Natural Lip Balm FAQ

Natural lip balm is a lip care product formulated using primarily natural and organic ingredients, without the addition of synthetic chemicals, parabens, and artificial fragrances. Our natural lip balms use ingredients like organic shea butter, beeswax, and essential oils to nourish and protect your lips.

The ingredients are certified organic. The finished balms are not USDA certified, which is why we say made with certified organic ingredients rather than calling the balm itself certified.

While commercial lip balms might contain synthetic ingredients, petroleum products, or fillers, natural lip balms prioritize using plant-based, organic, and naturally derived ingredients. That usually means fewer of the common irritants, which makes them a gentler choice if your lips are sensitive.

Natural lip balms leave out the synthetic fragrances and preservatives that are a common source of irritation for sensitive lips. Our balms use unrefined ingredients, which keep more of the natural oils and fatty acids that condition and soften lips.

Many of our customers have asked why we don't have a lip balm with SPF. The answer is that the most commonly used sunscreens today are chemicals, including oxybenzone, dioxybenzone, octyl methoxycinnamate, and padimate-O. Since our product is labeled as all-natural, we can't, in good conscience, use those chemicals. While zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are naturally occurring minerals that provide a physical barrier to UV rays, they also contain a white pigment which most people would find unattractive on their lips.

Yes. Natural lip balms often contain ingredients like organic shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and beeswax which are known for their deep moisturizing properties. These natural ingredients provide long-lasting hydration without petroleum-based products.

Natural lip balms work by adding moisture and then sealing it in. Beeswax forms a protective barrier against wind and dry air, while plant butters and oils like shea butter and sweet almond oil soften the skin. They are cosmetics, not treatments — if your lips are cracked, bleeding, or not improving, see a doctor.

Many natural lip balms derive their scent and flavor from natural ingredients like organic essential oils or plant extracts. The aroma or taste is typically milder and more natural than synthetic fragrances. We use only organic essential oils like peppermint, lemon, orange, and vanilla, never artificial flavorings.

Every balm is handmade in small batches in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We buy certified organic, unrefined ingredients from suppliers we have worked with for years, and we make small quantities at a time so nothing sits around. Because the ingredients are unrefined, color and aroma can vary a little from batch to batch.

Most of the time, yes. Because natural lip balms contain fewer synthetic chemicals, they are less likely to cause irritation. Our balms use natural, unrefined ingredients without parabens, artificial fragrances, or petroleum products. Always check the ingredient list if you have a known allergy — every balm we make contains sweet almond oil, which is a tree nut.

Ask your oncology team first, especially if your lips are already cracked or you are having radiotherapy to the head or neck. They may want you using a specific product, and lip balm is a cosmetic rather than a treatment. In general, cancer support organizations advise avoiding petroleum-based balms such as Vaseline during radiotherapy or oxygen therapy, and going easy on strong peppermint or menthol, which can sting sore lips. Every Lip Ganache balm is petroleum-free. Our Chocolate Ganache and French Vanilla contain no essential oils at all, so they are the mildest options we make. You can read our fuller guide to lip care during chemotherapy.

Our balms are made from natural ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, and organic essential oils, with no parabens, artificial fragrance, or petroleum. Two things are worth knowing. We would keep the mint flavors away from young children, since peppermint essential oil can be too strong for them. And during pregnancy, scents you normally enjoy can turn unwelcome — Chocolate Ganache and French Vanilla contain no essential oils and are the mildest we make. Check with a pediatrician or obstetrician if you have any doubt, and read the ingredient list if there is a known allergy.