The lips are the body’s most eloquent province. They speak, they kiss, they smile, they sip the first coffee of the day and the last glass of wine at night. They are also, I’m sorry to report, among the most neglected. The skin there is thin, with no oil glands to speak of, which is why lips chap so easily in winter wind and summer sun and in the dry cabin air of a long flight. We carry little tubes in our pockets like talismans, forever swiping and reapplying and forgetting where we left the thing.
For centuries, people have made lip care from the generous materials of the earth: beeswax from the hive, shea from the savanna, cocoa butter from the tropics, and the scented oils of mint, lavender, rose, and orange. There is something deeply satisfying about a balm that smells like a meadow and feels like silk. Essential oils are the concentrated aromatics of those plants, and in tiny, careful amounts they give lip products their character: the cool tingle of peppermint, the soft floral calm of lavender, the sweet brightness of mandarin.
But the lips are also a place where caution matters. You will, inevitably, lick and swallow a little of whatever you put there. That means essential oils must be used sparingly and diluted heavily, and some should be avoided entirely. A lip balm is not the place for heroic experiments. It is a place for restraint, a pinch of fragrance in a good base, nothing more. This guide introduces twenty brands, a mix of makers of finished lip balms that use plant oils and aromatherapy suppliers whose oils are favorites among people who make their own. I’ll tell you what each is known for and who might enjoy it. I’ll also stay honest about what is known and what is only hoped for.
What Do Essential Oils Do for Lips?
Mostly, they add aroma, flavor, and a sensory lift. Peppermint and spearmint give a cooling tingle. Lavender and chamomile give a gentle, calming scent. Citrus oils such as sweet orange and mandarin add brightness, though some citrus oils are photosensitizing, a real concern for lips exposed to sun. Rose and geranium add soft floral notes, and vanilla, though not a true essential oil, often shows up as an extract.
What truly nourishes the lips is the base: waxes, butters, and fixed oils such as jojoba, sweet almond, coconut, and olive. Those are the ingredients that seal in moisture and protect against wind. Essential oils contribute fragrance and, perhaps, a pleasant sensation, but they are not the moisturizer. If your lips are persistently cracked, swollen, or sore, see a doctor, since they can signal allergy, infection, or nutritional trouble.
How to Choose
- Read the whole ingredient list. The base matters more than the scent.
- Beware of irritation. Menthol, camphor, and strong fragrance can be drying or irritating for some people, and chapped lips may tempt you to reapply compulsively.
- Look for SPF if you spend time outdoors. Lips burn too.
- Check allergens. Cinnamon, clove, and some mints can sting sensitive skin.
- Choose pure oils from reputable suppliers if you plan to make your own.
Safety Notes
Never apply undiluted essential oil to the lips. The skin there is thin, and you’ll end up tasting and swallowing some of what you apply. For homemade balms, a common guideline is very low dilution, often 0.5 percent or less, which means only a few drops of essential oil per 30 grams of balm. Avoid oils that are strong irritants, such as cinnamon, clove, oregano, and thyme. Skip photosensitizing citrus oils if the balm will be worn in the sun, unless they are the steam-distilled or furocoumarin-free types. Patch test any new product, avoid use on children, and consult a professional if you are pregnant or nursing.
The Top 20 Brands
1. Burt’s Bees
Burt’s Bees is probably the brand most people think of when they think of natural lip balm. Founded in Maine in the 1980s, the company turned beeswax and plant oils into a pocket-sized habit. Its classic Beeswax Lip Balm has a cool, minty character that comes from peppermint oil, along with a base of beeswax and plant oils. The brand also offers tinted balms and flavored varieties, giving you plenty to choose from. Peppermint can feel tingly, and some people find it drying with heavy use, so be mindful. Still, the balm is easy to find, affordable, and pleasantly honest, with a scent that feels like a cold morning outside a cabin.
