The Best Zero Waste Lip Balm For a Kissable Pucker

Did someone say zero waste lip balm? We are getting towards the depths of winter right now, which really should be called the dreaded chapped lip season! If you are anything like me, dry and chapped lips are pretty unbearable, so a high-quality lip balm is an absolute must for me.

Unfortunately, as with much of the beauty industry, many lip balms contain ingredients and packaging that are harmful to the environment, but this doesn’t have to be the case. In today’s post, I will be answering some of the most common questions around sustainable lip balms as well as sharing with you some of the best eco-friendly lip balms out there.

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How do you make lip balm zero waste?

While there are lots of plastic-free options out there when it comes to lip balm, it is actually a super simple DIY you can do at home. If you want to know how to make a great homemade zero-waste lip balm, why not check out this recipe here. It only requires four ingredients (and two optional ones), many of which you probably have in your kitchen at home!  The great thing about DIY lip balms is that you have full autonomy when it comes to ingredients, so why not try adding in some different scents and colors!?

What can I use instead of lip balm?

Most lip balms are actually made of oils or waxes, which means it is super simple to substitute a natural alternative if you want to. Some of the most effective, in my experience, include items you would ordinarily find in your kitchens, such as coconut oil or even olive oil. If you have a more extensive range of products handy, shea butter, cocoa butter, and aloe vera also make fantastic substitutes. 

Is lip balm recyclable?

If we are talking about conventional, shop-bought lip balms then the simple answer is no. Sadly, many of these are packaged in vast amounts of plastic, which is almost impossible to effectively recycle, without introducing virgin plastics. Another issue is that it is difficult to remove all of the product from the lip balm packaging due to its oily nature, meaning the contaminated plastics are more often than not thrown in the landfill. There are plenty of zero-waste lip balm alternatives which you will find throughout this post. 

Is lip balm compostable?

Similar to the question of recycling, conventional lip balms are absolutely not compostable. The packaging is often plastics which are incredibly difficult to dispose of properly. Given enough time plastics do break down, however, this is into particles known as microplastics – which can leach into our waterways, harming aquatic life. Fortunately, there are lots of sustainable alternatives made of natural ingredients. Natural lip balms regularly use considered packaging such as recycled paper or card to make tubes. This means that once you have finished the lip balm the product is totally home compostable making them truly zero-waste lip balms. 

What to look for in a zero waste lip balm?

As I say in every post I write, this will depend on your own personal priorities. I personally like to look for various things. Companies that have thought about the impact of the packaging of the product. I tend to opt for compostable paper tubes or occasionally recyclable metal tins. Ensuring a product is vegan and cruelty free is also up there on my list. In my opinion, I don’t think animals should have to be harmed in order to have beauty products. There are so many brands out there focusing on this now which is great. The ingredients must be organically and ethically sourced and it is also important to make sure that the product is palm oil free. Finally, if a company is part of schemes such as 1% for the planet or gives to other charitable or green initiatives, this also something I love to see. 

If you are one of those people that values the pop of color as much as the moisture from your lip balms, River Organics is definitely the right zero waste lip balm for you. They have four different tints available, which are beautifully subtle but pigmented enough that you will feel that extra level of confidence when you are wearing them. If color isn’t for you, don’t worry, they also have a ‘bare’ option to choose from. Packaged entirely in compostable tubes these balms are the perfect solution for both your chapped lips and the environment.

Alpine Provisions is a US-based company that is committed to offering sustainable solutions, including this zero waste lip balm. It is made from organic, cruelty-free, and vegan ingredients with a super long shelf life of two years unopened. The coconut oil in it really helps to lock in moisture and there are natural essential oils to make it smell divine. Both the packaging and the shipping materials are recyclable paper, making it one of the most sustainable alternatives on the market. The company also donates a proportion of its profits to the Colorado Outward Bound School Scholarship Fund, which I absolutely love!

If you are looking for a truly ethical brand, look no further. Seed Phytonutrients are truly focused on ensuring ethical treatment for their entire supply chain and supporting their farmers. They commit to paying 100% of their fees upfront, regardless of yield, as they want to encourage the farmers to reinvest in the future of organic farming! The lip balm is pretty awesome too, and they have really focused on ensuring there is no waxy feeling that you get with some. All of the ingredients are totally natural and the product is packaged and shipped in 100% recyclable materials.

