Smooth, soft lips are always in style. But many store-bought lip balms contain questionable ingredients like petroleum jelly, artificial colors, and preservatives. Why slather those on your lips when you can make your own organic lip balm using natural ingredients from your kitchen?
Crafting DIY lip balm is surprisingly easy. All you need are a few base ingredients like oils, butters, and beeswax. Add some antioxidants like vitamin E and essential oils for flavor. Then melt, mix, and pour into tubes or tins. Voila! You’ve created homemade lip balm that's not only good for your lips but also tastes great.
Let's look at how to whip up your own batch of organic lip balm from common household items.
Gather the Essential Ingredients
Making natural lip balm starts with choosing the right ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Base Oils
Base oils give lip balm its signature smooth, moisturizing glide. Some of the best options include:
- Coconut oil: Imparts a subtle tropical flavor while moisturizing with fatty acids and vitamin E.
- Olive oil: Provides antioxidant polyphenols along with vitamin E. Opt for extra virgin olive oil for the most benefits.
- Sweet almond oil: Loaded with vitamins A, B, and E to nourish lips. Has little scent.
- Avocado oil: Exceptionally penetrating oil with collagen-boosting vitamin C. Has a thicker texture.
Butter or Wax
These plant-derived ingredients give lip balm its solid form and melt on contact with lips. Popular choices are:
- Beeswax: Creates a firmer balm with a sweet honey aroma. Look for organic beeswax.
- Candelilla wax: A vegan alternative to beeswax made from a desert shrub. Adds a brittle texture.
- Cocoa butter: Gives a luxurious feel and subtle chocolate scent. Rich in antioxidants.
- Shea butter: Whips up into a creamy, emollient balm that smells faintly nutty.
Flavor Oils
Add a drop or two of these essential oils not only for fragrance but also for their purported therapeutic benefits:
- Peppermint oil: Imparts a cooling, tingly sensation and invigorating scent.
- Lavender oil: Known for its floral, calming aroma that relaxes the senses.
- Lemongrass oil: Provides a fresh, citrusy twist and helps condition lips.
- Rose oil: Floral, sweet aroma combined with moisturizing properties.
Tools You'll Need
Part of the fun of DIY lip balm is using common kitchen tools to create it. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Double boiler or glass measuring cup: For heating ingredients gently without burning. Place glass cup with balm ingredients into a small saucepan with an inch of water.
- Mixing spoon: Choose a stainless steel or silicone spoon that can withstand heat from liquid oils and butters. No plastic!
- Whisk: Helpful for whipping shea or cocoa butter into the oils while melting.
- Containers: Try recycling lip balm tubes or small tins. Make sure containers are clean and dry before pouring in liquid balm.
Optional extras:
- Cheesecloth: For straining homemade lip balm to remove any debris.
- Funnel: Useful for transferring liquid balm neatly into containers.
- Dropper: Essential for adding flavor oils drop by drop.
Now you’ve got the ingredients and tools. Let’s look at how to make lip balm.
Step-By-Step Process
Follow these simple steps to create your own organic lip balm like a pro:
1. Sanitize and Measure
Wash containers, utensils, and workspace thoroughly with hot, soapy water to avoid contamination.
Measure out ingredients carefully using a digital kitchen scale or measuring spoons. A good basic recipe is:
- 1 ounce coconut oil
- 1 ounce beeswax
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 5-10 drops essential oil
2. Melt and Mix
Add base oils, butters or wax to a glass measuring cup or double boiler. Heat slowly over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted and well combined. Remove from heat right away to avoid burning.
Optional: Strain liquid through cheesecloth to remove any impurities.
Let cool slightly and stir in any essential oils or vitamin E, dropping in oils gradually.
3. Pour and Set
Carefully pour liquid balm into containers using a spoon or funnel. Allow to cool completely at room temperature overnight.
Once solidified, cap tightly to seal in moisture. Store in a cool, dark place.
And that’s all it takes to make your own batch of custom lip balm!
Creating Your Custom Formula
Once you get the basic technique down, have fun concocting your own signature formula. Try different combinations of natural oils, butters, and essential oils until you find your perfect blend.
Here are some tips:
- Use a heavier butter like shea or cocoa butter for ultra-moisturizing balm. Or stick with oils for a smoother consistency.
