We test out these top lip balms to save our lips this summer

We believe that lip balm is an absolute essential.

The UK faces unpredictable weather from day to day and it has such a massive effect on our lips to the point we think it's important we highlight which will simply keep them smooth, moisturised and happy. Whether or not you're a regular lip balm slatherer, or you just need a little extra lip TLC- we have you covered.

We have managed to get a list of some of the big players on the market, with three signature products dominating Amazon's best-selling list and can be found everywhere from drugstores to supermarkets. But are they really better than a run-of-the-mill basic lip balm from, say, Boots or Superdrug?

Tilly Alexander, our reviews writer based at My London, has tested out a handful of popular brands to see which she prefers.

First up to be tried and tested was one from Burt's Bees. Now, the American personal care company has more options than one set of lips could ever get through in its entire life, from intriguing flavour combos like matcha and honey or coconut and pear to tinted versions in every imaginable (wearable) shade.

Many of these appear on Amazon UK's list of best-selling lip balms, with one - the 100% Natural All Weather SPF 15 Moisturising Lip Balm - even nabbing the top spot. But, this option not to be found in-store at Boots, Superdrug or anywhere else I checked, I went with Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, the original formula.

Retailing for the steep price of £3.99 for 4.25g, Burt's Bees' options are in theory more expensive due to their ingredients. The stars of the show in this tube according to the front label were vitamin E and peppermint, along with beeswax. But I ended up preferring the packaging - cute, honey-coloured, with an easy to wind up