If you’re looking for the safest natural lip balms on the market, I’ve created the ultimate guide to help you find the best one according to your needs and budget! After years of testing dozens of petroleum-free lip balms made with certified organic ingredients I’ve finally found the ones that are truly the healthiest and most effective.
This comprehensive guide to organic lip balms in the USA covers how to choose a lip balm, what toxins to avoid and a complete list of the best natural lip balms for dry lips.
We’ll be providing in-depth reviews of each and pointing out their distinctions that may be relevant to your personal needs. Whether you’re looking for one for daily use, for sensitive lips or with SPF, we’ve got it all! Keep reading for the ultimate guide to natural lip balms that are truly clean and safe.
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What is the Safest Healthiest Lip Balm?
The safest lip balm is a USDA Certified Organic lip balm made with 100% certified organic ingredients. The USDA organic certification means that the brand’s organic claim has been verified and no pesticides, herbicides or synthetic chemicals were used in making the ingredients.
This is a lengthy, difficult process, so any brand who obtains the USDA organic certification is most likely committed to making the best quality products that are good for you and the planet.
The next best way to choose a safe lip balm is making sure all the ingredients are naturally sourced and there’s no petroleum or mineral oil.
Ingredients to Avoid in Lip Balms
Traditional lip balms are filled with a number of harmful ingredients that are known toxins and irritants. Most of them have a petroleum wax base and are filled with added artificial fragrance, flavors and colors to appeal to buyers.
None of these are ingredients you want entering your body and anything we apply to our lips (multiple times a day) is bound to be ingested. Here is the list of ingredients you want to be sure to avoid in a lip balm.
Petroleum Jelly (Petrolatum): Petrolatum is commonly used in lip balms, but it’s best to avoid it due to potential contamination.
Mineral Oils: Mineral oil is a heavily processed petroleum product. You can spot minerals oil by looking out for the names it goes by: paraffinum liquidum, petrolatum, paraffin, petrolatum jelly, ozokerite, ceresin, polyisobutilene, synthetic wax, cera microcristallina, hydrogenated polyisobutene, methylsilanol, isododecane, isohexadecane, silicone quaternium.
Artificial Fragrances and Flavors: These can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people.Artificial colors: Artificial colors are derived from coal tar and petroleum and can be contaminated with h. Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 have been found to be contaminated with benzidine and other carcinogens. Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 cause hypersensitivity reactions.
BHT: This is a synthetic preservative that’s a known endocrine disruptor.
PEG-8: This helps retain moisture but is regularly contaminated with impurities like 1,4-dioxane
Alcohol: Alcohol can be drying, which is counterproductive in a lip balm meant to moisturize. But, not all alcohols are created equal – “fatty alcohols” like cetyl, stearyl, and cetearyl are fine for lips.
Parabens: These are preservatives used to prolong shelf life but have been linked to hormone disruption.
Phthalates: Often used to enhance texture, they can be harmful and have been associated with health issues.
Natural Ingredients that Can Cause Irritation
While not necessarily harmful, there are several natural ingredients that can cause reactions and sensitivity for some people. Watch out for:
Intentional irritants used for lip plumping:Cinnamon oil, Peppermint oil and Capsaicin cause temporary swelling for fuller looking lips but can cause irritation.
Cooling compounds: Menthol, camphor, eucalyptus, and phenol produce a cooling effect when applied to skin but can cause irritation. Peppermint extract can also cause adverse reactions for some people.
Best Natural Lip Balms Reviews
Here are our detailed and honest reviews for each lip balm.
Treat Beauty certified USDA Organic lip balms come in jumbo size and so many fun flavors! They feel super moisturizing and have been one of my go-to clean lip balm brands for almost ten years.
I prefer Treat’s large size because it covers more lip surface area, it makes them easier to find in my purse AND it’s less wasteful since I don’t have to keep buying new lip balms.
This is also the best natural lip balm for kids with flavors they’ll absolutely love!
