Lipstick Balms & Crayons
Description
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November 1, 2022
By Lisa Petrison
The lip balms, butters and crayons listed on this page offer fairly saturated color, but in more casual and easygoing formulas than actual lipsticks.
Most of the balms and butters offer moisturizing benefits through the use of quality oils, while the crayons also include some waxes for a more controlled look.
The trade-off is that many of these products offer a more casual or even slightly messy look, compared to the more refined look that I tend to be able to get easily with most lipsticks.
I think that especially for everyday wear, this kind of more casual look can be appealing and that the balminess of these lipsticks can be a good thing for the lips, though.
TOP PICKS
♣ Living Clean Superstars:
Bobbi Brown Art Stick ($32)
Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Lip Color Balm ($20)
Honest Demi-Matte Lip Crayon ($13)
Jane Iredale PlayOn Lip Crayon ($20)
Kosas Lipfuel ($18)
Tarte H2O Balm Lip Tint ($21)
♦ Additional Possibilities:
+100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze ($27)
Burt’s Bees Lip Crayons ($9)
Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm ($28)
Jane Iredale LipDrink SPF15 ($20)
Mineral Fusion Lipstick Butter ($14)
MOB Lip Balm ($25)
W3LL People Lip Butter SPF15 ($15)
♠ Trash Can:
MAC Glow Play Lip Balm ($20)
Maybelline Green Edition Balmy Lip Blush ($8)
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Tinted Lip Treatment ($10)
Rose Inc. Lip Sculpt Clean Lipstick ($26)
♥ Lisa’s Choice:
Kosas Lipfuel ($18)
Notes:
1) Living Clean Superstars – Products with high scores on both Performance Rating (5) as well as Ingredients Rating (4/5). + Clean Pick (Ingredients Rating = 5).
2) Lisa’s Choice – Products that I would purchase for my own personal use. √ Lisa’s Favorite
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze – $27
Overall Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “Our moisturizing Lip Glaze collection is made with real fruit pigments, plus avocado and cocoa butters to give lips a light, nourishing wash of natural color. In the glorious realm between lip balm and lipstick, you’ll find our extensive collection of fruit pigmented Lip Glazes. Made in a moisturizing base of avocado and cocoa butters, with additions of rose petals and lavender oil, these natural, cruelty-free lipsticks can gently soothe dry, delicate lips. The silky, semi-gloss formula gives your lips a sheer wash of natural color, while nourishing and softening with vitamins and antioxidants.”
I think that this lip balm looked very nice on my lips and also was pretty moisturizing.
The main ingredients are avocado oil and cocoa butter, both of which I think have a nice texture and taste in lip balms.
The colors are all natural and derived from fruits.
The ingredient list looks good and the product felt clean to me. The taste was slightly fruity and quite pleasant.
I had a shade called Sultry (“a warm peach brown”) and really liked the way that it looked on me.
Unfortunately, the lipstick started to smell and taste rancid to me about six months after I purchased it from the 100% Pure website. I’m guessing that the avocado butter went bad.
The package does state that the suggested usage is only for six months.
Personally, I have a hard time being organized enough to use up a lip product like this one quickly and so (especially considering the relatively high cost) probably wouldn’t buy this one again for my own use for that reason.
Size: 0.088 oz.
100% Pure Rating: 4.6 Stars (1491 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
Think Dirty Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Fragrance Ingredients: Pomegranate, Rose petal flower powder, Lavender flower/leaf/stem, Cinnamon bark, Rosehip oil, Mango seed butter
All Ingredients: Avocado Butter, Cocoa Seed Butter, Contains All or Some of The Following Extracts of Cherry Fruit, Plum Fruit, Cabernet Grape Fruit, Raspberry Fruit, Blueberry Fruit, Blackberry Fruit, Peach Fruit, Apricot Fruit, Tomato Fruit/Leaf/Stem, Pomegranate, Cocoa, Rose Petal Flower Powder, Lavender Flower/Leaf/Stem and Cinnamon Bark, Shea Butter, Rosehip Oil Seed Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Rice Starch, Mica
Bobbi Brown Art Stick – $32
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Problematic Colorings: Red #6, Red # 7, Blue #1, Red #30, Red #22, Red #21, Yellow #6, Red #27, Red #33, Red #27, Orange #5
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “This chunky pencil gives you lipstick and liner in one, comfortable wear, and a creamy matte finish. Glides on with a creamy texture and a featherweight feel. Doubles as a comfortable-wearing lipstick and lip-defining liner. Comes with a sharpener to keep the point perfect.”
