Lip balm is not created equally. For just a little bit more money, you can buy lip balm without palm oil.
As always, the less ingredients, the better.
We looked at two lip balms from the same major manufacturer. One had 19 ingredients and the other contained 49! Both contained palm oil derivatives.
Palm oil ingredients in lip balm
Palm oil derivatives are common in lip balm. If the company doesn’t name the source, these ingredients are typically derived from palm oil. You will need to contact the company to ask.
Here are some palm oil ingredients in lip balm:
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- Caprylyl Glycol
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Cetyl Palmitate
- Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
- Diisostearyl Malate
- Glycerin
- Glyceryl Caprylate
- Isopropyl Myristate
- Propylene Glycol
- Polyethylene Glycol
- Sorbitan Stearate
- Tocopherol — If it doesn’t state the source, as in Tocopherol (Sunflower), you won’t know if it’s palm derived
- Vitamin E
The more you learn about palm oil uses and names for palm oil derivatives in everyday products, the easier it is to avoid them.
Lip balm without palm oil
To the best of our knowledge, after cross-referencing their ingredients against hundreds of names of palm oil derivatives, these lip balms do not have any palm oil ingredients.
We reached out to these packaged cookie companies to confirm; however, this list is not guaranteed.
To be certain lip balms, chapsticks, or any products are palm oil free, they should be certified Palm Oil Free by the International Palm Oil Free Certification Trademark Programme (POFCAP) or Orangutan Alliance.
W.S. Badger Co.
- Badger Balm Unscented
- Chai Rose
- Cheerful Mind
- Cinnamon Bay
- Cocoa Butter
- Cool Mint
- Creamy Cocoa
- Ginger & Lemon
- Herbal Lip Care
- Highland Mint
- Holiday Jumbo: Peppermint Stick; Cinnamon Swirl; Orange Spice
- Lavender & Orange
- Lime Rocket
- Mocha Cocoa
- Peppermint
- Pink Grapefruit
- Pomegranate Cocoa Butter
- SPF Lip Balm Sunscreen
- Sweet Orange
- Tangerine Breeze
- Tea Tree Herbal
- Unscented Classic
- Vanilla Bean
- Vanilla Madagascar
Badger confirmed these balms are palm oil free. They also make lip tints.
Booda Organics
- Booda Butter Naked Lip Balm
- Eco Balm:
- Creamy Cocoa
- Enlightened Mint
- Purely Naked
Booda Butter Naked Lip Balm is a vegan balm. It’s unflavored and unscented. It’s free from tocopherols. Ingredients include sweet almond oil and wild-crafted candelilla wax.
This was the first palm oil free lip balm we found and used. We love it!
They’ve just introduced their Eco Balms. Their website describes their quality ingredients.
Booda Organics makes all of their products without using palm oil or derivatives. Their products don’t contain tocopherols or preservatives.
Dunnock and Hinny
- Vegan Lip Balm
- Lavender
- Rose Mint
Dunnock and Hinny puts the ingredients right on top of the lip balm container — making it easy to see.
Fat and the Moon
- All Salve
You can use this for more than just lips. It’s makes a great salve for burns, cuts and bites. Heals skin.
It’s organic and shelf stable without the palm oil derivatives many companies use.
Ingredients include calendula and Oregon grape leaf.
- Ruby Red Tinted Balm
This is balm you can use for your lips and cheeks.
It contains essential oils of clove and sweet orange.
Freedom Soap Co.
- Peppermint Lip Balm
- Sweet Orange + Rosemary
- Tea Tree
Freedom Soap Co. who confirmed they don’t use any palm oil or the hundreds of names for palm oil derivatives.
Hurraw! Balm
- Almond
- Baobab Banana
- Black Cherry Tinted
- Chai Spice
- Chocolate
- Coconut
- Earl Grey
- Echium Raspberry Tinted
- Grapefruit
- Kapha
- Licorice
- Lime
- Mint
- Moon
- Orange
- Papaya Pineapple
- Pitta
- Sun
- Unscented
- Vanilla Bean
- Vata
Wow, what a huge range of palm free flavors.
They have confirmed the Tocopherols in their lip balm is from sunflower and not palm oil.
They use raw, organic and vegan ingredients.
Hurraw! is another company who believes in the importance of making their all of their products without any palm oil ingredients.
Unearth Malee
- Cocoa Macadamia Lip Balm
- Lemongrass Mint
- Watermelon Coconut Tinted
These are packaged in an eco-friendly, push-up paper tube.
According to Uncommon Malee, all of their products are free of palm oil and palm ingredients.
They have lots to say on their website about why they don’t use palm oil. It’s titled, ‘Why Palm Oil Free.’