Ingredients 5/5: USDA Certified organic ingredients like organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic shea butter, organic cocoa butter Application 5/5: This has the easiest application because it’s twice the size of normal lip balms, glides right over and feels smooth and moisturizing Scent 5/5: They have the best creative scents that are anything but boring! Performance 5/5: Treat is long lasting and moisturizes lips deeply. Price: $13.99
Eco Lips is an all around fantastic organic lip balm brand that’s affordable, USDA Certified Organic and also Fair Trade Certified. You can easily find them EVERYWHERE since they’re at almost all the natural grocery stores like Whole Foods. They’re also a great lip balm for men and kids!
Compared to other organic lip balms, Eco Lips feels a little bit softer and creamier and feel incredibly moisturizing. I find that it works for a couple of hours before needing to re-apply.
Ingredients 5/5: USDA Certified organic ingredients like organic golden jojoba oil, organic Fair Trade Certified cocoa butter, organic coconut oil, organic spirulina blue-green algae extract Application 4/5: Glides over smoothly and feels slick Scent 4/5: They have a good selection of flavor combinations like Lavender Vanilla, Rosemary Mint and fruity flavors! Performance 5/5: I find these highly moisturizing and they do not dry out my lips. Price: $11 for pack of 3
Weleda’s Skin Food Lip Butter is a super affordable natural lip balm that I would characterize as an emollient yet light salve.
This is a salve for people who don’t normally like super rich salves! It’s made of flower, fruit and root extracts, minerals and essential oils along with sunflower oil, chamomile extract and calendula extract.
If you prefer a salve but don’t want it packaged in a jar, this is a great hand-free option that doesn’t require dipping your fingers into product. You simply squeeze the balm out of a little tube directly onto your lips.
Also, if you’re looking for a salve that isn’t heavy and is a little bit thinner than other salves, this one’s for you! It feels rich without being greasy or too heavy and sinks into lips well, keeping it moisturized for at least a few hours and leaving once chapped lips much smoother and softer.
Ingredients 4/5: It contains all natural ingredients but some people may not like that it has lanolin. Application 5/5: It’s a smooth salve that can be applied directly to lips without the use of fingers. Scent 4/5: Unscented Performance 5/5: I find Weleda’s Lip Butter to be as moisturizing and effective as a lip treatment. Price: $6.50
This is a great basic organic lip balm that feels very moisturizing and is the most affordable option in this list at just under $4. Moroccan Magic is USDA Certified Organic with Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Coconut Oil, and Organic Argan Oil and has a slick texture that makes it so effective.
If you’re looking for the cheapest natural lip balm that’s still organic and moisturizes well, Moroccan Magic is a great option.
Ingredients 5/5: This not only has certified organic ingredients but also some interesting ones like oat bran extract, bamboo stem extract and rooibos extract. Application 5/5: Glides on super smoothly and feels a bit denser than other lip balms Scent 4/5: The scents smell good but are the same scents you find everywhere else Performance 5/5: It offers very good moisturizing power for such an affordable lip balm Price: $11.95 for pack of 3 (tinted options available)
Poppy & Pout’s lip balm is my top pick and recommendation for a plastic free and zero waste organic lip balm.
Compared to other plastic free lip balms in paper packaging I’ve tried, Poppy & Pout’s cardboard tube is more durable and doesn’t turn as soggy from the oil and butter ingredients. The rim WILL get frayed and a bit ugly from putting the lid back on repeatedly.
It’s got the cutest design and only natural ingredients like beeswax, sunflower oil and organic coconut oil. These are denser than other natural lip balms but still have a buttery texture that glides over my lips smoothly. There’s also a cooling effect from the peppermint.
Ingredients 4/5: Has simple natural ingredients but not organic Application 5/5: Glides on super smoothly and has a dense buttery texture Scent 4/5: There is peppermint oil in the ingredients so it has a minty scent in addition to the official scent Performance 4/5: It glides on smoothly and sinks in well, but cardboard packaging does not hold up as well during warm months. Price: $9.95
Hurraw Organic Lip Balm Review (Best for Sensitive Lips!)
Hurraw lip balms are made with certified organic, vegan, and raw ingredients and are 100% natural and 71% certified organic.
They’re also Ecocert Cosmos certified and made in a USDA NOP (National Organic Program) and Ecocert certified facility.
