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11 Best Non Toxic Lip Balms for Soft & Healthy Lips
Are you also looking for a non-toxic lip balm in your quest to improve your everyday habits towards a healthier, non-toxic lifestyle? You're not alone!
Remember that cherry-flavored lip balm you carried everywhere as a teen? The one that lived in your pocket, on your nightstand? I sure do. It was my loyal companion through chapped winter lips and sun-scorched summer pouts. Well, I recently discovered that my trusted lip savior wasn't as innocent as I thought.
Luckily, you can still get those buttery soft lips with non-toxic lip balms that blow those old lip products out of the water. In this guide, we’ll tell you all about which natural, non-toxic lip balms are worth your time and money.
Why choose Non-Toxic Lip Care?
So why is non-toxic lip care so important?
Well, the eyes may be windows to the soul, but your lips are the doors to your core. They help you communicate, they savor some of the best things in life (aka kisses and chocolate), and whatever passes them literally comes into your body where you're most vulnerable.
And yet, you don’t often think of the stuff you put on your lips as “food”. (Even if some products do smell literally good enough to eat!)
Over 80% of women use lip products, but shockingly, the ingredients in these products are hardly regulated, and many cosmetic brands still use toxic chemicals.
Many conventional lip care products contain harmful chemicals, including metal and non-metal toxicants like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes. These can cause some major health issues, from skin irritation, endocrine disruption, and even cancer in the long run.
Choosing a non-toxic lip balm is a small but significant step towards a more conscious, non-toxic lifestyle. This simple switch can be your daily reminder of your commitment to better choices, potentially inspiring you to examine and improve other aspects of your personal care routine.
Which Lip Balms Brands Are Safe?
Safe lip balm brands are those that are transparent about their ingredients and prioritize the use of natural, organic components. Here's what to look for in trustworthy brands:
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Ingredient Transparency: Brands that openly list all ingredients and explain their benefits.
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Natural and Organic Components: Prioritize products with plant-based, organic ingredients.
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Reputable Certifications: Look for these trusted seals:
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MADE SAFE: Ensures products are made without known toxic chemicals.
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EWG VERIFIED™: Meets EWG's strict health criteria.
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COSMOS Organic: International standard for organic and natural cosmetics.
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USDA Organic: Certifies organic agricultural ingredients.
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Free From Harmful Ingredients: Avoid products containing parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
For more guidance on choosing safe cosmetics, check out the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep® database, a comprehensive resource for cosmetic and personal care product safety.
Best Non-Toxic Lip Balm Brands
Here are our top picks of natural lip balms :
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Weleda I Shop here*
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100 % Pure I Shop here*
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Hurraw! | Shop here*
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Dr Bronners I Shop here*
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Poppy & Pout I Shop here*
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Beauty By Earth I Shop here*
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Dr. Barbara Sturm I Shop here*
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Olio E Osso I Shop here*
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OGEE I Shop here*
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Axiology I Shop here*
How Do We Choose the Best Non-Toxic Lip Balms?
When picking out our favorite non-toxic lip balms, we used the following criteria to find the very best on the market:
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Ingredient Integrity: Do they use organic ingredients? Do they include harsh fragrances or irritants? Are the ingredients soothing, hydrating, and ultimately good for your body?
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Trustworthy Certifications: We look for respected certifications like USDA Organic, Leaping Bunny, and Non-GMO Project Verified to ensure the products meet strict standards.
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Real User Experiences: We analyze customer feedback to ensure the lip balms live up to their promises and deliver satisfying results
What are the Best Natural and Non-toxic Lip Balms?
Weleda* Skin Food Lip Butter (Top Pick)
Best For: A powerful, cost-effective lip refresher
Pricing: $6.99
Certifications: Certified natural by NATRUE
Key Natural Ingredients: Beeswax, Sunflower Seed Oil, Chamomile Flower Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Calendula Flower Extract
By Weleda, founded in 1921, is a pioneer in natural and organic cosmetics. Their holistic approach to skincare is rooted in anthroposophic principles, focusing on supporting the body's own healing abilities.
