A roundup of the best natural lip balms made with clean and sustainable ingredients that will keep your lips smooth & healthy instead of chapped and dry. List includes plastic-free lip balms, vegan lip balms, lip balms with SPF, tinted lip balms & more.
When I was growing up, the world of lip balms was much smaller than it is today. We had our choice of waxy Chapstick, disgustingly strong Carmex or sickeningly sweet Lip Smackers (which I loved of course!) 👄🤣🫦
Now, we have so many lip balms to choose from, it can be overwhelming! And sadly, many of them are made with ingredients that aren’t great for your lips, your health or the planet.
So to help you out, I’ve put together a list of my favorite natural lip balms. They are all made with clean ingredients and many of them use sustainable packaging, which is a bonus for the environment. 🌎
Pucker up! You’re about to have the smoothest lips ever!
I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure
Why Switch to Natural Lip Balm?
What’s all the fuss about lip balms anyway? Aren’t they all essentially the same? A stick of wax-like material intended to soothe and moisturize dry lips?
Turns out – NO! There’s more difference between types of lip balms than you might guess. Conventional lip balms are typically made with cheap, petroleum-based ingredients and other harsh additives that may actually be drying out your lips more than they are moisturizing them. And since those ingredients are on your lips, you may be ingesting them too. 🤢
Natural lip balms, on the other hand, are made with safe, natural and often organic ingredients that provide beneficial nutrients to keep your lips healthy and hydrated and prevent dryness and chapping.
Beyond personal benefits, opting for a natural alternative also aligns with your eco-conscious values. By choosing products made from sustainably sourced ingredients and biodegradable or recyclable packaging, you contribute to reducing your carbon footprint and supporting environmentally friendly practices.
Additionally, many natural lip balm brands prioritize cruelty-free manufacturing processes, ensuring that no animals are harmed in the production or testing of their products.
In summary, a natural lip balm is better for your lips 👄and better for the planet 🌎 too!
Ingredients to AVOID in Lip Balm
When selecting a lip balm, it’s important to look closely at the ingredients list and steer clear of certain ingredients that can be harmful or irritating to the delicate skin of your lips. Here are some common ingredients to avoid:
- Parabens: These synthetic preservatives have been linked to hormone disruption and have been found in some studies to accumulate in breast tissue.
- Petrochemicals (such as petrolatum, petroleum jelly and mineral oil): Derived from petroleum products, these ingredients can create a barrier on the lips but may also cause dependency, trapping moisture in while not allowing the lips to naturally replenish moisture.
- Artificial fragrances and artificial flavors: These can cause irritation, especially for those with sensitive lips, and may contain undisclosed chemicals.
- Synthetic dyes: Artificial colors can also lead to irritation and may contain potentially harmful chemicals.
- Menthol and Phenol: These ingredients may provide a temporary cooling or numbing sensation but can be drying and irritating over time.
- Alcohol: This ingredient can contribute to dry and chapped lips.
- Phthalates: These chemicals are often hidden in fragrance and have been linked to hormone disruption and reproductive toxicity.
- Chemical sunscreens: Some chemical sunscreens, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, are used in lip balms with SPF and have been linked to hormone disruption.
Clean Ingredients to Look for in Lip Balm
Now that you know which ingredients to avoid, let’s take a look at some of the beneficial ingredients commonly found in natural lip balms:
- Beeswax: A natural emollient that helps to lock in moisture and protect the lips from environmental damage.
- Shea butter: Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, shea butter deeply moisturizes and nourishes the lips, promoting softness and smoothness.
- Cocoa butter: Another emollient rich in antioxidants, cocoa butter helps to hydrate and protect the lips while providing a subtle aroma.
- Coconut oil: Known for its moisturizing properties, coconut oil helps to soften and soothe dry, chapped lips while offering a light, tropical scent.
- Jojoba oil: Similar to the skin’s natural oils, jojoba oil helps to hydrate and condition the lips without feeling greasy or heavy.
- Vitamin E: An antioxidant that helps to protect the lips from free radical damage and promotes healing of dry, cracked skin.
- Hyaluronic acid: Helps draw moisture to the lips and makes them feel plump and conditioned.
- Essential oils (such as peppermint, lavender, or citrus oils): These natural extracts add fragrance and flavor to lip balms while providing additional benefits such as soothing irritation or refreshing the lips.
By choosing lip balms containing these safe and nourishing ingredients, you can effectively hydrate and protect your lips while avoiding potentially harmful chemicals. Yay!
