10 Best Vegan Lip Balms

Lip balm is a cosmetic product used to moisturize the lips. We often need lip balm, especially during the winter months, to protect and moisturize our lips from the cold. Additionally, during the summer months, we prefer to use lip balm to create a protective layer against UV rays and reduce the drying effects of the sun.

What Is Vegan Lip Balm?

Vegan and cruelty-free lip balm is a type of lip balm that does not contain animal-derived ingredients and has not been tested on animals.

Ingredients in Non-Vegan Lip Balm

In popular non-vegan lip balms, you can find various animal-derived ingredients. Here are some of the most common animal-derived ingredients used in lip balms:

1. Lanolin

Lanolin is an oily secretion obtained from the sweat glands of sheep. It is used in cosmetics to provide texture and, due to its oily nature, is used for its moisturizing and softening properties. Unfortunately, this substance obtained from sheep’s wool is a part of animal exploitation.

2. Honey & Beeswax

Beeswax is one of the most commonly used animal-derived ingredients in lip balms. Honey, produced by bees, which are considered the second domesticated animal in human history, is also an animal-derived substance and, therefore, not vegan.

3. Carmine

Carmine is a substance obtained from the crushing of cochineal insects and is used as a red dye, particularly in cosmetic products.

Many vegan lip balms are aimed at being made with natural ingredients. For those who are not vegan, choosing vegan lip balms that do not contain animal-derived substances and do not involve animal cruelty can prevent a moral burden associated with the products. Moreover, vegan lip balms are often considered healthier alternatives compared to other balms because of their natural and clean ingredients.

In this article, we have prepared a list of the top 10 vegan lip balms that you can purchase, known for their strong moisturizing properties, cruelty-free status, and natural ingredients.

10 Best Vegan Lip Balms

1. Hurraw! Unscented Lip Balm

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This unscented balm is nut-oil free and contains no added aroma. It contains meadowfoam seed oil; a superstar moisturizer. Use it on your lips, your cuticles. Sometimes nothing is really something. Made with certified organic, vegan, and raw ingredients. Hurraw! Lip Balms are certified 100% all natural origin, cruelty & gluten free. Non-GMO. Bee, Shea, Soy and Palm Free.

User Review

• Been looking for a vegan option that moisturizes well, has good feel, lasts, and no mint (allergic). This is best I have found; definitely stocking up now that I have tried for several weeks.
• When I say, I love lip balm, I mean I need one at my desk, car, purse, travel bag, everywhere. If I have to go through my day WITHOUT lip balm, it is very likely I am not going to have a great day. I received one of these chapsticks at a bridal party last year and didn’t think too much of it when I saw it. I’ve tried SO many lip balms – Burt’s bees, Vaseline (yes they make lip balms), Nivea, even the organic stuff from whole foods/lazy acres/sprouts like Badger and Portland Bee balm but NOTHING tops Hurraw.

2. Crazy Rumors Vegan Lip Balm

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Feel good knowing these lip balms are never tested on animals, ever! This includes the raw materials all the way through the finished product, and everywhere in between. It is proud to be Leaping Bunny approved from Cruelty Free International.

User Review

• This is the cat’s pajamas and the bee’s knees. Would recommend to a friend. Keeps your lips moist and it smells good enough to eat.
• Made with excellent, natural ingredients with no bad stuff and it smells SO GOOD!!! (I deal with chemical sensitivities, and this little vegan balm is a saving grace, I tell ya!) Love all the different flavors they have! And it keeps your lips soft! I’m from Minnesota where it gets to below zero temperatures, and this balm works like a charm! You have to kind of remind yourself not to try to eat the tube, it smells so good! Not enough stars for this cruelty-free, fabulous brand! 5 just doesn’t cut it! It’s fabulous! LOVE

3. The Body Shop Vegan Lip Balm

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Get fruity with these 100% vegan, moisture-boosting balms. Scented with irresistible smoothie-inspired combinations. With blends of naturally derived extracts and five mouth-watering fragrances, our Lip Juicers, easily glide onto your lips for a smooth, soft and soothing finish. These super-cute lip balms are perfect carrying with you everywhere you go.

User Review

• Fantastic lovely creamy balm can be easily applied on cheeks too with a very natural glow to skin great for summer and winter too, lovely blush colour.
• This is one of my favourites – love the colour and it keeps lips soft.

