10 best-rated natural lip balms under $12

Consider yourself a skincare enthusiast or beauty minimalist? Call our bluff, but we’re willing to bet that no matter how many steps are in your skincare routine, a lip balm is a staple.

Whether you want something simple and fuss-free, or a natural tint with nourishing active ingredients, welcome smooth, soft lips with these top-rated picks.

So, let’s jump right in. The 10 best-rated natural lip balms – under $12. Because simple beauty simply shouldn’t cost the earth.

Top 10 lip balm picks:

Best tint: Ethique Sugarplum Tinted Lip Balm

Want a natural tint that nourishes your lips too? Ethique's Sugarplum Tinted Balm is packed with nourishing jojoba, moringa and castor - with a pop of red to take you from office to night out.

• Creamy, non-sticky formula
• Glides on with ease
• Compostable cardboard

“Love this! The colour is a lovely red and smells yummy a great tint lip balm high recommended it.” - Catherine ★★★★★

Runner up: Hurraw Black Cherry Lip Balm

Best long-lasting: Weleda Everon Lip Balm

Lip balm that you have to reapply every five minutes? Not here. Weleda Everon Lip Balm is long-lasting and protects your lips all day.

• Protects & nourishes your lips
• Soothes after exposure to wind & sun
• Light rose scent

“Love this lip balm, have been using it for years. It stays on, not sticky or slippery. No strong aroma.” - Karene ★★★★★

Best scent: Tui Balms Lip Balm - Chai

Is your go-to cuppa a vanilla or chai latte? Well, this lip-smacking goodness will leave you licking your lips all-day. With a warming cinnamon ginger scent, every application feels like a treat for your lips.

• Perfect for nourishing cracked, dry lips
• Packed with natural ingredients like olive oil and beeswax
• Comes in four delicious flavours

“I've tried a lot of lip balms and lipsticks, and this has been a great natural alternative. My lips are very dry and flaky when I wear lipstick. This is a lovely soft base to use prior to lipstick. I use it at home as well when I go make up free. I also love that the proceeds go to a charitable trust and that it's made in Golden Bay." - Gina ★★★★★

Best multi-tasker: Goodbye Ouch Manuka Balm

If you’re all about convenience and want one balm for your lips, cuts, grazes and stings, you’ll love Goodbye Ouch’s Manuka Balm.

• All-rounder for soothing skin
• Made with organic beeswax and manuka
• NATRUE certified by BioGro New Zealand

“Love this balm. I use it every day on my lips and it’s also great for anything else like cuts or grazes” - Jacqueline ★★★★★

Best ingredients: Tui Balms Lip Balm

While all 10 lip balms in this guide are top contenders for superb ingredients thanks to our commitment to natural, ethical ingredients, we love that this Tui Balms Lip Balm has only four beautiful ingredients: certified organic beeswax, olive oil, vitamin e and essential oils.

• Soothing and moisturising
• Comes in two flavours: Vanilla and Spearmint
• 5-star favourite 

“Love this balm, I use it at night before sleep, love all natural ingredients! And spearmint smells so good!” - Elaine ★★★★★

Best nourishing shine: Weleda Skin Food Lip Balm

For a multitasking lip balm that doubles as a lip gloss, Weleda Skin Food Lip Balm is your savior.

• Best for soft, supple lips
• Glossy, shiny finish
• Lovely light orange scent 

“I really like this lip balm. Leaves your lips feeling lovely and smooth and moisturised for a good amount of time.” - Cherie ★★★★★

Best SPF: Hurraw Lip Balm Sun Balm SPF15

You lather up your skin with sun protection, what about your lips? They are delicate after all. We love that Hurraw’s Sun Balm is packed with cold pressed oils to moisturise and heal, while Zinc protects.

• Packed with Sea Buckthorn & Pomegranate Oil
• Glides on silky smooth
• Juicy tangerine with hints of vanilla

“A great SPF lip balm. Glides on nicely and feels good on dry lips. Pleasant vanilla scent too. I like that it's a broad spectrum SPF. So important to protect your delicate lip skin when outside.” - Jennifer ★★★★★

Runner up: Goodbye Ouch Sun Balm SPF 50

While this formula is just over $12, its high-performance SPF protection is well worth it.

Best tasting*: Raw Nature Toffee Sunflower Coconut Lip Butta

*Now, as deliciously good as these natural ingredients are, save them for your lips only. With a divine caramel flavour, you’ll be tempted by the goodness all day.

• Simple and organic ingredients
• Great value – 1 tube = 2 standard lip balms
• Developed by a mum for her family

“This product smells great and tastes and feels great on your lips. I was really pleasantly surprised and have put in an order for another.” - Jessica ★★★★★

Runner up: Ethique Pepped Up Peppermint Lip Balm

Best packaging: Ethique Lip Balms

As a climate positive, B Corp brand, Ethique leads the way with regenerative beauty. And their lip balm tubes are no exception. Sustainably sourced and eco-friendly lip goodness? Right this way.

• 100% plastic free
• Home compostable cardboard
• Bury it in your garden

“Great texture, delicious flavour without being overpowering, and leaves my lips beautifully moisturised. Great value too, as the amount of balm in the tubes is around twice as much as the usual size of plastic ones. And the packaging is compostable - how can you lose! Highly recommended.” - Tracey ★★★★★

Best fun flavours: Hurraw Lip Balms

Love matching your lip balm to your mood (or your favourite food)? Whether you’re a pineapple lover, watermelon fanatic, or grapefruit goddess, your lips will lap up these fun, feel-good flavours.

Our top picks:

• Hurraw Pineapple Lip Balm
• Hurraw Coconut, Mint & Lemongrass Lip Balm
• Hurraw Grapefruit, Ginger, Eucalyptus

“Love these lip balms! So cool to get them in different flavours. This flavour is lovely, smells and tastes delicious.” - Kate ★★★★★