Lip Balms without Pore-Clogging Ingredients

If you’ve been noticing pimples around your lip area recently, you may want to take a look at the ingredients in your lip balm (I know…nothing feels safe when you have acne-prone skin).

I was recently listening to a Breaking Beauty podcast episode when one of the hosts mentioned she can’t use lip balms with shea butter, so I decided to take a look at fifty products to see how common pore-clogging ingredients are in them. Only 15 made the list! Luckily, some of these lip balms are INCREDIBLE and some are even holy grails.

1. Tatcha Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm

   This is one of the holy grails I was talking about. It’s incredible if you’re into thicker-texture balms and has gold flecks that leave the prettiest sheen on the lips. Note that it does contain algae extract (a pore-clogger) but it’s the second-to-last ingredient, so the concentration is too low to bother my skin.

2. OLEHENRIKSEN Pout Preserve

   I’m obsessed with the Strawberry Sorbet version of this lip balm. The smell is incredible and the tint is light enough that you can apply it without a mirror, yet it still evens out the tone of your lips. Perfection. Note that it does contain ethylhexyl palmitate (a pore-clogger) but it’s super low on the ingredient list, so the concentration is too low to bother my skin.

3. Topicals Slick Salve Glossy Lip Balm

   This is a super sticky (in a good way) balm that can also double as a gloss. The sweet mint flavor is super nice. 

4. Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Lip Gloss Balm

   I like this when I first put it on, but if used consistently, it doesn’t agree with my lips. My lips were sensitive to the sweetener additives in the Rhode Peptide Lip treatment (shown here) but not everyone will react this way obviously. I’m glad it doesn’t contain any pore-clogging ingredients but be warned of the potential effects. 

5. Rohto Mentholatum Lip Fondue

   This is another top holy grail. I love the texture (thick and plush) and ease of use since it’s in a Chapstick-like tube. If you’re lucky enough to find the Aurora 3D Pearl version, GRAB IT. The slightly shimmery effect is gorgeous. 

6. Tocobo Vita Glazed Lip Mask

   I got this after Pauline raved about it, and while it is nice, it’s not quite one of my top favorites. The packaging is the cutest on this list, though. 

7. e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Lip Mask

   This would be nice for someone who prefers a less thick lip mask. Since I like something with more substance, I don’t find myself reaching for this. 

8. Lanolips 101 Ointment Multi-Balm

   I love this one. The pear scent is nice and the feel is what I’m looking for. I did recently find out that lanolin was the “Allergen of the Year” in 2023, though, so make sure to discontinue use ASAP if you start to see redness or irritation!

9. TONYMOLY Jelly Lip Melt Treatment

I used up a whole tub of this, which is pretty rare for me. I love the scents and feel. When applied before bed, I woke up to still-soft lips. 

Ones I haven’t tried, but still wanted to include since I found them while researching:

1. Biossance Squalane+ Rose Vegan Lip Balm

2. Freck Beauty Rich Bitch Nourishing Plant and Peptide Lip Balm

   I’ve read reviews that this has a thinner consistency, so you may like this if you’re into that!

3. Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen Lip Treatment

   This is more of a treatment than a balm but has nice ingredients. 

4. Experiment Softwear

   I can’t WAIT to try this someday. The ingredients sound fantastic and the brand founder is fun to see grow. 

5. Typology Repairing Lip Mask 1% Ceramides + Hyaluronic Acid

6. Kiehl's Since 1851 Lip Balm #1 Moisturizing Lip Treatment with Squalane

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