Why We Like It:
This cute little lip balm uses a plant-oil blend with sunflower seed oil, chamomile, and flower and fruit extracts to hydrate lips that need some TLC. The heat from your lips melts the buttery balm and helps it absorb quickly to leave your lips glossy, supple, and freshly soft. It costs less than a drink at Starbucks and leaves you hydrated and refreshed (all without that greasy film from synthetics!)
Image @ Weleda
100% Pure* Brand My Lips BFF
Best For: A soothing, healing overnight lip treatment
Pricing: $18
Certifications: Natural and Cruelty-free. All 100% PURE™ formulations adhere to strict purity standards to never contain harsh or toxic ingredients.
Key Natural Ingredients: Pigment sourced from fruit, vegetables, and cocoa
100% Pure is committed to producing the purest, healthiest products and promoting a green, environmentally friendly, and cruelty-free beauty industry. They're known for using fruit pigments instead of synthetic dyes in their cosmetics.
Why We Like It:
These organic lip balms can be your everyday balm or a powerful soothing treatment, especially during harsh winters. While all the flavors are great, the lysine and herbs balm gives you a nice cool tingle and an extra minty fresh smile. It’s great as a nighttime balm to help you wake up with lips that are hydrated and healthy.
Image @ 100% Pure
Ilia* Lip Wrap Reviving Balm
Best For: Hydrated Lips with a soothing effect
Pricing: $24
Certifications: Winner in the 2022 Health Beauty Awards
Key Non Toxic Ingredients: Coconut oil, Shea Butter, Sea succulent, Prickly pear oil
Ilia Beauty was founded with the mission to create skin-centric, clean color cosmetics that are as efficacious as they are thoughtfully-designed. They blend skincare and makeup, focusing on multi-use products with active ingredients.
Why We Like It:
The more you use this natural balm, the more it can work its barrier-building power. The magic is in the hyaluronic acid and sea succulent. (Did you know there were succulents in the sea? Because that’s awesome, and I want one immediately.)
Not only do your lips look smoother and plumper, but it also actively repairs the damage with every swipe.
Image @ Ilia
Dr Bronners Organic Lip Balm *
Best For: All-purpose, organic lip care for the whole family
Pricing: $13 for a 4-pack
Certifications: USDA Organic, Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free, Non-GMO Project Verified
Key Natural Ingredients: Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Hemp Oil
Dr. Bronner's is a family-owned company with a rich history dating back to 1858. They're known for their iconic castile soaps and commitment to organic, fair trade ingredients
Why We Like It:
We love the smooth application and long-lasting moisture of these organic lip balms. These lip balms come in a variety of natural scents, including Peppermint, Orange Ginger, Lemon Lime, and an unscented "Naked" option. The best, they also can be used on dry patches anywhere on your skin!
Image @ Dr. Bronner's
Poppy & Pout * Natural Lip Balms
Best For: Those who love unique scents
Pricing: $69.95 (on sale for nearly 30% off)
Certifications: None
Key Natural Ingredients: Ethically-sourced beeswax, organic coconut oil, sunflower oil
Poppy & Pout is a small, family-owned business based in Idaho. They're committed to creating simple, natural lip balms using locally-sourced beeswax and eco-friendly packaging.
Why We Like It:
This gift set features some of the coolest scents we’ve ever seen in a lip balm. Marshmallow creme? You got it. Pomegranate peach? Got that too. Blood Orange Mint? Yep, that too! Each natural lip balm also comes in eco-friendly cardboard tube for the full natural package. I love just how creamy and moisturizing these balms are on my lips to leave them feeling soft, smooth, and ready for action!