2. Badger
Badger is a small, family-run company from New Hampshire, and its balms have a reputation for simple, short ingredient lists. The company makes organic lip balms in flavors such as peppermint, orange, and unscented, using ingredients like beeswax and plant oils, with essential oils for fragrance. The tins and sticks are modest and charming, with an old-fashioned New England feel. Badger also makes sunscreens and other body balms, so if you like what you find, you can build a small kit around it. The balms tend to be firm and long-lasting, a boon for people who spend their days outdoors. It’s a dependable brand, quiet in manner and generous in effect.
3. Weleda
Weleda has been making natural body care in Switzerland and Germany for the better part of a century, and its Everon Lip Balm is a long-standing favorite. The balm combines plant oils and waxes with gentle scent, and it is sold in a small tube that suits a purse or a coat pocket. Weleda’s philosophy leans on plant-derived ingredients and a respect for the plant world, and its products tend to be mild and nicely textured. If you appreciate a European touch, with understated elegance and no shouting on the label, it’s a wise choice. The balm provides a smooth, protective layer, and it feels good on dry winter lips.
4. Lush
Lush is a British company known for its fresh, handmade cosmetics and its theatrical shops, where the air smells like a candy store crossed with an herb garden. Its lip balms and lip scrubs are famous, made with ingredients such as butters, oils, and sugar, with flavors and scents that range from sweet to minty. The brand uses essential oils and other natural fragrances in many products, and its labeling lists ingredients in plain view. The lip scrub, in particular, is a favorite for exfoliating dry, flaky lips. Because Lush products can contain strong fragrance or flavor, check the ingredient list if you have sensitivities. A joyful, unabashedly sensory brand, it’s a treat for the senses.
5. Kiehl’s
Kiehl’s is an old New York apothecary dating to the mid-nineteenth century, and its Lip Balm #1 is a cult classic. The balm has been associated with a soothing, lightly herbal character, and it comes in a modest tube with the brand’s typical pharmacy-style labeling. Ingredients typically include plant oils and conditioning components, and the formula has been popular for generations. It isn’t an essential oil brand in the strict sense, but the product belongs in this conversation because of its botanical character and long-standing reputation. Check the label for the precise ingredient list, since formulas change over time. If you like a product that feels like it came from an old drugstore, Kiehl’s delivers with style.
6. Aesop
Aesop is an Australian brand famous for its beautiful brown bottles, thoughtful labeling, and carefully balanced fragrances. Its lip balm has been offered in sun-protective versions, a boon for people who spend time outdoors. The brand uses botanical ingredients in its formulas, often with a restrained, herbal-citrus aroma that has become a signature. Aesop products are on the luxurious side, and the shops are designed like small libraries. This is a brand for those who want their lip care to feel a little like a literary experience, with clean lines, subtle scent, and a sense of occasion. Check the label for ingredients and SPF details, as products vary by market.
7. Aveda
Aveda, founded in 1978 and known for its plant-based approach to hair and body care, makes the Lip Saver, a long-standing balm with a devoted following. The brand has long emphasized plant-derived ingredients and sustainable sourcing, and its products are known for their aromatic profiles. The balm has a distinct, sweet-herbal scent, and it is popular for its smooth, protective feel. Since formulas and fragrance components can change, check the ingredient list if you have sensitivities. Aveda is a pleasure for those who enjoy a salon-style experience, with products that smell as good as they feel. It’s a polished brand that treats aroma as an integral part of the experience.
8. Neal’s Yard Remedies
Neal’s Yard Remedies, born in London’s Covent Garden in 1981, is among Britain’s most respected organic beauty brands. Its lip balms and body balms feature organic ingredients, and the company is a trusted source of essential oils such as lavender, geranium, and rose, which suit a gentle, floral approach to lip care. The cobalt blue glass and handsome labeling add to the charm. For people who want a finished product with a good conscience, it’s an appealing choice. For those who want to make their own balm, the company’s oils offer lovely quality. A touch more expensive than most, the brand is a small luxury that makes everyday routines feel kinder.
