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As soon as the temperature drops, my lips are the first to suffer. Like super dry, chapped, peeling lips within days of the weather turning. It’s just another seasonal struggle I deal with every single year, and for a long time I was just grabbing whatever lip balm was at the checkout counter without thinking too much about what was actually in it.
Then I started reading ingredient labels. Most conventional lip balms are full of petroleum-derived ingredients like petrolatum and mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, parabens, and other things I’d rather not be putting anywhere near my mouth dozens of times a day. But after a bit of research, I’ve found some really beautiful natural and organic alternatives that actually work, smell amazing, and come in plastic-free or compostable packaging.
Here’s what to look for on the label:
🌲 Natural waxes: beeswax, candelilla wax (vegan), or carnauba wax instead of petroleum-based ingredients
🌲 Nourishing plant oils: coconut oil, jojoba, castor oil, shea butter, and rosehip
🌲 No synthetic fragrance: look for essential oils or fragrance-free options instead
🌲 Plastic-free packaging: paper tubes, metal tins, and cardboard push-ups are all widely available now
🌲 Organic certification: USDA Organic or COSMOS Organic are the most reliable standards
A note for vegans: many natural lip balms use beeswax, which is not vegan. I’ve flagged the vegan options below.
Here are some of the best brands worth knowing about.
1. Henné Organics
Henné Organics makes what is widely considered one of the best natural lip balms available. Their Lux Lip Balm is certified organic, fragrance-free, and made from a simple list of high quality botanical ingredients. It absorbs quickly, is never sticky, and actually heals rather than just coating the surface. They also make a luxury hand cream which is definitely worth checking out. A premium product that lives up to the price.
🌍 US-based, ships internationally
2. Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet is a small Brooklyn-based brand making fully vegan, organic lip balms in completely plastic-free, biodegradable paper tubes. Their formula uses organic coconut oil, shea butter, candelilla wax, and essential oils, and the packaging is compostable. One of the most truly zero waste options on this list.
🌍 US-based, ships internationally
3. Axiology
Axiology is a BIPOC-owned, woman-run brand making handcrafted lip balms in the US from a short list of completely clean ingredients. Fully vegan, zero waste, and the packaging is made from recycled paper. Their balms are available unscented or lightly scented with peppermint essential oil. Simple, ethical, and easy to feel good about.
🌍 US-based, ships internationally
4. Eco Lips
Eco Lips specializes entirely in lip care and their Mongo Kiss range uses organic Mongongo oil from Africa and Fair Trade certified cocoa butter. USDA Organic certified, available in a range of flavors and formulas, and one of the best value organic options out there. Their tubes are also larger than standard lip balms which means less packaging waste per use.
🌍 US-based, available in many health food stores globally
5. Poppy and Pout
Poppy and Pout is a small Idaho-based brand making flower-inspired lip balms in small batches from simple, clean ingredients including ethically sourced beeswax, organic coconut oil, and essential oils. The packaging is a cardboard push-up tube rather than plastic, and the brand has a really beautiful handmade quality. Not vegan but a strong natural option.
🌍 US-based, ships internationally
6. Ethique
Ethique is a New Zealand brand well known for their zero waste solid beauty products, and their lip balms are no exception. Fully vegan, plastic-free, and made from plant-based ingredients. They come in three flavors and are widely available globally including in many mainstream retailers, which makes them one of the most accessible options on this list.
🌍 New Zealand-based, available globally
7. UpCircle
UpCircle is a UK brand built around upcycled ingredients, using byproducts from other industries that would otherwise go to waste. Their lip balm uses repurposed ingredients alongside shea butter and natural oils, is certified vegan and cruelty-free, and comes in sustainable packaging.
🌍 UK-based, ships internationally
8. Dr. Bronner’s
Dr. Bronner’s makes a simple, effective organic lip balm that doubles as a cuticle balm and dry skin treatment. Made from organic coconut oil, hemp seed oil, jojoba oil, and beeswax, it’s USDA Organic certified, fair trade, and about as clean an ingredient list as you’ll find. Widely available in health food stores around the world and very affordable.
🌍 US-based, available globally
9. ATTITUDE
ATTITUDE is a Canadian brand making EWG verified, fully vegan lip balms with plastic-free packaging and zero synthetic ingredients. A pretty solid everyday option if you want something widely available, affordable, and completely free from anything questionable. Their entire range is also free from beeswax making it one of the better vegan options at an accessible price point.
🌍 Canada-based, available globally
10. Alteya Organics
Alteya Organics is a Bulgarian brand growing their own certified organic roses and botanicals and making USDA Certified Organic lip balms from them. Their Rose Lip Balm is beautiful, made from organic rose oil, shea butter, and beeswax. If you want something luxurious from a brand with full farm-to-product transparency, Alteya is worth knowing about.
🌍 Bulgaria-based, ships internationally
11. Hurraw
Hurraw is an Australian brand making 100% vegan, certified organic lip balms in a huge range of flavors, completely free from beeswax, gluten, soy, palm oil, and essential oils (making them one of the best options for sensitive lips). Their balms are 71% certified organic, cold-pressed, and raw. One of the most loved vegan lip balm brands globally and very widely available.
🌍 Australia-based, available globally
12. Crazy Rumors
Crazy Rumors is a US brand making 100% natural, fully vegan lip balms in a wide range of fun flavors with no beeswax anywhere in their formulas. Their tubes are made from recycled materials and the brand is committed to cruelty-free, plant-based ingredients throughout. A great affordable everyday option.
🌍 US-based, ships internationally
Dry lips in fall and winter are practically a given, but there’s no reason to reach for something full of petroleum and synthetic fragrance when there are this many great alternatives. A good natural lip balm makes a real difference, and honestly most of them smell and feel wayy better than the conventional ones anyway.
