Crafting Your Own Lip Balm: A Journey to Healthier Lips
Out of all the beauty products I’ve encountered, lip balm holds a special place in my heart. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been using it practically every day. Over the years, I’ve tried numerous store-bought lip balms that promised to deliver miraculous results, only to find that they often left my lips feeling more irritated than ever. Does this sound familiar? My bathroom drawer used to be overflowing with partially used tubes of lip balm, each one a testament to my quest for the perfect formula.
As I transitioned towards a more natural and healthier lifestyle, making my own lip balm became an obvious choice. And let me tell you, it’s not only incredibly simple to whip up a large batch, but it also works wonders! Say goodbye to chapped, burning, and irritated lips. If you’re looking to dive into the world of homemade beauty products, lip balm is the ideal starting point—no fancy ingredients or tools required.
The recipe I’m sharing today is practically foolproof! While it’s best suited for small tins or glass jars, it can easily be adapted for tubes if that’s your preference. Especially during the cold and flu season, dipping your finger into a tin of lip balm might not be the most hygienic option. The choice is yours, of course!
Even better, while I present this as a lip balm, you can easily transform this recipe into your next favorite hand or foot balm! I’m all about simplicity and versatility.
You can find my homemade lip balm recipe, along with a plethora of health and beauty recipes, as FREE printables in the Resource Library. Sign up, and the password will be sent straight to your inbox.
When creating a recipe, I ensure it meets several essential criteria:
- Ingredients that are readily available.
- No empty “filler” ingredients included.
- No special equipment or advanced skills required.
- Customizable to suit your tastes and needs.
Ingredients for Homemade Lip Balm:
Olive Oil
When I refer to olive oil, I’m specifically talking about cold-pressed extra virgin organic oil. This choice guarantees the highest quality pure olive oil, which is essential for effectiveness. Many lower-quality olive oils are actually blends, which won’t yield the same results. Don’t you deserve the best? What makes extra virgin olive oil such a remarkable ingredient? It’s packed with antioxidants and contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin E has been used for conditions like psoriasis and eczema for ages. Plus, EVOO serves as an incredible moisturizer with antibacterial properties. Not bad for a grocery store staple! However, keep in mind that olive oil can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, so always conduct a skin test (apply a small amount on your inner arm and wait for up to 48 hours to check for any reaction) before using it for the first time. You can find additional suggestions for oils that work well in this recipe at the end of this post.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is an exceptional ingredient for softening the skin due to its high concentrations of fatty acids. Its emollient properties last for several hours, making it a perfect addition to any lip balm recipe. The high levels of oleic and linoleic acids, combined with stearic acids, give shea butter its anti-aging benefits and help combat environmental stress. Vitamin E also helps protect the skin from sun damage. Shea butter carries a low risk of allergies, as it contains very little tree nut protein. The shea “nut” is actually a “pit” closely related to avocados and apricots, and it has been a trusted moisturizer in Africa for centuries.
Beeswax
The beeswax in this recipe is essential not only for providing the balm with the consistency we expect but also for its numerous benefits. Beeswax is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and retains moisture! Additionally, it moisturizes and repairs dry skin, has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, and is a well-known home remedy for acne. These qualities make beeswax an excellent component of homemade lip balm. You can explore more about the amazing properties of beeswax in another post!
High-Quality Essential Oils
While you can certainly make homemade lip balm without adding essential oils, it truly elevates the recipe to another level. Essential oils add that special touch that goes beyond a delightful scent. For example, lavender offers soothing properties and is an excellent skincare ingredient, while peppermint brings a slight cooling and even plumping sensation. Combinations like lemon and lavender or lavender and peppermint are perennial favorites, and they taste delightful—no irritating artificial flavors here! If you’re interested in incorporating essential oils into your daily routine, you can find guides and suggestions in my FREE Resource Library. Young Living Oils, in particular, offers a line of essential oils specifically labeled for consumption.
The Recipe:
- 1/2 CUP organic extra virgin olive oil
- 2 TBS beeswax pellets or grated beeswax
- 1 TBS shea butter
- 15-20 drops of high-quality essential oil – I purchase mine here
All of these ingredients are fantastic staples to keep on hand, as they can be used in various recipes! Find more recipes in the FREE Resource Library.
Equipment:
You’ll need the following:
- Double boiler: a pot filled with hot water paired with a stainless steel bowl and a short wide-mouth mason jar.
- A popsicle stick or spoon handle for stirring.
- Lip balm tins – this recipe yields about 5 small tins.
Tip: It’s a good idea to designate a heatproof jar for making this recipe; a short wide-mouth mason jar works best as beeswax can be quite challenging to clean out completely.
The Process:
- Combine olive oil, beeswax pellets, and shea butter in the wide-mouth mason jar.
- Place the jar in a double boiler and melt over gentle heat until completely liquefied.
- Remove the jar from heat and let it cool slightly. If you’re using essential oils for a singular scent, add them at this point and stir well.
- Pour the balm into tins.
- If you want to create various scents, pour the lip balm mixture into smaller tins. Allow it to cool at room temperature or in the refrigerator until completely solid.
Essential Oils and Combinations That Work Well:
- Lavender and peppermint
- Peppermint and lemon
- Frankincense and peppermint
- Tangerine
- Lavender and lemongrass
A note of caution: Citrus oils may increase your skin’s sensitivity to sun exposure.
Additional Notes and Suggestions:
- Create a tinted version by adding a small amount of cosmetic-grade mica powder to the lip balm mixture before pouring—approximately 1/8 tsp per small tin.
- This recipe also works wonderfully as an emollient hand balm and is perfect for cuticle care.
- You can substitute shea butter with mango butter if desired.
- Feel free to experiment with different base oils like grapeseed, almond, or apricot to suit your needs.
For other homemade skin and body care products, check out these posts:
- How to Make Homemade Soap Like a Pro
- Homemade Charcoal Soap
- 5 Simple Uses for Charcoal
- How to Make Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer
- Easy and Affordable Skincare You Can Make in a Snap
Are you concerned about the ingredients in your skincare products? Have you ventured into creating your own? I would love to hear about your experiences. This lip balm recipe has become one of my staples, and I hope it will become one of yours as well!
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