Although I have found almost all of Bobbi Brown’s lip products to be unacceptably toxic (both in terms of their ingredient lists and my experiences with them), these art sticks are a noteworthy exception.
The art sticks are somewhere between a lip pencil and lipstick in consistency but are quite large in size (5″ long and about the width of a standard highlighter) compared to either. Each comes with its own sharpener, which is much bigger than any other makeup sharpener that I have ever encountered.
I think these art sticks make it pretty easy to draw a precise lip outline and then to fill it in with color. If I add a little lip gloss on the top, the result is a plump lip look that lasts for quite a while.
According to EWG criteria, the art sticks have an acceptably clean ingredient list other than the artificial colors and a chemical called myristyl myristate (which is also used in quite a few “clean” brands and which hasn’t seemed to be a problem for me).
Five colors are currently available. I have Bare (“a nude flesh tone”) and Dusty Pink (“a soft neutral pink”). The latter is a little brighter than I would have expected from the description, but it is pretty and softens up if I put lip gloss on top.
I like both of these and would be interested in trying out additional colors.
Size: 0.2 oz.
Bobbi Brown Rating: 4.5 Stars (182 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Myristyle Myristate)
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Myristyl Myristate (3), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #6 (6), Red # 7 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #30 (5), Red #22 (5), Red #21 (5), Yellow #6 (7), Red #27 (5), Red #33 (4), Red #27 (5), Orange #5 (4)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Candelilla Wax, Beeswax, Myristyl Myristate, Carnauba Wax, Cetyl Alcohol, Shea Butter, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tin Oxide. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 7, Blue 1, Red 30, Red 22, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Manganese Violet , Red 6, Red 27, Carmine, Bismuth Oxychloride, Red 33, Red 28, Orange 5, Red 21
Burt’s Bees Lip Crayons – $9
Overall Rating: 
(3 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Mild (taste)
Processed Fragrance: None
Problematic Colorings: None
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product states, “Imagine the mess-proof application of a lip crayon, the color of a lip gloss, and the skin-loving nourishment of a lip balm, now all in one easy swipe. 100% natural lip crayons harness the moisturizing power of Jojoba Oil, Kendi Oil, and Shea Butter to keep lips happy for a full eight hours.”
These lip crayons have a pretty clean ingredient list that does not mention the “natural flavor” that I find problematic in many Burt’s Bees lip products. Only natural coloring agents are used.
The crayons have a good consistency and allow me to easily draw on a nice neat mouth, without a lot of smearing.
They feel pretty hydrating, do not require me to put on a lip conditioner before using them, and have not been irritating to my mouth.
The reasonable price is also a plus.
I purchased two of these crayons – Outback Oasis (a light nude) and Tahitian Sunset (a cheerful orange-red).
Unfortunately, I have not been very impressed by the color of either of these crayons. They look a little muddy to my eyes.
In addition, I feel intuitively reluctant to wear these lip crayons and always end up wiping them off right away if I try putting them on.
Although the taste is not great, I think it is more that they just don’t feel good to me and wonder about the possibility of contamination of one or more of the ingredients.
Amazon Rating: 4.4 Stars (2,205 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Sephora Clean: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Non-Organic Vegetable/Soy Oil)
Think Dirty Rating: 0 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (3). (Also contains Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Soybean Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract
All Ingredients (Gloss): Castor seed oil, diheptylsuccinate, candelilla wax, jojoba seed oil, carnauba wax, shea butter, beeswax, sunflower seed oil, olive fruit oil, capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acidcopolymer, aleurites moluccanus seed oil, tocopherol, soybean oil, rosemary leaf extract. May Contain: mica, titanium dioxide, carmine, iron oxides
All Ingredients (Matte): Castor seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, jojoba seed oil, candelilla wax, beeswax, carnauba wax, shea butter, hydrogenated vegetable oil, aleurites moluccana seed oil*, olive fruit oil, sunflower seed oil, rosemary leaf extract, tocopherol, lecithin, silica, soybean oil. May Contain: titanium dioxide, mica, carmine, iron oxides. *kendi oil
Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Lip Colour Balm – $20
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Problematic Colorings: Blue #1, Yellow #6, Red #6, Red #7, Yellow #5, Red #22, Red #30, Red #28, Red #33
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “Tempt lips with a soft cushion of colour that’s not quite sheer, not quite opaque-just the perfect happy medium. Loaded with mango and shea butters so lips feel comfortably soft and smooth.”
The Intense versions of the Chubby Sticks lip crayons use basically the same formula as the regular ones (discussed on the Lip Tints page) but have more saturated color.
Eight shades are available.
These crayons are all somewhat hydrating and have color that lasts for a reasonably long time.