Image @ Poppy & Pout
Beauty by Earth* Organic Beeswax Lip Balm, Peppermint
Best For: A no-frills lip balm that will hold up all day
Pricing: $10.79
Certifications: USDA Organic, Leaping Bunny approved
Key Organic Ingredients: Organic Beeswax, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Peppermint Essential Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Sunflower Derived Vitamin E), Organic Rosemary Extract
Beauty by Earth is dedicated to creating affordable, effective skincare products using only natural and organic ingredients. They prioritize environmental sustainability in their packaging and formulations.
Why We Like It:
This simple little non-toxic lip balm is straight and to the point: unflavored, smooth, organically sourced moisture packed in a neat little tube. No tingles, no frills, no greasy aftermath. But don’t mistake this lip balm’s simplicity for inefficacy—it’s as hard-working as you are. The best, you carry it out around in your pocket over 12 hours without the lip balm melting into goo!
Image @ Beauty by Earth
Dr. Barbara Sturm Lip Balm*
Best For: Protecting your lips against harsh environments
Pricing: $55
Certifications: Dermatologist-approved
Key Non-Toxic Ingredients: Beeswax, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Vitamin E
Dr. Barbara Sturm is a German aesthetics doctor, widely renowned for her anti-inflammatory philosophy and her non-surgical anti-aging skin treatments. Her eponymous skincare line is based on cutting-edge scientific research
Why We Like It:
This potent little organic lip balm helps protect your lips against the elements, from the blazing rays of the sun to the icy winds of winter. Extreme hot and cold temperatures (and the heating/air conditioning that comes with them) can wreak havoc on your lips' moisture barrier, so this balm’s rich in antioxidant Vitamin E to shield your lips from everything the world can throw at them. (Plus, the lightweight, silky texture glides on effortlessly to help give you a glow in any season!)
Image @ Dr. Barbara Sturm
Axiology * Vegan Lip Balm Brand
Best For: A chic, minty lip brushup that will last for hours
Pricing: $14
Certifications: Certified organic ingredients, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Plastic Free, Handmade in the USA
Key Non Toxic Ingredients: Naturally-derived meadowfoam, cocoa butter, sunflower seed wax, carnauba, peppermint oil
Axiology is a brand representing the movement towards ethical consumerism, committed to veganism and sustainability
Why We Like It:
There’s a reason Axiology is so beloved. This natural lip balm comes in a sleek, minimalist package that it equally chic and eco-friendly. The balm itself is soft and creamy, and every drop nourishes and hydrates your lips for hours. It coats your lips in a nice, subtle layer while giving you a delightful touch of peppermint that manages not to be overpowering.
Image @ Axiology
Ogee* Organics Sculpted Lip Oil
Best For: Priming your lips for all-day color and comfort
Pricing: $28
Certifications: Certified Organic, Cruelty-Free, GMO-Free, Made in USA
Key Organic Ingredients: Cold-pressed Jojoba Seed Oil, Organic peppermint oil, beeswax
Ogee is a luxury organic skincare line that combines certified organic ingredients with advanced skincare science.
Why We Like It:
Sometimes, you want to wear something fun. This balm helps you wear your non-toxic lipsticks long and proud all day long while keeping chapped lips at bay! The organic balm is actually a silky oil that melts onto your lips to create a perfect base before applying your lipstick. Not only is it smooth and hydrating, reducing their dry, flaky lips, but it also has a tiny hint of peppermint to refresh your lips and your look.
Image @ Ogee
Olio E Osso* Natural Lip + Cheek Balm
Best For: A multi-tasking product in your natural beauty routine
Pricing: $28
Certifications: Sulfate-free and cruelty-free
Key Natural Ingredients: Shea Nut Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Natural Beeswax, Grapefruit Essential Oil
Olio E Osso means 'oil and bone' in Italian, it was founded by a professional makeup artist. The brand focuses on multipurpose, minimalist products made with just a few simple, natural ingredients.