A note for vegans: While many natural lip balms do contain beeswax, there are plenty that don’t! A vegan lip balm will use seed butters or candellila wax to provide the sticking power that we have come to expect in lip balm. See below for the brands that have vegan lip balm offerings.
Related: Favorite Natural Lipstick Brands 💄
Best Natural Lip Balm Brands
Over many years, I’ve put my lips to the test to find the best of the best in natural lip balms. They are all made from high-quality, cruelty free ingredients (no animal testing allowed), that you can feel great about putting on your lips daily.
You’ll find lip balms for peppermint lovers, flavor fanatics, zero waste heroes, organic advocates, vegans and more!
1. Poppy & Pout – Best Natural Lip Balm Flavors
Poppy & Pout is a small business making eco-friendly, flower powered lip balms in fun flavors and small batches in the state of Idaho. Made Oprah’s favorite things list!
- Key Ingredients: coconut oil, beeswax, sunflower oil
- Flavors: sweet mint, orange blossom, pink grapefruit, wild honey, marshmallow cream & more
- Certifications: Leaping Bunny Certified
- Vegan: NO
- Packaging: recyclable cardboard tube printed with non-toxic inks and coated with plant-based wax.
- Price: $9.95 for 0.3 oz
- My take: So many fun flavors – I want to try them all! Pink Grapefruit is my favorite!
- Discount code: Free shipping on orders of $45+
2. Axiology – Best Vegan Lip Balm
Axiology is a BIPOC owned business specializing in plastic-free, vegan beauty products packaged in cardboard tubes.
- Key Ingredients: coconut oil, meadowfoam seed oil, cocoa butter
- Flavors: peppermint & unscented lip balm
- Certifications: Certified vegan and cruelty free by PeTA
- Vegan: YES
- Packaging: recyclable cardboard tubes made from FSC certified paper
- Price: $14
- My take: I keep the peppermint one at my desk and it is my current favorite lip balm.
- Discount code: Take 15% off with code WELCOME
3. Dr. Bronner’s – Best Organic Lip Balm
Known for their multitasking pure castile liquid soap, Dr. Bronner’s also makes a multitasking lip balm that can also be used for cuticles, dry skin and more.
- Key Ingredients: avocado oil, organic beeswax, jojoba oil, hemp seed oil (all organic)
- Flavors: peppermint, orange ginger, lemon lime and naked (unscented)
- Certifications: USDA Organic, EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny Certified, Peta Cruelty Free
- Vegan: NO
- Packaging: plastic tubes (partially recyclable)
- Price: $4.00 for 0.15 oz
- My take: I’ve been a super fan of Dr. Bronner’s peppermint lip balm for years – it’s so smooth and extra minty!
- Discount code: See website for current specials
4. Beautycounter – Best Tinted Lip Balm
Beautycounter’s Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm is made with ultra-moisturizing hyaluronic acid and comes in translucent and three other sheer shades.
- Key Ingredients: jojoba oil, avocado oil, hyaluronic acid, mango and murumuru seed butters
- Flavors: all shades have a light, sweet flavor
- Certifications: EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny Certified
- Vegan: YES
- Packaging: metal tube (non-recyclable)
- Price: $22 for 0.1 oz
- My take: I keep this buttery-soft lip balm in my purse for nourishment and a pop of color when I’m out and about.
- Discount code: New customers get 20% off when you sign up for Beautycounter emails.
5. Badger – Best Mineral SPF Lip Balm
Badger Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm – SPF 15 is made with non-nano zinc oxide that goes on clear so you won’t have to worry about white lips.
- Key Ingredients: zinc oxide 8%, olive oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, shea butter, Vitamin E (97% organic ingredients )
- Flavors: unscented
- Certifications: Leaping Bunny Certified, Peta Cruelty Free
- Vegan: NO
- Packaging: plastic tube
- Price: $4.49 for 0.15 oz
- My take: Perfect for the beach or any time you’ll be out in the sun for long periods.
- Discount code: See website for current specials.
6. ATTITUDE – Best EWG Verified Lip Balm
ATTITUDE is a Canadian company that is dedicated to creating products with clean ingredients and sustainable packaging. Lip balms are one of many top-notch products from this company.
- Key Ingredients: shea butter, olive oil, grapeseed, coconut and castor oils
- Flavors: mint, coconut, watermelon, unscented
- Certifications: EWG-Verified, Peta Cruelty Free
- Vegan: YES
- Packaging: plastic-free, FSC-certified, recyclable and biodegradable cardboard tube
- Price: $4.95 for 0.3 oz
- My take: Cardboard tube is easy to push up and lip balm is nice and smooth.