I especially like the fact that I can draw a neat mouth without the product smearing or looking messy. The slight waxiness of the crayon provides some definition without requiring a lot of fuss.
EWG lists only the food colorings as problem ingredients, and no flavoring agents are used.
The product has not irritated my skin at all, and I think it tastes okay.
I also appreciate the fact that these crayons have held up well through a lot of use, rather than getting smashed or misshapen as many of my other lip products have.
Although some of these crayons are too bright and the wrong colors for me to use successfully, I have enjoyed using both Curviest Caramel (a brownish neutral) and Chunkiest Chili (an orangey-red).
Size: 0.10 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.6 Stars (3040 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Non-Organic Vegetable/Soybean Oil)
Think Dirty Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Product Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Red #33 (4), Red #6 (6), Blue #1 (7), Yellow #5 (6), Red #22 (5), Red #30 (5), Red #28 (5), Yellow #6 (7). (Also contains Vegetable Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Soybean Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vegetable Oil, Candelilla Wax, Beeswax, Ozokerite, Shea Butter, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Shea Butter Extract, Mango Seed Butter, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Soybean Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Tocopherol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Red 7, Iron Oxides, Red 33, Red 6, Mica, Blue 1, Yellow 5, Red 22, Red 30, Carmine, Bismuth Oxychloride, Red 28, Yellow 6
Honest Demi-Matte Lip Crayon – $13
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Vanilla Extract
Problematic Colorings: Yellow #5, Red #6, Blue #1
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “A high-impact lip crayon infused with Jojoba Seed Oil, Murumuru + Shea Butters that provide lush color with a velvet-matte finish. Made with Jojoba Seed Oil, Murumuru + Shea Butters.”
These soft matte crayons from Honest have an unusually clean ingredient list, with just a few artificial colors being of any significant concern. They also taste and feel quite good to me.
These crayons are highly moisturizing, with infusions of jojoba seed oil, murumuru butter and shea butter.
The flavoring agents are all-natural extracts from real fruit (raspberry, blackberry, apple and grape) and real vanilla.
The colors are designed to be fully saturated and to give the look of regular lipstick.
I have the shades Marsala and Fig, both of which are in the burgundy family. Although these are both dark lip colors, I think they have worked okay on me and are pretty.
The main downside is that these lip crayons are so creamy and hydrating that they tend to be kind of messy going on. It seems to me that no matter how careful I am at applying this product, some of it gets on the skin around my mouth and then needs to be touched up.
I will say that once the lipstick is properly on my mouth that it does stay mostly in place and lasts a bit longer than I would have expected, though.
Size: 0.105 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.6 Stars (30 reviews)
Credo Clean: Unclear
Clean at Sephora: Unclear
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified (some shades) or 1-3 (green/yellow);
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Yellow #5 (3), Red #6 (6), Blue #1 (7), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Raspberry fruit extract, Blackberry fruit extract, Apple fruit extract, Grape fruit extract, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract
All Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jojoba Seed Oil, Silica, Candelilla Wax, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Sunflower Seed Wax, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Triethyl Citrate, Raspberry Fruit Extract, Alcohol, Blackberry Fruit Extract, Apple Fruit Extract, Grape Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Water, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Shea Butter, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Sunflower Seed Oil, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, May Contain: Iron Oxides, Carmine, Red 7, Yellow 5, Blue 1.
(Information is for Mulberry and Marsala versions.)
Ilia Balmy Tint Lip Balm – $28
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Vanillin
Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Red #30, Red #40
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “A clean, tinted lip balm with active levels of moisture-boosting ingredients and sheer, buildable color. The buttery, balmy formula quenches lips on contact while adding a kiss of color that builds with each swipe. Salicornia (Sea Succulent), Rosehip Seed Oil, and Shea Butter deeply hydrate and nourish, helping lips look smoother and more plump. The cult-classic lip balm that started it all, reimagined. Each Balmy Tint is carefully poured by hand to maintain the integrity of the active formula. Available in eight easy-to-wear shades for an effortless wash of color that you can dial up or down.”
Ilia was originally founded with the goal of creating a clean lip balm, and this product is an updated version of the company’s original product offering.
Although I wish that artificial vanilla (vanillin) had not been used, otherwise the ingredient list looks pretty clean (with only a few artificial colors being of any substantial concern).
Sunflower seed oil (which has some potential of going rancid) is the third ingredient, but I have had one of the company’s lip balms for more than six months and it still seems okay to me.
Although $28 seems like a lot of money for a lip balm, these products do have a good bit of saturated color and provide the look of a light lipstick.
The main issue that I have with them is that they tend to smear easily both during application and while I am wearing them and thus to look overly messy on me.
