Lick Your Lips: How Collabs, Skincare Actives, and SPF Are Redefining Flavored Lip Balm

Flavor Dynamics is a leading provider of high-quality flavors. In fact, one of our many specialties is creating IFRA compliant lip balm flavors. Our flavor chemists are experts in navigating the strict ingredient limits and percentage regulations for IFRA compliant lip balms. Additionally, our active involvement with FEMA underscores our commitment to regulatory rigor, safety, and compliance standards. Flavor Dynamics has a versatile flavor library ranging from realistic fruit flavors to trendy, decadent profiles. Popular lip balm flavors include classics like Strawberry, Raspberry, Coconut, Caramel, and Vanilla. Meanwhile, our standout experiential lip balm flavors include Apple Cinnamon Strudel, Champagne, French Toast, and Toasted Southern Pecan, among many others. Flavored lip balms are trending as brands tap into food and beverage collaborations, infuse skincare actives, and expand into SPF lip balm for protection.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the global lip care market is expected to increase from $3.55 billion in 2026 to $4.62 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 5.41%. Lip balms accounted for 86.62% of the market share in 2025. Furthermore, lip balm searches have grown 33.9% for holiday 2025, with SPF lip balm emerging at 42.1K monthly searches, per Spate’s Popularity Index. IPSY’s 2026 Beauty Discovery Report found that members prioritize hydration, volume, and performance-driven formulas, with lip care up 10% in 2025. In 2025, 92% of makeup users reported using lip products. Moreover, 40% of US women aged 18-34 use four or more different types of lip products, per Mintel. Powered X Beauty Buddy’s Research (PXBB) found that 77% follow a daily lip care routine. 93% of participants use lip balm regularly, followed by 67% who use lip oil.

Lip balm is used to moisturize and soften lips, and is consumed indirectly. There’s an urban myth that suggests individuals consume 2 to 9 pounds of lip products over a lifetime. Although the statistics are questionable, 32% of consumers prefer flavored lip balm products, according to PXBB’s survey. Iconic food and beverage brands are collaborating with beauty brands to create limited-edition, signature-flavored lip balm and lip gloss. The novel and multisensory cross-promotions create brand excitement and memorable experiences.

Beverage brands are the latest category to engage in partnerships, translating their signature flavors into lip balm flavors. For example, Liquid Death, known for its irreverent collaborations, partnered with cosmetic brand e.l.f on a line of flavored lip balms. The limited-edition cheeky Liquid Death x e.l.f. Lip Embalm range includes six Liquid Death-inspired flavors. The six vaterites: Doctor Death, Killer Cola, Mountain Water, Rest In Peach, Severed Lime, and Sweet Reaper are packaged in mini replicas of the Liquid Death can in a Lip Crypt. Likewise, plant-based skincare brand Cocokind and prebiotic soda brand Olipop collaborated on the limited-edition Cocokind x Olipop Lip Blur Balm Collection. Inspired by Olipop’s Cherry Cola (red), Cream Soda (clear shimmer), and Strawberry Vanilla (pink), these vegan, sheer, glossy balms are infused with ceramides and peptides.

Vacation, the sunscreen brand known for its retro style, partnered with Pepsi on the Pepsi Wild Cherry Tinted Lip Gel. Featuring the iconic wild cherry flavor, the gel has SPF 30 coverage and contains caffeine, kola nut, hyaluronic acid, cherry seed oil, and vitamin E. Inspired by the Dolce Vida lifestyle, EOS released a limited-edition Flavor Lab Spritz collection. The Seaside Spritz cocktail-inspired range features Pink Champagne, Raspberry Rosé, Strawberry Limoncello, and Tangerine Spritz flavored lip balms. Similarly, Strawberry Limoncello, Tangerine Spritz, and Sunset Watermelon Frosé are available in the Amalfi Sunset Dolce Vita line. EOS also introduced a Strawberry Limoncello Overnight Lip Mask.

Sweet treats like desserts and candy are also inspiring lip balm flavor profiles. EOS introduced the Gelato Shop lip balms inspired by Italian desserts. Varieties include Blueberry Lavender, Pistachio Gelato, Strawberry Sorbet, and Vanilla Bean. The Super Balm Dolce Vita lineup features Crème Brulée, Espresso Martini, and Vanilla Cannoli flavors. H&M is capitalizing on the Swedish candy trend through a limited-edition BUBS beauty collection. The H&M x BUBS collab “masterfully translates the unique universe of flavors and colors into fragrances and textures.” BUBS offers its Lip Oil in Classic Bubblegum, Berry with Vanilla, Raspberry with Licorice, and Watermelon options. Meanwhile, the BUBS Lip Mask comes in Banana Caramel, Bubblegum, Lemon with Berries, and Watermelon flavors. Not a sweet treat, but a notable launch is Grillo’s Pickles and Burt’s Bees lip balm. The flavor is described as “refreshing cucumber with a kick of dill and subtle melon.”