9. Dr. Bronner’s
Dr. Bronner’s is best known for its eccentrically labeled liquid soaps, but the company also makes organic lip balms in flavors such as peppermint and other plant-scented varieties. The balms feature organic oils and waxes, and the company’s commitment to fair-trade and organic sourcing is serious and well documented. The packaging is simple, with the brand’s unmistakable label design, and the prices are fair. It’s a brand with a conscience, which makes the balm feel like a small vote for the sort of world you’d like to live in. Peppermint-flavored versions can tingle, so choose an unscented or milder variety if you have especially sensitive lips.
10. Hurraw!
Hurraw! is a brand founded by a woman who started making lip balm for friends, and it has grown into a favorite among people who want vegan, plant-based lip balms. The balms use ingredients such as organic oils and plant waxes in place of beeswax, with scents derived from essential oils and natural flavors in a range of varieties. The packaging is cheerful, and the selection includes fun options like lavender, mint, and vanilla-style flavors. If you avoid animal products or just like a lighter, silkier balm, Hurraw! is a charming option. As always, check the ingredient list, since formulations differ, and watch out for any ingredient that your lips don’t like.
11. Eco Lips
Eco Lips is a Colorado-based brand that has been making organic lip balms for many years, with an emphasis on fair-trade ingredients and environmentally conscious packaging. The balms feature plant oils and waxes, with flavors derived from essential oils and other plant sources. The company makes a variety of tints and sun-protective balms, making it a one-stop source for the outdoorsy type. The labeling is transparent, and the company’s values are front and center. If you want a lip balm that supports a better supply chain and still feels nice on a windy day, Eco Lips has been doing that quietly for a long time.
12. Desert Essence
Desert Essence is a California company that has featured tea tree oil across its natural care range for many years, including in lip products. The brand’s lip balms and lip care items tend to be simple, with a base of plant oils and waxes and a modest dose of botanical scent. Its approach is cruelty-free and relatively free of unnecessary synthetics. Tea tree oil has a distinctive medicinal smell that some find invigorating and others find strong, so try a small tube first. For people who like a clean, herbal character in their personal care, Desert Essence is a dependable and honest option. Pay attention to how your lips respond after a few days of use.
13. Mountain Rose Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs, based in Oregon, serves herbalists and craftspeople who like to make their own lip balm. The company sells the building blocks: beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, lip balm tubes, and a good range of essential oils, including peppermint, lavender, and sweet orange. It also offers finished lip balms, with an emphasis on organic and responsibly sourced ingredients. If you like the idea of melting wax on the stove and pouring your own balm into little tubes, this is a most agreeable supplier. The sense of accomplishment, and the faint scent of beeswax in the kitchen, make it a rewarding craft. Use oils sparingly and measure carefully.
14. Plant Therapy
Plant Therapy is known for its clear safety guidance, which is a blessing when you are making something for the lips. The company sells oils such as lavender, peppermint, sweet orange, and chamomile, along with carrier oils for blending, and it publishes dilution guidance on its site. Its educational resources help beginners avoid common mistakes, such as using too much oil in a balm. Prices are fair, and the company is transparent about testing. If you are making your first homemade lip balm and want a patient guide, Plant Therapy will lead you gently. Stick to the recommended low dilutions and avoid irritating oils, and you’ll end up with something lovely.
15. Aura Cacia
Aura Cacia is a well-known brand in natural food stores, and it offers pure essential oils in modest bottles, which suit the small quantities needed for lip balm. Its peppermint, lavender, mandarin, and spearmint oils are popular with DIY makers, and the company provides useful information on origin and use. The brand is owned by the Frontier Co-op and is committed to responsible sourcing. Prices are friendly, and you can often find the products in person, which allows you to smell before you buy. For a first foray into lip balm making, a tiny bottle of Aura Cacia oil goes a very long way, since a few drops are all you’ll need.
