A good lipstick can make you feel like you’re ready to conquer the world. How many times have you checked the ingredients of your lipstick? Most would say rarely. Cosmetics, especially lipsticks, are known to have bad ingredients.
In the last few years, we have become quite conscious about the ingredients in your skincare; but not so much around makeup. Trust us when we say that you need natural ingredients in your makeup, and especially your lipstick, too.
Why is shifting to non-toxic, natural lipstick so important?
Studies have found that over 60% of lipsticks have lead in them. There’s no safe level when it comes to lead exposure. It can harm you even in small doses.
Lead in your lipstick can cause health issues like reduced fertility, hormonal changes, and learning, language, and behavioral problems. Now, imagine when it is applied to your skin for hours!
A study by the University of California found other toxic metals in lipsticks and lip glosses, including chromium, cadmium, aluminum, and manganese. These are the most common heavy metals found in your makeup.
That’s when we began our quest for the best natural lipsticks.
Natural lipsticks and lip balms usually don’t contain any toxic chemicals. They are generally made from fruit extracts, herbs, and plant derivatives. Some of them come loaded with vitamins, moisturizing butter, and nourishing plant oils that promote soft and healthy lips. Natural lipstick may also contain castor oil, beeswax, vitamin E, and other organic compounds.
In this article, we have rounded up some fantastic non-toxic lipsticks and lip balms to replace your regular ones.
Best non-toxic lipstick and lip gloss from our favorite brands
There’s a myth about sustainability that there are not many options. Using natural cosmetic products doesn’t mean you need to give up on bold colors that match all your outfits. We curated a list of the best non-toxic lipsticks and lip balms for that perfect pout.
1. Kjaer Weis Lipstick
If you’re looking for intense bold colors but want to go the eco-friendly route, opt for Kjaer Weis. Their lip collection will convert you into a clean skincare user; it will be your holy grail of lipsticks. It is marketed as a high-end organic makeup line. Its packaging is so vintage that you might want to use the packaging to decorate your vanity.
What we love most is they’re refillable! If you reach the end of the lipstick, you can ask for a refill instead of buying a new case or tube. (Perfect for someone who is leading a zero-waste life!)
What’s Good?
- Certified organic.
- Hydrating & nourishing.
- Creamy formula.
- Impossibly flattering.
- Refillable.
2. ILIA Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil
Gloss is the boss!
ILIA’s balmy gloss is the cushiony tinted oil your lips have been waiting for. They have a range of six shades, from berry mauve linger to tropical pink petal, giving a surge of smooth, non-sticky colors. They glide on like a gloss and nourish like a balm — all with the plumping hyaluronic acid and major moisturizing properties.
Apply your favorite shade on top of your lips to get a natural flush. Have you decided which ILIA shade is your go-to?
What’s good?
- Super hydrating.
- Packed with plumping Hyaluronic Acid.
- Vegan and cruelty-free.
- Free of paraben, gluten, silicone, and nanoparticle.
3. Axiology Lip To Lid Super Fan Balmie Set
Wear a new color every day with this super fan pack!
These 14 plastic-free, multi-use balmies color like a crayon and hydrate like a balm. They are packed with oils, butter, and antioxidants. Elderberry, hemp, and plum oil in these cute balmies hydrate, nourish, and heal your pout-perfect lips.
These balmies may look small; it’s an optical illusion since they aren’t covered in plastic packaging. They are .12 oz products which are the standard lipstick size. Plastic-free is the way to go!
What’s good?
- PETA certified.
- Free of alcohol, gluten, and synthetic fragrance.
- 100% zero-waste.
- Wrapped in paper and rested in a recyclable case.
- Set of 14 multi-use balmies.
4. Vapour High Voltage Lipstick
Ready to drench your lips in luxurious, poppy colors with Vapour’s high voltage lipstick? This range of lipsticks offers you a pigmented, full coverage lip – from sultry reds to moody nudes.
Activated with untamed botanicals like organic jojoba oil and soothing sunflower, this non-toxic lipstick will nourish and hydrate your lips.
What’s good?
- Unconventionally clean.
- Cruelty-free.
- Intense and long-lasting color.
5. 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented® Lip Gloss
Just like the name suggests, 100% Pure’s lip gloss is made with restorative vitamin E and real fruit pigments. The cruelty-free and vegan lip gloss gives your lips a glamorous shine, leaving them supple and juicy. The vitamin E and antioxidant-rich pigments deeply moisturize your lips.
What’s more? You get to choose from 5 silky, semi-sheer shades, from peachy nude to berry red.
What’s good?
