Best Eco – Friendly Plastic Free Lip Balm
If you’ve had painfully chapped lips and searched “plastic free lip balm” to find the best eco-friendly lip balms to help revive your smooth, supple lips, you’ve landed on the right page!
Lip balms are commonly used topically to moisturize and relieve dry or chapped lips due to dehydration or certain conditions like cold sores, angular cheilitis, or stomatitis.
They also often contain beeswax or carnauba wax as a hardening agent in addition to other ingredients like paraffin and camphor which can sometimes make up a big percentage of ingredients in lip balms.
Most lip balms commonly use plastic as a form of packaging which can not only affect your health in the long run but also the environment.
Often made with crude oil, it can be harmful because manufacturing creates a significant amount of pollution, and the plastic breaks down into tiny microplastics that can pollute the soil, waterways, and even the air.
With this in mind, we’ve scoured the internet to find the best eco-friendly plastic-free lip balms there is so that you don’t have to.
11 Best Eco-Friendly Plastic Free Lip Balms
- River Organics
- Meow Meow Tweet
- Elate Cosmetics
- Valley Mist Hydrating Lip Balm
- Juniperseed Merchantile
- Ethique
- Dirty Hippie
- Ravenscourt Apothecary Co.
- The Glowcery
- Plant Makeup
- Rainwater Botanicals
DISCLOSURE
Some of the links on here are affiliate links, and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. I hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.
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The Best Eco Friendly Plastic Free Lip Balm
One of our favorite plastic friendly lip balms is Ethique – it smells great and feels great on the lips especially during a really dry day or a day in the cold. It uses 100% plastic free packaging and all natural products to give you soft, plump lips in no time!
11 Best Eco-Friendly Plastic Free Lip Balms
1. River Organics Plastic Free Lip Balm
River Organics uses plant oils as a base for each product to help hydrate your skin naturally while caring for the planet.
Founded by an Art historian and a chemist for natural products, this brand aims to provide simplified methods to organically nourish your skin.
Besides using organic ingredients, River Organics also uses sustainable packaging and makes sure to use thoughtful methods of shipping – using labels made of sugar cane minus the unnecessary marketing or packing materials.
Ingredients:
- Coconut Oil
- Macadamia Nut Oil
- Candelilla Wax
- Cocoa Butter
- Mango Seed Butter
- Vitamin E, made from wheat germ
- Mica
- Iron Oxides.
What we like about this zero waste tinted lip balm:
- 100% plastic-free
- Unscented and certified organic
- Uses eco-friendly undyed paper tube
- Provides hydration for hours
- Smooth application
- Tints come in various colors
What we don’t like :
- Tends to dry out the lips
- Container may be too hard to use
2. Meow Meow Tweet Plastic Free Lip Balm
A collaborative artist team, Tara and Jeff are the founders of Meow Meow Tweet who work together to not only create organic beauty products but also sculptures, music and performances.
This brand is committed to making all natural and pure plant based formulas – from deodorants, lip balms, soap all the way to insect repellants, Meow Meow Tweet is determined to create only the best vegan, natural products for your skin.
Ingredients:
- Olive fruit oil
- Coconut oil
- Cacao seed butter
- Candelilla wax
- Rosemary leaf extract
- Rosemary leaf oil,
- Eucalyptus leaf oil
- Peppermint leaf oil
What we like about this sustainable lip balm:
- 100% plastic-free
- Available in different scents
- Packed using biodegradable paper tubes
- Certified to be cruelty-free
- Uses organic ingredients
- Great for dry, itchy lips
What we don’t like :
- It’s not 100% organic
- Cap can be a little oily and unsanitary
3. Elate Cosmetics Plastic Free Lip Balm
Prioritising kindness above all, Elate Cosmetics sources their materials ethically and keeps their trade practices fair throughout all their products, ensuring they are 100% vegan and cruelty free.
They also make it a point to donate 2% of their sales to christies every year to support communities with their Social and Environmental Impact Program.
