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Written by Stacy Karen, Guest Contributor
Making lip balm is quick and easy when you know how. It’s a useful and enjoyable gift. I hope this tutorial will encourage you to try making some of your own!
This recipe was created to make a fairly solid balm, more like a chapstick. I wanted something that could be kept in my pocket without melting! It is easily adapted to make a softer or firmer balm. Increase the oil to make it soft (but be sure to put in a small pot as it won’t work in a tube), add extra beeswax to make it more firm.
Here is a quick video tutorial that demonstrates how simple it is to make lip balm (further instructions follow):
Quick and Easy Lip Balm Recipe
Makes 8 to 10 tubes.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons beeswax, grated (or use pastilles)
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
1 tablespoon cocoa butter
15 drops essential oil (optional) – I used sweet orange essential oil in mine.
Note: Keeping the above ingredients on hand will allow you to make all kinds of body care products. Many of the recipes I use include most, if not all of these ingredients; Simple Lavender Salve and Belly Butter for the Pregnant Mama for example.
Method
1. Measure all ingredients into a glass measuring cup.
2. Place cup into a small saucepan. Add a few inches of water to the pan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally until ingredients have melted.
3. Add essential/flavoring oil, if using. Stir well.
4. Pour carefully into tubes straight from the measuring glass (be sure the handle is not hot). Or, use a medicine dropper.
The balm will shrink as it cools and hardens, so fill as high as possible. You may want to use the medicine dropper to top off each tube.
Let cool completely before covering with cap (about 10 minutes).
Voilà! Your very own homemade lip balm!
Extra Notes: If using a medicine dropper, use one that you are willing to throw away or keep for making things such as this. It is very difficult to clean!
You may also use a double boiler or a crockpot to make this recipe. The same principles apply: measure ingredients, melt over low heat, pour into containers.
Stacy, a homeschooling Mom of three, enjoys healthy, natural living and is a make-it-from-scratch maniac. She strives to encourage women to find peace and joy at home through her blog, Delighting in the Days, where she shares tips and tricks for creating a happy home (and life) with God at its center.
I love this tutorial. I just have one question – where do you get the tubes or tubs to put the lip balm into?
Christie,
I bought my tubes from Mountain Rose Herbs. I have also seen them on ebay, but have not purchased them from there myself yet (although I might do that soon).
.-= Stacy @ Delighting in the Days´s last blog ..In the Kitchen- Real Food Basics Giveaway =-.
This a wonderful gift idea. Thank you so much for sharing!
This is great! I have not yet ventured into body care products, but wish to in this new year. Thanks for the info.
.-= Granola Girl´s last blog ..Dehydrating Salsa =-.
Will the coconut oil in the lip balm not make it melt at higher temperatures in a hot purse or pocket? Just want to make sure so I don’t end up with a mess in my purse!
Kim,
The beewsax and cocoa butter are pretty good at keeping the lip balm in a solid state.
You can always increase the beewsax if it seems too soft. I haven’t had any trouble with the lip balm melting…but I do live in a fairly cool climate.
Oops…I spelled beeswax wrong twice! Oh well
Hi, I was wondering where you purchase your supplies. I used to purchase mine from oils by nature, but they seem to not be taking any ordes online. I’ve looked at other sites but the prices for the butters is too high for my wallet and I also don’t know their quality. Could you please point me in the right direction?
I usually get most of my supplies from Mountain Rose Herbs.com. I like buying from them b/c I can get everything I need in one place. They have good products and some of the better prices around the web.
It is always a little scary buying from a new company online! I have never had any problems with Mountain Rose Herbs
Sometimes it’s alluacty really nice to see used cosmetics for reviews, it at least makes it obvious that the product was not only tested but loved Celina recently posted..
I just made the lip balm and I LOVE it! I used peppermint essential oil and smells great and makes lips kind of tingly, haha. In case anyone is looking for where to buy supplies not in bulk/not online, I bought the beeswax, essential oil, and cocoa butter at Hobby Lobby; and the coconut oil and sweet almond oil in the organic section of my grocery store. Oh, and I bought the tins from The Container Store, but I’m going to look online for cheaper ones for my next batch. Thanks for the recipe!!
What can be substituted for the sweet almond oil. We have severe nut allergies here.
I would try a mild olive oil or maybe grapeseed oil. I think that most oils would work. I haven’t made this recipe but I have made a couple from livingonadime.com.
Just made this and it is nearly identical to the famous Burts Bees in the yellow tube! Lips stay moisturized for a long time without being sticky or heavy. I was a bit too light on peppermint oil since last time I made lip balm we used too much and it burned our lips. I will add just a bit more in my next batch and you won’t be able to tell the difference.
Thanks for sharing! Also, for those wondering about where to buy, I get my cocoa butter and beeswax from Brambleberry. Coconut oil from drugstore.com.