7 Best CBD Lip Balms of 2020

We chose these lip balms based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. Each product in this article:

• is made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab
• is made with U.S.-grown hemp
• contains no more than 0.3 percent THC, according to the certificate of analysis (COA)
• is free of pesticides, heavy metals, and molds, according to the COA

We also considered:

• company certifications and manufacturing processes
• product potency
• overall ingredients
• indicators of user trust and brand reputation, such as:

Shea Brand CBD Restorative Lip Balm

This lip balm from Shea Brand is formulated to protect and nourish your lips. Since it contains CBD isolate, it’s a good option for those looking to avoid THC altogether.

It relies on natural ingredients like organic shea butter and vitamin E to lock in moisture. The balm is packaged in a paper tube, which is fully compostable.

You can find a COA for the lip balm on the product page. Although this COA only lists potency information, the company will also provide a COA for the CBD isolate that goes into the product upon request. This COA confirms that the isolate is free of pesticides, heavy metals, molds, and other contaminants.

Susan’s CBD Hemp Lip Balm

If you’re looking for a CBD lip balm without THC, Susan’s CBD Hemp Lip Balm may be a good option. It’s made with CBD isolate and nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil, and sweet almond oil.

As a bonus, this product contains no artificial colors or fragrances, and it’s not tested on animals.

Lab results are linked on the product page. These reflect the final product, which is tested for potency only. The CBD isolate used to make the product is tested for heavy metals, pesticides, and molds. Test results for the isolate are available upon request.

Vertly CBD-Infused Lip Butter

In addition to full-spectrum CBD, this lip balm contains replenishing ingredients like shea butter, kokum butter, and hempseed oil. It’s free of gluten, parabens, petroleum, and phthalates. Many of the ingredients are organic.

You can get this lip butter either in a recyclable aluminum tube or glass pot. Both forms are available with or without a sheer rose tint.

While Vertly doesn’t send a COA with each order, you can reach out to the company by email at any time and ask to see test results. They also will provide test results for solvents, heavy metals, and pesticides upon request, although only the potency results are published on the product page.

Buy Vertly CBD-Infused Lip Butter online.

Veritas Farms Full-Spectrum CBD Lip Balm

Designed to soften your lips, this lip balm contains beneficial ingredients like olive oil, castor oil, and beeswax.

The balm is available in six flavors and is formulated with essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances. It’s also the most affordable option on this list.

While some companies may source their CBD from a wholesaler, Veritas Farms grows its own hemp on sustainable farms in Colorado.

Note that COAs online for some of the flavors are old and don’t list test results for heavy metals. We reached out to the company for more recent, comprehensive COAs. They’ll provide these on request to customers as well.

Buy Veritas Farms Full-Spectrum CBD Lip Balm online. Use code “HEALTHLINE” for 15% off.

im.bue Botanicals CBD Peppermint Lip Balm

This lip balm from im.bue Botanicals is formulated to hydrate dry and chapped lips. It’s made with just four ingredients, including moisturizing grapeseed oil and beeswax. The hemp is grown organically on Colorado farms.

Rather than a tube, this product comes in a small, recyclable tin, which some users say can be hard to open. It also comes in strawberry flavor.

Batch-specific testing results can be found here.

Hemplucid Full-Spectrum CBD Lip Balm

Flavored with peppermint oil, this lip balm features a blend of nourishing ingredients, including sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, and non-GMO vitamin E. Users say the lip balm feels smooth and lush on the lips.

Hemplucid uses hemp grown on certified organic farms in Colorado. COAs can be found by entering the lot number into the search on this page. You can also see a COA for the lip balm here.

With 50 mg of CBD packed into a standard-sized lip balm, this product is one of the most potent on our list, yet still affordable.

Extract Labs CBD Lip Balm

This lip balm is designed to moisturize chapped lips with ingredients like organic coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax. The product also relies on stevia extract for an anti-inflammatory effect and peppermint oil for flavor.

Extract Labs’ lip balm comes in a much bigger tube than standard lip balms. The high price point reflects its large size and high potency.

Extract Labs is certified by the FDA’s good manufacturing practices. They also have an online database of certificates of analysis (COAs) for each batch of products they produce.

The research on CBD is still evolving. Although there haven’t been studies about the specific effects of CBD on lips, research has found benefits from CBD for skin care in general.