4. Hello Moisturizing Vegan Lip Balm

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Elevate your lip game with this magnificently moisturizing vegan lip balm. This stick of awesome features a super smooth blend of coconut and olive oils to moisturize and it rocks a delicious sweet mint flavor. Bonus: this lip balm comes in an environmentally friendly tube made of 60% post-consumer recycled materials. Now that’s the balm. Hello lip balms contains no beeswax, petroleum, parabens, silicones or phthalates. Hello products are vegan, cruelty free, and never tested on animals (leaping bunny certified and peta recognized). Time for some friendly lip service.

User Review

• I love this vegan lipstick. It’s not sticky on your lips and it stays on. It actually works too. Overall I’m a big fan.
• It’s lip balm. It does it’s job. It’s vegan. And it is a cheaper option than so many of the other options.
• This vegan lip balm smells good, moisturizes well, cruelty free, the company does not test on animals, keeps my lips looking & feeling great!

5. Honest Beauty Tinted Vegan Lip Balm 

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This juicy, tinted vegan balm delivers the perfect wash of fresh color in 7 nourishing shades. 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. Pucker up, babes. It is EWG Certified, Dermatologist Tested, Physician Tested, Cruelty Free and Vegan.

User Review

• Finally, there’s a tinted lip balm that’s perfect for all ages! This flavor free, perfume free, moisturizing lip balm replaces lip stick and chap stick & gloss. I love it so much that I threw away ALL my other lip treatments and bought 2 sets of 3 colors; 1 set for home and 1 for my purse.
• I love this product. Everything about this vegan lip balm. It rates highly on the Yuka app meaning it is clean, there is no fragrance, and it just gives the most beautiful wash of color while still being moisturizing. I have three different colors lychee, summer melon, and fruit punch and they all work so beautifully on my skin tone (light- medium).

6. ATTITUDE Plastic-free Vegan Lip Balm

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Smooth on the delicious ATTITUDE leaves bar Lip Balm Coconut and get kissably-soft lips all day, every day! Deeply nourishing ingredients like shea butter, soybean oil, coconut and castor oils come together to hydrate your lips with a subtle hint of coconut. Perfect to carry on-the-go, get a serious dose of sweet moisture whenever you need it. EWG VERIFIED and vegan formula, this biodegradable solid lip balm is packaged in a plastic-free, biodegradable cardboard tube for a clean beauty you will want to carry everywhere.

User Review

• This is the only lip balm I’ve ever used that actually keeps my lips soft. I don’t ever have to reapply throughout the day, and it has all natural ingredients, which I love.
• Most lip balms leave my lips very dry& I have to reapply often. I’m so happy I found this lip balm. I bought it before going on vacation and it helped so much during the two weeks in the hot sun. Left my lips, soft and moisturized, and I did not have to reapply often. Does not leave your lips dry & does not leave any build up.

7. Winky Lux Flower Vegan Balm

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Flower Balm is a vegan, tinted lip balm that glides on clear, merging with your lips’ natural pH levels to create a perfect shade of pink. The flower inside is a real chrysanthemum, making this a unique addition to your makeup routine. Winky Lux is plastic neutral, thoughtfully sourced, clean and cruelty-free. Flower Balm is phthalate, sulfate, paraben and gluten free.

User Review

• This is an amazing product. It moisturizes with a gorgeous color. I did not have high hopes but I love it!! Will definitely buy again!
• I love this. It looks so natural. It gives your lips a nice shade of pink, that doesn’t look like your wearing lipstick at all. It makes your lips look like it is naturally that color, if that makes sense lol! Definitely recommend.

8.E.L.F Hydrating Vegan Lip Balm

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All E.L.F products are made from skin-loving ingredients you want, minus the toxins you don’t—all at good-for-you prices. All e.l.f. products are 100% cruelty-free and Vegan.

User Review

• This Lip tint acts as a tinted lip balm. Very moisturizing and colored. I got the shade “Lovely” which is a pink color with a little bit of a coral hint to it. Great product, will purchase again.
• Love this in the ecstatic shade. I got it as a cheaper alternative to the black agent provocateur balm. It smells good, moisturizers really well.