As a brand, they continuously strive to design new methods and systems to minimise impact on the environment while still providing the best nourishment for your skin.
Ingredients:
- Castor Seed Oil
- Shea Oil
- Olive Oil
- Candelilla Wax
- Carrot Root Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Rosehip Seed Oil
- Vitamin E
- Iron Oxides.
What we like about this zero waste tinted lip balm:
- 100% plastic-free
- Lightweight
- Nourishing
- Protects lips from pollutants
- Smooth application
- Packaged in a recyclable glass jar with a lid made of compostable bamboo
What we don’t like:
- May be watery and may need to be applied with a brush
- Color may slightly differ from advertising
4. Valley Mist Hydrating Lip Balm
The founder of Valley Mist, Jo, has been making natural skincare for over 10 years and launched her brand with only 4 lip balms that were aimed to be free from chemicals that are overly processed.
With a mission to create lip balms that were holistic and natural, Valley Mist creates their products using only raw, naturally derived or natural materials, all on top of their sustainable, plastic-free packaging. How cool is that?
Ingredients:
- Cocoa seed butter
- Organic sunflower oil
- Organic beeswax
- Mango butter
- Peppermint oil
- Lavender oil
- Calendula infusion oil
What we like about this waste-free lip balm:
- 100% plastic-free
- Biodegradable packaging – all made of the paper board only
- Moisturizing
- Uses all-natural ingredients
- Vegan
What we don’t like:
- Packaging may not be very water resistant
- Lack SPF protection
5. Juniperseed Merchantile Plastic Free Lip Balm
Juniperseed is all about making the best natural products there is, from natural ingredients all around you. Knowledge passed down from her grandmother, the founder, Tiffany learned from an early age that natural ingredients make the best remedy.
At the core, this brand concentrates on providing the best with simple ingredients and natural, sustainable ingredients in order for you to experience great skin – minus all the nasties.
Ingredients:
- Organic coconut oil
- Candelilla wax
- Hemp seed oil
- Organic avocado oil
- Organic cocoa butter
- Vitamin E
What we like about this biodegradable lip balm:
- 100% plastic-free
- Eco-friendly lip balm tube packaging
- Very hydrating
- Uses all-natural ingredients
- Vegan
What we don’t like:
- Not long lasting – will have to reapply often
- Texture feels a little thin on the lips
6. Ethique Plastic Free Lip Balm
Ethique was created out of frustration for the unnecessary amount of waste that is produced by the cosmetics industry especially concerning plastic waste.
This led Brianne, the owner, to create a brand where all the ingredients used are natural, ethically sourced, plastic free and palm oil free.
A true inspiration, this company began as a crowdfunding project that picked up a lot of attention from the media that soon turned big, putting Ethique on a sustainable skincare map around the globe.
Ingredients:
- Castor bean oil
- Candelilla wax
- Jojoba seed oil
- Moringa seed oil
- Organic cocoa butter
- Grapefruit oil
- Stearic acid
- Linalool
- Limonene
What we like about this waste free lip balm:
- 100% plastic-free
- Zero-waste packaging
- Hydrating
- Palm oil-free
- Vegan and fair trade
- Scent varies
What we don’t like:
- The packaging runs small
- The tube cover doesn’t stay on making it hard to carry on the go
7. Dirty Hippie Plastic Free Lip Balm
A family run business based in Australia, Dirty Hippie takes eco conscious love very seriously.
All the ingredients used in their products are natural, cruelty free, toxin free and formulated to suit any skin type. They take pride in making small batches of products at a time to ensure that you get the best organic ingredients in your plastic free lip balm.