Probably I wouldn’t buy another ones of these for that reason.
I have the Hold Me (“warm peachy nude”) shade and think the color itself looks very nice on me.
Size: 0.15 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.7 Stars (496 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Vanillin)
Think Dirty: 4 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina seed oil (3), Tocopheryl acetate (3), Red #7 (6), Red #30 (5), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #40 (6). (Also contains Vanillin.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosa canina seed oil, Orange peel wax, Vanillin, Rosemary leaf extract, Acacia decurrens flower wax, Salicornia herbacea extract
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Beeswax, Sunflower Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Shea Butter, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Candelilla Wax, Mica, Rice Bran Extract, Jojoba Esters, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sunflower Seed Wax, Cocoa Seed Butter, Orange Peel Wax, Olive Fruit Oil, Avocado Oil, Sunflower Extract, Vanillin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Salicornia Herbacea Extract. May Contain: Red 7, Red 30, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Manganese Violet, Red 40
Jane Iredale LipDrink SPF15 – $20
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Very Mild
Processed Fragrance: Carrot Seed Oil, Lemon Peel Oil
Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Red #30
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “Quench your lips with hydrating protection that will leave lips feeling moisturized, protected and refreshingly scented. Mouthwatering moisture in a lip-saving balm. Broad spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen. A variety of waxes and oils combine to provide an antioxidant-rich protective shield. Refreshing lemon flavor.”
These little lip balms from Jane Iredale include titanium dioxide to provide a bit of sun protection for the lips.
The ingredient list looks reasonably clean, though I would like to know exactly what the first ingredient – listed only as “Vegetable Oil” – includes.
In using the product, the most salient factor to me is how strongly it smells and tastes of lemon peel oil, to the point that it reminds me a bit of furniture polish. I don’t mind the scent and taste, but it definitely is an attention-getter.
Although my lips do not seem to be as sensitive to titanium dioxide and citrus oils as my facial skin is, I still think that this lip balm is a slightly irritating to my lips. That makes me not want to wear it.
However, I know that some people do appreciate having sun protection in their lip products, and I think that this one may be better than most.
Seven shades (one of them untinted) are available. I have Flirt (“sheer peachy pink”) and think that it is a pretty color on me.
Size: 0.14 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.6 Stars (544 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Lemon Oil, Problematic Colors, Non-Organic Vegetable Oil)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Aloe vera (3), Lemon peel oil (6), Red #7 (6), Red #30 (5). (Also contains Vegetable Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Carrot seed oil, Lotus flower extract, Coffee seed extract, Blackberry fruit extract, Lemon peel oil
All Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 1.75%; Vegetable Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Carrot Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Lotus Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Coconut Alkanes, Stearic Acid, Coffee Seed Extract, Blackberry Fruit Extract, Alumina, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Lemon Peel Oil. May Contain: Mica, Iron Oxides, Red 7, Red 30
Jane Iredale PlayOn Lip Crayon – $20
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: None
Problematic Colorings: Yellow #5, Yellow #6, Red #6, Red #7, Red #30
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “Pucker up with smooth, kissable lips drenched in moisture and irresistibly playful color. Our creamy formula glides on and stays on. Modern and versatile shades give excellent color pay-off. Soft and creamy application that is easy to blend. Contains soothing Castor Seed Oil and nourishing Vitamin E to condition, soften and smooth your lips. The sleek pencil design is comfortable to hold and gives precise application. A pointed tip is easy to achieve with our Jumbo Pencil Sharpener.”
This creamy lip pencil from Jane Iredale requires manual sharpening but allows me to draw on a neat lip that looks nice on its own and that also can be used as a base for lipstick or lip gloss.
I have the color Blissful (“shimmering sheer nude”), which I think is very pretty.
However, I think that the formula of this lip crayon is likely especially well-suited to darker or brighter colors since the lack of smearing would be a real positive with those.
The crayon fits into a standard large-size makeup pencil sharpener (such as the one that I bought from Jones Road to use with their face pencils and eyebrow pencils).
It includes two ingredients – myristyl lactate and diethylhexyl adipate – that EWG thinks are mildly problematic and that I have rarely seen in other products.
I think that this lip crayon feels okay to me though.
There are no fragrance ingredients mentioned in the ingredient list and I am not detecting any smell/taste at all.
The main downside that I see to this product is that it might have the potential of being used up quickly, especially if it is sharpened frequently to keep the tip pointed.
I do like this product and would like to try it in a brighter shade, though.
Size: 0.10 oz.
