Multi-purpose Balms

By Smith's

Price: £8

Stockist: House of Fraser

The product: This cult favourite is perfect for the temperamental weather we're experiencing at the moment. With a glossy, non-sticky, non-waxy texture and faint rose scent it soothes chapped lips, moisturises cracked elbows and nourishes dry cuticles.

Pros: It does everything it says on the tin, and with only a small dab needed one pot will last a long time.
 
Cons: The tin is a bit basic; it would benefit from a mirror in the lid or if it came in a compact - although while useful it could take away some of the classic charm.
 
Verdict: It's inexpensive, soothes as well as heals and a little goes a long way. A definite hero product and now a firm favourite, it has made its way into my top beauty essentials.

Tested by Sarah Bonser, ELLEuk.com Intern

By Lanolips

Price: £11

Stockist: Victoria Health

The product: A slim tube containing a cure-all blend of medical-grade lanolin. The appealingly packaged, scentless product looks like a new handbag staple. Oh and apparently it has 101 uses (which explains the name).

Pros: I already know and love Lanolips’s coloured lip balm, so testing this product didn’t involve much guesswork. It plumps lips instantly. I felt a bit odd taking the ointment to dry elbows, but it soothed those, too—gone are the days when the lack of an accessible body lotion led to chalky knees.

Cons: If this is all I need, what am I supposed to do with the other tubes and balms in my handbag?

Verdict: Although it’s a bit boring, I would definitely buy this product for sheer usefulness.

Tested by Emily Cronin, ELLEuk.com News Editor

By Connock London

Price: £18.50

Stockist: Connock London

The product: I love the slight cocoa-ish smell of this and the earthy packaging.

Pros: It’s incredibly sheer and thin in consistency and leaves a lovely dewy sheen, so makes a good lip balm.

Cons: The thinness of the texture means it wouldn’t be much good at hydrating anything too serious like cracked heels or rough elbows. This is better suited to giving lips a shine and taming cuticles and unruly brows.

Verdict: A lovely balm for keeping in your handbag, and the unusual smell makes it a pleasure to use.

Tested by Georgia Collins, ELLE Deputy Beauty Editor

By All for Eve

Price: £4.95

Stockist: All for Eve

The product: A mini compact of subtly herbal scented balm.

Pros: This soft balm made from sweet almond oil, lavender, chamomile and wild mint has enough slip that I can easily slather it over elbows and hands, as well as smaller areas like lips and cuticles. It comes in a super hand compact, complete with mirror. Oh, and the net profits from the product go to The Eve Appeal to raise funds and awareness for gynaecological cancer research.

Cons: The rubbery packaging does get a bit grubby from swimming about in my handbag.

Results:  A good quality balm that smells great while softening cold and wind weary skin fast.

Tested by Amy Lawrenson, ELLEuk.com Beauty Writer

By Green & Spring

Price: £16

Stockist: Green and Spring

The product:  A thick, creamy balm which smells of relaxing lavender

Pros: This is super hydrating and lasts for hours. I smoother it on my feet or dry skin and it instantly feels more hydrated.

Cons: Because it is such an intense balm it can be a little greasy so best not applied at work.

Results: I found best results came from using it as an overnight balm on dry or damaged skin. The lavender is so relaxing and lovely used just before bed.

Tested By: Suzanne Scott, ELLE Beauty Writer

By Rodial

Price: £49

Stockist: Rodial

The product: This balm has a lovely thick, rich texture and enough ‘slip’ to be able to work it into skin.

Pros: It’s thick enough to soothe even the most chapped lips but it also works wonders when using a thin layer as a treatment mask to give skin a glow.

Cons: A little goes a long way, if you use too much it can end up feeling a little greasy on skin.

Verdict: A brilliant multi-use balm that feels luxurious to use and solves all manner of beauty woes from flaking skin to dry knees.
 
Tested by Georgia Collins, ELLE Deputy Beauty Editor

By Eucerin

Price: £8.50

Stockist: Boots

The product: It doesn’t smell of anything and the texture is typical of a balm - clear and silky.

Pros: It can be used everywhere – lips, dry skin, feet. Unlike petroleum jelly it allows moisture to pass through the balm so lips don’t dry out. I use it all day every day on my lips; it keeps them hydrated and supple. When I coat my feet in it over night, come morning they feel silky soft.

Cons: The product is brilliant. The only thing is, as it’s new to the UK, it comes in just the one size. I would like a small one for my handbag and a big one for by my bed so I can use it on my feet.

Results: Since using it the skin on my lips and feet is smoother and because it’s not scented it’s a joy to use.

Tested by Suzanne Scott, ELLE Beauty Writer