The Hurraw Lip Balm is a great natural lip balm for sensitive lips since they’re gluten-free, soy free, essential oil free, shea free, palm free and beeswax free. My only gripe with this is that they’re narrow and oval shaped.
Ingredients 5/5: The ingredients are over 70% organic and sensitive lips friendly Application 4/5: These glide on so smoothly but I’m not the biggest fan of the narrow oval shape. Scent 5/5: They have SO many yummy flavors to choose from, including Earl Grey, Coffee Bean, Green Tea, Chai Spice and so many more. Performance 4/5: Hurraw feels great on the lips and keeps them adequately moisturized. Price: $9
I’m a big fan of the Hurraw! Moon Balm. It does a great job at deeply moisturizing the lips has a nice, and subtle, scent oh and it is vegan! My only real issues with this balm is that you pay $4 for a small amount of product. Even though I’ve purchased this balm several times in the past, I likely won’t buy it again unless I can find it on sale
For those looking for a luxury organic lip balm that’s great for even the most sensitive lips, my top pick is Henne Organics. It not only comes in super chick packaging, but also contains the cleanest organic ingredients and is USDA Certified Organic.
This feels so luscious and creamy and works well at moisturizing my lips when they’re at their driest. It’s not just about the organic coconut oil, avocado oil, shea butter and cocoa seed butter but the perfect ratio of these ingredients that makes this lip balm so effective.
Ingredients 5/5: This has the highest content of organic ingredients at 99% Application 4/5: It’s super creamy but does have a bit of grittier texture Scent: smells like yummy cocoa butter Performance 5/5: It’s very moisturizing and works as an effective lip treatment for severely chapped lips. Price: $22 (tinted options available)
This is another luxe organic lip balm option that’s a very emollient lip salve made with all natural and organic ingredients and a total lifesaver for severely dry lips.
The downside is it only comes in one scent – peppermint. The rich, buttery texture melts into lips and keeps them moisturized for a long time, leaving them softer and smoother.
Ingredients 5/5: Contains certified organic ingredients like Organic Camellia, Organic Calendula extract and Avocado Oil Application 5/5: Super buttery and rich salve Scent 4/5: You may or may not like the peppermint scent. Performance 5/5: This a great daily lip balm or treatment and keeps lips moisturized and soft. Price: $21 (tinted options available)
This is an extremely thick and rich lip mask that works as a natural lip balm for the most chapped lips. It’s denser than any other lip mask and is more of an SOS product (versus for daily use).
Alpyn Beauty’s lip mask is full of sustainably harvested wild plants and oils as well as sweet agave extract and hyaluronic acid. Does it actually plump lips? No, but it does leave them feeling very moisturized and soft.
Ingredients 4/5: This has a lot of great ingredients and botanical extracts but there are no organic ingredients. Application 4/5: This is extremely dense and requires a bit more effort to apply than other lip balms Scent 4/5: It smells like pink lemonade but some people may not like this scent. Performance 5/5: This offers very long lasting moisture, stays on forever and leaves lips soft and smooth. Price: $28
This is a creamy and buttery lip treatment that works as a lip balm for very chapped lips and has plenty of moisturizing oils. It sinks in well and has a softer and lighter consistency than other lip treatments.
I love that it feels like a pillowy soft cloud on my lips, but it doesn’t last as long as other lip treatments due to the thinner consistency.
Ingredients 3/5: Doesn’t have any organic ingredients and has some unnecessary ingredients but there are some interesting actives like Sea Succulent, papaya extract and hyaluronic acid Application 5/5: Goes on smoothly and sinks in well Scent: unscented Performance 4/5: It feels very moisturizing but does not last as long as other lip treatment products. Price: $26
La La Lips is the only natural lip balm I’ve tried that has a unique hemp seed oil formula enriched with yellow beeswax, shea oil, organic neem seed oil and other organic ingredients.
This has a dense consistency with a super slick texture that is a little more oily than other lip balms since it’s formulated for extremely dry lips.
Even though it looks small from the outside, the product itself is larger than other lip balms and covers more surface area with one swipe.
