Lip Balms
Note: This page contains affiliate links, which means that Living Clean in a Dirty World may receive a commission if readers click on these links and then purchase products. Living Clean in a Dirty World also may accept product review samples but receives no other compensation from companies mentioned on this website.
September 1, 2022
By Lisa Petrison
Until recently, I rarely put any real thought into choosing lip balm and instead just picked up whatever reasonably clean products were easily available to me in local retailers.
However, over the past months I have tried out many more lip balms and have found that my experiences with some of these have been much better than with run-of-the-mill lip balms.
In some cases, these lip balms are not even more expensive than the drugstore products that I was previously using.
Considering that I likely ingest much more lip balm than I do any other cosmetic, choosing a clean product that feels good to me in addition to performing well seems important.
This page focuses on untinted lip balm products in stick form. Lip balms with a hint of added color are discussed on the Lip Tints page.
TOP PICKS
♣ Living Clean Superstars:
+Bella Vado Lip Cream ($3)
+Cocokind My Matcha Moisture Stick ($9)
+Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lip Balm ($4)
+Evanhealy Whipped Shea Butter For Lips ($10)
+Honest Tinted Lip Balm ($9)
Kosas Lip Fuel ($18)
+RMS Lip Balm ($20)
+Vapour Organic Lip Conditioner ($22)
♦ Additional Possibilities:
Bare Minerals Ageless Phyto-Retinal Lip Treatment ($28)
Beekman 1802 Pure Goat Milk Lip Balm ($9)
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm ($4)
Burt’s Bees Renewing Lip Treatment ($9)
Clinique Moisture Surge Pop Triple Lip Balm ($22)
Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm ($26)
♦ Not Yet Rated:
Jones Road The Lippie Stick ($18)
♥ Lisa’s Choice:
Clinique Moisture Surge Pop Triple Lip Balm ($22)
√ Cocokind My Matcha Moisture Stick ($9)
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lip Balm ($4)
Evanhealy Whipped Shea Butter For Lips ($10)
Vapour Organic Lip Conditioner ($22)
Notes:
1) Living Clean Superstars – Products with high scores on both Performance Rating (5) as well as Ingredients Rating (4/5). + Clean Pick (Ingredients Rating = 5).
2) Lisa’s Choice – Products that I would purchase for my own personal use. √ Lisa’s Favorite
Bare Minerals Ageless Phyto-Retinal Lip Treatment – $28
Overall Rating: 
(3 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Citral, Linalool, Limonene
The description of this product reads, “A clean, vegan ultra-hydrating lip balm, formulated with a plant-based retinol alternative and Hyaluronic Acid, that reduces visible fine lines and improves lip texture for smoother, softer lips. Clinically shown to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and replenish moisture for soft, plump lips. Hyaluronic Acid provides long-lasting hydration. Rosemary Extract provides antioxidant benefits.”
Although the ingredients list for this product does not seem too bad, I only was able to bring myself to use it once or twice before totally giving up on it.
As with the Bare Minerals Ageless lip mask, I feel that the issue here is probably contamination of the ingredients with glyphosate or other agricultural chemicals rather than the ingredients themselves.
The non-organic coconut oil, sunflower oil and cotton seed oil all seem especially suspect to me, for instance.
While I have not been all that focused on considering glyphosate contamination issues with products that are just applied to my skin, it seems to matter much more with regard to products that I am going to be ingesting.
I would not buy this lip balm again, therefore.
Bare Minerals Rating: 4.7 Stars (241 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Aloe vera extract (3), Lactic acid (4), Citral (5), Linalool (3), Limonene (5), Phenoxyethanol (4). (Also contains Sodium saccharin.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract, Citral, Linalool, Limonene
All Ingredients: Caprylic/capric triglyceride, coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba esters, polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, sunflower seed oil, behenyl behenate, cocoa seed butter, rice bran wax, polyhydroxystearic acid, squalane, lemon peel oil, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, rosemary leaf extract, bidens pilosa extract, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, sodium hyaluronate, candelilla wax, cotton seed oil, tocopherol, sodium saccharin, ethylhexyl palmitate, tribehenin, sorbitan isostearate, lactic acid, caprylyl glycol, butylene glycol, silica dimethyl silylate, hexylene glycol, citral, linalool, limonene, phenoxyethanol.
