Vegan Lip Balm

In recent years, vegan lip balm have gained popularity, driven by an increasing awareness of animal welfare and environmental sustainability. These products are not only cruelty-free but also crafted with natural, plant-based ingredients that provide excellent hydration and protection for your lips. This article explores the benefits of vegan lip balms, key ingredients to look for, and some of the best options available on the market today.

What Makes Ingredients to Look For

A vegan lip balm excludes all animal-derived ingredients and is not tested on animals. Common non-vegan ingredients in traditional lip balms include:

• Beeswax: Often used to give lip balm its solid structure and smooth texture. Derived from bees.
• Lanolin: A fatty substance derived from the wool of sheep, used for its moisturizing properties.
• Carmine: A red pigment made from crushed cochineal insects, sometimes used for coloring.
• Honey: Added for its moisturizing and soothing properties, sourced from bees.
• Propolis: A resin-like substance collected by bees from tree buds, used for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
• Milk derivatives: Ingredients such as milk powder or lactose, used for moisturizing or texture.
• Shellac: A resin secreted by the female lac bug, used as a glazing agent.
• Collagen: A protein derived from animal tissues, used for its firming and plumping effects.

These ingredients are avoided in vegan lip balms, which instead use plant-based alternatives like:

• Candelilla Wax: Derived from the leaves of the candelilla shrub, this wax is a common substitute for beeswax. It creates a protective barrier on the lips and helps to lock in moisture.
• Shea Butter: Shea butter is renowned for its moisturizing properties. It is rich in vitamins A and E, which help to nourish and repair dry, chapped lips.
• Cocoa Butter: Another excellent moisturizer, cocoa butter is also packed with antioxidants that protect the skin from environmental stressors.
• Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a highly effective emollient that hydrates and softens the lips. Its natural antibacterial properties also help to protect against infections.
• Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil mimics the skin’s natural oils, making it an excellent ingredient for maintaining balanced moisture levels without being greasy.

Benefits of Vegan Lip Balm

• Cruelty-Free: Most vegan lip balms are also free from animal testing, aligning with ethical standards that prioritize animal welfare. This ensures that no animals are harmed in the production process.
• Natural Ingredients: Many vegan lip balms are made with natural ingredients, avoiding synthetic chemicals that can be harsh on the skin. These natural components are often rich in vitamins and antioxidants, providing additional skin benefits.
• Environmental Sustainability: Plant-based ingredients are typically more sustainable and have a lower environmental impact compared to their animal-derived counterparts. Choosing vegan products supports environmentally friendly practices.

Top Vegan Lip Balms

Now lets get into our list of some of the best vegan lip balms on the marker:

Hurraw! Balm

I’m starting this list with one of my absolute favourites. Hurraw! Vanilla Bean Lip Balm 2-pack features balms that are organic, certified vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.

Each balm is made with premium, natural ingredients like safflower seed oil, coconut oil, and cacao seed butter, ensuring long-lasting hydration and a smooth texture. The vanilla beans used are hand-pollinated and cured over several months, adding a subtle, dreamy vanilla scent.

Free from beeswax, shea, soy, and palm oil, these balms are designed to be gentle yet effective.

Eco Lips Bee Free

Eco Lips Superfruit Lip Balm offers a plastic-free Plant Pod packaging and the lip balm is made with candelilla wax, organic cocoa butter, and coconut oil, providing a soft, glossy texture and effective moisture.

Eco Lips is a pioneer in sustainable packaging, reclaiming materials from farm byproducts and reducing their carbon footprint, making their products both eco-friendly and high-performing.

Fat Oil Slick Click Vegan Lip Balm

For a little bit of a twist, Fat Oil Slick Click Lip Balm offers a blend of lightweight hydration and vibrant colour. This vegan lip balm features a click-up design for easy application and is enriched with nourishing oils from avocado, cloudberry, and raspberry.

It delivers 12 hours of hydration with a high-shine finish that’s non-sticky and buildable. What sets NYX apart is its commitment to cruelty-free beauty—all their products, including this lip balm, are cruelty-free, aligning with the brand’s dedication to ethical beauty practices.

Bare English & CO.

Bare English & Co. a line of vegan lip balms that are infused with organic tea. These Canadian-made balms are PETA approved, cruelty-free, and part of the Beauty Without Bunnies Program. The lip balms are free from parabens, silicones, and synthetic fragrances, which is crucial given the high absorption rate of lip skin​.

Bare English & Co.’s lip balms feature ingredients like candelilla wax, jojoba oil, almond oil, coconut oil, and olive oil. These natural moisturizers are known for their skin-friendly properties, ensuring that even the most sensitive lips are well cared for.

Biossance Squalane Rose Vegan Lip Balm

Biossance Squalane + Rose Vegan Lip Balm is an ultra-hydrating and ethically made lip balm designed to provide long-lasting moisture and plumpness.

Its vegan formula combines squalane derived from sugarcane, rose wax, hyaluronic acid, and wakame algae to deeply nourish and enhance lip volume and contour in just 14 days.

It’s also free from petroleum, synthetic fragrances, and beeswax and packaged in a hygienic tube made from 100% renewable sugarcane.

DIY Vegan Balm Recipe

For those who prefer a hands-on approach, making your own vegan lip balm at home is simple and rewarding. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon candelilla wax
• 1 tablespoon shea butter
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 5-10 drops of essential oil (optional for fragrance)

Instructions:

1. Melt the Candelilla Wax: In a double boiler, melt the candelilla wax until it is fully liquefied.
2. Add Butters and Oils: Add the shea butter and coconut oil, stirring until everything is melted and well combined.
3. Add Essential Oils: Remove from heat and stir in the essential oil if using.
4. Pour into Containers: Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or small jars and let it cool completely before use.

Switching to vegan lip balm is a simple yet impactful way to support ethical beauty practices. These products offer all the benefits of traditional lip balms without the environmental and ethical drawbacks. By choosing vegan lip balms, you can enjoy soft, hydrated lips while supporting a more sustainable and cruelty-free world.

For other vegan essentials be sure to check out this post.