A good natural lip balm should do one simple job: keep moisture in and keep your lips soft, without drying them out over time. Slo Natural Lip Balm is made in New Zealand from organic jojoba, olive and rosehip oils, cacao butter, plant-based candelilla wax and vitamin E. It contains no petroleum, parabens, phthalates or SLS, and comes in compostable cardboard instead of a plastic tube.
Below, we cover exactly what's in our lip balm, what we leave out, how to get the best results from it, and answers to the questions people ask most about lip balm.
What's in Slo Natural Lip Balm?
Slo Natural Lip Balm is at least 70% certified organic and 100% natural. Every ingredient is there to moisturise, protect or nourish your lips. There are no fillers.
|
Ingredient |
What it does for your lips |
|
Organic jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis) |
Very close to your skin's own natural oils, so it absorbs easily and softens without feeling greasy. |
|
Organic cold-pressed olive oil (Olea europaea) |
Rich in healthy fats and antioxidants that moisturise and help lips stay supple. |
|
Candelilla wax (Euphorbia cerifera) |
A plant-based wax that forms a light protective layer to seal moisture in. It's a vegan alternative to beeswax. |
|
Organic rosehip seed oil |
Naturally rich in essential fatty acids that help nourish dry, chapped or flaky lips. |
|
Organic cacao butter |
A creamy plant butter that cushions and conditions lips and helps the balm glide on smoothly. |
|
Coconut-derived oil (caprylic/capric triglyceride) |
A light, non-sticky oil that helps spread the balm evenly. |
|
Vitamin E (tocopherol) |
The most active form of vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps lips hold on to moisture. |
Our tinted balms add organic flavour and get their natural colour from radish root powder (Raphanus sativus). Both the Raspberry + Rosehip Tinted Lip Balm and the Cherry Blush Lip and Cheek Tint are tinted this way, and the Cherry Blush can be used on your cheeks too.
What we leave out, and why
What isn't in a lip balm matters as much as what is. Slo Natural Lip Balm is free from:
• Petroleum and petrolatum. These sit on top of the lips rather than nourishing them. We use plant oils and butters instead.
• Camphor, phenol and added menthol. These create the strong "tingle" in many medicated balms, but they can irritate and dry out lips, leading you to reapply more often. If you love a fresh, cooling feel, our Peppermint + Vitamin E balm gets it from natural peppermint in the same nourishing base.
• Parabens, phthalates, SLS, PEG and propylene glycol. We simply don't need them.
• Artificial fragrance and artificial colours. Our flavours and tints come from natural sources.
• Animal ingredients. All Slo products are vegan and cruelty-free.
• Plastic. Our lip balm comes in FSC-certified cardboard with plant-based ink and vegan wax paper. When it's finished, you can put the tube in your home compost or bury it in the garden.
How to use Slo Natural Lip Balm
Apply it whenever your lips feel dry, and make a few habits part of your routine for the best results.
1. Push up a small amount. Our balm is concentrated, so a little goes a long way. Because it's made without fillers, it lasts longer than many typical balms.
2. Apply to clean, dry lips. Glide it across both lips in a thin, even layer.
3. Before you head outside. Wind, cold, sun and air conditioning all pull moisture from your lips. A layer before you go out helps protect them.
4. Before bed. Apply a slightly thicker layer at night so your lips can recover while you sleep.
5. Over lipstick. Add a layer over your lipstick for extra moisture and protection.
6. Try not to lick your lips. Saliva evaporates quickly and leaves lips drier than before. It also removes your balm.
Using a tinted balm? The Cherry Blush Lip and Cheek Tint can be dabbed onto your cheeks with your fingertip and blended for a natural flush.
Lip balm FAQs
How often should I apply lip balm?
Apply lip balm whenever your lips feel dry. For most people that's 2 to 4 times a day, plus before bed and before going out in wind, cold or sun. If you need it much more often than that, the balm may contain ingredients that dry your lips out.
Can lip balm make your lips drier?