Beekman 1802 Pure Goat Milk Lip Balm – $9
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “This ultra-nourishing lip treatment provides a smooth application and natural shine, visibly plumping and softening dry or chapped lips with each application. Formulated with creamy goat milk and hydrating natural plant oils to instantly deliver moisture-rich nutrients for lips as fresh and pure as a day in the country.”
Although this product has a pretty clean ingredients list, I have not much liked using it and gave up on it after only a few tries.
In looking at the ingredients list, I think it is unfortunate that they are using almost all organic ingredients but have included non-organic oat kernel flour, since non-organic oats produced in North America almost always are contaminated with high levels of glyphosate.
Although I like the idea of this product, I would not purchase it again.
Size: 0.1 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.8 Stars (169 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil*, Beeswax*, Coconut Oil*, Shea Butter*, Goat Milk, Oat Kernel Flour, Tocopherol. *Certified Organic.
Bella Vado Lip Cream – $3
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Peformance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance (Original): None
Processed Fragrance (Flavored): Peppermint Oil/Spearmint Oil or Orange Oil
The description of this product reads, “Our creamy lip balms are the best deal on the market. We have simple, food grade ingredients that leave your lips creamy and moisturized–not waxy. We offer high end, spa quality, lip creams at a reasonable price. Take our lip balm with you when you travel to the mountains in the winter to keep your lips hydrated. It’s also a perfect conditioner for your lips during the scorching California summers. Our lip creams are hand-made weekly in small batches to ensure freshness. We use only the finest ingredients. In production, we always take care to protect each of the ingredients, especially our avocado oil. Because of this, we minimize the amount of heat when producing our lip balms. We also always use unrefined, unfiltered ingredients. The beeswax comes straight from our grove which ensures the quality of the unbleached wax. Our lip creams contain no preservatives or chemicals.”
I purchased some skincare products from this company at a farmers’ market in Palm Springs (California) more than a decade ago and have ordered from their website occasionally since then.
I am a fan of avocado oils in skincare and feel happy to know that the farmers who grew the avocados are selling the product.
The other oils that are used – cocoa butter, mango butter, jojoba oil and raspberry seed oil – are all generally considered to be very good inclusions in high-quality skincare products as well.
I think that these lip balms feel good to me and also appreciate the reasonable price point.
I usually order the Bella Vado Avocado Oil Hand and Body Cream along with the lip balms. (I avoid the Honey Almond version since it contains synthetic fragrance, but the Lavender one contains natural lavender and feels good to me.)
I see that they now offer avocado oil soap and would be interested in trying that as well.
Credo Clean: Meets Critria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 1-2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Peppermint oil (4), Orange oil (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: Mango butter, raspberry seed oil. May contain peppermint/spearmint oil or orange oil.
All Ingredients (Original): Avocado oil*, unrefined cocoa butter, unfiltered beeswax*, mango butter, jojoba oil, raspberry seed oil.
All Ingredients (Peppermint): Avocado oil*, unrefined cocoa butter, unfiltered beeswax*, mango butter, jojoba oil, raspberry seed oil, peppermint oil, spearmint oil.
All Ingredients (Orange): Avocado oil*, unrefined cocoa butter, unfiltered beeswax*, mango butter, jojoba oil, raspberry seed oil, citrus sinensis oil.
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm – $4
Overall Rating: (3 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Peppermint Oil, Limonene
The description of this product reads, “The original. The best. And still your favorite. This must-have Classic was crafted in the backwoods of Maine in 1991, and has been in purses and pockets ever since. Beeswax conditions skin, while antioxidant Vitamin E moisturizes. A final hint of Peppermint Oil provides that one-of-a-kind refreshing tingle. You’ll be left with smooth, supple lips that everyone will be buzzing about.”