Amazon Rating: 4.4 Stars (180 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Myristyl Lactate, Diethylhexyl Adipate)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Myristyl lactate (4), Diethylhexyl adipate (4), Titanium dioxide (3), Yellow #5 (6), Yellow #6 (7), Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Red #30 (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Candelilla Wax, Isopropyl Lanolate, Synthetic Wax, Myristyl Lactate, Polybutene, Lanolin Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Acetate, PPG-3 Myristyl Ether, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Wheat Germ Glycerides, Diethylhexyl Adipate, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Carmine, Manganese Violet, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 6, Red 7, Red 30
Size: 0.1 oz.
Kosas Kosasport Lipfuel – $18
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Limonene
Problematic Colorings: Red #6/7, Red #30
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “An ultra-hydrating hyaluronic lip balm loaded with active skincare ingredients. Feels amazing and visibly improves the condition of lips the more you wear it. A gel-like network of konjac root anchors spheres of hyaluronic acid to the lips for ultra-hydrating care. Natural oils and vitamin E round out the nourishing formula.”
This is an everyday lip balm containing hyaluronic acid that is stated as giving substantial skincare benefits to the lips.
I do feel that this formula seems to be unusually good for my lips and have not experienced any irritation from the formula.
Four shades (including untinted) are currently available. I have Pulse (“warm toasty spice”) and think it is very pretty on me, if a little darker than might be optimal for me in a casual lip balm.
Because the product is highly saturated as well as soft in consistency, I always need to use a mirror when applying it since it tends to get somewhat messy on my mouth.
This is the especially the case when it is exposed to a temperature of above about 70 degrees since it becomes even softer then.
I would like to be able to take this product with me when hiking on warm days, but it becomes melty enough that it is almost unusable if I do that.
While I may buy this product again because I like the hydration benefits, I am thinking that I may be better off sticking with the the untinted version.
Size: 0.17 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.0 Stars (487 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Natural Fragrance, Problematic Colors)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina oil (3), Tocopheryl acetate (3), Limonene (5), Red #6/7 (6), Red #30 (5)
Fragrance Ingredients: Acacia decurrens flower cera, Mango seed butter, Rosa canina fruit oil, Rosemary leaf extract, Limonene
All Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Candelilla Cera, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Mica, Silica, Octyldodecanol, Lanolin Oil, Jojoba Esters, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, Grape Seed Oil; Acacia Decurrens Flower Cera, Shea Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Safflower Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucomannan, Sunflower Extract, Mango Seed Butter, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Rice Bran Extract, Avocado Oil, Polyglycerin-3, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trihydroxystearin, Limonene. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Red #6/7, Iron Oxides, Red #30
Mineral Fusion Lipstick Butter – $14
Overall Rating: (3 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Mild (Taste)
Processed Fragrance: Thyme Oil, Rosemary Oil, Vanilla Fruit Oil, Honeybush Leaf Oil
Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Yellow #5
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “The do-everything balm + gloss. Mineral Fusion’s Lipstick Butter is truly one-of-a-kind: vivid in color thanks to rich mineral pigments. Packed with super hydrating and conditioning goodness thanks to a mix of Cocoa Seed Butter, Avocado Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil, and Shea Butter. Best of all? The sweet, subtle shine of health. Incredibly luxe, gloss finish and buttery smooth feel. Richly pigmented mineral color is vivid and long-lasting. Intensely hydrating botanicals feel good on your skin (and conscience). Bursting with lip-hydrating, lip-protecting antioxidants.”
I really liked this product at first, especially in terms of its all-natural ingredient list and taste.
However, the product went rancid to the point that I was unable to use it at all within three months of opening. This was especially disappointing since the product was stored in an environment that was climate-controlled and mostly in the dark.
Sunflower seed oil (which goes rancid very easily) is listed as the first ingredient and a few other fragile oils (including sesame oil) also are mentioned.
I ordered the product direct from Mineral Fusion and so it is possible that the product that I received was relatively fresh.
I would be hesitant to buy this again since I would fear that it would have gone bad even before purchase.
Size: 0.06 oz.
Mineral Fusion Rating: 4.3 Stars (115 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Essential Oils, Non-Organic Vegetable Oil)
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Yellow #5 (6). (Also contains Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Coconut Oil, Thyme Leaf Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Honeybush Leaf Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Thyme Leaf Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil, White Tea Extract, Honeybush Leaf Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil
All Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Castor Seed Oil*, Sesame Seed Oil*, Cocoa Seed Butter*, Coconut Oil*, Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax*, Argan Kernel Oil*, Avocado Oil, Thyme Leaf Oil*, Rosemary Leaf Oil*, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil, White Tea Extract*, Honeybush Leaf Oil*, Pomegranate Seed Oil, L-Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol. May Contain: Iron Oxide, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Red 7, Yellow 5 Lake.