A 2014 study determined that CBD has anti-inflammatory and sebostatic effects, meaning it can reduce sebum production. This could be useful for controlling inflammation and acne around your lips.

The anti-inflammatory effects of CBD may also help conditions like eczema and psoriasis, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. And a 2019 study determined that CBD-infused ointment may help the scarring associated with skin inflammation.

CBD could also ease pain, according to research from 2018. Pain is caused by the body’s inflammatory response.

If your lips are painful or inflamed, applying CBD lip balm may help. But more research is needed to understand the benefits of CBD for the lips.

It’s important to keep in mind that lip balms contain other ingredients besides CBD. These ingredients also have therapeutic properties. It’s not clear if CBD offers more benefits than these ingredients would alone.

Currently, the FDA doesn’t guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or quality of over-the-counter (OTC) CBD products. However, in order to protect public health, they can take action against CBD companies that make unfounded health claims.

Since the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD products in the same way they regulate drugs or dietary supplements, companies sometimes mislabel or misrepresent their products. That means it’s especially important to do your own research and find a quality product. Here’s what to look for:

Potency

The ideal level of potency depends on your preferences. It might take time to determine what best suits your needs.

Most lip balms contain 15 to 25 mg of CBD per tube. If you’d like a more potent product, look for a lip balm with 50 mg or more.

CBD type

The type of CBD will determine what cannabinoids are in a product.

You can pick from:

• Full-spectrum CBD, which has all the naturally occurring cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, including some THC. This is said to create an entourage effect. Federally legal products contain less than 0.3 percent THC.
• Broad-spectrum CBD, which contains all the naturally available cannabinoids except THC.
• CBD isolate, which is pure CBD. It has been isolated from other cannabinoids and contains no THC.

The optimal choice depends on your preferences and the compounds you’d like to use.

Quality

Reputable brands are transparent about where their cannabis is grown. They’re also happy to provide lab results, which show that the product has been third-party tested.

You can find testing results on a COA. The COA should show you the cannabinoid profile, which will let you confirm that the product actually contains what it says it does. It should also confirm that the product is free of pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.

Some companies provide COAs on their website or in the product description. Others provide the COA with the product shipment or through a QR code on the packaging. It’s best to look for a COA that’s recent, meaning within the past 12 months, and batch-specific.

Occasionally, you may have to email the company for the COA. If the brand doesn’t reply or refuses to provide information, avoid buying their products.

It’s also ideal to use products made with organic hemp grown in the United States. Hemp grown in the United States is subject to agricultural regulations and can’t contain more than 0.3 percent THC.

Other ingredients

Since lip balms are directly applied on your lips, you’ll inevitably ingest a small amount throughout the day. Therefore, it’s best to use lip balms with natural and organic ingredients.

Read the CBD label for potential allergens. If you’re allergic to an ingredient, avoid the product.

Claims

Be cautious of products that claim to cure a condition. CBD is meant to be used as an adjunct treatment, rather than a miracle “fix.”

Price point

Traditional lip balms usually cost less than $10. CBD lip balms can often range from $3 to $25.

If a CBD lip product is more than $10, check the other factors on this list. Consider if it has any unique ingredients or traits that validate its high price point.

When trying a new CBD lip balm, slowly introduce it into your routine. This is always a good idea, even with lip balms that don’t contain CBD.

Apply a light layer to your lips. Check for any irritation or redness. If you don’t develop a reaction, you can continue using the product.

A CBD lip balm, like a regular lip balm, can be used multiple times a day. You can apply it whenever your lips need a moisturizing pick-me-up.

CBD is generally considered safe. But some people may experience side effects like:

• fatigue
• anxiety
• diarrhea
• changes in appetite
• changes in weight

It’s also possible to develop an allergy to cannabinoids.

Talk to your doctor or a knowledgeable cannabis clinician before using any CBD product. This is especially important if you’re taking medication or using prescription skin care treatments. CBD may interact with some medications, especially those with a grapefruit warning.

If your lips are constantly dry and irritated, CBD lip balm may be an option. CBD has anti-inflammatory, soothing properties that might provide relief.

Choose a lip balm made with high-quality, lab-tested CBD. Always check the ingredients to make sure you’re not allergic to the formula. Avoid using CBD products that claim to cure any condition.

Is CBD Legal? Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level, but are still illegal under some state laws. Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal on the federal level, but are legal under some state laws. Check your state’s laws and those of anywhere you travel. Keep in mind that nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved, and may be inaccurately labeled.