Ingredients 4/5: Has many fantastic organic lip balm ingredients but some individuals may not like lanolin Application 5/5: Glides on smoothly and has a more slick, oily texture Scent 4/5: subtle citrus herbal scent that’s almost undetectable Performance 5/5: It feels super moisturizing and seems to work for a longer time. Price: $22 (tinted options available)
If you’re looking for a non-toxic lip balm that closely resembles the look and feel of Vaseline without the petroleum, Biossance’s lip balm is the closest dupe I’ve found.
The vegan, petroleum-free formula delivers long-lasting replenishment. The ultra-hydrating trio of clinically proven moisturizers plus luxurious rose wax and plumping wakame algae. 100% renewable sugarcane.
Ingredients 3/5: This does not have organic ingredients, but I give it extra points for having skincare actives like rose wax, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, wakame algae, Vitamin C, squalane Application 5/5: Feels rich and luscious like dense, buttery wax Scent: Unscented Performance 5/5: This works for a long time, stays on and keeps my lips well moisturized. Price: $16
This is the most luxe organic lip balm in clean beauty, hands down! It’s actually a lip salve that’s a treatment balm made with advanced actives and natural ingredients like sea fennel stem cells, DPHP amino acids, hyaluronic acid, botanical waxes, and cocoa & shea butters.
It has the most luxurious smooth and rich consistency and transportive aromatherapy scent with jasmine from India and violet from France that is out of this world.
Ingredients 5/5: It has the most luxurious botanical ingredients and plant actives compared to other natural lip balms. Application 5/5: This has the most luxurious smooth silky buttery texture and sinks in well. Scent 5/5: Jasmine violet Performance 5/5: It’s exceptionally effective at transforming dry lips to smooth, soft and hydrated lips. Price: $49
This is a versatile natural lip balm with a unique oblong shape that covers almost my entire lips and has shea nut oil, olive fruit oil and beeswax. It feels emollient but gets a little denser during the winter months and more buttery during the warmer months.
I do enjoy using Olio e Osso’s lip balms for everyday use but would not consider them to be as effective for very chapped lips as the richer lip treatments in this list.
Ingredients 3/5: The ingredients are natural but not organic and much simpler in formulation than other lip balms Application 4/5: This has a very wide oval shape that covers most of my lips with a small swipe but is a little less moisturizing than my other recommendations. Scent 4/5: subtle citrus scent Performance 4/5: Decent at moisturizing but not the most long lasting Price: $28 (tinted options available)
This is a super silky salve that’s light and hydrating if you don’t want something rich and thick. Even with its light consistency I still find that it protects my lips and moisturizes them for a decent amount of time but not as long as other richer balms.
I also find the ingredients impressive with certified organic sunflower oil, coconut oil, shea butter, watermelon seed oil and plant-based probiotics, marshmallow root, hyaluronic acid and even coconut water.
Ingredients 4/5: This has plenty of certified organic ingredients with advanced skincare actives Application 5/5: Goes on super smoothly Scent 5/5: Has a yummy scent Performance 4/5: Feels amazing on lips but doesn’t last as long as other similar products due to its lighter consistency. Price: $20
Best Natural Lip Balms with SPF
Here are my top picks and recommendations for a natural lip balm with SPF. SPF 15 is not enough for adequate protection all of these have SPF 30 or SPF 25.
Salt & Stone SPF 30 Lip Balm
Salt & Stone is the best natural lip balm with SPF for a number of reasons! It has 8% non nano zinc oxide and all natural and organic ingredients without any fluff or fillers. It moisturizes with organic sweet almond oil, beeswax, shea butter, argan oil and jojoba oil.
Ingredients 4.5/5: It’s made with nearly all organic ingredients but I wish it had more zinc oxide content. Application 4/5: Goes on smoothly but is not as deeply moisturizing as other lip balms Scent: unscented Performance 4/5: Amazing sun protection with a rare SPF 30 but does leave a bit of white cast on the lips Price: $10
Raw Elements Lip SPF 30
Raw Elements’ SPF lip balm provides the most protection out of any other natural lip balm and is made entirely of organic ingredients, making it the cleanest most effective option.
It has 23% zinc oxide and organic sunflower oil, organic green tea, organic black tea, organic coffee bean and organic butters.
