How to Make Lip Balm

Co-authored by Shara Strand

Last Updated: December 11, 2022 References Approved

You honestly can never have too much lip balm, especially during the cold of winter when your lips are dry and chapped. It’s kind of expensive though, which can become a problem if you go through a lot of it or tend to lose the tiny tubes in your car, purse, couch cushions, washing machine, etc. (It happens to all of us). Luckily, making your own lip balm is way more affordable, plus you get to choose exactly what ingredients go into it, so it’s like having your own custom lip moisturizer. Lip balm is super easy to make, too! Check out the steps below to learn how.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Petroleum Jelly

1
Place 2 tablespoons (28.3 grams) of petroleum jelly into a heat-safe bowl. This will serve as the base for your lip balm. Try to use the original, plain, unflavored kind of petroleum jelly. The kind that is already tinted and colored is actually lip balm!
2
Melt the petroleum jelly in the microwave. Heat the petroleum jelly for 30 seconds. Give it a quick stir, then heat it for another 30 seconds. Keep heating it at 30-second intervals, stirring between each one, until the petroleum jelly is liquid. The petroleum jelly should be clear, with no lumps or clumps. This will take about 3 to 4 minutes total.^{[1]
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3
Add some color and/or shimmer, if desired. This step is completely optional. It can make your lip balm double-up as a lip stain or lip gloss. Choose one of the additions from the list below, then stir it into your lip balm base.
- Use crushed blush or eye shadow to add color. A smidge of lipstick will also work.^{[2]
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- Add color and shimmer with cosmetic-grade glitter or mica powder. You can also use edible shimmer dust meant for cake decorating.^{[3]
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- Add color and flavor with powdered drink mix. Be aware that it may not dissolve very well.
- Lip balm usually has more color than regular chapstick.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Shara Strand
  Makeup Artist
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.}
4
Add ¼ teaspoon of coconut oil for extra nourishment. You don't have to do this, but it will help make the lip balm more nourishing. It will also give the lip balm a nice, subtle scent and flavor.
5
Add flavor with extracts, essential oils, or powders. Again, you don't have to do this, but it's a nice way to take your lip balm to the next level. Add in a few drops of essential oil or extract; peppermint and spearmint are great choices! You can also try a flavored drink mix or cocoa powder instead.
- If you are using a powdered drink mix or cocoa powder, keep in mind that this will change the color of your lip balm.
6
Pour the lip balm into a small, clean, empty lip balm container. Choose a small, plastic jar with a screw-on lid. You can find such jars online in stores that sell soap-making supplies. You can also find them in art supply stores and supermarkets along the travel-size cosmetic items. Choose something that is about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) in diameter. You have enough melted mixture to fill several such jars.
- Mini mint tins work especially well for this as well!
7
Wait for the lip balm to set. Set the lip balm down someplace where it won't be bumped. Leave the lid off, and wait for it to harden. This may take 1 to 2 hours, however.^{[5]
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Research source} If you are in a hurry, you can stick the lip balm into the fridge or freezer for 10 to 15 minutes instead.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Beeswax, Oils, and Butters

1
Set up a makeshift double-boiler. Fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water. Place a heat-safe glass bowl on top of the saucepan. If you don't have such a bowl, you can set a glass canning jar into the water instead. Don't turn the stove on just yet!
2
Place 3½ tablespoons (52.5 milliliters) of a carrier oil into the bowl. A carrier oil is a liquid, food-grade oil. It serves as the base of your lip balm and both nourishing and moisturizing. You can use all one type, or a combination of different types. Great carrier oils and their uses include:^{[6]
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- Coconut oil smells and tastes great. It's solid at room temperature, but it melts quickly.
- Olive oil is a great, easy-to-find oil. You likely have it at home!
- Sunflower oil helps heal damaged skin.
- Sweet almond oil is great for making lips silky-soft.
- Rose oil makes your lips softer, hydrates them and smells nice.
3
Add ½ tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) of another type of oil. You can use the same type of oil as before (coconut, olive oil, etc.) for a simple recipe. You can also use this opportunity to add a richer oil, such as:^{[7]
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- Apricot kernel oil is great for sensitive and/or mature skin.
- Avocado oil is very rich and ideal for moisturizing dry lips.
- Castor oil helps add a glossy shine to the lip balm.
- Hemp seed oil helps condition lips.
- Jojoba oil is great for softening and nourishing dry, chapped lips.
- Pomegranate seed oil is another rich oil. It helps nourish dry, dull lips.
4
Add 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of beeswax. Try to use shaved beeswax or beeswax pellets; they will be easier to melt. If you are a strict vegan, use ½ tablespoon (7.5 grams) of candelilla wax instead.^{[8]
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5
Add 1 tablespoon of solid butter. No, this is not the butter that you put on your toast. Solid butters are any type of oil that is solid at room temperature. You can leave them out if you want to, but they help make the lip balm more creamy. Great solid butters to use in lip balm include:^{[9]
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- Mango butter
- Shea butter
- Cocoa butter with a little bit more of your carrier oil. Note that this butter can be drying.
- Kokum butter with a little bit more of your carrier oil.
6
Melt the ingredients. Turn the stove on and set the heat to medium-low. Wait for the water heat up and for the ingredients to melt.
7
Remove the bowl from the saucepan. Set it down onto a heat-safe surface and stir the ingredients together until the color is consistent. You do not want any streaks or swirls.
8
Stir in 5 to 10 drops of essential oil, if desired. You can skip this step if you want to, but the essential oils will give your lip balm a nice fragrance and flavor. Not all types of essential oils are safe to use on skin, but the following types are:^{[10]
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- Vanilla absolute is sweet and delicious, like a pastry.
- Peppermint or spearmint are cool and refreshing. You can use up to 16 drops.
- Mandarin, orange (sweet), or tangerine are sweet and tangy.
- Lemon or lime are safe as long as they are distilled and not cold-pressed.
- Lavender and rose have a wonderful scent, but not everyone likes their flavor.
- Clove, as long as it's used sparingly (1 to 2 drops)
- Camphor or tea tree oil are great for cold sores, but must be used sparingly—only 1 to 2 drops.
9
Pour the lip balm into small, clean, lip balm containers. You can buy them online from stores specializing in soap-making supplies. You can also find them in supermarkets, right alongside the other travel-sized items. Some container stores may also sell them. Look for something that is around 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) wide.
- Make sure that the containers are clean.
10
Wait for the lip balm to set. Place the jar down, cap off, some place where it won't be disturbed. Let it set and harden. This should take less than an hour. Depending on the size of your container, it may even take 10 to 15 minutes. If you are in a hurry, however, you can pop the jar into the fridge or freezer for a few minutes.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Other Recipes

