This beeswax lip balm recipe is easy to make, smells amazing, and lasts indefinitely. If you want to learn how to make your own soothing and nourishing beeswax lip balm with simple ingredients that are toxin-free and ultra-moisturizing, you are in the right place!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Beeswax Lip Balm Recipe
A good lip balm is a must-have for me. Because of my dry skin and dry lips I always have one within arm’s reach – in my car, purse, and every room of my house – trust me, it’s necessary! I’ve been making my own lip balm along with homemade body butter, homemade antioxidant face masks, and homemade deodorant for years now, and honestly, I love it more than any store-bought versions. This homemade lip balm is deeply nourishing, ridiculously easy to make, and costs way less than what you’d find at grocery stores. Plus, they make the perfect little gifts – my mom literally requests 20-30 tubes every year!
Made with natural ingredients like organic coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, and peppermint oil (or whatever essential oil scent you like) this balm takes less than 15 minutes to make and the final product lasts indefinitely since it doesn’t contain water-based ingredients. This homemade beeswax lip balm recipe is hands down one of my favorite DIY projects. It’s easy, budget-friendly, non-toxic, and truly works. Once you try it, you’ll never go back! Own homemade lip balm
5 Harmful Ingredients in Conventional Lip Balm
Many mainstream lip balms contain harmful chemicals that can dry out your lips, making you reapply constantly. Here are five toxic ingredients to watch out for:
- Parabens (methylparaben, butylparaben): Preservatives that mess with hormones and have been linked to breast cancer.
- Petroleum jelly: Yes, the main ingredient in Vaseline! Petroleum jelly is a highly refined oil made from fossil fuel. Not only does it block our pores, it also contains carcinogens and chemicals known to cause estrogen dominance.
- Synthetic colors and dyes: Found in tinted lip balms, these chemicals can cause allergic reactions and long-term health risks.
- Chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, etc.): These disrupt hormones and have been linked to reproductive issues. Instead, look for lip balms with non-nano zinc oxide for SPF.
- Fragrance or flavor: Companies are not legally required to disclose what chemicals make up “fragrance” or “flavor” on ingredients labels. Those words can mean absolutely any chemical, whether or not it has been tested for safety. Usually, it is a synthetic concoction that includes phthalates and synthetic musks, which are known hormone disruptors.
Don’t Want to Make Your Own?
I get it – life gets busy! If you’d rather buy a safer, non-toxic lip balm, here are some natural products I love:
- Beautycounter’s Lip Conditioners: Beautycounter is probably my favorite skin care company that has banned over 1500 ingredients that are known or suspected to be harmful in their products, when the US has only banned 30. They’re lip conditioners are made with vitamin E oil, peppermint, and coconut oil for serious hydration.
- Primally Pure Lip Balm: Primally Pure has amazing, natural lip balm made of all the soothing oils like coconut, beef tallow, and beeswax. They come in 5 different flavors, scented with organic essential oils, and the peppermint is my favorite. You can get 10% off your first purchase with them with code: JEAN10.
- Perfect Supplements Lip Nutrients: These come in 2 flavors, lemongrass and tangerine, and I prefer tangerine. These contain all organic ingredients that nourish your lips with coconut oil and beeswax, along with jojoba oil, essential oils, and vitamin E. You can get 10% off with my code: GREATGRANDMA10.
Ingredient Notes
Here are a few notes on the key ingredients for this beeswax lip balm recipe! Jump to the recipe card for the full recipe and exact measurements.
- Beeswax pastilles (or grated beeswax block): This magic ingredient gives the lip balm its solid structure while sealing in moisture to keep lips soft and hydrated. Candelilla wax works as a vegan alternative.
- Shea butter: Deeply nourishing and oh-so-creamy, shea butter adds a rich, buttery texture that helps soothe dry, chapped lips. Mango or cocoa butter can step in if needed.
- Coconut oil: A natural moisturizer. Coconut oil helps soften lips and makes the balm smooth and spreadable. Olive oil or sweet almond oil can also do the trick.
- Peppermint essential oil: This gives the balm that refreshing, cooling tingle while adding a light scent. Feel free to swap with lavender, vanilla, or your favorite essential oil for a different flavor.
- Lip balm containers or tubes: Perfect for easy application! Small containers like tins or jars work well if you prefer applying with your fingers.
How to Make Beeswax Lip Balm
Step 1: In a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl set over a small pot of simmering water, melt the beeswax pastilles, shea butter, and coconut oil over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Step 2: Heat for about 10 minutes over medium heat until the mixture is completely melted.
Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in drops of essential oils (like peppermint or citrus).
Step 4: Pour the mixture into glass jars, a glass cup, or a measuring cup with a spout.
Step 5: Carefully pour into the empty lip balm tubes and fill them up to the top.
Step 6: Let them cool for 30 minutes before putting on the cap.
Expert Tips
- If you don’t love peppermint, swap it for lemon essential oil, orange essential oil, or lavender essential oil. Avoid any essential oils if you prefer your homemade lip balm to be unscented!
- For extra hydration, stir in a little bit of vitamin E oil before pouring into containers.
- If your balm turns out too firm, remelt it and add more organic coconut oil. If it’s too soft, add extra beeswax.
- Want a tinted version? Mix in a bit of beetroot powder or cocoa powder for natural color.
- Place your lip balm containers on a baking sheet or a tray to keep them steady and catch any spills for easy cleanup!
