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Healinggeeks has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healinggeeks encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD doesn’t produce a “high.”

However, it does have therapeutic effects that may benefit the skin. Some people use topical CBD products to relieve pain, inflammation, and irritation. Topical products can include things like body lotions and creams, and even lip balms designed to soothe dry, chapped lips.

When it comes to choosing a CBD product, it’s essential to pay close attention to safety and quality. This is especially important for lip balm since it’s easy to ingest the product without realizing it.

To help narrow down your choices, we’ve listed a couple of the best CBD lip balms available online.

CBD glossary

  • Full-spectrum CBD. This type of CBD contains all compounds naturally found in the cannabis plant. That includes a small amount of THC. If the product is federally legal and made from hemp, it should have less than 0.3 percent THC.
  • Broad-spectrum CBD. This type of CBD contains a mix of cannabinoids and other cannabis compounds, but the THC has been removed.
  • CBD isolate. This is pure isolated CBD without any other part of the hemp plant.

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 by a company that discloses the source of their 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:

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $15
  • $$ = over $15

Best CBD lip balm overall

Lord Jones Whole Plant Formula CBD Lip Balm

Formulated to soothe and soften, this lip balm from Lord Jones is made with extra-virgin olive oil, shea butter, mimosa wax, grapefruit and rosemary oils, and beeswax, plus 25 mg of whole-plant, full-spectrum CBD.

It comes in a chic tube and goes on clear.

More than 25 reviews praise its lightweight yet moisturizing properties.

SHOP NOW AT LORD JONES

Best tinted CBD lip balm

Vertly Lip Butter

  • Price: $$
  • CBD type: full-spectrum
  • CBD potency: 50 mg per 0.15-oz. tube or 25 mg per 0.17-oz. pot
  • COA: available on product page

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.

There are 40 5-star reviews, with customers mentioning the lip butter’s hydrating and softening effects.

SHOP NOW AT VERTLY

Pros

  • antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD may benefit lips
  • lots of options for CBD potencies, flavors, and added ingredients

Cons

  • benefits of CBD lip balms may be from other ingredients and not CBD specifically
  • higher price point compared with lips balms without CBD

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 whether CBD offers more benefits than these ingredients would alone.

If you frequently have dry, damaged lips, a CBD lip balm could be helpful. CBD has anti-inflammatory benefits that may help soothe chapped lips.

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

Since the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD products in the same way it regulates 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

What potency you choose will depend on your preferences. It might take time to determine what best suits your needs.

Most lip balms contain 20 mg or more of CBD per tube.

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 certificate of analysis (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 has passed tests for 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 a good idea 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 to 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. Not only is this against FDA rules, it’s also inaccurate. 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 generally cost more than that, and may run you $20 or more.

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. While it’s unlikely you’ll experience CBD-related side effects from a lip balm, it’s still possible. Some people may experience side effects like:

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

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

Talk with 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.

Don’t use CBD if you’re pregnant or nursing.

What does CBD lip balm do?

Just like a regular lip balm, a CBD lip balm is designed to hydrate, heal, and soften dry or chapped lips.

Can CBD be absorbed through the lips?

Yes. Just like the body as a whole, the lips have receptors from the endocannabinoid system. When you apply a CBD lip balm, the CBD is absorbed through the thin skin of the lips and interacts with this system.

Does CBD lip balm help chapped lips?

It might. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe and heal chapped lips. Most CBD balms also include other soothing ingredients that may benefit chapped lips.

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?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.