Ingredients 5/5: The ingredients surpass any other lip balm with its organic ingredients and 23% zinc oxide for adequate UV protection. Application 3/5: Very moisturizing but has a gritty texture that doesn’t glide on smoothly Scent: unscented Performance 4/5: This feels creamy but does have a grainy texture. It provides the most sun protection but doesn’t offer the smoothest application. Price: $10.95
Cocokind Tinted Lip Shield SPF 25
The Cocokind lip SPF is a light silky salve that almost feels more like a creamy lip oil than a true salve. It has a slick texture and is super lightweight with not as much lasting power as other richer lip balms.
A combination of zinc oxide and homosalate provide lips with UV protection and it has sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, jojoba seed oil, squalane and shea nut extract to moisturize dry lips.
Ingredients 3/5: The formula is clean except for homosalate for UV protection Application 5/5: Very smooth, silky and glides on easily Scent: unscented Performance 3/5: This feels very hydrating but does not stay on long. You may or may not like its deep nude shade. Price: $16
Best Tinted Natural Lip Balms
Here are my favorite tinted lip balms made with natural and organic ingredients.
This plastic-free multi-stick works as an excellent tinted lip balm and feels hydrating while providing a sheer wash of color that’s still visibly noticeable. I would characterize it as a dense balm that glides on smoothly with plenty of slip thanks to the oils and butters inside.
They’re also 100% vegan, cruelty free and palm oil free and made with organic coconut oil, castor oil, avocado oil and sunflower seed wax instead.
The finish is what I would describe as a satin sheen and comes in 7 different shades. I’ve found the multi-stick stays stable and intact throughout both warm and cold seasons.
Ingredients 4/5: It has a simple formula of 10 naturally-derived and certified organic ingredients. Application 5/5: It glides on so smoothly and really feels hydrating. Scent: unscented Performance 5/5: Price: $24 (discount code OBL saves 20%)
ILIA’s tinted lip balm is another top recommendation if you want a creamy, buttery lip balm with buildable color and strong moisturizing power.
It contains Sea Succulent, Rosehip Seed Oil, Castor Seed Oil and Shea Butter to deeply moisturize and sinks into lips so well. Plus it comes in 8 different wearable shades.
Because these are so creamy and a little softer than other balms, remember to handle them delicately.
Ingredients 3/5: It has plenty of oils and antioxidants, but also contains synthetics. Application 5/5: This has a super buttery feel to it. Scent: unscented Performance 5/5: The color payoff and moisturizing capabilities are top notch compared to other natural lip balms. Price: $28
This is another versatile cheek and lip balm made with natural ingredients that works best as a tinted lip balm.
They’re moisturizing enough for very dry lips but are dense enough to retain their form well throughout all seasons.
Because it’s made a little denser, the balm doesn’t feel as moisturizing during colder months. I find that they provide a sheer wash of color that’s buildable.
Ingredients 4/5: The ingredients are simple and all natural, but some people may not like that it has carmine. Application 4/5: This has a smooth and dense feel to it, but you may or may not like its long oval shape. Scent: unscented Performance 4/5: The colors I’ve tried are so flattering, but if you have very dry lips these may not be moisturizing enough. Price: $28
If you’re looking for an affordable natural tinted lip balm under $10 my top pick and recommendation is Honest Beauty’s Vegan Tinted Lip Balm.
They’re super affordable, have a mostly clean formula of natural ingredients like avocado oil, cocoa seed butter and sunflower seed wax and come in 7 different shades.
They go on smooth and initially feel moisturizing, but don’t condition lips as effectively as other high-end organic lip balms. During colder months, Honest’s lip balm feels more dense with a slightly waxy quality.
Ingredients 3/5: This has a mix of natural and synthetic ingredients. Application 4/5: It glides on smoothly but doesn’t feel as creamy as other clean lip balms I’ve tried. Scent: unscented Performance 4/5: This adequately moisturize lips but not as deeply as other tinted lip balms I’ve tried. Price: $9
Andrea is a clean beauty expert from Los Angeles, California with 10 years of experience in natural skincare and organic living. She writes for Organic Beauty Lover using her expertise to guide readers in choosing the best clean products. Andrea graduated from the University of Southern California in 2012 and has worked at multiple skincare companies, big and small. Connect with her @organicbeautylover.
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