Why We Like It:
This is a non-toxic lip balm that can really do it all. The all-natural blend of nourishing olive and shea oils infuses your lips with a burst of moisture. This natural balm also works as a natural beauty 3-in-1, since you can add a pop of natural color on your lips, cheeks, and eyelids. It gives a tinge of sheer color that is subtle yet natural, bringing your whole look together.
Image @ Olio E Osso
Hurraw! Lip Balm*
Best For: Sensitive lips and fragrance-free enthusiasts
Pricing: $13 for 2-pack
Certifications: Ecocert COSMOS Certified, Cruelty free (Leaping Bunny), Vegan, Non-GMO
Key Natural Ingredients: Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, and Cacao Seed Butter
Why We Like It: Hurraw! Organic Unscented Lip Balm is a game-changer for those with sensitive lips or anyone seeking a pure, no-frills lip care experience. This little gem is a pure, no-frills lip care left my lips feeling soft and nourished for hours. The blend of cold-pressed almond oil, raw coconut oil, and fair-trade cocoa butter is like a superfood smoothie for your lips! Plus, its eco-friendly packaging aligns perfectly with a sustainable lifestyle.
Image @ Hurraw!
Understanding Lip Health
The skin on your lips is actually very thin and delicate, which makes it more sensitive than the rest of the skin on your body.
Without any oil glands, they can’t keep up their own moisture, which makes them vulnerable to the elements that leave them dry and damaged.
The causes of chapped lips
Chapped lips aren’t just annoying—they can be pretty painful too. Dry air, cold weather, and harsh winds can all strip away the moisture from your lips. On the other end, extreme heat and sun exposure can also damage the skin on your lips and dry them out.
It’s not just the elements though. Harsh chemicals in your day-to-day lip products can also irritate the sensitive skin on your lips and dry them out over time. Ingredients like menthol, phenol, salicylic acid, and harsh fragrances can irritate or even inflame your lips.
And of course, there’s the internal environment to think about. If you’re not drinking enough water, your lips can quickly lose moisture and get—literally—hung out to dry.
The importance of lip care for healthy lips
We rely more on our lips than we may think. We use them to relay non-verbal communications, taste new foods, and express our creativity through different makeup looks. Healthy lips are essential for a beautiful smile, so taking care of them is more important than ever.
Lip care—especially a natural lip care routine—isn’t just a fun self-care activity. It can prevent dry and chapped lips, leading to a better quality of life. It can also promote overall lip health and hydration to keep you smiling day to day.
If you're committed to non-toxic living, then you should take care of your entire body—inside and out. And taking care of your lips ultimately affects both!
What Makes a Lip Balm Non-Toxic?
If you want healthy lips, you have to start with your lip balm. But that raises the question—what exactly make a lip balm non-toxic?
What Ingredient Should Not Be in Lip Balm?
Let’s start with what should NOT be in your lip balm. Many conventional lip balms unfortunately have some of the following in their ingredient line-up:
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Petroleum jelly and mineral oil: These can create a barrier that prevents moisture absorption.
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Synthetic fragrances: These may contain undisclosed chemicals and potential allergens.
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Parabens: Preservatives linked to hormonal disruption.
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Phthalates: Often hidden in "fragrance" and associated with endocrine disruption.
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Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): A foaming agent that can be irritating to sensitive skin.
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Artificial colors: Some may be derived from petroleum and linked to health concerns.
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Alcohol (especially denatured alcohol): Can be drying and irritating to lips.
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Propylene glycol: A potential irritant for sensitive individuals.
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Oxybenzone and octinoxate: Sunscreen ingredients that may disrupt hormones.
Gross!
As a general rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t eat it, you shouldn’t put it on your lips.
Key Natural and Organic Ingredients for Healthy Lips
Let's be clear—in this case, non-toxic doesn't necessarily mean inedible. Rather, when we say non-toxic, we mean ingredients that are nourishing and healthy for your body that are natural, organic, and safe.
