The 10 Best Organic Lip Balms of 2021 - Treehugger

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Nothing is worse than dry, cracked lips. The condition can make everything from smiling to eating painful, and let's be honest, doesn't look too pretty. Just as our skin needs regular hydration and sun protection, so do our lips. UV radiation can dry out the lips as well as increase chances of skin cancer and the depletion of collagen and elastin, causing lips to lose their volume with age, says Kavita Mariwalla, MD and dermatologist at Mariwalla Dermatology.

While vaseline and beeswax have often been the go-to ingredients in lip balms, consumers are becoming more aware of the negative impact of fossil fuel-based petroleum as well as wanting vegan, beeswax-free formulas. Thankfully, today's beauty brands have formulated plenty of organic lip balms that promise a clean, hydrated pout.

"It's important to be aware of what you are putting on your lips [as] many people develop allergies to lip balms and then start feeling dependent on them," says Julie Russak, MD and dermatologist at Russak Dermatology Clinic in Manhattan. "We also ingest what is being put on our lips, so it is important to use clean ingredients."

Besides ingredients, lip balms vary in flavor, form, and certifications. No matter your preferences, we found the best certified organic lip balms to keep your lips moisturized and protected.

Final Verdict

You can't go wrong with Juice Beauty's trio of vegan lip balms (view at Thrive Market). You get two tinted shades plus a plain one for all occasions. The mineral SPF keeps your lips protected whether you are sitting by the window at your desk or by the lake. If you get bored with just one flavor, try Cliganic's set (view at Walmart). You'll get six different flavored lip balms for the price of one.

What to Look for in Organic Lip Balm

Key Ingredients

From eating spicy and salty foods to bad habits like licking our lips, we put our lips through a lot that can dry them out. The key to keeping them hydrated is trapping in the moisture with the right ingredients. 

"When looking for a lip balm that is natural you want to focus on ingredients that are emollients—in other words, ones that will trap moisture into the skin," says Dr. Mariwalla. "I do like humectants as well because of their ease of use and glide on the skin. For example, some of my favorite ingredients are glycerin and manuka honey."

Other popular moisturizing ingredients include different vitamin rich oils like coconut, sunflower seed, jojoba, and olive oil as well as cocoa butter.

Besides moisturizing ingredients, both dermatologists encourage readers to look for formulas with SPF between 15-30 to help prevent skin cancer and premature aging of the lips.

"UV radiation can not only cause burns and increase the risk of skin cancer, but can also speed up the degradation of collagen and elastin, which normally plump up the lips," says Dr. Mariwalla. "Meaning the lips will lose their volume and look more wrinkled."

When it comes to what to avoid in lip balms, Dr. Russak recommends skipping products with fragrances, alcohol, phenol, preservatives, and dyes.

Certifications

For this roundup, we looked for lip balms with USDA certified organic ingredients. Because there currently is no certification program to certify cosmetics as organic, looking for products with a majority of USDA certified organic ingredients is the best way to ensure you are using the most natural product.

We also looked for products that are Leaping Bunny and Peta Cruelty Free, meaning there is no animal testing involved in making the product. Because many organic lip balms use beeswax, not all of them are certified vegan but certain products on the list are Vegan Certified.

Flavor

Whether you lean towards vanilla or peppermint, some people love the smell and taste of flavored lip balm. Going clean doesn't mean you have to give up the flavor though. While it's best to avoid artificial fragrances and flavors, many organic lip balms are naturally flavored with oils like peppermint, coconut, rose, and various other fruits and flowers. These ingredients are often nourishing for the lips as well, so you get two benefits in one. 

FAQs

Why are my lips always chapped?

If you feel like your lips are always chapped no matter what hydrating lip balms you use, Dr. Mariwalla suggests looking at your routine for habits that may be drying out your lips. 

"Think about the things you are doing in terms of lifestyle. For example, are you using whitening toothpaste? Are you wearing a mask that you are washing with a harsh detergent or drying with a lot of dryer sheets?" says Dr. Mariwalla. "Also, are you over-using chapsticks? Overuse of a lip balm can stop your skin from producing its own oils. Beware of bleeding of your exfoliants and acids onto your lip skin from adjacent facial skin when washing or doing your night time routine."

Dr. Mariwalla also recommends avoiding lip plumping products, matte lipstick, and spicy foods if you tend to have sensitive, dry lips. 

Another reason why your lip balm may not seem to be working is because the ingredients are not penetrating. Before you apply any lip treatment, Dr. Russak says it's important to gently exfoliate the lips to remove dead skin cells. Check out these homemade lip scrub recipes to reveal revived lips.

How long does organic lip balm last?

When it comes to any beauty product, it's best to check with the label and brand for the expiration date. Most products have a small jar icon with a number on the bottom of the packaging. The number represents the number of months the product will be good for after opening. 

Regardless, if you do start to notice that your lip balm has a weird texture or smell than when you first opened it, it's probably time to get a replacement. Keep in mind that since many organic lip balms use plant oils, they can easily melt in very hot conditions. So don't just stow all your lip balms in your boiling car if you want to maintain the full shelf life.

Can you make DIY organic lip balm? 

When reading the label of organic lip balms, you may notice that you already have several of the ingredients in your pantry, from coconut to olive oil. Just add a few more emollients like shea butter and/or beeswax and you can make your own lip balm at balm by following homemade recipes. 

The beauty of going DIY is you can customize the formula to include ingredients with relevant benefits for you. You also can cut out the plastic packaging and overproduction. Plus, who doesn't like a fun DIY project?

Why Trust Treehugger?

Emily Cieslak loves writing about sustainable fashion and beauty for Treehugger and other publications. As someone who enjoys hitting the beach as much as the slopes, she knows the importance of using a moisturizing, SPF-filled lip balm that will protect her lips from the elements. She's tried a variety of formulas over the years, including a few on this list.

For this article, Emily researched the benefits of different natural ingredients and cosmetic certifications. She also interviewed Kavita Mariwalla, MD and dermatologist at Mariwalla Dermatology and Julie Russak, MD and dermatologist at Russak Dermatology Clinic in Manhattan. The dermatologists explained what happens to the lips as we age along with what clean ingredients to look for to keep lips healthy.