These beautiful organic lip balms from Meow Meow Tweet are a perfect option for you if you are looking for a totally plastic-free, vegan and cruelty-free option. Their gorgeously quirky packaging, made entirely of compostable paper and vegetable inks, are also great for adding a little pop of color to your purse. There are various scents to choose from, whether you prefer the more in your face Sweet Orange Tangerine or the more traditional Coconut Cocoa. All of their lip balms, although designed for the lips, are suitable to be applied anywhere on the body that needs an extra moisture boost, so no more dry elbows! Hurray!

These amazing zero waste lip balms from Plum Brilliance are artisan made in the USA and are a perfect solution to help heal dry and damaged lips. All of the ingredients are natural, however, if you aren’t comfortable with the use of beeswax, this one probably isn’t for you. The product is entirely preservative-free and is packaged in 100% compostable packaging. The brand as a whole is opposed to animal testing, so you can be assured that every product you purchase from them is cruelty-free too.

Juniperseed handmake all of their zero waste lip balms using only organic and natural ingredients while avoiding palm oil and chemical additives completely. They are a small business based in Littleton, Colorado who are dedicated to making beautiful natural products. Their lip balms are contained in compostable paper tubes and all shipping materials are recycled and recyclable! This is a super great option for you if you are after an un-tinted lip balm and aren’t opposed to the use of beeswax.

Fat and Moon are the first zero-waste lip balm on this list to come in a tin as opposed to a stick. Not only do they have their standard lip salve, but they also have more specialty versions, such as ones for cold sores, which is something really unique about them. They are totally cruelty free and unlike many other brands, they guarantee minimal shine, which is perfect for dry patches, especially around your lips. Goodbye to the days of looking like a shiny clown!

If you are prone to dry lips during the winter Etee’s lip balm is a must-buy for you. It is substantially bigger than any other zero-waste lip balms I have seen and has rave reviews. You may find a film on the top of the lip balm which looks like plastic but be assured, this is PLA which is commercially compostable in the USA. While not 100% ideal, the product is 100% plastic-free and the biodegradable paper tube can be home composted. The lip balms also come in two gorgeous scents cocoa mint and grapefruit.

Dab Herb cosmetics is a well-established shop based on Etsy offering a wide variety of cosmetics. All of their products are cruelty-free, organic, and food-grade, meaning you can be assured of the highest standards in their products. When purchasing there are tons of different options to suit your needs, with various lip balms both tinted and not. You are also able to select which packaging option you would like.

The Sunshine Company Shop make some really beautiful minimalistic zero-waste lip balms made from natural ingredients. There are over 10 different scents to choose from, a much wider range than many brands. There are only three ingredients in these lip balms, coconut oil, beeswax, and essential oils, taking their minimalistic approach even further than just the packaging. The simplicity helps with the transparency of the product and you can be sure it is free from additives.

Lupa Goods are based in California and they make some really stunning, minimalist zero waste lip balms. All of their products are handmade using organic ingredients and are totally vegan friendly. They offer various sizes, styles and scents for their lip balms, including trial sizes. This is great if you are looking for your perfect fit, but aren’t ready to make a huge financial commitment.

Blue Heron Botanicals lip balms are developed around two main ingredients, shea butter and cocoa butter. There are six different scents to choose from and all of them come in beautiful recycled and compostable packaging. These zero waste lip balms have been developed to not only moisturize and nourish your lips but also offer you sun protection too which is so important. If you are looking for a tinted or vegan option, they also have those too! Definitely worth a look.

The zero waste lip balm available from Live Like You Green It is totally vegan friendly, plastic-free, and is made from all organic ingredients. If you are looking for a bit of an investment, these are wonderful as they are around three times the size of more conventional lip balms. While there aren’t a huge range of scents, this small business, owned by a solo black woman is definitely worth supporting. In terms of packaging, everything is totally compostable, so once you have used the product, there will not be a trace left!

No Tox Life has developed this phenomenal lip butter, which is substantially longer lasting than your average lip balm and will glide on to your lips just like butter. It is totally vegan, as it uses plant based waxes and is also easy to compost at home – the packaging is made of recycled paper and bamboo tape. The lip butter itself is roughly twice as big as a standard lip balm, meaning not only will it last you significantly longer due to the 4-8 hour staying power, but also through the large amount of product, making it a much better investment.

This is a super flexible product. This lip balm can also be used as a cheek tint, eyeshadow and also can be built up to give the appearance of lipstick. All of the products are handmade in small batches, using the highest quality local and organic ingredients. Since each lip balm is handmade, they do vary slightly, although they are vastly similar. All of the packaging is entirely compostable.

What do you think of these plastic-free lip balms? Will you give one of them a try?

For more zero waste beauty tips, check out this list of zero waste makeup and skincare brands.

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