Pucker up for the Planet with these 10 Sustainable Lip Balms (2024)
image: Elate
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The Best Sustainable & Non-Toxic Lip Balms
An effective lip balm is a must-have in your arsenal of beauty and wellness products — we always like to keep one handy in our purses and dressers. But like most things, all lip balms are not created equal. Some contain nasty toxins like petroleum, many come in non-recyclable plastic tubes, and others just don’t provide long-lasting moisturization. We don’t know about you, but we’re definitely tired of constantly having to apply a coat to dry, chapped lips, only to have to apply it again shortly after.
So, we put together a list of ten of our favorite planet-friendly lip balms that will keep your lips supple and moisturized for that perfect pucker.
Note: Not all the lip balms in this list are vegan. Some products may contain beeswax — if they do, this has been clearly noted.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A SUSTAINABLE LIP BALM:
Petroleum-free. Many brands (including Vaseline, Aquaphor, and Neutrogena) use petroleum jelly in their lip balms. Did you know that this petroleum jelly is literally a by-product of the oil refining industry? It doesn’t get dirtier than that. Stay away from lip balms that contain petroleum jelly as it is a potentially toxic, carcinogenic chemical.
Free of other nasties. On that note, also stay away from products that contain other toxins like parabens, chemical dyes, and synthetic fragrances and preservatives.
Plant-based or cruelty-free. Opt for products using 100% plant-based ingredients where possible. For products that contain beeswax, you want to make sure it’s organic and cruelty-free.
Sustainable packaging. Can the container be reused, recycled, or composted? As always, go for plastic-free when that’s an option.
Certifications. Look out for third-party certifications like B-Corp, Leaping Bunny, ECOCERT, and USDA Organic that back up claims made by the brand.
Worker welfare. Is the brand paying its workers a fair wage? Does it have stringent policies in place regarding ethical worker conditions? Fair Trade, FLOCERT, or SA8000 are good certifications to keep an eye out for.
Diversity in leadership. Bonus points if the brand is BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or woman-owned!
OUR TOP PICKS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIP BALMS:
1. MyMatcha Moisture Stick
Brand: Cocokind
Price: $9
We’re big fans of Cocokind’s multipurpose Mymatcha All-Over Moisture Stick.
Incredibly nourishing for dry lips, it’s also super effective in reducing dark circles and puffiness.
It’s made primarily of two simple ingredients: The organic coconut oil is packed with Vitamin E and amino acids, perfect for deep moisturization, and the caffeine- and antioxidant-rich matcha powder is magically rejuvenating. They have also recently changed the formula to make this lip balm vegan!
2. Nectar Unscented Lip Balm
Brand: Ethique
Price: $8.50
The Nectar Unscented Lip Balm from Ethique checks all the boxes for an effective, basic lip balm. This no-fuss vegan balm is perfect for everyday use. It contains castor seed, moringa, and jojoba oils, as well as Fair Trade cocoa butter.
Packed with fatty acids and Vitamin E, this hardcore combination of moisturizers hydrates your lips and locks it all in for long-lasting protection. And don’t worry, the formulation isn’t sticky at all and glides on super smoothly.
Ethique sources its Fair Trade ingredients from Rwanda, Ghana, and Samoa, supporting local farming cooperatives (most of which are owned by women!). Finally, the lip balms are 100% plastic-free and come in a compostable tube (suitable for your home composts)
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3. Better Balm
Brand: Elate
Price: $30
If you’re on the lookout for a tinted lip balm for everyday use, Elate’s Better Balm is another great option. We like the Bloom tint one because of how subtle the sheer rose color is. The lightweight texture and glossy shine make it perfect for when you need a quick pick-me-up. The balm contains castor, olive, and sunflower oils for nourishment and antioxidants like carrot root oil, vitamins A, C, and E, and rosehip oil for protection against environmental pollutants. The conditioning balm comes in a recyclable glass jar with a compostable bamboo lid — we always love to see brands use zero-waste packaging!
