How to Make Lip Balm

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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

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  1. 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 gloss!
  2. 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. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lip Balm
    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]
    • Add color and shimmer with cosmetic-grade glitter or mica powder. You can also use edible shimmer dust meant for cake decorating. [3]
    • 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]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lip Balm
    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. 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. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lip Balm
    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. 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] If you are in a hurry, you can stick the lip balm into the fridge or freezer for 10 to 15 minutes instead.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Beeswax, Oils, and Butters

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  1. 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. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lip Balm
    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]
    • 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. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lip Balm
    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]
    • 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. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lip Balm
    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]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lip Balm
    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]
    • 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. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lip Balm
    Turn the stove on and set the heat to medium-low. Wait for the water heat up and for the ingredients to melt.
  7. 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. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lip Balm
    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]
    • 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. Watermark wikiHow to Make Lip Balm
    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. 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.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Trying Other Recipes

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  1. 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]
    • 1 tablespoon (15 grams) beeswax
    • 1 tablespoon (15 grams) coconut oil
    • Dash of honey
    • 2 vitamin E capsules
    • Essential oil (optional)
  2. 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]
    • 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. 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]
    • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sweet almond oil
    • 1 teaspoon beeswax
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  4. 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]
    • 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. 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]
    • 2 teaspoons coconut oil
    • 1 high-quality crayon
    • 1 to 2 drops essential oil (optional)
  6. 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]
    • 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
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  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 62
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 19 Helpful 114
  • 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).
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Decorate the lids on your containers with beads, shells, or rhinestones. Use a strong glue, such as E6000. [17]
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      • If you don't have a double-boiler, prepare the lip balm in a wide-mouthed jar. Set the jar into a pot filled with a few inches/centimeters of boiling water to melt everything. [18]
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      • Add some color and shimmer with edible shimmer dust. You can find it in the cake decorating section of a craft store. [19]
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      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.
        Thanks
        Helpful 20 Not Helpful 0
      • 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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      Things You'll Need

      Quick Lip Balm

      • 2 tablespoons (30 grams) petroleum jelly
      • Microwave-safe bowl
      • Spoon
      • Powdered blush or eye shadow (optional)
      • Powdered drink mix, essential oil, or extract (optional)
      • ¼ teaspoon coconut oil (optional)
      • Clean, empty lip balm containers

      Making Custom Lip Balm

      • 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) carrier oil
      • 1 tablespoon (15 grams) beeswax
      • 1 tablespoon (15 grams) solid butter
      • 5 to 10 drops essential oils.
      • Heat-safe glass bowl
      • Saucepan
      • Clean spoon
      • Clean, empty lip balm containers


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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.papernstitchblog.com/2015/05/06/10-minute-diy-to-try-2-ingredient-lip-gloss-pots-for-mom/
      2. ↑ http://www.deliacreates.com/pink-lip-balm/
      3. ↑ http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2014/04/homemade-grapefruit-lip-balm-recipe.html
      4. ↑ Shara Strand. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.
      5. ↑ http://www.papernstitchblog.com/2015/05/06/10-minute-diy-to-try-2-ingredient-lip-gloss-pots-for-mom/
      6. ↑ https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/how-to-create-custom-lip-balms/
      7. ↑ https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/how-to-create-custom-lip-balms/
      8. ↑ https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/how-to-create-custom-lip-balms/
      9. ↑ https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/how-to-create-custom-lip-balms/
      1. ↑ https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/how-to-create-custom-lip-balms/
      2. ↑ http://everydayroots.com/diy-lip-balm
      3. ↑ http://helloglow.co/homemade-lip-balm-scrub-lip-plumping-cinnamon/
      4. ↑ http://helloglow.co/pumpkin-pie-lip-balm-lip-scrub/
      5. ↑ https://brendid.com/diy-sweet-strawberry-lip-balm-recipe/
      6. ↑ http://www.raisinglifelonglearners.com/diy-crayon-lip-balm/
      7. ↑ http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/homemade-lip-balm-sugar-scrub/
      8. ↑ http://abeautifulmess.com/2017/02/diy-lip-balm.html
      9. ↑ https://www.upandalive.com/diy-lip-balm-recipe/
      10. ↑ http://apumpkinandaprincess.com/2014/04/homemade-grapefruit-lip-balm-recipe.html
      11. ↑ http://www.papernstitchblog.com/2015/05/06/10-minute-diy-to-try-2-ingredient-lip-gloss-pots-for-mom/
      12. ↑ http://www.happinessishomemade.net/10-minute-diy-lip-balm/
      13. ↑ https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/how-to-create-custom-lip-balms/
      14. ↑ http://helloglow.co/honey-lip-balm-lip-scrub/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make your own lip balm, start by melting some petroleum jelly in the microwave. Then, give the melted petroleum jelly some flavor by mixing in a few drops of your favorite essential oils. You can also add some coconut oil to make your lip balm extra nourishing. When you're finished, pour the petroleum jelly into a small plastic container. Let it harden for 2 hours and then it's ready to use! If you want to learn how to make lip balm using beeswax and other oils, continue reading the article!

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