Although these Burt’s Bees lip balms may be among the cleanest beauty products sold in many mass-market retailers, I have never felt all that good about using them.
In looking at the ingredients list, I feel like I would be more comfortable if both the coconut oil and (especially) the sunflower seed oil were organic.
Especially since I tried using the Dr. Bronner’s lip balms, it’s hard for me to go back to these since the price point is the same but the quality differential is so clear in my mind.
Amazon Rating: 4.8 Stars (14,628 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Peppermint oil (4), Limonene (5). (Also canola oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Peppermint oil, rosemary leaf extract, limonene
All Ingredients: Beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, peppermint oil, lanolin, tocopherol, rosemary leaf extract, soybean oil, canola oil, limonene.
Burt’s Bees Renewing Lip Treatment – $9
Overall Rating: (3 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Natural Flavor, Limonene
The description of this product reads, “Restore the look of hydrated, youthful lips with Burt’s Bees Renewing Lip Treatment. The unique core technology in this intensive lip moisturizer offers two benefits in one: the Ceramide-rich inner core offers immediate protection against dryness while the outer layer, infused with a natural retinol alternative, reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, resulting in lips that look healthy and beautiful.”
Although this lip balm from Burt’s Bees contains some extra ingredients that may be especially nourishing, the main oils that are used (including coconut oil, sunflower seed oil and soybean oil) seem to be the same ones as in the regular Burt’s Bees lip balm.
I think that this is likely the reason that I have been reluctant to use this lip balm and ended up putting it aside after only a couple tries.
Ulta Rating: 4.3 Stars (10 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Product Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Natural flavor (4)
Fragrance Ingredients: Natural flavor, Limonene
All Ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, beeswax, caprylic/capric triglyceride, castor seed oil, olive fruit oil, sunflower seed wax, octyldodecanol, avocado oil, vegetable oil, shea butter, sclerocarya birrea seed oil, bixa orellana seed extract, cocoa seed butter, garcinia indica seed butter, ceramide NP, soybean oil, lanolin, flavor, lecithin, silybin, tocopherol, rebaudioside A, citric acid, limonene
Clinique Moisture Surge Pop Triple Lip Balm – $22
♥ Lisa’s Choice
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (3 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “This lip-loving multi-tasker hydrates, delivers a super sheer wash of color, and adds shimmer. This multi-tasking balm with three different cores deeply hydrates for up to 72 hours, plus helps instantly reduce the appearance of lip lines. Lips are softer, smoother, and more comfortable. Delivers a super sheer tint and a subtle glimmer finish. This formula contains a moisturizing complex of shea butter, vitamin E, and humectants to help moisturize, condition, and visibly improve texture. Apply to bare lips. One swipe alone delivers super sheer coverage. Wear alone or under lipstick for an extra moisture boost.”
Considering that I tend to be very picky in terms of what I put on my lips, it is surprising to me how often I ended up using this lip product last winter.
This is especially the case since I have had virtually no success with any of Clinique’s other skincare products and have liked relatively few of the other lip balms that I have tried.
While this certainly is not the cleanest lip product that I have had available to me, I have used it periodically anyway due to how hydrating and conditioning it has felt for my lips.
In looking at the ingredients list, the main negative about this product is that it contains petrolatum, which is a petroleum product that carries the risk of containing problematic contamination.
On the other hand, especially when used in combination with other moisturizing ingredients, petrolatum can be especially moisturizing to stressed skin.
A recent group of very popular TikTok videos have lauded the benefits of using just plain Vaseline on the skin, for instance.
I do think that this Clinique product does seem to be unusually helpful when my lips are feeling especially dry during the winter months and that probably the petrolatum is largely responsible for that.
It contains a few other ingredients (including a couple of preservatives, a mildly problematic form of silicone and a variety of artificial coloring agents) that I also would prefer to avoid.