Ingredients:
- Virgin Organic Coconut Oil
- Organic Jojoba Oil
- Organic Beeswax
- Vitamin E, Cocoa Powder
What we like about this sustainable lip balm:
- 100% plastic-free
- Doubles as a cheek tint
- Plumps the lips
- Options of recyclable tin or compostable tube made of paper
- Ethically sourced ingredients
What we don’t like:
- Packaging disintegrates quite quickly
- The tube can be hard to use
8. Ravenscourt Apothecary Co. Plastic Free Lip Balm
Inspired by the love of Victorian literature and unique teas, Ravenscourt Apothecary Co. is definitely one of a kind. All the ingredients used are natural and organic but all their products still give off a feeling of luxury and simplicity all in one.
Cruelty free and vegan, these products are also safe for those who are allergic to soy as it is also soy free and uses sustainable packaging throughout all their skincare items.
Ingredients:
- Sweet almond oil
- Kokum butter
- Candelilla wax
- Australian red clay
- Coconut oil
- Ho wood essential oil
What we like about this lip balm that is plastic-free:
- 100% plastic-free
- Compostable tube
- Very nourishing
- Eco-friendly packaging
- Available in different tints
What we don’t like:
- Tint may be too light
9. The Glowcery Plastic Free Lip Balm
Launched in 2020, the Glowcery has built a steady following since, and have been feeding America’s skin ever since and their products can be found in cabinets all around the globe.
All their products are cruelty free, vegan and organic, using natural superfood for the skin. They also take sustainability seriously with their plastic free packaging and refill options!
Ingredients:
- Myrica Fruit Wax
- Mango butter
- Candelilla wax
- Avocado oil
- Sweet Almond oil
- Sunflower oil
- Calendula oil
- Vitamin E
What we like about this eco-friendly lip balm:
- 100% plastic-free
- No synthetic fragrance
- Free of animal products
- Packaged in a reusable tin
- Helps with dry and flaky lips
- Ultra-hydrating
What we don’t like:
- Packaging doesn’t close very tightly
- Application needs to be done with your fingers, which can be unhygienic
10. Plant Makeup Plastic Free Lip Balm
Made from all things natural, Plant Makeup is truly one of a kind. It uses natural ingredients and natural pigments which may appear differently when applied on the skin.
Using gentler colours, Plant Makeup aims to enhance your natural beauty by using nature as paint for your beauty canvas. It also uses eco-friendly packaging and is 100% plastic free!
Ingredients:
- Myrica Fruit Wax
- Mango butter
- Candelilla wax
- Avocado oil
- Sweet Almond oil
- Sunflower oil
- Calendula oil
- Vitamin E
What we like about this zero waste lip balm:
- 100% plastic-free
- Made of natural ingredients
- Great gloss after application
- Packaged in reusable tins or glass jars
- Great for dry lips
- Very moisturizing
What we don’t like:
- Pigment may be too light
- May feel a little oily on the lips
11. Rainwater Botanicals Plastic Free Lip Balm
Rainwater Botanicals are dreams made reality. From their first homemade salve, their products have always incorporated natural, locally sourced ingredients in small batches to ensure the highest quality is delivered.
Keeping on with the success of their healing salve, Rainwater Botanicals then extended their line to incorporate more organic, natural skincare products in their range while still keeping all their packaging 100% sustainable all the way.
Ingredients:
- Myrica Fruit Wax
- Mango butter
- Candelilla wax
- Avocado oil
- Sweet Almond oil
- Sunflower oil
- Calendula oil
- Vitamin E
What we like about this plastic-free chapstick:
- 100% plastic-free
- Made of natural ingredients
- Helps heal chapped lips
- Packaged in reusable tins or paper board
- Great for dry lips
- Very hydrating
What we don’t like:
- May feel oily on the lips
What Ingredients Moisturize The Lips?
To maintain supple, kissable lips you should look out for certain ingredients in your lip balms that can help keep your lips soothed and hydrated in any weather.
Some of the best ingredients your lip balm should have are:
1. Shea Butter
This anti-aging rich tree nut oil creates a barrier on the lips that seals moisture by soaking into the skin, enhancing the healing process for dry lips.
2. Honey
Honey is a common ingredient with outstanding benefits for your lips and skin.
