When using essential oils for lip balm, avoid oils that might irritate your skin. Some gentle essential oils commonly recommended include carrot seed, geranium, lavender, neroli, rose, rose geranium, and spearmint. You can also use more stimulating oils, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary, if you are not sensitive to them.
Because lips are more sensitive than other parts of the body, using a
0.5% dilution of essential oils is the safest choice: 0.5% = 3 drops
essential oil in one ounce (30 ml or 2 tablespoons) carrier oil.
Here are some general tips for how to make lip balm:
- For filling lip balm tubes, you might find a glass medicine dropper useful.
- Remember the mixture is hot, so take care when filling containers!
- Ideally, use as many organic ingredients as possible.
- An alternative to using a double boiler to melt ingredients is to heat a small saucepan of water and place a heat-proof glass cup (Pyrex works great) or dish in the pan.
Here are seven ways to make lip balm.
1. Simple DIY Lip Balm
Here’s a basic lip balm recipe that makes about one tube.
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon almond oil
- 1/2 teaspoon grated beeswax
- 1 to 2 drops essential oil of choice
- Melt ingredients on low in a microwave or use a double boiler on the stove.
- Remove from heat and stir until well mixed.
- Stir in the essential oil.
- Pour into a small, clean container and let cool.
- Use on your lips as needed.
Adapted from EcoBeauty: Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs
2. Homemade Lip Balm
Makes 8 to 10 1/8 ounce (4-ml) containers.
- 1 heaping tablespoon (22 grams) beeswax (less for softer balm, more for a firmer one)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 30 drops lavender essential oil
- 50 drops sandalwood essential oil
- 20 drops ylang ylang essential oil
- Melt the beeswax and coconut oil in a double boiler over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Remove mixture from heat. Let cool slightly.
- Stir in the essential oils.
- Carefully pour the mixture into lip balm containers.
- Let the balm cool until firm (OK to cool in refrigerator).
- Use as desired.
Source: Essential Oils Complete Reference Guide
3. Peppermint Lip Balm Blend
Fills about 5 one-inch circular tins.
- 1-1/2 tablespoons beeswax
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
- 2 tablespoons sweet almond or olive oil
- 20 drops peppermint essential oil
- Melt the beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, and oil in a double boiler over low heat, stirring until combined.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the peppermint essential oil.
- Pour the mixture into containers. Let set for 24 hours before using.
Source: Hip2Save
4. Minty Chocolate Essential Oil Lip Balm Recipe
For chocolate lovers!
- 1/2 tablespoon shea butter
- 1/2 tablespoon cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon grated beeswax
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon vitamin E oil (or squeeze the oil out of 2 punctured vitamin E capsules)
- 3 drops peppermint essential oil
- Place the shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil in a double boiler.
- Heat over VERY low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Do not let the mixture go over 175 degrees, or the shea butter might become a little gritty.)
- Add the beeswax and stir until completely melted.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and then add the honey, cocoa powder, vitamin E, and essential oil, whisking until everything is incorporated and smooth.
- Transfer the mixture into lip balm tubes or tins and let set for 3 hours.
Source: Crunchy Betty
5. Coconut Mango Butter
Makes about 9 tubes.
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon mango butter
- 1 tablespoon calendula-infused oil
- 1/2 tablespoon castor oil
- 1/2 tablespoon jojoba oil
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon beeswax pastilles
- 5 to 10 drops essential oils for lip balm
- Combine all the ingredients in a heat-proof glass measuring cup.
- Place the cup in a saucepan containing a few inches of water.
- Heat the water on low until the mango butter and beeswax pastilles melt completely.
- Stir the mixture gently and remove it from the heat.
- Stir in the essential oil.
- Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or tins.
Source: The Nerdy Farm Wife
6. Extra Moisturizing Essential Oils for Lip Balm
Makes about 5 tubes.
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon grated beeswax
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cocoa butter
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 10 to 20 drops essential oils for lip balm
- Place all ingredients except essential oil in a small saucepan.
- Stir continuously over low to medium-low heat until everything is melted.
- Remove mixture from heat and then stir in essential oil.
- Immediately pour into clean containers. Let cool for a couple of hours before using.
Source: Thank Your Body
7. Vanilla Honey Lip Balm
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon almond oil
- 1-1/2 teaspoons beeswax
- 5 drops vanilla absolute
- In a double boiler, heat honey, almond oil, and beeswax just until the wax is melted.
- Remove the mixture from heat and stir in the essential oil.
- Set the pan in a shallow ice-water bath. Stir rapidly for 30 to 60 seconds until the honey is incorporated and the mixture is like peanut butter with a pale yellow-brown color.
- Spoon the mixture into a clean container. Let set for 2 hours before using.
Source: Organic Body Care Recipes
Photo Credits: heikerau/123RF Stock Photo