I therefore tend to use this product only when I feel that I really need it rather than on a regular basis.
I’m also not especially suggesting that other people also use this product – just admitting that I sometimes turn to it myself when I am feeling especially in need.
It is available in six shades, all of them offering at most just a hint of color to the lips. The shade with the least amount of color (virtually clear with just a little shimmer) is Lychee.
Size: 0.13 oz.
Clinique Rating: 4.0 Stars (99 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: No
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Unclear
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Petrolatum (4), Aloe vera (3), Cetyl-PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone (3), Polysorbate-20 (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Red #28 (5), Blue #1 (7), Red #33 (4), Yellow #5 (6), Red #27 (5), Red #22 (5), Red #30 (5), Red #6 (6), Yellow #6 (7), Orange #5 (4), Red #22 (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate, Petrolatum, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyethylene, Hydrogenated Dilinoleyl Alcohol, Stearoxymethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Silica, Polybutene, Microcrystalline Wax, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Shea Butter, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Lauryl Pca, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Coconut Oil, Olive Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Linoleic Acid, C20-40 Pareth-10, Butylene Glycol, Water, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylcellulose, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Wheat Bran Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Tin Oxide, Potassium Sulfate, Hexyl Laurate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Alumina, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 7, Red 28, Blue 1, Red 33, Yellow 5, Red 27, Manganese Violet, Red 22, Red 30, Carmine, Bismuth Oxychloride, Red 6 , Yellow 6, Orange 5, Red 21
Cocokind My Matcha Moisture Stick – $9
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “Hydrate dry lips and ward off the appearance of dark circles and puffiness with this nourishing, 3-ingredient moisture stick. Nourishes and treats dry skin at home or on the go. Reduces the appearance of dark under eye circles and puffiness with matcha tea powder that is rich in caffeine.”
This product contains only organic coconut oil, organic beeswax and organic matcha powder.
There seems to be a substantial amount of the matcha present since the product has a fairly dark green color and smells/tastes of matcha.
I like the taste of matcha and have really enjoyed using this product as a nightly lip balm.
Using this stick as an eye cream is an interesting idea since the matcha contains antioxidants (possibly helpful for dark circles) and caffeine (helpful for eye bags and puffiness).
While I have not yet experimented with this enough to say how well it has worked for my eye issues, I do feel like using the product in my eye area feels good to me.
I’m also thinking that using the product on my skin in general may have some potential since there is a fair amount of literature suggesting that green tea can have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic characteristics.
I think there is enough potential with this concept that I am going to focus on trying it on other skin issues that I have to see if it seems to have any benefits that go beyond the moisturizing ones.
In any case, I think that this seems like a very clean product and feel really good about using it.
Size: 0.5 oz.
Cocokind Rating: 4.8 Stars (381 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredient Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Fragrance Ingredients; None
All Ingredients: Cocos (coconut) nucifera oil*, beeswax*, camellia sinensis leaf powder*. *Certified organic
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lip Balm – $4
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance (Naked): None
Processed Fragrance (Flavored): Orange Oil/Ginger Root Oil or Lemon Oil/Lime Oil or Peppermint Oil
The description of this product reads, “Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lip Balms, made with organic beeswax, provide a protective barrier to the elements with no synthetic ingredients! None! Organic jojoba and avocado oils help with extra moisturization—organic hemp seed oil is now sourced in the U.S. following hemp legalization! Only the finest essential oils are used for fragrance. Certified organic to USDA National Organic Program standards, because what you put on your lips goes into your body.”
I am a big fan of these lip balms, which include only high-quality organic oils and (in the flavored versions) organic essential oils.
The main ingredients consiste of just avocado oil, beeswax, jojoba oil and hemp oil (all organic). Tochopherol is added as a preservative.
The product comes in four flavors – peppermint (with peppermint oil), orange ginger (with orange oil and ginger root oil), lemon lime (with lemon oil and lime oil) and unflavored.
