Please note that this post contains affiliate links. These involve no extra cost to you, but may result in me receiving a small commission – for which I am very grateful! Learn more here.
One of my all-time favorite DIY projects is lip balm. It’s incredibly easy to make and this recipe is wonderful for soothing dry and chapped lips throughout all seasons of the year.
Tip: Find the printable version of this recipe HERE.
Choosing your container
Lip Balm Tube: My preferred lip balm dispenser is a typical tube. You can stuff it in your pocket, share it with your kids, and not worry about dirty fingers in the jar. If you choose this dispenser – you will need 18 tubes for this recipe. Tubes come in plastic and you can also find more expensive paper tubes as well.
Lip Balm Jars (or Pots): You probably picture Carmex or Blistex when you think of lip balm jars, and that’s exactly what I’m referring to. You can order the jars empty or, if you have old jars lying around, simply clean them out with vinegar or witch hazel before refilling. If you choose this method, make sure they are totally dry before you refill them. Of course, if you are giving them as gifts, then, by all means, purchase them new. The number of containers necessary varies based on the size of the actual container.
Ingredients
2-3 tablespoons beeswax pellets – it is less expensive to purchase beeswax in a solid bar, however, grating beeswax is a long and tedious process that will likely ruin whatever grater you choose to use. Trust me, I’ve tried it. In addition, beeswax is really sticky and will quickly get everywhere. (I order this one.)
2 tablespoons Shea, Mango, or Cocoa Butter – my preferred “butter” is mango because it has no scent to it and is really easy to work with. Cocoa butter and shea butter are also incredibly popular, though, and often less expensive. (I order this one.)
2 tablespoons coconut oil – whatever you do, make sure the coconut oil you purchase is in a solid state. I purchase mine at Walmart, Costco, or any other grocery store in the cooking oil aisle. You can also order it online here.
20 drops essential oils (optional) – I love using essential oils for the fragrance portion of my lip balm. Some things to keep in mind when you use them, though, is the effect they have on the skin. Oils such as cinnamon, clove, and peppermint can be irritating to the skin, so take that into consideration when you decide how much to use in your recipe. In addition, citrus oils can cause sun irritation, so research those before you add them. My favorite oils to add to lip balm include peppermint, cinnamon, a rosemary basil combination, and lavender. (You can find the oils I use here.)
You will also need a double boiler or a jar to melt your ingredients. I prefer to use a glass measuring cup with a pour spout for easy filling and put it in a small saucepan with about an inch of water.
Making the Lip Balm
Step 1: Add your beeswax, butter of choice, and coconut oil to the jar/measuring cup and set it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally with a spatula until completely melted. Do not overheat your ingredients or you will end up with a gritty texture to your lip balm.
Step 2: Remove your jar/measuring cup from the water using a pot holder. The glass will be hot! Set it on a dish towel on your counter and quickly add the essential oils to the mixture, stirring gently. The mixture will begin to harden around the sides of the glass so you must work quickly.
Step 3: Dry off the bottom of the jar/measuring cup and, using the potholder again, pour your mixture slowly into each of your containers. Note: if one overflows, leave it and move on to the next one.
Step 4: Allow your mixtures to fully harden before capping them. I keep them all upright at this time and once the caps are on, I let them sit until fully cooled.
Cleaning Up
Lip balm is greasy, so the jar/measuring cup you used will be coated in a greasy residue as well. The easiest way to remove that grease is to spray it thoroughly with vinegar and then wash with dish soap, repeating as necessary. I always hand wash these dishes first and then add them to the dishwasher as well.
To clean the outside of the lip balm containers, a paper towel and some witch hazel will make quick work of removing the excess.
Tip: Find the printable version of this recipe HERE.
Leave me a comment and let me know how your lip balm turns out!