4. Vegan Lip Balm
Brand: Axiology
Price: $14
This lip balm from Axiology is not only Vegan and Cruelty-Free, but it's also Plastic-Free and Handmade in the U.S.A. You can choose from unscented or peppermint varieties. This luscious balm is rich with meadowfoam and cocoa butter, providing a soft, creamy texture that deeply nourishes and loves your lips. While all ingredients are non-toxic, a few are even certified organic.
Axiology is also a BIPOC-owned and Woman-Run beauty brand.
5. Lip Wrap Overnight Mask
Brand: Ilia
Price: $26
An overnight mask that assists in uncovering your smoothest, softest lips!
Acting as a facial for your lips, the powerful, two-fold formula eradicates dry, flaky skin while attracting moisture to visibly refresh and rejuvenate.
Note: This product is not vegan due to a small amount of ethically-sourced beeswax.
6. Vegan Lip Balm
Brand: River Organics
Price: $12.99
We love this tinted lip balm from River Organics. The tint is very subtle and gives your lips a natural warm flush for the perfect ‘no makeup’ makeup look.
It’s made with nourishing cacao and mango butters, which keep your lips moisturized for a long time. Plus, the balm comes in an eco-friendly compostable tube.
7. Vegan Lip Balm
Brand: Meow Meow Tweet
Price: $9.99
This creamy lip balm is made with olive and coconut oils, cocoa seed butter, and candelilla wax. You can also use it on your hands or other areas of your skin to prevent and repair dryness.
The rosemary, eucalyptus, and peppermint oils in the balm help with concentration and focus and are also great for respiratory relief.
Apply this balm on your lips (or under your nostrils for a boost) for a little aromatherapy pick-me-up! Bonus: It comes in a compostable tube.
8. All Good Lips – SPF Lip Balm
Brand: All Good
Price: $5.59 - 6.99 (pack of 3)
If you’re looking for an effective, affordable option, this sunscreen lip balm from All Goods is a solid choice. It is broad-spectrum SPF 20 and provides blue light protection as well — your lips need protection from all that screen time too! The balm is free of parabens and oxybenzone and contains zinc oxide for UVA and UVB protection, making it reef-safe. The ultra-nourishing combination of extra virgin olive oil, Vitamin E, & pure beeswax results in long-lasting, much-needed moisturization for those dry, chapped lips.
The balm is effective on cracked skin and cuticles too. And the brand has all the certifications: Certified B Corporation, 1% for the Planet, Leaping Bunny Certified, and Climate Neutral Certified. This one’s the real deal! The tubes could be better, but it is at least made from 50% Post Industrial plastic.
9. Organic Beeswax Lip Balm
Brand: Zambeezi
Price: $13 (pack of 4)
Zambeezi’s Lip Balm is another great cost-effective choice. The organic Fair Trade beeswax is produced in Zambia. The balm also contains organic coconut, sunflower, jojoba, and mongongo oils, making it ultra-healing. Find their lip balms in 4 different flavors!
Note: This product is not vegan because of beeswax and could come in better tubes - but we love that it is Fair Trade!
10. Lip Salve
Brand: Fat and the Moon
Price: $10
The lip salve from Fat and the Moon is super soft and light, making it ideal for sensitive lips. If you’re looking to moisturize your lips but don’t want that glossy finish, this one is perfect for you. It’s made with all-natural, organic ingredients, including mango butter for protection, and rosemary essential oil for that fresh, clarifying feel. The balm comes in a cute aluminum tin which can be washed out and recycled after use. The shipping boxes and cartons are made from post-consumer waste paper & also recyclable.
About the Author
Jyotika is a writer based in New Delhi. She writes about sustainable living and eco-friendly brands, covering fashion, food, travel, and wellness. Previously, she was the fashion manager at her family's bespoke fashion business, where in addition to her other responsibilities she worked on improving textile sourcing from local artisans to encourage grassroots production, as well as conducting sustainability workshops with employees regarding the eco-friendly disposal of fashion materials.
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