Storage Tips
- Store in a cool place or at room temperature to prevent melting.
- These balms last indefinitely since they don’t contain water.
- If you’re in warm weather, avoid leaving them in hot cars or direct sunlight to prevent melting.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Swap the beeswax for candelilla wax to make it 100% plant-based.
Wipe out melted residue with a paper towel, then wash with hot soapy water.
Nope! Since this lip balm contains only oils and waxes (and no water), it doesn’t require a preservative.
Not really. Flavored extracts are water-based and won’t mix properly with oils, so it’s best to use lip-safe essential oils like peppermint, vanilla oleoresin, or citrus oils, or try infusing coconut oil with a vanilla bean for a natural scent.
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Homemade Beeswax Lip Balm
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup beeswax pastilles or beeswax block, grated
- 1/4 cup shea butter
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 40 drops peppermint essential oils* about 1/2 tsp
- Empty lip balm tubes
Instructions
- In a double boiler, or a heat-safe bowl nestled on top of a pot of simmering water over medium low heat, combine beeswax pastilles, shea butter, and coconut oil.
- Heat for about 10 minutes until the mixture is completely melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in peppermint essential oils.
- Pour the mixture into a glass cup or a measuring cup with a spout.
- Carefully pour into the empty lip balm tubes and fill them up to the top.
- Let them cool for 30 minutes before putting on the cap.
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Thanks for this wonderful recipe! I adjusted to make 1/3 of the recipe, and used a combo of shea/cocoa butter/mango butter instead of simply shea. It made 6 tubes with a lovely rich consistency. I can’t wait to share with friends!
So glad you enjoyed it! And what a great idea to use different butter varieties. I have to try that!
Does the essential oils add a flavor or just the scent? What if I wanted banana flavored balm?
Thank you this sounds fun.
Both! I never try to flavor it with any kind of fruits, but maybe you can use banana extract. I would avoid anything with moisture content though to make them last longer.
Hi Could shea butter be substituted with another butter?
like avocado butter
You can try cocoa butter.
Hi The cacao went well.
Do you know the shelf life for this product?
A very long time! I made a ton at once and kept them in a dark cool area and they were still good over a year later.
I would like to make just one tube for now. Could you tell me what would be the ratios?
I wouldn’t recommend this but you can just divide all the ingredients by 18. It’ll be really hard to measure out and melt together such a small amount of each ingredient and you might burn them.
I made some of this today and I was wondering what you could do to combat the taste of the shea butter. It’s not overbearing but you can tell its there. Thanks.
You can try cocoa butter, but that also has a nutty scent. Maybe you can add a bit more essential oils to mask the scent if you are sensitive
I have a coconut allergy can I substitute the coconut oil for something like avocado oil or olive oil?
You can try using palm shortening. You need something that’ll solidify at room temperature.
Hell I trying make my own lip balm and is essential oils the same as flavor oils
I’m not sure. Do you have a brand or the link to the product that you are using?
I have heard of putting vitamin E in lip balm, do you know it’s purpose?
Yes! It’s very nourishing and can be anti-aging.
Do you know how much 1/4 cup pellets melts into? I render my own wax and I don’t want my chapsticks to be too firm.
I’ve never measured it after melting so I can’t say for sure! But the amount of beeswax can be quite flexible so 1/4 cup melted can work.
We have been making Lip Balm for years. I see the statement that the oils need to solidify at room temperature. That’s not quote accurate as the bees wax is the binding agent in these recipes. We make some of with a few ingredients such as Home Grown Bees wax, Almond Oil and peppermint oil ( Super Basic and holds up well in a hot car!). We have been selling these (and our honey) for years.
What’s your website to buy your stuff?
I made a batch of these and loved them! Even added a bit of honey from our hive where I got the beeswax from. I only need to try a different essential oil as my 3 year old didn’t like the peppermint, but over all I’ve had raving reviews! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Amazing! Yes, you can definitely add whatever essential oils you want. So glad you liked it!
I like the idea of adding honey as I am using the wax from our hives and would love to add in some of our honey too. How much honey did you add?
I would suggest just a tiny bit teaspoon really. I learned over time the honey separated out from the rest. Adds a nice sweetness but not worth the mess.
Helloo nice one! Is it ok to sell? and what is the shelf life with all these ingredients? thanks
I make a big batch at a time and have kept them for a year in storage and they’ve been fine.
Is there any other container besides a tube that can be used? Is it only a plastic container or can we use like glass or metal?
You can use a jar if you want and dip your finger in it to use. Doesn’t have to be plastic.
Good afternoon I would love to make my own lip balm . Could you tell me what’s 1/4 cup in grams.
It’s about 2 oz (56grams)!
Where Do I get the plastic tubes?
Amazon!: https://amzn.to/2UW3sNY
Hey. Can you half this recipe? Need to make different scents but only a few
No. You can only devise it into 3 1/2 size.
Hiya, I made the lip balms and they only problem I faced was that it was a bit too solid, as I’ll be putting them in normal containers. What would I include less of next time to make it softer/make it melt when you rub it?
You can try increasing the coconut oil.
I made some DIY moustache wax out of beeswax and coconut oil recently and accidentally got some on my lip. I immediately thought, gee, this feels like lip balm. Lo and behold, it really is.
I should have thought of shea butter though! It sounds more luxurious. Next batch for sure. And I can pour some off as lip balm for my friend with dry lips while I’m at it.