MOB Beauty Lip Balm – $25
Overall Rating: (3 / 5)
Performance Rating: (3 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Peppermint Oil, Spearmint Oil
Problematic Colorings: Red #6, Red #7, Red #27, Blue #1, Yellow #5, Yellow #6
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “Cushion your lips with an infusion of jojoba, mimosa, and sunflower oils. A hint of color with a lush, glossy finish. Clean and vegan. High-performance, high-impact, too-good-to-be-clean color. We don’t stop at formulating clean. We load up the good stuff for skin benefits and performance wear. Earth’s natural ingredients are infused into our Lip Balm. Jojoba, Mimosa, and Sunflower Oils nourish and provide maximum moisture. Pomegranate extract protects your fragile skin barrier. We formulated our Lip Balms with 1-4% pigment load for a supple hint of color that is gorgeous alone or layered, and we added fruit and plant extracts to give a lush, glossy finish.”
I liked the one MOB lipstick that I own a lot, and so therefore decided to try one of these new lip balms (released in 2022) as well.
I ordered the product from the Credo website in October. When the product arrived, it seemed to have melted somewhere along the way. A big chunk of the lip balm got stuck in the cap of the product, and the product was so soft that the only way that I could apply it was with my finger.
I wrote to MOB about this and the staff member responded, “Our Lip Balm formulas are packed with hydrating ingredients, which can make them sensitive to heat. Sometimes the transit trucks get really hot, which is what likely happened here. I’m more than happy to send out a replacement refill to you if you’d like.”
The replacement that I was received was not quite as melted as the first one, but it was soft enough that a big chunk of the product again got stuck in the cap when I carefully opened it.
I therefore am thinking that maybe this product should have some more work done on it before it is promoted as part of the company’s general line.
However, it also is the case that the formula for this lip balm feels very nice on my lips.
It is very hydrating, and once I put it on my lips (using my finger) it stays in place pretty well.
Although I’m not crazy about using tinted lip products that require me to use my finger for application, in this case the product has worked well enough for me that I have gotten some use out of it even though both lipsticks have been smashed.
I have Shade 25 (“honey rose”) in this product and I think that it is pretty on me.
Size: Unclear
Credo Rating: 5.0 Stars (28 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Peppermint/Spearmint Oil)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 7 (red)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Peppermint Oil (4), Titanium Dioxide (3), Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Red #27 (5), Blue #1 (7), Yellow #5 (6), Yellow #6 (7). (Also contains Spearmint Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Pomegranate Flower Extract, Peppermint Oil, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Spearmint Oil
All Ingredients: Dilinoleic acid/propanediol copolymer, capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer, jojoba seed oil, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, sucrose tetrastearate triacetate, dipentaerythrityl tetrahydroxystearate/tetraisostearate, candelilla wax, cetearyl nonanoate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, c10-18 triglycerides, microcrystalline wax, tridecyl trimellitate, hydrogenated jojoba oil, tocopherol,sunflower seed wax, punica granatum flower extract, bisabolol, phytosphingosine, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, peppermint oil, acacia decurrens flower wax, polyglycerin-3, spearmint leaf oil, ascorbyl palmitate. May contain: titanium dioxide, iron oxides, red 6 lake, red 7 lake, red 27 lake, blue 1 lake, yellow 5 lake, yellow 6 lake.
Tarte H2O Balm Lip Tint – $21
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Overall Rating: (5 / 5)
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Processed Fragrance: Natural Flavor
Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Blue #1, Red #6, Yellow #5
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “Treat & tint your lips! All-in-1 vegan lip liner, primer, balm & lipstick. As nourishing as a balm but performs like a lipstick. Moisturizing tint helps replenish & rehydrate dry lips. Hyaluronic acid & vegan squalane lock in moisture & make lips look plumper. Microalgae smooths & reduces the look of lip lines. One swipe for soft creamy color, two for full coverage. Formulated without petrolatum or lanolin.”
The product contains a number of hydrating ingredients, including small amounts of shea butter, jojoba seed oil, coconut oil, squalane, sodium hyaluronate, and a collagen complex.
The ingredient list looks pretty clean, with only the artificial colorings and the ingredient listed simply as “flavor” being a concern for me.
I asked a Tarte representative through chat on their website whether the flavor was natural or synthetic, and she looked into it and then reported that it was natural.
The natural flavor just tastes like peppermint to me, and I have found the taste to be a pleasant one.
I have this lip product in the color Salt Lyfe (a neutral mauve) and think that it looks nice on me.