As a humectant, it functions to attract and retain moisture in addition to its exfoliating properties that keep your lips smooth and healthy.
3. Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Often used in cosmetic products, Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps delay or prevent cellular damage in your skin. It also enhances circulation and can assist in generating new cells for softer lips.
However, according to a 2010 study, a small percentage of people are allergic to Vitamin E despite being a commonly used ingredient in lip balms.
To ensure that you don’t experience an allergic reaction, be sure to test the product first and immediately see a doctor if you experience any symptoms such as rashes, redness, or swelling.
4. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide
Similar to your skin, your lips too are sensitive to the sun and can cause them to chap when they are exposed to the sun for too long.
This is why you should look out for ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium oxide in your lip balms as they function to block UV rays and can help prevent pre-cancers of the lip.
It is also advised that you use a lip balm with at least SPF 30 or more before you head outside and reapply them at least every 2 hours.
5. Petroleum Jelly
While it’s not the most eco-friendly ingredient, petroleum jelly can be quite helpful for dry lips. Your lips are prone to drying out because the lips do not have any oil glands, thus making it difficult to retain moisture, especially if you live in a cold or dry area.
Known as an occlusive, Vaseline works to hold in moisture and works best when used with a humectant like honey, aloe, shea butter, or calendula that function to pull moisture from the air into the skin and lips.
What To Look Out For When Finding The Best Plastic Free Lip Balm?
To find the best sustainable lip balm, be sure to be on the lookout for its ingredients and how they are produced.
It‘s also important they are ethically produced and ensure that they also incorporate environmentally-conscious packaging for their products.
Some cosmetic products use ingredients that can be harmful to your health.
Ingredients like mica (Potassium Aluminium Silicate), mineral oil, artificial colors, artificial fragrance, and harmful chemicals used to make certain cosmetic products can be dangerous for your health and can potentially cause cancer in the long run.
This is why you should start using lip balms made of natural ingredients as it is guaranteed to be much safer and organic compared to the commercial brands in the market.
Look out for natural ingredients such as:
- Shea butter
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba oil
- Olive oil
- Mango butter
- Beeswax
These lip balms can also be used on your skin, elbows, and knees so not only is it sustainable and organic, it’s multipurpose too!
The best plastic-free lip balms should incorporate materials that look as good on the outside as they are on the inside.
If possible, their packaging should also reflect its eco-friendly ingredients and should be either recyclable, compostable, and zero waste friendly.
This eco-movement is known as Blue Beauty, a movement that is not only about including organic ingredients, or enhancing supply chain transparency but also about minimizing the negative consequences of waste on the environment with their products.
What Ingredients To Avoid When Getting Lip Balm?
When finding the perfect sustainable lip balm for dry lips, make sure to avoid the following ingredients to prevent any adverse effects or allergies.
1. Menthol, Phenol, Camphor, Or Any Sort Of Alcohol
These ingredients can irritate the skin of the lips despite giving your lips a nice, cooling sensation. They can also sometimes cause the outer layers of your skin to dry up and peel which can make your lips vulnerable to environmental hazards.
2. Fragrances And Parabens
Parabens such as butylparaben and methylparaben have been shown to display negative side effects and it has been hypothesized that their estrogenic properties may play a role in developing cancer.
Fragrances, on the other hand, are used to make the product smell and taste better but can result in irritation or allergies.
A common fragrance that is often used in cosmetic products is cinnamates which are usually used for sun blocking and smell. It has tendencies to cause mild to severe allergies, so be sure to watch out for this little culprit when getting your next lip balm.
3. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is an important component of acne medications that can help remove dead skin and soften lips. However, they can result in inflammation and dryness of the lips which can eventually cause irritation and discomfort.
Tips For Supple And Healthy Lips
Nothing beats the feeling of having soft supple lips that you can pucker up with, feeling sexy as hell anytime you want.
The skin on your lips is much thinner than the rest of your face making it a lot more prone to damage.