- Moisturizes lips.
- Get silky smooth, semi-sheer coverage.
- Cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, and natural.
- For all skin types.
6. W3ll People Optimist Lipstick
This organic lipstick gives your lips that luxury treatment with its high pigment and deeply hydrating formula. Weightless, versatile, W3ll People’s optimist lipstick has a matte finish and flatters all skin tones. (Hello, Insta pics!)
W3ll People’s lipstick is formulated with organic shea butter, jojoba oil, and organic Cupuaçu butter – all nourishing organic ingredients! The best part? It doesn’t contain parabens, dimethicone, and sulfates.
What’s good?
- Satin finish.
- Clean and hydrating.
- Plant-powered ingredients.
7. Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick
This non-toxic lipstick has a velvety texture when applied, but it dries down matte without drying your lips. Instead, it provides lasting hydration. This natural lipstick is made with avocado oil + hyaluronic acid (hello hydration)
Now that’s a product we can get behind. This highly pigmented lipstick easily lasts for 8 hours. And oh, it comes in 8 pretty shades. From fearless red to forever pink – you can find them all. Get your glam on!
What’s good?
- Cruelty-free and vegan.
- Moisturizes + hydrates lips.
- Lasts for 8 hours.
- Made without silicones, fragrances, and carmine.
8. Burt Bee’s Satin Lipstick
We found a lipstick that loves you back. Burt’s Bees’ lip balm has a huge cult following. Most of us have used one or the other of their products before.
Burt’s Bees satin lipstick is made with moisturizing ingredients and will be your go-to natural lipstick. The formula contains castor oil, moringa extracts, and raspberry seed oil. It will keep your lips nourished for 8 hours post-application. Isn’t that pretty awesome?! The natural lipstick is available in 18 shades and suits all skin tones.
What’s good?
- 100% natural.
- Smooth, satin finish.
- 18 bold colors.
- Moisturizes, conditions, and nourishes lips.
9. Elate Better Balm
Elate’s better balm is not your average lip balm. The lip balm has the goodness of natural ingredients that your lips will love. It is made with carrot root oil and rosehip seed oil (and lotsa love!) This balm is also high in vitamins and vital fatty acids, rehydrating and rebuilding dry skin. It shields your pout from environmental pollutants, as well.
Use its translucent shine to moisturize and repair damaged cuticles and provide a dewy glow to cheeks.
What’s good?
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and ethical ingredients.
- 75% of the brand’s packaging is reusable, recyclable, and plantable.
10. Mj Esthetics CBD Lip Balm
Give your lips the best treatment they have ever had with CBD lip balms. These are a nourishing blend of raw, organic botanicals and extracts that heal and calm the driest of lips. This is not just any balm. It is THE balm!
Mj Esthetics’ balm is loaded with antioxidants from CBD to nourish lips. This balm combines its anti-inflammatory features, making it the go-to balm for severe weather. Besides this, lip balm is made from the finest raw, organic shea butter.
Why choose CBD-infused products?
Studies have found that CBD when used in skincare, can offer a number of advantages to battle, prevent, and treat signs of aging. Not just that, CBD-infused skincare can also give you healthier and youthful-looking skin.
What’s good?
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Antioxidant.
- Full of fatty acids.
- Contains vitamins.
Fortunately, now you don’t have to choose between a fabulous pop of color and good health. Buy any of these amazing non-toxic lipsticks and tell us how much your lips loved them.
We also have a list of clean, natural lip and cheek tints for your no-makeup makeup look.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the primary ingredients in lipstick?
The primary ingredients found in lipsticks are wax, oil, pigment, and alcohol.
2. What causes your lips to dry?
Dehydration, prolonged sun exposure, skin picking, and licking cause dry lips. Along with these, some deficiencies in vitamin B, zinc, etc., can also lead to dryness on your lips.
3. How to choose a lip balm?
A good lip balm should moisturize your lips. Look for lip balms with beeswax or shea butter to seal in the moisture.
4. Which lipstick brands contain lead?
According to the FDA, L’ Oreal, Body Shop, Maybelline, Procter & Gamble, and Revlon contain the highest lead levels in their products.
5. Do you really need chemical-free lipstick?
Harmful chemicals in your lipsticks can have adverse effects on your health. This has been linked to learning, language, and behavioral problems, reduced fertility in both men and women, hormonal changes, and menstrual irregularities.
Using conventional lipsticks once or twice won’t cause the above problems. Long-term exposure from repeated use of lipsticks with toxic chemicals can be an issue. While eating or drinking, you’re likely to ingest those chemicals as you lick your lips.
