I started making my own lip balm years ago when my favorite brand added soy and canola oil to their formula, which I didn’t like. This natural lip balm recipe is easy to whip up with just a few ingredients, and it keeps your lips moisturized and hydrated all year round.
Making lip balm at home is straightforward and cheaper than buying organic brands from the store. These lip balm tubes make excellent gifts, stocking stuffers, or safe play makeup for kids. I also keep some handy when working as a doula to give to laboring moms, as the hospital environment can really dry out skin and lips.
The ingredients in this lip balm are natural, and you can use them for many other DIY skincare projects like lotions and body butters. You’ll find coconut oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter in my other DIY ideas too.
If you’re short on time or not in the mood to make your own, you can always find healthy, natural lip balm options available. Since these products are applied so close to the mouth and nose, it’s important to use safe, natural ingredients, especially if kids are using them. Coconut oil is a great choice; it’s solid at cooler temperatures, so it creates a firmer lip balm and also has mild SPF properties.
If you want a softer product, try using less beeswax or replace some of the coconut oil with a liquid oil. Just using liquid oil will make it softer. Here are a few nourishing options for your lips:
Castor oil gives a nice shine and is often used in homemade lip gloss recipes. It won’t replace coconut oil one-to-one, but you can swap about a teaspoon of coconut oil for a shinier look and smoother feel.
Aromatherapy is popular now, but not all store products use real essential oils. Kids and some adults might enjoy certain scents, but things like strawberry bubble gum aren’t natural. Not every essential oil is safe for lips either. Oils like cinnamon bark and lemongrass can be irritating, especially on sensitive areas like the lips. Many essential oils are safe for lips at up to 5% dilution, about 60 drops, but I prefer to use much less.
There are some great-smelling oils that aren’t on the safe list. Oils like lime and bergamot can cause photosensitivity if used too much before sun exposure, leading to swelling, redness, and lip damage. For instance, lemon is safe at a 1% dilution max, but exceeding safe levels can lead to sun damage. So, you might not want to use lemon lip balm right before sunbathing for an hour.
Most of the time, though, you can mix and match your favorite lip-safe essential oils. I prefer using lip balm tubes for easy application, but repurposed jars or tins work well too. I once came across a set of tiny sample-size jam jars at a hotel, and they’re perfect for lip balm.
I usually use beeswax pastilles for making lip balm since they harden the balm and provide a protective coating on the lips. If you want a vegan alternative, candelilla wax can be used instead. It’s harder than beeswax, so you’ll need less.
If you’ve never made your own beauty products, I recommend trying it out! The basic recipe is below, but feel free to experiment with different oils and flavors to find what you like. Mint is my favorite, especially during the winter!
Interested in exploring more DIY skincare recipes? I’ve put together some tutorials over the years. Do you make your own lip balm? What flavors or scents are you interested in trying? Share your thoughts!