I have felt really good about my experiences with all four flavors and would be perfectly okay with the idea of having these be the only lip balms that I was going to be using.
I think they could be a nice small gift for use during the holiday season as well.
Size: 0.15 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.7 Stars (1921 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients (Naked): None
EWG Problem Ingredients (Flavored): Lemon oil (6), Lime oil (4), Orange oil (5), Peppermint oil (4). (Also may contain Ginger root oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients (Flavored): Lemon oil, lime oil, orange oil, ginger root oil, peppermint oil
All Ingredients (Naked): Organic Avocado Oil*, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Seed Oil, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Tocopherol
All Ingredients (Orange Ginger): Organic Avocado Oil*, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Seed Oil, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Orange Oil, Organic Ginger Root Oil, Tocopherol
All Ingredients (Peppermint): Organic Avocado Oil*, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Seed Oil, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil, Tocopherol
All Ingredients (Lemon Lime): Organic Avocado Oil*, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Seed Oil, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Lemon Oil, Organic Lime Oil, Tocopherol
Evanhealy Whipped Shea Butter for Lips – $10
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “Evan’s lovely Whipped Shea Butter for Lips features certified organic red raspberry seed oil. Red raspberry seed oil is high in Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, and has impressive antioxidant activity. It is also rich in vitamin E, which gives it exceptional skin nourishing and protective qualities. Our organic Whipped Shea Butter for Lips contains nothing but shea butter, beeswax and nourishing oils. Beeswax is Nature’s bandage. As an ingredient in our Whipped Shea Butter for Lips it helps protect delicate skin from damaging environmental effects, it locks in moisture, and slows trans-epidermal water loss. It is a naturally nourishing moisturizer and a biologically active product. We love the warm golden scent and color of unbleached beeswax! Additions of luscious, nourishing, protective plant oils and vegetable butters keep delicate lips soft and smooth.”
While I am not a big fan of all of Evanhealy’s products, this lip balm is a real winner across the board in my book.
It consists just of a variety of high-quality organic oils, along with some real vanilla flavoring and tocopherol (Vitamin E) as a natural preservative.
The oils and waxes used are sunflower seed oil, beeswax, coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil, shea butter, red raspberry oil, argan oil, almond oil, avocado oil, and cocoa butter. All are organic.
I like this product enough that I have gone through almost an entire tube in less than a year and am thinking about buying a replacement tube.
My lips seem to do really well with this product and I feel fine about the idea of consuming it.
Size: 0.25 oz.
Pharmaca Rating: 4.8 Stars (25 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Fragrance Ingredients: Vanilla planifolia oil, red raspberry seed oil, almond oil
All Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil*, Beeswax*, Coconut Oil*, Castor Oil*, Olive Fruit Oil*, Vanilla Planifolia Oil*, Shea Butter*, Red Raspberry Seed Oil*, Argan Kernel Oil*, Almond Oil*, Avocado Oil*, Cocoa Butter*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E). *Organic
Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm – $26
Overall Rating: (3 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: 
(2 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Parfum, Vanillin, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Geraniol
Although this product is labeled as “Clean at Sephora,” it contains quite a few ingredients that I would prefer to avoid in products that I expect to be ingesting.
These include unspecified and presumably synthetic fragrance; PEG-6 isostearate; BHT; phenoxyethanol; benzyl alcohol; hydrogenated and unspecified vegetable oil; and vanillin (an artificial flavoring extract that often is derived from the petrochemical industry).
A variety of other highly processed botanical scents (including limonene, ciral, linalool and geraniol) also are included.
In addition, none of the ingredients in the product is stated as being organic.
Considering all of this, I guess that my conclusion is that I am surprised that the product does not feel worse to me than it actually does.
Although I don’t have any desire to use this product on any kind of repeated basis, it at least has not felt so bad to me when I have tried it on that I have felt compelled to wipe it off right away.