There are several things you can do to maintain your lips, to ensure that they stay hydrated, supple, and luscious at all times.
1. Stay Hydrated
It is known that staying hydrated throughout the day has ample great effects on your skin, lips as well as the whole body!
One of the top reasons for dry skin and chapped skin is dehydration, so try making it a point to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day or about 2.5 liters of water a day to hydrate your body from the inside out and keep your lips soft and kissable throughout the day.
2. Use A Lip Scrub
Using a lip scrub may seem like an unimportant step but it is one of the most essential tricks to maintaining soft, luscious lips.
Lip scrubs work to remove dead, dry skin from the surface of your lips and promote blood circulation which can help reduce discoloration of the lips and keep your lips soft and ready for your lipstick to glide on.
Make sure to only exfoliate your lips once to twice a week to prevent injuring the skin of your lips, so be sure to also scrub them on gently and apply a lip balm right after exfoliating.
Some easy recipes you can use to make your lip scrubs include:
- 1 tsp of honey + 1 tsp of sugar (basic lip scrub)
- 1 tsp of almond oil/coconut oil + 1 tsp sugar (for dry lips)
- 1 tsp lemon juice + 1 tsp sugar (for dark lips)
- 1 tsp coffee grounds + 1 tsp sugar (for flaky lips)
If you don’t have time to make one, you can always get one! Here are some of our Amazon favorites:
- Ethique Moisturising Natural Lip Balm
- Eco Lips Organic Lip Balm
- Hemp4Help’s 100% Natural Moisturising Organic Hemp Lip Balm
- Poppy & Pout 100% Natural Lip Balm
- C.O. Bigelow All Purpose Rose Salve Lip Balm
3. Use A Lip Balm Every Few Hours
Use a lip balm that is enriched with nourishing kinds of butter and oils to boost your lips’ hydration levels, especially after using a lip scrub and if you happen to be in a dry or cold environment for prolonged hours.
Lip balms also protect your lips from environmental pollution like dust by forming a protective layer on the lips.
Make sure to check the ingredients and avoid drying ingredients like camphor but instead, look out for hydrating ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, aloe vera, and cocoa butter among others.
4. Protect Your Lips From Sun Exposure
Just like your skin, your lips too are prone to damage caused by UV rays and too much sun exposure which can lead to lips thinning, darkening, and aging to name a few.
We recommend that you get yourself a good SPF-infused lip balm as they can help keep your lips looking luscious while keeping you safe from sun damage.
5. Stop Licking Or Nibbling On Your Lips
If you have a habit of licking your lips when it’s dry, it’s time that you stop. This is because your saliva contains digestive enzymes that can wear down the skin on your lips which can leave your lips drier and flakier than before.
You can kick this nasty habit by keeping your lips constantly moisturized and hydrated with a lip balm every time you feel like licking your lips. It can also be particularly helpful to apply a layer of lip balm before you go to bed to wake up soft lips in the morning.
6. Limit Your Exposure To Harmful Toxins
Habits like smoking can aggravate the effects of pollutants, smoke, and chemicals on the lips, making them look darker or wrinkled.
Smoking can cause hyperpigmentation because of the nicotine it contains that can cause in blood vessels and limit the blood flow to your lips reducing the nutrients it needs to stay supple and soft.
7. Be Sure To Prep Your Lips Before Makeup
Lipsticks especially liquid and matte lipsticks have tendencies to dry out your lips because the ingredients they contain can be dehydrating.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that you scrub and moisturize your lips before applying such lipsticks to prevent lip lines and keep them looking soft and supple throughout the day.
How Can I Make My Own Plastic Free Lip Balm (DIY)?
The best way to ensure that the ingredients in your lip balm are natural is to make them yourself.
This way, you can ensure that your lip balms are not only plastic-free, but they will also be organic – safer than most products you will find on the shelves.
