Best Lip Balms in Clean Beauty
Whenever someone asks me: “If I’m switching to clean beauty, what products should I switch out first?”, I always answer: deodorant and lip products. I’ll do a post on my favorite clean deodorants in the future, and today I want to focus on lip balms, as almost EVERYONE uses them and we literally EAT them (lol). Also, if you’re reading this in real time, colder months are coming, and chapped lips are in our very near future. This post contains affiliate links, so if you decide to purchase any of these, I would be ever so thankful even you used them (I also have a some discount codes sprinkled in!).
First, what ingredients to avoid in lip balms:
These ingredients have been found to be endocrine disruptors and potentially carcinogenic:
Petroleum derivatives (mineral oil, petrolatum, petroleum jelly, paraffin)
Synthetic fragrances or artificial flavors
BHT
Lake dyes (I’m ok with these for color lip products, some aren’t)
Chemical SPF filters (avobenzone, oxybenzone, homosalate, etc.)
Now, onto my favorite clean, non-toxic lip balms:
Image Source: Alpyn Beauty
This lip mask is TikTok famous for a reason: it is the most DIVINE, hydrating, plumping lip mask out there and the perfect dupe for the viral Lineage Lip Mask (which is far from clean). This lip mask isn’t sticky or heavy, yet it offers such a wonderful protective layer for your lips that will last you through the night! PLUS, a little goes a super long way. This will save your lips in the wintertime, guaranteed. Ingredient highlights: Hyaluronic Acid, Sweet Agave, White Willow Bark, Wild Chokecherry, Vitamin E.
Image Source: BIBA LOS ANGELES
I will confidently say this Lip Treatment is BETTER than the ever so viral Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment (which I personally didn’t enjoy, and all the flavored ones have undisclosed ingredients in them). This will give you the glossiest, mostly pillowy lips, and actually nourish them, without ever being sticky (Rhode is super sticky IMO). Plus, Hailey Bieber actually goes to Biba de Sousa, who is a celebrity esthetician and has her own skincare, so you know she’s the best of the best. This balm is scent-free, clear and feels super comfortable. Ingredient highlights: Amino Acids, Peptides, and Squalane.
Image Source: Clearstem Skincare
I use LIPS&CUTES every single night because it’s an ACNE SAFE lip balm, that has no pore clogging ingredients, and therefore won’t break me out when I toss and turn and spread my lip treatment all over my pillow/face (lol!). It’s super nourishing and hydrating, and it also doubles as a cuticle balm. Ingredient highlights: Green Tea, Vitamin E, Raspberry Extract (natural UV defender!) and Copper Peptides.
Image Source: Kosas.com
This Kosas Sport Lip Fuel is one of my very first loves from Kosas. I love how hydrating this is without leaving any glossy residue, which is perfect when I am just on the go, or underneath lipstick. I find this is such an elite chopstick, because it lasts on the lips for SO long, so you rarely need to reapply. They also have tinted versions of this, which I also love, but the untinted version stands on its own and I hope they never discontinue it! The packaging is also practical, as you can easily slide it in your pocket, without it bulging out, hehe. Ingredient highlights: Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin E, Wild Mint, Konjac Root.
Image Source: HurrawBalm.com
This is the most budget friendly option out of all my favorites, but don’t fret, this lip balm is AMAZING. Hurraw has a lot of lip balms, but their Moon Lip Balm, which they call their night treatment, is the BOMB. It’s so soothing (thanks to chamomile), hydrating and just feels yummy on the lips (thanks to vanilla). It goes on smooth, isn’t thick upon application, but quite comfortable. Don’t sleep on this raw, vegan & organic lip balm. Ingredient highlights: Blue Chamomile, Vanilla, Avocado Oil, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil.
Buy it at The Detox Market here or on Amazon here!
Kari Gran Naked Lip Whip
Image Source: Kari Gran
I waited for years to try Lip Whip, and I regret it (don’t be like me)! This “whipped treatment balm” is INCREDIBLY hydrating and soothing - so much so that when I use it as an overnight treatment, I still have some left on my *hydrated* lips in the morning! They have a lot of tinted versions as well, which are amazing too, but if you want no tint, make sure to get the Naked Lip Whip - they have two flavors: peppermint and cinnamon. Ingredient highlights: blend of Organic Camellia and Calendula oils.