As non-organic lip balm ingredients go, the main ones listed for this product (including beeswax, jojoba oil, palm kernel oil, castor oil, and grapeseed oil) are not to my knowledge at a high risk for being contaminated with large amounts of glyphosate or other toxins.
Still, I find it unfortunate that this product is so expensive when there are many other lip products available that have much better ingredients and also are much more reasonably priced.
Size: 0.15 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.3 Stars (2927 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredients Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Parfum (8), Tocopheryl acetate (3), PEG-6 isostearate (3), BHT (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Limonene (5), Citral (5), Benzyl alcohol (6), Linalool (3), Geraniol (5). (Also contains Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Vanillin)
Fragrance Ingredients: Parfum, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Black Currant Seed Oil, Vanillin, Limonene, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Geraniol.
All Ingredients: Beeswax, Jojoba Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Decyl Esters, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Castor Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Parfum, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Prunus Domestica Seed Oil, Carnauba Wax, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Passiflora Incarnata Seed Oil, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Black Currant Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, PEG-6 Isostearate, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Trihydroxystearin, Hesperetin Laurate, Vanillin, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Geraniol.
Honest Tinted Lip Balm – $9
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “Infused with Avocado Oil + Antioxidant-rich Acai, this paraben-free formula helps keep lips smooth and moisturized all day. The creamy texture glides on dry lips and leaves lasting hydration. Our skin loving formula feels like a lip conditioner and locks in hydration all day. Made Without: Petrolatum, Paraffins, Parabens, Synthetic Fragrances, Silicones, Mineral Oil. White Nectarine is a clear balm with a subtle shimmer.”
Although I usually use the tinted versions of this product, the White Nectarine (clear) version also feels good on my lips and has worked well for me.
These lip balms consist mostly of avocado oil and processed moisturizers derived from acai, pomegranate and palm kernel.
The product has just a slight amount of pomegranate/vanilla flavor, with only real fruit and real vanilla being used.
EWG does not express concern about any of the ingredients.
I think that this lip balm tastes quite clean to me and have enjoyed using it.
Size: 0.1 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.6 Stars (66 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Pomegranate sterols, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract
All Ingredients: Euterpe Oleracea Sterols, Avocado Oil, Pomegranate Sterols, C10-18 Triglycerides, Sunflower Seed Wax, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Vegetable Oil, Behenyl Behenate, Cocoa Seed Butter, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Silica, May Contain (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.
(All information is for the White Nectarine shade.)
Jones Road Lippie Stick – $18
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Orange Oil, Spearmint Oil, Lavender Oil
The description of this product reads, “What a lip balm should be: dense and cushiony. The Lippie Stick locks in moisture and protects against the elements, leaving your lips feeling soft and nourished. Made with rich plant-based oils and cocoa butter in our signature scent blend of orange, spearmint, and lavender essential oils.”
I have yet to try this product but hope to do so soon.
Size: 0.15 oz.
Credo Rating: Not Yet Rated (New Product)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredients Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Orange oil (5), Phenoxyethanol (4)
Fragrance Ingredients: Orange oil, Spearmint leaf oil, Lavender oil
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Trigylceride, Cocoa Seed Butter, Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax, Rice Bran Wax, Jojoba Seed Oil, Tristearin, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Avocado Oil, Sunflower Seed Wax, Orange Oil, Spearmint Leaf Oil, Lavender Oil, Phenoxyethanol.
Kosas Lipfuel – $18
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: Wild Mint Oil, Limonene
The description of this product reads, “An ultra-hydrating hyaluronic lip balm loaded with active skincare ingredients. Feels amazing and visibly improves the condition of lips the more you wear it. Packaging color may vary as we cycle into our newer packaging, same comfy formula remains! Baseline is a clear swipe of hydration — your everyday lip warm-up, like a soothing morning stretch.”
This product seems to have a pretty clean ingredients list according to EWG standards, with just the limonene (a highly processed botanically derived fragrance) being stated as being of substantial concern according to EWG.
