is, what actually helps it recover, and why most balms don’t change the underlying problem.

Read: Lip Barrier Repair 


The Henkey’s Standard

We call it The Henkey’s Standard. Every product we carry starts with solid ingredients, clean where possible, and proven to perform. Each one delivers on its promises without gimmicks or exaggeration. Every formula is crafted to help men look sharp and feel confident.

Chapped lips season doesn’t care if you’re in a snowstorm. The heater. The coffee. The dehydration. It all adds up.

Pick your upgrade. Keep it simple. Show up.

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