At a glance
Lip balms moisturize and protect the lips from sun, wind and dryness. Natural balms use vegetable- or seed-based oils and beeswax or plant-based waxes to moisturize, whereas traditional balms rely more on petro-ingredients such as mineral oil and paraffin. Wax provides a waterproof barrier on the lips but still allows them to breathe, and oils sink into the skin and moisturize the lips.
Because beeswax and some oils have natural sunscreen properties, many natural lip balms protect the lips from the sun. Some lip balms also contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide--mineral sunscreens that shield sensitive lips from UV rays.
Ingredients to look for
Shea butter
Zinc or titanium dioxide
Vegetable-based oils
Beeswax
Plant-based wax
Spotlight on: Save Your World
Scott Cecil, founder of Clearwater, Fla.-based Save Your World, describes how sales of his company’s products help preserve the rain forest.
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Editors’ picks
Aubrey Organics Natural Lips Sheer Tints: In eight shades, these tints condition with organic shea butter, coconut oil and vitamin E.
Honeybee Gardens Vanilla Pie Lip Balm: Beeswax, coconut, jojoba and sweet almond oil are added to natural flavors to make for a lip-smacking-good balm. All-organic ingredients are packaged in recyclable materials.
Nat & Victoria Cool Cocoa Mint Lip Balm: Made from 100 percent organic cacao; Nat & Victoria place an emphasis on locally sourced, organic and unrefined ingredients.
Private Label Select Lip Tints: Customizable lip tints available in many shades, with organic and vegan bases. Colors are developed using all-natural pigments at a certified organic facility.
Save Your Lips Green Tea Flavor Lip Balm: Part of the Save Your World family of products, every stick purchased reportedly saves one acre of rain forest for one year. Made with coconut oil, shea and mango butter and infused with safflower oil; the green tea flavor includes energizing organic yerba maté and organic aloe vera.