1
Make a healing, honey-flavored lip balm. Melt the beeswax half-way in a double-boiler. Stir in the coconut oil and a dash of honey. Let everything melt, then remove the double-boiler from heat. Stir in 2 vitamin E capsules and a few drops of essential oil (if desired). Pour the mixture into empty lip balm containers and let it cool and harden.^{[11]
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- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) beeswax
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) coconut oil
- Dash of honey
- 2 vitamin E capsules
- Essential oil (optional)
2
Get some lip plumping action with cinnamon essential oil. Melt the coconut oil and beeswax in a double-boiler. Add the vitamin E oil, honey, and essential oil. Pour the mixture into empty lip balm containers and let it harden.^{[12]
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- 4 tablespoons (60 grams) coconut oil
- 1½ tablespoons (22.5 grams) beeswax
- 2 to 3 vitamin E capsules
- ¾ tablespoon (11.25 grams) honey
- 15 drops cinnamon essential oil
3
Add pumpkin pie spice to make a lip balm fit for Fall. Melt the almond oil and the beeswax in a double-boiler. Stir in the honey and the pumpkin pie spice. Pour the mixture into small, lip balm containers, and let it harden.^{[13]
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- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sweet almond oil
- 1 teaspoon beeswax
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
4
Use freeze-dried berries to tint and flavor your lip balm. Grind the strawberries or raspberries in a blender or food processor, then set them aside. Melt all of the ingredients in a double-boiler. Stir everything together. Pour the mixture through a fine, mesh strainer into empty lip balm containers, and let it harden, stirring occasionally. Discard anything caught in the strainer.^{[14]
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- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) beeswax
- ½ tablespoon (7.5 grams) coconut oil
- ½ tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) sweet almond oil
- ⅛ teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 2 to 4 tablespoons (14 to 28 grams) freeze-dried strawberries or raspberries
5
Trade out beeswax for a crayon to get colored lip balm. Peel the wrapper off of a crayon and break it into pieces. Melt it in a double-boiler along with the coconut oil. Add in some essential oil, if desired. Pour the melted mixture into empty lip balm containers, and let it harden.^{[15]
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- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- 1 high-quality crayon
- 1 to 2 drops essential oil (optional)
6
Add rose petals for a touch of luxury. Melt all of the ingredients in a double-boiler. Stir everything together, then pour the mixture into empty lip balm containers. If you want to leave out the petals, pour the mixture through a fine, mesh strainer. Allow the lip balm to cool and harden before using it.^{[16]
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- 4 tablespoons (60 grams) beeswax
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) shea butter
- 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
- 1 teaspoon coconut or vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (56 grams) dried rose petals, crushed

Community Q&A

Question

Can we use anything else instead of petroleum jelly?

Community Answer

Of course. Coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil are a few options. The balm may be more runny, but it's better for your lips.
Question

If I don't have beeswax, what can I replace it with?

Community Answer

You can use Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, as a substitute.
Question

Are essential oils safe for lips?

Community Answer

Yes, most essential oils are safe for the lips. However, make sure that you do not use too much, as this could dry or irritate your lips. Also, research the safety of each oil you want to use as some are not recommended for topical use of sensitive areas including lips (ie: tea tree oil).

Warnings

Make sure that the containers you are using are clean. If they are dirty, you risk introducing bacteria into your lip balm, which could make you very sick.

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If you add color from a makeup product, make sure it's safe for use on lips. Don't add nail polish or another product that contains chemicals that shouldn't be ingested. It is best to use edible color supplies used in cake decorating.

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