Non-toxic lip balms will often use a mixture of some of these amazing ingredients:
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Beeswax: A natural emollient that helps lock in moisture.
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Plant-based oils:
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Coconut oil: Moisturizing and has antimicrobial properties
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Jojoba oil: Closely mimics our skin's natural oils
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Olive oil: Rich in antioxidants and vitamins
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Butters:
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Cocoa butter: High in fatty acids, helps protect and nourish lips
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Shea butter: Deeply moisturizing and rich in vitamins
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Vitamin E: A powerful antioxidant that helps protect and heal lips
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Botanical extracts:
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Chamomile: Soothing and anti-inflammatory
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Calendula: Healing and moisturizing
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Essential oils
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Candelilla or carnauba wax: Plant-based alternatives to beeswax for vegan formulas
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Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide: Natural sun protection ingredients
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Rosehip or sea buckthorn oil: Rich in vitamins and antioxidants
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Aloe vera: Soothing and hydrating
And more!
How to Choose the Right Natural Lip Balm
With so many options on the market, the question remains: how do you choose the best non-toxic lip balm for you?
Thankfully, there’s basically no wrong answer. Start by thinking about what you’re looking for in your lip balm and what your lips are needing most these days.
Ask yourself:
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Do you live in a harsh environment where you’ll need all the moisture you can get?
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Do you need a simple clear gloss, or are tinted versions more your speed?
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If your lip balm is flavored, are you more likely to reach for it?
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What causes are closest to your heart? Do you want a vegan, cruelty-free formula? (If so, look for the Leaping Bunny label!)
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Is the lip balm in your cart certified organic?
For help on reading and understanding the ingredient labels, be sure to check out resources like EWG and the Think Dirty app. They’ll help you determine the serious contenders from the greenwashing pretenders.
If you enjoyed this post, check out these other articles on safe products and non-toxic living:
How to Avoid Pfas in Cosmetics
FAQ
What is the safest lip balm?
For the safest lip balm, check out lip products that are organic, natural, and free from synthetics. You want to avoid lip balms that have petroleum, preservatives, harsh fragrances, or other irritatants. Instead, reach for natural lip balms that have ingredients that actually heal your lips instead of just masking the problem (or even potentially making it worse!). When choosing a safe lip balm, look for products that are certified organic by reputable organizations (e.g., USDA Organic, COSMOS) and use minimal, recognizable ingredients.
What lip balm does not have petroleum in it?
Natural lips balms (such as those with beeswax or shea butter )
Many natural and organic lip balms are formulated without petroleum products will give that same smooth glide and lasting moisture without these nasties. The alternatives often use ingredients like: Beeswax, plant-based waxes, such as candelilla or carnauba wax for vegan options, shea butter, cocoa butter, plant oils like coconut, jojoba, or olive oil. These ingredients can provide a smooth application and long-lasting moisture without relying on petroleum-derived products.
What is the best natural moisturizer for your lips?
While beeswax is an excellent ingredient in lip balms, it's primarily an emollient that helps seal in moisture rather than providing hydration itself. The best natural moisturizers for lips often include a combination of: Humectants: Ingredients that attract and retain moisture like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera; Emollients: Ingredients that soften and smooth the skin like Shea butter, Cocoa butter, Jojoba oil; Nourishing oils like Vitamin E or Coconut oil. For optimal lip health, look for lip balms that combine several of these ingredients. This multi-faceted approach helps to hydrate, protect, and nourish your lips effectively.
Is chapstick non-toxic?
Chapstick's toxicity is a nuanced issue that depends on the specific product formulation. While the classic Chapstick contains white petrolatum (petroleum jelly) as its main ingredient. The company Chapstick itself even says that Chapstick is for external use only–which is hard when the product is literally on your lips! Some Chapstick varieties may also contain synthetic fragrances, flavors, or preservatives.
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Lilija Bairamova