- Swap different essential oils to create flavors like cinnamon bun, frosted strawberry, and more.
- Add calendula-infused oil or aloe vera gel for extra skin-soothing benefits.
- Play with textures by whipping in vegetable shortening for a fluffier balm.
- Tweak amounts of wax or butter to make a softer or firmer finished product.
Part of the joy of homemade lip balm is customizing it to your own preferences. Give your creativity free rein to craft the perfect lip-smacking balm.
Benefits of Natural Ingredients
Why go homemade with lip balm? For starters, you control exactly what goes into it. Most conventional lip balms contain cheap petrolatum, mineral oil, and lanolin that merely coat lips without nourishing them. Or they're loaded with artificial fragrances, parabens, and phthalates.
Homemade lip balm lets you choose all-natural ingredients that moisturize, heal, and protect lips. Oils like coconut and olive are packed with antioxidants and essential fatty acids that actually improve lip health.
Natural lip balm also avoids any nasty chemicals found in commercial brands. And since you can literally eat the edible ingredients, you don’t have to worry about ingesting any hidden toxins.
Just be sure to clean tools and containers thoroughly and use only fresh ingredients. Make small batches and store homemade balm in the refrigerator to be safe.
Ready to Pamper Your Pout?
Now that you know how delightfully easy it is, are you ready to treat your lips to nourishing, organic balm?
Whip up a custom lip balm using healthy, natural ingredients from your kitchen and say goodbye to chapped, dry lips.
What natural oils and butters will you try in your own formula? Which essential oil scents are you excited to play with? Let me know in the comments how your homemade lip balm creations turn out!
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Your Own Lip Balm
Crafting your own organic lip balm is fun and easy with the right ingredients and techniques. But you probably still have some questions about the DIY process. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making homemade lip balm.
What is the best oil to use in lip balm?
Oils like coconut, olive, almond, and avocado make excellent bases for lip balm. They are readily absorbed into lips and provide vitamins A, B, C, and E. Coconut oil, in particular, adds moisturizing fatty acids. For a sheer, lightweight balm, stick with oils.
Can you make lip balm without beeswax?
Yes, it’s possible to make vegan lip balm without beeswax. Good alternatives include candelilla wax, carnauba wax, and soy wax. Candelilla wax provides the closest texture to beeswax. You can also use more shea or cocoa butter in place of wax.
What oils are best for dry, chapped lips?
Choose oils high in oleic acid like olive, sweet almond, or avocado oil. Shea and cocoa butters are ultra-hydrating. Also try adding calendula-infused oil or vitamin E. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and geranium promote healing.
How do you make lip balm shiny?
Adding 1 teaspoon of honey or agave nectar to your lip balm recipe helps give it a glossy shine. You can also stir in a small amount of candelilla wax, which has a glossy finish when set. Use less beeswax, which creates a matte look.
How long does homemade lip balm last?
If stored properly, homemade lip balm lasts up to a year. Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Refrigeration extends its life to up to two years. Make sure to use clean utensils and containers so bacteria can’t contaminate the balm.
Can you reuse old lip balm tubes?
Yes, reusing lip balm tubes or tins is an eco-friendly way to package homemade balm. Thoroughly wash and dry containers first to remove residue. Avoid using old tubes with cracks as balm can sweat through openings.
What are good flavor combinations?
Some tasty pairings include:
- Lemon + Lavender
- Coconut + Lime
- Honey + Vanilla
- Strawberry + Mint
- Cinnamon + Coffee
- Rose + Almond
Mix and match your favorite essential oil scents.
Is homemade lip balm safe if eaten?
Since you control the ingredients, natural lip balm is ingestible. Beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter and plant oils are food-grade. But keep in mind contamination risks from utensils, containers, etc. Stick to tried-and-true recipes and proper handling.
How do you soften homemade lip balm?
To make softer balm, use more oils, less wax, or oils with lower melting points like sweet almond or avocado. Whip in vegetable shortening or lanolin. Store balm in warmer areas so it stays softer. Or remelt firm balm in a double boiler and add more oil.
I hope these answers help you in creating your own fabulous lip balms! Let me know if you have any other questions. Now go and give your lips some TLC with nourishing, homemade balm.