The hydration benefits have been particularly welcome, especially during the winter months.
Size: 0.1 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.3 Stars (21 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors, Non-Organic Soybean Oil)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Natural Flavor (4), Tocopheryl Acetate (3), Aloe Vera (3), Titanium Dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #6 (6), Yellow #5 (6). (Also contains Soybean Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Natural flavor, laminaria ochroleuca extract, sargassum pacificum thallus extract, gardenia taitensis flower extract, calendula officinalis flower extract
All Ingredients: Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Polyisobutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polyethylene, Triisostearin, Candelilla Wax, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Flavor, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Shea Butter, Jojoba Seed Oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coconut Oil, Bisabolol, Squalane, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Soybean Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Sargassum Pacificum Thallus Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 7, Blue 1, Red 6, Yellow 5
W3LL People Lip Butter SPF15 – $15
Overall Rating: (4 / 5)
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredient Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: Mild (Taste/Skin)
Processed Fragrance: Carrot Seed Oil, Vanilla Oil, Spearmint Oil, Limonene
Problematic Colorings: None
Silicone Level: None
The description of this product reads, “A creamy, ultra-hydrating lip butter that delivers SPF 15 protection plus a hint of color. Unique buttery formula hydrates and conditions lips. SPF 15 to help keep lips protected from the sun imparts lips with a sheer tint of color. Indulge your lips in cushiony moisture and shield them from the sun. This creamy, hydrating lip balm is the best of both worlds, nourishing your pout while adding a subtle boost of color, natural shine, and SPF 15 protection. Rich with a plant-based blend of Non-micronized Zinc, Jojoba Oil, and Raspberry Seed Oil, the clean formula works to condition, soothe, and smooth the overall look and feel of your lips.”
This product contains a high level of zinc as a sunscreen, with the raspberry seed oil also having sunscreen benefits.
I have found it very hard to get past the taste of the product, since it tastes very strongly of zinc (similar to the level of sucking on a zinc lozenge).
Probably if my body were deficient in zinc, I would find that to be more pleasant, but personally I do not like that flavor at all.
In addition, if I really wanted to protect my lips from the sun with a sunscreen, this product might seem like a good choice despite my not liking the taste.
In addition to the taste, the product has been slightly irritating to my lips (which again I am guessing is due to the use of the zinc oxide).
The product is available in three shades plus clear.
I have the shade Afterglow, which is a peachy-pink that looks pretty on me.
Size: 0.07 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.3 Stars (44 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Natural Fragrance, Spearmint Oil)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (3), Limonene (5). (Also contains Spearmint Leaf Oil.)
Fragrance Ingredients: Raspberry seed oil, Carrot seed oil, Vanilla planifolia fruit oil, Spearmint leaf oil, Green tea leaf extract, Limonene
All Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, 10%; Castor seed oil, octyldodecanol, sunflower seed oil, jojoba esters, jojoba seed oil, carnauba wax, oleic/linoleic/linolenic polyglycerides, candelilla wax, sunflower seed wax, mica, raspberry seed oil, dibutyl lauroyl glutamide, caprylic/capric triglyceride, tocopherol, sweet almond oil, ethylhexylglycerin, acacia decurrens flower wax, polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, polyhydroxystearic acid, lecithin, isostearic acid, polyglycerin-3, carrot seed oil, vanilla planifolia fruit oil, spearmint leaf oil, green tea leaf extract, limonene.
Shopping List
This section lists products that seem that they may have potential and that I am hoping to try in the near future.
Readers are highly encouraged to bring other relevant products that they have tried to my attention so that I can add them to this list.
Chantecaille Le Matte Stylo – $38
Juice Phyto-Pigments Lip Crayon – $22
Trash Can
MAC Glow Play Lip Balm ($20): Because I like the regular MAC lipsticks, I decided to try this lip balm. I liked the look and texture of the lipstick quite a lot, but found the taste to be unacceptable. EWG gives the product a 7 (red), citing as problematic flavor (4), titanium dioxide (3), blue #1 (7), red #6 (6), red #7 (6), red #21 (5), red #27 (5), red #28 (5), red #30 (5), red #21 (5), red #27 (5), red #28 (5), red #30 (5), red #22 (5), red #30 (5), red #33 (4), yellow #5 (6), and yellow #6 (7).