The term “skinification” surfaced in late 2022 to describe the rise of skincare active ingredients migrating into beauty and personal care. It has now trickled into lip care with terms like “lip skincare,” “lip skinification,” and “lipification of beauty.” “Lip treatments borrow from facial skincare, incorporating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides. The goal is not just temporary softness, but long-term health,” states Bangstyle.

Lovinah’s Longevity Lab Data Revealed:

• 73% of consumers now look for “active ingredients” in lip products (up from 31% in 2023)
• 156% increase in searches for “ceramide lip balm” YoY
• 203% increase in searches for “peptide lip treatment” YoY
• Treatment lip care sales up +47% YoY
• Premium lip care ($20+) up +89% YoY

“Consumers are reaching for nourishing oils, balms, and hybrid tints that combine skincare benefits with sensorial pleasure,” notes CRL. For example, Sweet Macaron Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment is the latest addition to Olehenriksen’s clinical Scandinavian skincare lineup. The formula contains peptides, kokum and mango seed butter, Scandinavian Cloudberry oil, and Açai sterols. Another illustration is KimChi Chic Beauty’s the Balm Chica Balm Balm. It’s “a hybrid lip product that combines the nourishing properties of a lip balm with the glossy finish of a lip oil.” It is available in Cake Pop, Cherry Blast, Chocolate Truffle, Grape Soda, Mint Julep (clear), Pink Watermelon, and Vanilla Bean shades. Each color has its own distinct flavor. The flavored lip gloss contains jojoba oil, goji berry, vitamin E, and Maxi-Lip peptides.

Burt’s Bees released Lip Treats, “a new multi-format collection designed to feel indulgent, effective and bring skin-first ingredients and sensorial textures to everyday lip care.” The Lip Oil comes in Clear Day, Golden Hour, Pink Sky, and Plum Twilight hues with a peach flavor. The glossy formula blends jojoba, sweet almond, and meadowfoam seed oils. Lip Butter features shea and mango butters, vitamin E, and responsibly sourced beeswax. It is available in Pomegranate, Raspberry, Sweet Mint, and Vanilla Honey flavors. Lip Milk, “skin care for your lips,” is also available. It contains almond milk and jojoba oil, offered in Sweet Strawberry and Toasted Coconut options.

Sun care is an extension of skincare. Consumers seek protection against sun damage, and brands are innovating with lip balm with SPF 30 protection. Coconut is a popular flavor indicative of summer.

According to PXBB:

• 48% prioritize lip balm with SPF for protection
• 57% consider SPF to be very important in their lip care products
• 73% chose SPF protection as a preferred ingredient

Vacation launched the Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30 Lip Balm. Inspired by the brand’s iconic Classic Whip SPF 30 sunscreen, the balm features a smooth, “lighter-than-air” gel texture and is infused with a coconut-vanilla flavor. The formula combines coconut and banana extracts, peptides, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and vitamin E. Sun Bum introduced Tinted Lip 30 Moisturizing Lip Balms featuring the brand’s signature coconut flavor. There are three balms: Bonfire (soft berry-mauve), Heat Wave (sheer rich red), and Sunset Cove (coral pink). Each delivers broad-spectrum SPF 30, hydration, and sheer color.

Flavored lip balm has emerged as a dominant category, fueled by food and beverage collaborations, the rise of skincare-infused lip care, and an increasing demand for SPF protection. Flavor-forward lip balms are driving creativity as brands push boundaries with multi-sensory lip care launches. A telltale sign of consumers’ interest is that flavored lip balm is growing 90.5% YoY on Google Search, according to Spate. “Consumers are increasingly drawn to products that engage taste and smell alongside skin benefits, with that appetite now expanding into lip.”

Flavor Dynamics is uniquely positioned in this momentum, offering IFRA compliant lip balms in popular lip balm flavors. In fact, our versatile flavor library is designed for diverse applications, ensuring strict compliance with regulatory requirements. Looking to create safe, compliant, and standout flavored lip balms that meet today’s evolving consumer expectations? Contact us today to develop lip-smackin’ flavors for your next lip balm project.

About The Author:

Founder of Trendincite LLC, Amy Marks-McGee, uncovers emerging flavor, fragrance, and consumer trends shaping the food, beverage, and beauty industries.

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