16. Edens Garden
Edens Garden is a family-run company with a loyal following for its reasonable prices and quality oils. Its lavender, peppermint, sweet orange, and geranium oils are well suited for scenting homemade balms in small amounts. The company makes testing information available, and its bottles are sturdy and well labeled. Because lip balm requires only a few drops, a small bottle will last you through many batches. Edens Garden is a good choice for crafty types who want to make gifts, from a dozen little tubes at the holidays to a tin for a friend who is always losing her balm. A solid, steady brand with a modest and likable character.
17. Tisserand Aromatherapy
Tisserand Aromatherapy carries the name of Robert Tisserand, an authority on essential oil safety, and the company’s thoughtful approach shows in its labeling and guidance. Its lavender, geranium, and mandarin oils are quite suited to gentle lip balms, and its educational materials are helpful for anyone who wants to understand dilution. Because lips are such a delicate area, a brand that treats safety as a first principle is reassuring. The oils are well made, and the brand’s tone is measured and practical. If you like the idea of making your own balm but feel a little nervous about the chemistry, Tisserand’s careful approach will steady your hand and calm your nerves.
18. doTERRA
doTERRA is a leading name in aromatherapy, and the company offers a range of oils, including peppermint, lavender, and wild orange, that are popular in homemade products. The company also offers skin-care and body-care items, and some of its lines include lip-friendly products, though offerings vary by region and over time. The oils are tested through the company’s CPTG program, and the premium prices reflect the brand’s positioning. For lip care, the golden rule remains the same: use extremely small amounts and heavy dilution. Do not use the company’s oils neat on the lips, and check the safety guidance on each bottle. A name that inspires confidence for many people.
19. Young Living
Young Living is another major aromatherapy name, with a full range of single oils such as lavender, peppermint, and orange, plus blends and personal-care items. The company emphasizes its farm-to-bottle approach, and its oils have a rich, full aroma. For making lip balm, a drop or two goes a long way, and it is vital to follow dilution guidance and avoid oils that may be too irritating for delicate skin. Young Living also offers skin-care products, though lip-specific items vary by region and time. It is a premium option for those who already use the brand’s oils and want to craft a small batch of balm to share with friends and family.
20. BrambleBerry
BrambleBerry is an American supplier for soap makers and cosmetic crafters, and it’s a treasure trove for anyone who wants to make lip balm at home. The company sells lip balm tubes, tins, waxes, butters, and flavor and scent options, along with kits and instructions that guide beginners through the process. It also offers essential oils and skin-safe fragrance oils, so be sure to read each product description and choose ones suitable for lip products. The tutorials are cheerful and easy to follow. For anyone who has ever thought, “I could make this myself,” BrambleBerry hands you the tools, and there is a lovely satisfaction in handing a friend a tube you made with your own hands.
A Very Gentle Lip Balm to Try
Melt 10 grams of beeswax, 10 grams of shea butter, and 10 grams of jojoba or sweet almond oil together in a small heatproof jar set in a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat, let it cool slightly, and stir in two drops of lavender or one drop of peppermint. Pour into clean tubes or tins and let it set. That’s a very low dilution, appropriate for lips. Patch test on the inner arm first, avoid use if you notice any irritation, and keep the balm out of reach of children.
Final Thoughts: Small Pleasures, Wisely Chosen
A good lip balm is one of life’s small, reliable pleasures, a little ritual we perform dozens of times a day without noticing. When the balm is well made and gently scented, the ritual takes on a certain grace. You’re tending the part of yourself that speaks and laughs and tastes the world, and that deserves a bit of thought. Choose a well-made base, use essential oils with a light hand, and respect the delicate nature of the skin. Whether you buy a finished balm or make your own, the best approach is the plainest: simple ingredients, honest labels, and a willingness to stop if your lips tell you something is wrong. And if the trouble persists, see a doctor. Lips, after all, have more to say than we usually let them.