We’ve found a DIY lip balm recipe that you can try and make at home, one of which can be multi-purpose as natural lip balms can also be used on rough patches on your skin like on your elbows and knees. Being multipurpose and organic, it’s a win-win for you and the planet!
We highly recommend you use small tins like these as opposed to plastic tubes for your homemade lip balms to reduce the use of plastic with your skincare.
DIY Lip Balm Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp lightly packed beeswax or beeswax pastilles
- 1 tbsp shea butter
- 1 ½ tbsp coconut oil or jojoba oil
- 3 drops of Vitamin E oil
- 5 – 10 drops of peppermint oil
** Optional – 3 -5 drops of raspberry essential oil or any other essential oils
Instructions:
- In a double boiler (or a bowl/jar in boiling water), heat shea butter, beeswax, and coconut oil until melted.
- When the ingredients above have melted, turn off the heat, slowly stir and add vitamin E oil and essential oils until they are incorporated evenly.
- Slowly pour into your container and let cool for 3-8 hours until it sets and voila! It’s ready for your sexy lips!
Should you prefer a vegan alternative, you can replace beeswax with vegan options like carnauba wax or candelilla wax which will work just as well for homemade lip balms.
What Are Other Alternatives Available Instead Of Lip Balms To Treat Dry Lips?
If you are allergic to most lip balms and have a hard time finding suitable ingredients to revive your chapped lips, look no further, we are here to help. There are various ingredients that you can use daily to achieve the same success with your lips as a lip balm would.
These are some lip balm substitutes that are not only harmless but also do not contain any cancer-inducing additives that will endanger your health, so let’s get to it!
1. Castor Oil
The perfect emollient for dry lips, castor oil has a sticky and heavy feel but you will only need very little to experience its rich moisturizing properties, especially on painful cracking and bleeding chapped lips.
2. Coconut Oil
Known as a cure-all, coconut oil is a fan of many DIY-ers around the world for its benefits and multi-purpose functions. Apply a little bit on your dry, chapped lips and gently massage them in to achieve hydrated, supple lips that last all day.
3. Butter
Yes, you read that right. Butter is commonly used to eat with food or toast but did you know that it is also a great emergency moisturizer for your dry, chapped lips?
Butter is great for dry-lip emergencies as it is rich in fat that helps seal the lips and prevents further chapping, in addition to providing quick soothing relief for dehydrated lips.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has a light, watery consistency that differs from beeswax or oily components that you may not like very much. It functions to seal in moisture tightly and hydrate your lips without feeling like a film of oil on your lips like beeswax or Vaseline may feel.
It also provides a nice, cooling sensation when applied to the lips making it remarkably soothing for dry or chapped lips throughout the day.
5. Raw Honey
This natural humectant helps absorb moisture from your surroundings and transfers it to where it is applied such as the skin, hair, or lips.
Raw honey can also hydrate your lips, sealing them with moisture and preventing the loss of water from the surface so the next time you run out of lip balm for your dry lips, go on and try a little honey for some immediate relief!
Is There Plastic In Chapstick?
Lip balms or chapsticks don’t usually contain plastic as one of their ingredients, but the packaging might involve using non-recyclable materials like polypropylene (#5) which many recycling facilities cannot process.
Which Lip Balm Is Chemical Free?
Most lip balms are bound to have some type of chemicals in them – either in the form of preservatives or hardening agents of some kind.
However, Meow Meow Tweet and Plant Makeup are some of the chemical free ones we’ve found that use all-organic ingredients.
You can also try using honey and aloe vera – natural chemical free remedies for sexy, soft and smooth lips any time!
Conclusion
It’s important to keep your lips hydrated to avoid painful chapping lips especially if you spend a lot of time in the cold or in heat. Nobody wants lips that look like the cracking grounds of the desert!
Hence, it’s important that you take care of your supple lips with the right ingredients and with sustainable materials – to keep your lips and the environment healthy.
We hope our list of the best eco friendly plastic free lip balms help you find the right lip balm for you, and for the planet!