Why Lip Balm is a Must-Have for a Deserted Island
If I could take just one skincare item with me to a deserted island, lip balm would undoubtedly be my top choice. The thought of chapped, dry lips sends shivers down my spine. Unfortunately, despite trying numerous brands, I consistently found my lips becoming even drier and more irritated. After some trial and error, I decided to take matters into my own hands and concoct my own natural lip balm. This homemade solution worked wonders for years—until a certain global pandemic altered our daily routines.
My favorite recipe was designed for a tin, but dipping my finger into lip balm for application seemed impractical, especially given the current emphasis on hygiene. This prompted me to modify my existing recipe to create a more sanitary alternative. In the process, I came up with several easy variations of the same recipe, allowing everyone in the family to enjoy a personalized lip balm experience. Whether you prefer it plain, flavored, or even tinted, making your own lip balm is an exciting and simple endeavor. Plus, there’s a vegan option available! *Please note that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can view my complete affiliate link policy HERE. For a printable version of this and all my other recipes, you can access the FREE Resource Library by signing up here; your password will be sent to your inbox!
Why Consider Making Your Own Lip Balm?
You might be asking yourself why you should make lip balm for yourself and your family. Store-bought lip balms often contain unwanted ingredients like petroleum by-products and synthetic fragrances, which can be more irritating than soothing for sensitive lips. Here are some compelling reasons to consider crafting your own:
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You Control the Ingredients and Quality
This is perhaps the most significant reason to create your own skincare and body care recipes. You can avoid mystery ingredients like chemical preservatives or petroleum by-products that may trigger unwanted reactions. By selecting your own ingredients from trusted sources, you are firmly in control of what goes on your skin.
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Making Your Own Saves Money
Basic skincare items like lip balm are relatively easy to make, even for beginners. By purchasing ingredients in bulk and reusing tools, creating your own products becomes very budget-friendly after the initial investment. The ingredients in this naturally moisturizing lip balm recipe can also be utilized for various other skincare items, providing high quality at a fraction of the cost. Plus, it saves you from last-minute trips to the store when you run out!
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You Can Customize It
Whether you prefer a basic lip balm without fragrance, one infused with essential oils, or perhaps a hint of color, the choice is entirely yours. The fun part of making your own lip balm is the ability to tailor it to your specific needs and preferences. With one simple base recipe, you can ensure that every family member gets exactly what they love.
Essential Tools and Supplies
- Lip balm tubes
- Lip balm tray and spatula (optional but recommended)
- Heatproof jar – short wide-mouth canning jars work well
- Beeswax pellets or candelilla wax for a vegan version
- Sweet almond oil
- Shea butter or mango butter
- Essential oils – optional – refer to my essential oil buying guide
- Cosmetic grade mica powder – optional (available at craft stores like Hobby Lobby in the soap-making aisle)
Basic Lip Balm Recipe
This recipe has been adapted from my original tin balm to work seamlessly in lip balm tubes. To achieve the right firmness and ensure it holds up in a tube without melting, the amount of wax needed to be adjusted for optimal consistency. I always recommend testing the formulation in a single tube before filling them all. This way, you can tweak the mixture by adding a little more wax if it melts too quickly or more oil if it feels too firm. Once poured, the balm mixture sets quickly, and you can place it in the refrigerator to expedite the process.
Ingredients for 20-24 Tubes (depending on size)
- 1/3 cup Sweet Almond Oil (you can swap in Apricot Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Sunflower, or Olive Oil)
- 1/4 cup Beeswax Pellets (1/8 cup if using candelilla wax)
- 10-15 drops Essential Oils (optional) – check below for compatible oils and combinations that work well in lip balm
- A pinch of cosmetic grade mica powder in your desired color (if you want a tinted balm)
- 1 Tablespoon Shea Butter (or Mango Butter)
How to Make Lip Balm in Tubes
Prepare the Tubes
Start by thoroughly washing all your equipment with hot, soapy water and allowing them to dry completely. Any leftover water in the lip balm tubes can prevent proper filling. Ensure each tube is screwed all the way down to avoid surprises when you start pouring. Once ready, set up your tubes in the holder. For my holder, the tubes slide in from the bottom, ensuring the top of each tube is nearly level with the opening.
Melt the Oils and Butters
The best and most reliable method to gently melt all the wax, oils, and butters is to place them in a heatproof wide-mouth glass jar within a double boiler. You can check out my original post on lip balm for a detailed explanation of this process. I typically start by placing the beeswax and shea butter in the jar, allowing them to melt completely before stirring in any oils. Wooden popsicle sticks work well for this purpose. Alternatively, you can melt the ingredients in the microwave, heating them in 15-20 second intervals and stirring the mixture thoroughly after each warming. This method has become my favorite for both melting and reheating the ingredients. It’s crucial to ensure that the beeswax is completely melted, as any unmelted bits will result in small chunks within the final product.
Filling the Lip Balm Tubes
During my first attempt at filling tubes, I initially thought placing them upright in a glass container would suffice. However, this led to half-filled tubes and a mess of balm at the bottom of the glass. Thankfully, tube holders are inexpensive and easy to find. They typically come in plastic or silicone, both of which work well, but it’s essential to ensure they fit together snugly. I opted for a holder that accommodates 12 tubes at a time, which is perfect for my family’s needs. Before you begin filling, make sure the tubes are all screwed tightly to the bottom. To contain spills, place your holder and tubes on a microwave-safe plate. The easiest way to insert the tubes is to have the holder upside down, then flip it over with the plate on top.
Fill each tube to the top with a steady hand, reheating the oil and wax mixture if necessary. It’s important to note that a glass dropper won’t work here, as the waxy mixture can easily clog it. Allow the tubes to rest and set. You can place them in the refrigerator to speed up this process. In this batch, I poured both plain and colored lip balm into the same tray. While it worked out okay, I recommend pouring them separately or covering the plain tubes with parchment paper while pouring the colored balm.
Finishing Touches on Your Lip Balm
Once the lip balm mixture has completely set, use a small spatula to scrape any excess from the top, then remove the tubes from the holder and wipe away any spills. It’s common for small dents to form on the tops of the balms as they cool. If you want to smooth them out, you can remelt the mixture in the tubes by gently heating them in the microwave. Keep them in the plate and holder while you do this. Reheat the ingredients as described earlier and top off any tubes that need filling, then let them cool once more. Perfection isn’t necessary!
After wiping down all the tubes, they’re ready for use. To add labels, remove any oily residue by wiping them with an alcohol wipe, ensuring that the labels adhere properly. You can find free printables of the exact labels I used and several more designs, along with a printable version of this recipe, in the Resource Library. I prefer using glossy full-sheet label paper for my homemade skincare as it can be easily cut to size.
Additional Tips and Suggestions:
- If you plan to make several varieties of lip balm, such as unflavored, flavored, and colored, begin with the unflavored version first.
- When incorporating essential oils, allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding them, then stir well before pouring.
- To add color, mix mica powder into your oil and wax mixture, ensuring it’s blended thoroughly before pouring. This will create a slightly tinted lip balm.
- Any unused lip balm mixture can be stored in a jar with a lid or used as an emollient hand balm by simply adding a small amount of oil.
For More Easy Skin and Body Care, Check Out These Posts!
- Liquid Hand Soap Your Hands Will Love
- Homemade Soap Like a Pro
- Easy DIY Deodorant – Without Irritating Baking Soda