Last year for Christmas one of the homemade gifts we made for our families and friends was lip balm in personal 1 oz tins. They were a hit with everyone. Several family members said it was the best moisturizing lip balm they’ve used.
There are loads of recipes on the internet to use as reference. Most call for beeswax, some sort of oil, and either shea butter or cocoa butter. After testing a few, I went with this one from The Elliott Homestead. I made a couple of large batches with two different flavors using essential oils, peppermint and sweet orange.
This recipe is made from natural organic ingredients! For the past couple of years I’ve begun making as many of my own home products as possible. If you’re curious about the reasons behind this change check out my post, 6 Reasons to Make Your Own Personal Care and Cleaning Products.
Lip Balm
This recipe uses 3 ingredients with the option of scenting it with essential oils. Beeswax contains natural emulsifiers to help lock in moisture and heal dry or chapped lips. Shea butter is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and contains vitamins A and E to hydrate lips. Coconut oil also offers moisturizing benefits.
What You Will Need:
- lip balm tins, refillable tubes, or a small glass jar (this recipe makes 3 total ounces)
- 2 tbsp beeswax (I use pellets)
- 2 tbsp shea butter (I use organic)
- 2 tbsp unrefined coconut oil (I use organic)
- 3-5 drops of essential oil
Melt the beeswax first over the stove using a double broiler. If you don’t have one, you can substitute with a pan and a glass bowl that sits halfway in the pan. This post gives more information for the process.
Boiling water in the pan a couple of inches below the bowl provides indirect heat to melt the lip balm ingredients.
After the beeswax is melted, add the shea butter to melt and then the coconut oil. Mix with a wood stir stick that is disposable. An alternative is wiping your stirring utensil immediately after. Once the beeswax cools and hardens, it is difficult to wash off.
When the 3 ingredients are mixed remove the bowl from heat and stir in your preferred essential oil.
Pour into your containers of choice.
Wipe out the glass bowl immediately to prevent beeswax from hardening on it.
Allow the lip balm to cool completely in their containers before capping or closing the lids.
How long it will last depends on the size of container used and the season. Our 3 ounce container has lasted us about 9 months.
Store in a cool area.
Notes:
This recipe is easy to reduce or multiply depending on your needs. Just remember it is equal parts beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil.
Cocoa butter can be substituted for shea butter.
I used sweet orange essential oil for it’s uplifting and calming properties. Peppermint essential oil gave the lip balm a soothing cooling effect and also stimulates alertness.
Other Recipes I Use These Ingredients For:
- I use unrefined coconut oil in my homemade toothpaste, deodorant, basic moisturizer, and beard balm for my husband.
- Peppermint is part of a couple essential oil combinations I diffuse in the morning to naturally wake up. It’s also part of my allergy roller bottle blend and one of the oils to help with sinus issues.
- I use sweet orange in several diffuser blends, including ones to purify the air and some favorite combinations for the holidays.
Resources:
6 Reasons to Make Your Own Personal Care Products
Do you make homemade gifts for Christmas? What are some of your favorite DIY recipes?
2 responses to “DIY Recipe for Lip Balm”
Have you thought about selling your concoctions? 😁
I hope to eventually! Perhaps the New Year will bring some extra motivation 🙂