Some can. Balms high in camphor, phenol, salicylic acid or added menthol can irritate lips and leave them drier once the product wears off, so you reapply more and more. Licking your lips while wearing balm also strips moisture. A balm made from nourishing oils and butters, without these irritants, helps lips stay hydrated on their own.
Is peppermint lip balm bad for dry lips?
Not usually. Our Peppermint + Vitamin E balm uses natural peppermint for a light cooling feel, in the same base of organic jojoba, rosehip and cacao butter as our other balms. If your lips are very dry, cracked or sensitive, Vanilla + Cacao or Pineapple + Coconut are the gentlest choices.
Is lip balm addictive?
No, lip balm isn't physically addictive. The "addicted" feeling usually comes from balms with drying or irritating ingredients, or from the habit of licking your lips. Switching to a gentle, natural balm often means you need it less.
Can I use lip balm every day?
Yes. A natural lip balm is safe for daily use and is one of the easiest ways to prevent dry, chapped lips.
What ingredients should I look for in a lip balm?
Look for plant oils that nourish, such as jojoba, olive and rosehip; butters like cacao or shea that soften; a wax to seal in moisture; and vitamin E for antioxidant care.
What ingredients should I avoid in a lip balm?
If your lips are dry or sensitive, avoid camphor, phenol, salicylic acid, added menthol and synthetic fragrance, which can irritate. Many people also prefer to avoid petroleum, parabens and phthalates.
Is beeswax good for lips?
Beeswax is a common and effective ingredient for sealing in moisture. Slo uses candelilla wax instead, a plant-based wax that does the same job and keeps our lip balm vegan.
Is Slo lip balm vegan?
Yes. Every Slo lip balm is vegan and cruelty-free. We use plant-based candelilla wax instead of beeswax, and plant oils and butters instead of lanolin.
Do I need a lip balm with SPF?
Lips can burn, so if you'll be in the sun for long periods, use a lip product with SPF 30 or higher. Slo Natural Lip Balm does not contain SPF, so pair it with an SPF lip product for long days outdoors.
Are natural lip balms better?
A natural lip balm gives your lips plant oils, butters and vitamins instead of petroleum and synthetic additives. It's often a better choice for sensitive lips and for anyone wanting to avoid plastic packaging.
Is Slo lip balm safe for kids?
Slo Natural Lip Balm is gentle enough for the whole family. It's made with natural plant ingredients and is free of camphor, petroleum and artificial fragrance. As with any skincare product, do a small patch test first and stop using it if irritation occurs.
Why are my lips still dry even when I use lip balm?
Common causes include licking your lips, dehydration, dry indoor air, wind and sun, or a balm with irritating ingredients. If your lips stay cracked or sore for more than 2 weeks, see a GP or pharmacist.
How do I heal chapped lips fast?
Drink plenty of water, stop licking your lips, apply a nourishing balm regularly and put a thicker layer on overnight. Avoid picking at flaky skin.
How long does lip balm last once opened?
Look for the small open-jar symbol on the pack, which shows how many months the balm stays at its best once opened. Natural balms soften in heat, so keep yours somewhere cool and avoid leaving it in a hot car.
Can I compost my lip balm tube?
Yes. Our tube is made from FSC-certified cardboard with plant-based ink and vegan wax paper. When it's finished, put it in your home compost or bury it in the garden.
Is Slo lip balm made in New Zealand?
Yes. Slo Natural Lip Balm is made in New Zealand by our team with certified organic and natural ingredients.
Try Slo Natural Lip Balm
If you're looking for a natural lip balm in NZ that nourishes rather than just coats, and leaves no plastic behind, Slo Natural Lip Balm is made for you. Choose from Vanilla + Cacao, Pineapple + Coconut, Peppermint + Vitamin E, our Raspberry + Rosehip Tinted Lip Balm, or the Cherry Blush Lip and Cheek Tint.
Want one balm for lips, face and more? Try our Everything Balm Face - Patchouli + Rosehip.
Shop all Slo lip balms · Shop the Cherry Blush Lip and Cheek Tint