Although the product is not stated as including any organic ingredients, the main ingredients are ones that I feel reasonably good about and have done well using in other products.
I’ve used the Kosas lip balms on many occasions and I have felt okay about the idea of putting them on my lips and ingesting some of the product.
The use of the hyaluronic acid in the formula provides a type of hydration that most of these other oil-based lip balms do not, and my lips seem to have done well with it.
Size: 0.17 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.0 Stars (487 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Think Dirty Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina oil (3), Tocopheryl acetate (3), Limonene (5). (Also contains Wild mint oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Mango seed butter, Mentha arvensis leaf oil, Rosa canina fruit oil, Rosemary leaf extract, Limonene
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Candelilla Cera, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Mica, Silica, Octyldodecanol, Lanolin Oil, Jojoba Esters, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Sunflower Seed Wax, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, Grape Seed Oil; Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Shea Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Safflower Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucomannan, Sunflower Extract, Mango Seed Butter, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Rice Bran Extract, Avocado Oil, Polyglycerin-3, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trihydroxystearin, Limonene
RMS Beauty Daily Lip Balm – $20
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “Simply Cocoa has a smooth, un-tinted finish with a natural cocoa butter flavor. This simple-to-wear everyday veil suppies a complex of active clean ingredients that hydrate, protect and nourish. Flavorless and fragrance-free. Never heavy or greasy.”
The tinted versions of these RMS lip balms are among my favorite lip products and ones that I have felt good about using multiple times on a daily basis.
Although the Cocoa version is a little on the expensive side for an untinted lip balm, I really like the way it feels and performs for me.
The main ingredients consist of a mixture of processed/synthetic moisturizing agents and mostly organic natural ingredients, with no added fragrance.
These lip balms are considered to be clean according to all the standards that I have been weighing here (including EWG, Credo, Sephora and Drunk Elephant), and I consider them to be an excellent choice for those who can afford to pay the relatively expensive cost.
Size: 0.10 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.7 Stars (277 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Overall Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, *Beeswax, Octyldodecanol, *Coconut Oil, Candelilla Wax, *Cocoa Seed Butter, Carnauba Wax, *Castor Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, *Jojoba Seed Oil, Propanediol, Tocopherol (non-GMO), Iron Oxide
Vapour Organic Lip Conditioner – $22
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Processed Fragrance: None
The description of this product reads, “Skin-honoring comfort for lips. Creamy moisturizing lip balm bursting with organic plant-power. Soothes and protects your delicate lips. Calms with Lemon Balm. Conditions with Helichrysum + Calendula flowers. Juicy fruit flavors of Plum, Apricot + Fig. Cult fave. All Organic ingredients. Antioxidant, protective Organic Jojoba oil. Calming Organic Lemon Balm. Rejuvenating, conditioning Organic Helichrysum + Calendula. Organic fruit flavors of Plum, Apricot + Fig.”
I really like this product, which feels very clean to me and seems to have a very good effect on my lips.
The main ingredients are organic jojoba oil, organic beeswax, organic coconut oil and organic castor seed oil.
The product has what I think is a lovely mild fruity taste and smell, which seems to be a result of the use of natural fig flavor and natural plum apricot flavor.
A few organic herbal extracts (helichrysum, lemon balm, calendula) that supposedly have beneficial effects on the lips also are included.
While I often feel that my lips start to get in poor shape because I fail to moisturize them frequently enough, this chunky lip balm is such a pleasure to use that I am more likely to remember to apply it regularly.
Size: 0.14 oz.
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
EWG Ingredients Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Fragrance Ingredients: Natural Fig Flavor, Natural Plum Apricot Flavor, Helichrysum Arenarium Flower, Lemon Balm Leaf, Calendula Flower
All Ingredients: Jojoba Seed Oil*, Beeswax*, Coconut Oil*, Castor Seed Oil*, Natural Fig Flavor*, Natural Plum Apricot Flavor*, Helichrysum Arenarium Flower*, Lemon Balm Leaf*, Calendula Flower*. *Organic ingredient
Shopping List
This section lists products that seem that they may have potential and that I am hoping to try in the near future.
