Essential Oils for Lip Balm DIY Recipes

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.

General tips for how to make lip balm:

• For lip balm containers, use lip balm tubes, small round tins, small glass containers, or something similar. Standard lip balm tubes typically hold 0.15 ounces (4.25 grams).
  

• 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.

Enjoy these lip balm recipes:

• Simple DIY Lip Balm
• Candelilla Wax Lip Balm 
• Sandalwood Lavender
• Lavender Vanilla
• Coconut Mango
• Peppermint Ginger
• Vanilla Honey

Simple DIY Lip Balm

This basic lip balm recipe 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

1. Melt oils and beeswax on low in a microwave or use a double boiler on the stove.
2. Remove from heat and stir until well mixed.
3. Stir in the essential oil.
4. Pour into a small, clean container and let cool.
5. Use on your lips as needed.

Adapted from EcoBeauty: Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs

Candelilla Wax Lip Balm

All the other lip balm recipes in this article use beeswax. Here's an alternative with candelilla wax. Makes 10–12 tubes.

• 2 tablespoons candelilla wax
• 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
• 1/4 cup calendula-infused oil or sweet almond oil
• 20 drops essential oil of your choosing

1. Melt the candelilla wax in a double boiler over low heat.
2. Stir in the cocoa butter until melted.
3. Stir in the calendula-infused or sweet almond oil.
4. Remove mixture from the heat. Stir in the essential oils.
5. Pour mixture into the prepared tubes (there will be extra mixture).
6. Let tubes set for five minutes. Top off with remaining mixture.
7. Cool for 20 minutes, and then place caps on tubes.

Can you substitute candelilla wax for beeswax in other lip balm recipes?

Candelilla wax is much denser and harder than beeswax, has a higher melting point, and sets more firmly. If you want to substitute, use about half as much candelilla wax and adjust the amount slightly depending on the consistency you want.

Sandalwood-Lavender Lip Balm for Dry Lips

Makes 8–10 tubes. Or you can use tins.

• 1 heaping tablespoon (22 grams) beeswax (less for softer balm, more for a firmer one)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 50 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 30 drops lavender essential oil
• 20 drops ylang ylang essential oil

1. Melt the beeswax and coconut oil in a double boiler over low heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove mixture from heat. Let cool slightly.
3. Stir in the essential oils.
4. Pour mixture into lip balm containers.
5. Let the balm cool until firm (OK to cool in refrigerator).
6. Use as desired.
   

Source: Essential Oils Complete Reference Guide

Lavender-Vanilla Lip Balm

• 1 tablespoon mango butter
• 2 teaspoons beeswax pellets
• 2 teaspoons virgin coconut oil
• 1/4 teaspoon jojoba oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 drop vanilla absolute or CO2 extract
• 1 one-ounce flat metal tin or 5 lip balm tubes

1. In a double boiler over low to medium heat, melt mango butter, beeswax, and coconut and jojoba oils.
2. Remove mixture from heat. Stir in the lavender and vanilla.
3. Immediately pour into clean containers. Let harden before using.

Source: Lavender: 50 Self-Care Recipes

Coconut-Mango Lip Balm

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
  

1. Combine all the ingredients in a heat-proof glass measuring cup.
   
2. Place the cup in a saucepan containing a few inches of water.
   
3. Heat the water on low until the mango butter and beeswax pastilles melt completely.
   
4. Stir the mixture gently and remove it from the heat.
5. Stir in the essential oils.
   
6. Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or tins.
   

Source: The Nerdy Farm Wife

Peppermint-Ginger Essential Oils for Lip Balm

• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 3 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil (preferably organic)
• 2.5 teaspoons unrefined shea butter
• 5 drops vitamin E oil
• 3 drops ginger essential oil
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil

1. Combine beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter in a heat-proof glass measuring cup.
2. Over medium heat, place the cup in a saucepan containing about an inch of water.
3. Stir occasionally until completely melted. Remove from heat.
4. Quickly stir in the vitamin E and essential oils.
5. Carefully pour the mixture into tubes or small tins. Let cool.

Source: The Healing Power of Essential Oils

Vanilla-Honey Lip Balm

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon almond oil
• 1.5 teaspoons beeswax
• 5 drops vanilla absolute or CO2 extract

1. In a double boiler, heat the honey, almond oil, and beeswax just until the wax melts.
2. Remove the mixture from heat and stir in the essential oil.
3. Set the pan in a shallow ice-water bath. Rapidly stir for 30 to 60 seconds to incorporate the honey, until the mixture is like peanut butter with a pale yellow-brown color.
4. Spoon the mixture into a clean container. Let set for 2 hours before using.

Source: Organic Body Care Recipes

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About the Author

Carol Wiley is a retired massage therapist and freelance writer. She uses her deep interest in aromatherapy and essential oils to research their benefits and uses and bring you summaries and blends with links to more resources.

If you find this site useful, you can show your support by buying through my affiliate links. The site is a labor of love, and I appreciate any income that helps keep it up and running.

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Photo Credits: heikerau/123RF Stock Photo

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