9. Burt’s Bees Vegan Lip Balm

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Burts Bees Freshly Picked Moisturizing Lip Balms nourish and make your lips feel luxurious. Infused with powerful fruit extracts and Beeswax to richly moisturize and soften lips, the nourishing oils and butters will make your lips happy and healthy-looking. With a matte finish and moisturizing balm texture, these tint free tubes of lip balms glide on smoothly to nourish dry lips while keeping them revitalized and hydrated. Conveniently tuck a tube into a pocket or purse, so that you can keep natural, nurturing lip care handy. This 100% natural origin beauty product is formulated without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum and SLS and will beautify and revitalize your lips. Use these natural Burts Bees Moisturizing Lip Balms to make lips feel their best.

User Review

• I am actually shocked that I love these as much as I do. I have tried so many lip treatments that cost way more than these do and I’ve never been truly happy with any of them. I expected these to be like most stick lip balms, thick and super waxy (I usually go with balms in non stick forms). They aren’t, they go on so smoothly, taste amazing and last a good while. I’ve definitely noticed a big difference in the appearance of my lips and I don’t feel like I need to reapply this stuff nearly as much as any other brands I’ve used in the past.
• Burt’s Bees actually helps heal chapped lips, unlike other products. The others can create a cycle of chapped lips, use of product, repeat.

10. Melixir Vegan Lip Butter

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A deep, nourishing plant-based lip butter with a creamy texture. Just one swipe of this conditioning, non-sticky lip balm gives your lips a lasting feeling of moisture and natural glow. Good for sensitive lips. Melixir is strictly against animal testing and is certified as a cruelty-free and vegan brand by PETA, 2021.

User Review

• As someone who struggled to find a lip color that remained true to its hue on my lips, I stumbled upon the Melixir Vegan Lip Butter #06 Lust Red, and let me tell you, it has been a game-changer. This tinted lip balm not only delivers a subtle red shade but also provides intense nourishment and a soft, supple feel to my lips.
• Beyond the vibrant yet subtle hue, the Melixir Vegan Lip Butter is a champion when it comes to lip care. The formulation is entirely plant-based, free from beeswax and petrolatum, making it an excellent choice for vegans and those seeking cruelty-free options. The lip balm is deeply nourishing, effectively addressing dry, cracked, and chapped lips. Its rich, buttery texture glides smoothly, leaving my lips feeling hydrated, moisturized, and rejuvenated.

FAQ’s for Vegan Lip Balm

1. Why is vegan lip balm preferred?

Vegan lip balm is preferred because it aligns with a vegan lifestyle, as it lacks animal-derived ingredients. Additionally, it is an environmentally friendly choice since animal-free products often incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly ingredients.

2. How does vegan lip balm differ from other lip balm products?

Vegan lip balm differs from traditional lip balm products as it does not contain animal fats or waxes. Instead, it uses plant-based oils, fruit extracts, and other botanical ingredients. Furthermore, vegan lip balm is typically not tested on animals and is labeled as cruelty-free.

3. Is vegan lip balm as effective as traditional lip balm?

Vegan lip balm can be just as effective as traditional lip balm in providing moisture and protection for your lips. It often contains nourishing plant-based ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and almond oil, which can be very effective in keeping your lips soft and hydrated.

4. Are vegan lip balms safe for people with allergies?

Vegan lip balms can be a safer option for people with allergies, especially if they are allergic to animal-derived ingredients. However, it’s essential to check the ingredient list carefully because some vegan lip balms may still contain botanical ingredients that could trigger allergies in some individuals.

5. Are there flavored vegan lip balms available?

Yes, there are many flavored vegan lip balms on the market. These lip balms come in a variety of delicious flavors like fruit, mint, vanilla, and chocolate. They not only provide moisture but also offer a pleasant taste and aroma.

6. Can I make my own vegan lip balm at home?

Yes, you can make your own vegan lip balm at home using simple ingredients like plant-based waxes, oils, and essential oils for fragrance. There are numerous DIY recipes available online to create your customized vegan lip balm.

7. Are vegan lip balms suitable for all skin types?

Vegan lip balms are generally suitable for all skin types. They tend to be gentle and less likely to cause irritation, making them a good choice for those with sensitive skin. However, it’s essential to choose a lip balm that meets your specific needs, whether it’s for hydration, sun protection, or other purposes.

8. How can I identify vegan lip balm products?

Look for products with clear “vegan” labeling or certifications, such as the “Certified Vegan” logo. Additionally, check the ingredient list for any animal-derived components like beeswax or lanolin. If these ingredients are absent, it’s likely a vegan lip balm.