- Discount code: Take 15% off with code MINDFULMOMMA15
7. Hurraw – Best Natural Lip Balm to Buy on Amazon
The lip balm that has it all – organic, raw and vegan ingredients – plus more flavors than you can even dream up! Easy to pick up on Amazon or in local stores if you are lucky.
- Key Ingredients: Safflower seed oil, candellia wax, coconut oil, cocoa seed butter
- Flavors: apple, chai spice, earl grey, coffee bean, hazelnut, licorice and more!
- Certifications: Ecocert COSMOS, NOP Organic, Leaping Bunny Certified, PETA Cruelty Free
- Vegan: YES
- Packaging: plastic tube
- Price: $7 for 0.17 oz
- My take: kjdflk
- Discount code: See website for current specials
8. Eco Lips – Best Natural Lip Balm – Large Size
Eco Lips specializes in lip balms and one of their most popular types is the Mongo Kiss® lip balms which are made with organic Mongongo oil from Africa and organic Fair Trade Certified cocoa butter. The size is larger than a standard lip balm so it covers more surface area.
- Key Ingredients: Mongongo oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, Vitamin E
- Flavors: peppermint, black cherry, pomegranate, vanilla honey, yumberry & more
- Certifications: USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair Trade Certified™, Leaping Bunny Certified
- Vegan: NO
- Packaging: Plant Pod™ is a plastic-free, plant-based lip balm tube, made from 100% plant material.
- Price: $3.29 for 0.29 oz
- My take: One of the smoothest lip balms I’ve found + love the large tube size!
- Discount code: See website for current specials
9. Blue Heron Botanicals – Best Lip Balm with Biodegradable Packaging
The founder of Blue Heron Botanicals is dedicated to sustainable skincare. She makes her lip balms in small batches from natural ingredients and zero waste packaging.
- Key Ingredients: beeswax, cocoa butter, shea butter, Vitamin E
- Flavors: sweet orange, lavender lemon, pacific mint, coastal berry & more
- Certifications: USDA Organic
- Vegan: Two vegan flavors available
- Packaging: Innovative eco tubes made from recycled paper are 100% home-compostable
- Price: $9.95 for 0.2 oz
- My take: Love the unique tube on these. I found mine in a local gift shop!
- Discount code: See website for current specials.
10. Ilia- Best Plumping Lip Balm
Ilia is known for skin-powered makeup and they have a lot of nice lip care products. The Lip Wrap Reviving Balm works to replenish your moisture barrier—helping lips stay hydrated and healthy-looking over time.
- Key Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, shea butter, chamomile, prickly pear oil
- Flavors: has a natural lavender and chamomile flavor
- Certifications: Leaping Bunny Certified
- Vegan: YES
- Packaging: recyclable plastic container
- Price: $24 for 0.23 oz
- My take: A luxurious lip balm that is as much skin care as it is a lip balm
- Discount code: See website for current specials
11. Burt’s Bees – Easiest Natural Lip Balm to Find Locally
This classic lip balm has had a prime place in purses and pockets since 1991. Known mostly for their peppermint lip balm, Burt’s Bees comes in many other flavors too.
- Key Ingredients: Beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, Vitamin E
- Flavors: peppermint, vanilla bean, cucumber mint, watermelon & more
- Certifications: Leaping Bunny Certified
- Vegan: NO
- Packaging: plastic tube
- Price: $3.99 for 0.15 oz
- My take: This was my go-to lip balm for many years.
- Discount code: See website for current specials.
12. Weleda – Best Natural Lip Butter
Weleda is known for extremely nourishing skincare products and their lip butter is no exception. Perfect for winter and especially dry skin.
- Key Ingredients: sunflower seed oil, beeswax, lanolin, chamomile, calendula
- Flavors: light herbal flavor
- Certifications: NATRUE certified, Leaping Bunny Certified
- Vegan: NO
- Packaging: Flexible plastic tube. Empties can be recycled through the TerraCycle® recycling program
- Price: $7.49 for 0.27 oz
- My take: Love the smooth applicator and the way this lip butter melts into my lips
- Discount code: See website for current specials
If you’re a DIYer – try making your own homemade lip balm!
Summary: How to Find the Best Natural Lip Balm
I hope this natural lip balm review helped your on your quest to find a great lip balm made with non-toxic ingredients! Next time you are out shopping for lip balm, remember to check the ingredients list first. Rule out any products with the harmful ingredients mentioned in this post and opt for lip balms made with safe and natural ingredients instead. If you follow these tips, you’ll be on your way to having smooth & healthy lips year round!
Have you found a favorite natural lip balm? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!
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