Readers are highly encouraged to bring other relevant products that they have tried to my attention so that I can add them to this list.
Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm – $18
Farmacy Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm – $12
Medicine Mama’s Sweet Bee Magic Lip Balm – $25
Naked Bee Organic Lip Balm – $4
Tarte Sea Quench Lip Rescue – $19
About This Website
The Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping website is designed to provide guidance to those seeking out products that are relatively low in toxicity and that provide generally positive user experiences.
Although the skincare and makeup sections have a particular focus on products appropriate for women who are in their 40’s or beyond, the information provided may be useful for other people as well.
The products are curated by Lisa Petrison, who has been focused on helping people to improve their health by avoiding toxicity since 2008 and who heads the Paradigm Change organization.
Her Living Clean in a Dirty World blog site discusses a variety of topics of relevance to those who are working to pursue a more natural lifestyle with less exposure to harmful toxicity.
Lisa is the author of several books, including A Beginner’s Guide to Mold Avoidance (co-written with Erik Johnson).
She also runs the Paradigm Change website (focusing on issues related to toxic mold illness) and the Mold Avoiders Facebook group (designed for the discussion of all topics of interest to those pursuing the mold avoidance approach described in the “Beginner’s Guide” book).
Lisa was born in August 1964 and has yet to try cosmetic surgery, Botox or other cosmetic treatments requiring interactions with a physician, or beauty products containing retinoids.
In her former life, Lisa worked as a business school professor, as a marketing consultant to a variety of large companies, and as a reporter covering the advertising industry.
She holds a Ph.D. in marketing and social psychology from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University as well as B.S./M.S. degrees from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern.
Lisa would like to extend a special note of appreciation to Ellen Kleiman-Redden for her help in trying out products and discussing issues related to this project.
She also would like to thank the many members of the Mold Avoiders community who have shared suggestions of products to be included here.
A Note From Lisa
Products that I have tried or researched and that I have not found to be acceptable from a toxicity standpoint have been omitted entirely from the discussions on this website.
However, since a goal of this project is to introduce people to a range of options in terms of price and functionality, some products discussed on this site include ingredients that may not be appropriate for everyone.
It’s my hope that all individuals making their way to this site will find at least a few options from each product category that meet all of their own needs and wants from a variety of perspectives.
The vast majority of cosmetics marketers now offer affiliate programs in which Internet content creators may earn commissions if people who are referred to the companies’ sites by clicking on links end up making purchases.
I participate in quite a few individual affiliate programs as well as in the Sovrn/Viglinks program (which automatically converts regular links into revenue-generating links).
Links on this page that may result in affiliate income may include – but are not necessarily limited to – those from the following companies: Amazon, Bare Minerals, Beekman 1802, Bella Vado, Burt’s Bees, Clinique, Cocokind, Credo, Dr. Bronner’s, Drunk Elephant, Evanhealy, Farmacy, Fresh, Goop, Honest, Jones Road, Kosas, Lord Jones, Medicine Mama’s, Naked Bee, Pharmaca, RMS, Sephora, Tarte, Ulta, and Vapour.
Reader comments about products discussed on this website are very welcome.
Thoughts may be shared either by posting them in the comments section at the bottom of this page or by sending them directly to me at the following email address:
info at paradigmchange dot me
Companies that would like to offer me complimentary products to try out may contact me at this address as well.
Individuals who are seeking out less-toxic products or who are interested in pursuing a cleaner and healthier lifestyle may want to sign up to receive occasional email newsletters from Living Clean in a Dirty World.
Those signing up will receive a free PDF copy of the book Back From The Edge (describing the extraordinary life of mold avoidance pioneer Erik Johnson) and also will be automatically entered in sweepstakes giving away a variety of cleaner products.
Thanks very much for visiting the Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping site!
Links on this page are in orange (no underlining).