Also, they highlight a “No Palm Oil” icon along with their “Organic” and “Vegan” imprints.
Simply Eden
- Chai
- Coffee Bean
- Cucumber Melon
- Peppermint with Zinc
- Peppermint
- Sinus Eze Sinus Balm
- Sweet Orange Chili Pepper
- Unflavored
Simply Eden has confirmed their lip balm flavors are all palm oil free.
Kiss My Face
- Sport Lip Balm SPF 30
Kiss My Face confirmed this balm is palm oil free.
How to find lip balm without palm ingredients
Avoid additional characteristics.
When companies add flavors and other characteristics — soothing, moisturizing, medicinal, tinted, sun protection, hydration, etc. — there are greater chances for them to have palm oil ingredients.
Seasonal flavors usually contain more palm oil ingredients than traditional flavors. (This is the case for food as well.)
Don’t be swayed by labeling.
Just because lip balm labeling states “coconut” doesn’t mean it’s palm oil free. Watch for labels that promote “all natural” and “plant derived ingredients.” These all can contain palm oil.
Shop at local stores and natural food stores.
Stores such as Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, etc. are less likely to carry palm oil free products.
Check out your Whole Foods, Natural Grocer, Sprouts, etc. for varieties of small batches. You may find them on Etsy and craft bazaars as well.
Support smaller businesses.
Keep away from major manufacturers, especially ones who offer many different types of lip balm.
Compare prices.
Companies use palm oil because it’s versatile and inexpensive. Generally, the more expensive the balm, the better chance it won’t have palm oil derivatives.
Lip balm is fairly inexpensive to begin with. By spending a little bit more, you will be able to avoid palm oil.
Choose balm with less ingredients.
Simply put, the less ingredients, the less chance of palm oil.
Seek chapstick and balms with Palm Oil Free labeling
To know for certain a product is palm oil free, seek out companies who have products which have earned Palm Oil Free certification.
Make your own lip balm
There are many sites that show you how to make your own lip balm that is palm oil free. Here’s one that suggests using coconut, grapeseed or sweet almond oil.
Why choose palm oil free lip balms
There are many environmental reasons consumers choose lip balm free from palm oil. There are many animals now on the endangered species list because of palm oil plantations.
Palm oil is prevalent in most self-care and hygiene products. Read more if you want to support these types of products:
- Soap without palm oil
- Shampoo without palm oil
- Toothpaste without palm oil
- Sunscreen without palm oil
- Deodorant without palm oil
You can do your part by choosing lip balm without palm oil. By making simple choices, you can choose the products that make less of an impact.
Be sure to always read labels. Companies change ingredients regularly. This list is not guaranteed and is meant to be a starting point. To know for certain a product is Palm Oil Free, look for labeling from the International Palm Oil Free Trademark Certification Programme.
On a personal note, we started this website because our son gets sick from anything with palm oil. This includes foods as well as personal care items. He once got very sick from using a lip serum with palm oil ingredients. See our posts about his palm oil allergy here as well as a list of what personal care products he uses.
Please list any other lip balms without palm oil in the Comments. We’d love to research them and add them to this list. Why do you avoid palm oil?
Donna Palmer
Saturday 18th of November 2023
You should check out Meow Meow Tweet as they do not use palm oil/derivatives.
Tammy
Sunday 3rd of February 2019
Please be aware that Carnauba wax is made from palm wax and many lip balms contain this ingredient. In fact Badger Balm's tinted ones have it.
I did not see carnauba wax on the long list of names of derivatives from palm oil but it should be.
Carnauba wax is also used on gummy vitamins and candy like gummy bears. I found out about carnauba wax when I took a gummy vitamin and my mouth and throat became itchy and I broke out in hives.
Also candles can contain palm wax. I don't know if it would cause a reaction from burning it but personally I don't want to support the use of this ingredient in anything including a none consumable item. I will only burn candles that are 100% coconut wax since it is the safest and healthiest choice.
editor
Sunday 3rd of February 2019
Hi Tammy, Thanks for writing!
Months ago we asked one of the founders from the Palm Oil Free Certification Trademark (www.palmoilfreecertification.org) about Carnauba Wax. She said it is NOT derived from palm oil. It is from a Brazilian palm -- Copernicia cerifera -- which is different than palm oil and its many forms. The palm oil we avoid is from Elaeis guineensis.
Of course, this isn't to say you don't react to it; just letting you know that it's not derived from palm oil.
And yes, so many candles, especially less expensive ones, use palm oil. 100% coconut wax sounds like a great choice.
Thanks so much --- we always welcome your thoughts, suggestions, etc. If the medical community won't help us, we have to help each other!