Maybelline Green Edition Balmy Lip Blush ($10): This product was introduced in early 2022 and is stated as being relatively clean and natural. Squalane is listed as the second ingredient and I do like the hydration benefits of this product. However, I have found it to be unusable and believe that this is primarily due to the use of canola oil (which is routinely contaminated with substantial amounts of glyphosate) as the first ingredient in the formula. The product also has a strong fragrance that I found to be highly unappealing (and that I believe is synthetic). EWG gives the formula a 9 (red), citing the following ingredients as problematic: linalool (3), limonene (5), benzyl alcohol (6), citral (5), benzyl salicylate (5), fragrance (8), red #7 (6), red #22 (5), red #28 (5), titanium dioxide (3), yellow #6 (7), yellow #5 (6), and blue #1 (7).
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Tinted Lip Treatment ($10): This conditioning product contains a number of organic ingredients and looked nice on my lips (especially for the price), but it also had an unpleasant chemical-type undertone taste that made me unwilling to wear it. EWG gives the product a 4 (yellow), flagging the following ingredients as problematic: natural flavor (4), potassium hydroxide (3), glyceryl myristate (3), and glyceryl palmitate (3).
Rose Inc. Lip Sculpt Clean Lipstick ($26): This is a highly pigmented matte lip crayon that provides a good deal of hydration to the lips. I found both the smell and the taste to be quite odd, and also object to the inclusion of sucralose (Splenda) since this is thought to be able to cause negative effects on the microbiome. EWG rates the product as a 6 (yellow), flagging the C13-15 alkane (3), rose extract (3), titanium dioxide (3), red #7 (6), yellow #5 (6), red #6 (6), and blue #1 (7).
About This Website
The Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping website is designed to provide guidance to those seeking out products that are relatively low in toxicity and that provide generally positive user experiences.
Although the skincare and makeup sections have a particular focus on products appropriate for women who are in their 40’s or beyond, the information provided may be useful for other people as well.
The products are curated by Lisa Petrison, who has been focused on helping people to improve their health by avoiding toxicity since 2008 and who heads the Paradigm Change organization.
Her Living Clean in a Dirty World blog site discusses a variety of topics of relevance to those who are working to pursue a more natural lifestyle with less exposure to harmful toxicity.
Lisa is the author of several books, including A Beginner’s Guide to Mold Avoidance (co-written with Erik Johnson).
She also runs the Paradigm Change website (focusing on issues related to toxic mold illness) and the Mold Avoiders Facebook group (designed for the discussion of all topics of interest to those pursuing the mold avoidance approach described in the “Beginner’s Guide” book).
Lisa was born in August 1964 and has yet to try cosmetic surgery, Botox or other cosmetic treatments requiring interactions with a physician, or beauty products containing retinoids.
In her former life, Lisa worked as a business school professor, as a marketing consultant to a variety of large companies, and as a reporter covering the advertising industry.
She holds a Ph.D. in marketing and social psychology from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University as well as B.S./M.S. degrees from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern.
Lisa would like to extend a special note of appreciation to Ellen Kleiman-Redden for her help in trying out products and discussing issues related to this project.
She also would like to thank the many members of the Mold Avoiders community who have shared suggestions of products to be included here.
A Note From Lisa
Products that I have tried or researched and that I have not found to be acceptable from a toxicity standpoint have been omitted entirely from the discussions on this website.
However, since a goal of this project is to introduce people to a range of options in terms of price and functionality, some products discussed on this site include ingredients that may not be appropriate for everyone.
It’s my hope that all individuals making their way to this site will find at least a few options from each product category that meet all of their own needs and wants from a variety of perspectives.
The vast majority of cosmetics marketers now offer affiliate programs in which Internet content creators may earn commissions if people who are referred to the companies’ sites by clicking on links end up making purchases.
I participate in quite a few individual affiliate programs as well as in the Sovrn/Viglinks program (which automatically converts regular links into revenue-generating links).
Links on this page that may result in affiliate income may include – but are not necessarily limited to – those from the following companies: 100% Pure, Amazon, Bobbi Brown, Burt’s Bees, Chantecaille, Clinique, Credo, Goop, Haus Labs, Honest, Ilia, Jane Iredale, Juice Beauty, Kosas, MAC, Maybelline, Mineral Fusion, MOB Beauty, Pharmaca, Physician’s Formula, Roen, Rose Inc., Sephora, Tarte, Ulta, Vitacost, and W3LL People.
Reader comments about products discussed on this website are very welcome.
Thoughts may be shared either by posting them in the comments section at the bottom of this page or by sending them directly to me at the following email address:
info at paradigmchange dot me
Companies that would like to offer me complimentary products to try out may contact me at this address as well.
Individuals who are seeking out less-toxic products or who are interested in pursuing a cleaner and healthier lifestyle may want to sign up to receive occasional email newsletters from Living Clean in a Dirty World.
Thanks very much for visiting the Living Clean shopping site!
Links on this page are in orange (no underlining).
