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Lip balm that you’ve made from the heart and home is a lovely holiday gift. Your friends will think of you every time they pamper themselves with one of your luscious creations! Lip balms are also the perfect stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift. It’s easy to slip a decorative tin, jar or tube of lip balm into a Christmas stocking or onto your Secret Santa’s desk at work.
Shhhhhhhhh! Keep it under cover or everyone will want one!
Just kidding! This post was part of a series on money saving ideas for the holidays, so be sure to check out the other articles. In this post, I’m sharing my favorite quick and easy recipe, along with resources for where you can purchase supplies to make inexpensive but fabulous lip balm.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Making Lip Balm
Lip balm is the perfect choice if you have decided to make all your gifts this year. Even though you’ll be spending a little bit on supplies, you can still save a ton of money by making your own homemade presents for holiday gift giving.
In addition, lip balm is quick and easy to make. If you have the supplies on hand, you can have beautiful gifts ready in thirty minutes, even on Christmas Eve!
Finally, it’s something people will use and appreciate! The nourishing oil base will glide over dry, cracked lips; offering relief and protection from the elements. These balms are very soothing and protective.
Pro-Tip
Lip balms also provide a beautiful glossy shine over lipstick for bright holiday sparkle!
Supplies Needed
You probably already have most of the supplies you will need right in your own kitchen. Things like glass measuring cups, pans, spoons, honey, etc. But you will need to purchase little containers, beeswax, and cold-pressed oils like almond oil or apricot kernel oil for the base of your lip balm. You may also wish to purchase pure essential oils for flavor and fragrance (if desired) and be sure to get some pretty labels.
Health food stores and herb shops often carry empty lip balm containers, beeswax, a variety of cold-pressed vegetable or nut oils, and essential oils. I’ll also add a couple of my favorite suppliers at the end of this post.
A Note About Nut Oils
For people who are allergic to nuts, almond oil is usually the least bothersome of the nut oils. To be on the safe side, you may wish to use apricot kernel oil or even olive oil (although olive oil has a stronger flavor and feels thicker on the skin).
Cold-pressed oils are best because they retain the most vitamin E, which is a natural preservative that prevents oxidation. You don’t want your lip balms becoming rancid! In addition, cold-pressed vegetable and nut oils contain other vitamins that are good for the skin.
Favorite Lip Balm Recipe
Sunny Honey Citrus Lip Balm
1 cup almond oil
1 to 2 ounces beeswax pastilles (or grated beeswax)
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon pure essential oil, such as sweet orange, tangerine, or lemon.
Stir the beeswax pastilles (small pieces) or grated beeswax into the almond oil, in a glass measuring cup. Warm the oil just enough to melt the beeswax, by placing the glass measuring cup into a pan of hot water. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler pan if you have one.
Once the beeswax is melted, remove the measuring cup from the heat and stir in honey and the essential oil. It’s important to realize that the honey will not mix well and will tend to settle at the bottom of the oil. Give the mixture a stir periodically as you are pouring into containers.
If there is any honey residue that has settled at the bottom of your measuring cup as you get close to the end of pouring, just discard it because it won’t set up in the container.
Once all the lip balm containers have been filled, let them cool completely before covering them with lids and adding labels. Presentation is everything! Create your own beautiful gift boxes or custom wrapping using colorful herb stickers and ribbons.
It’s as much fun to make lip balm as it is to receive it. Ideally, it’s a good idea to make small batches, unless you plan to give out a lot of lip balm or start a business!
Yes, you might enjoy making lip balms and other natural skin care products so much that you decide to start a little money making side hustle. Add another income stream to your retirement savings by selling lip balm!
Where To Purchase Supplies
For more inspiration, consider picking up a book or two and learn how to make additional herbal body care products, right in the comfort of your own home!
Finally, if you would rather just purchase something already made for yourself or for gift-giving, I recommend Jaffa Organic Lip Balm. It is made with natural and organic ingredients, including sweet orange and vanilla for deliciously kissable lips!
This post is great! I am doing a holiday craft party with my friends next week and just added this lip balm to the list! I am so excited to see how it turns out.
A holiday craft party sounds so fun, Rachelle! I’m so happy you’re adding homemade lip balm to your list of activities! Be sure to let me know how they turn out. Would love to see a photo!
Fun! I have never made my own but thought it was probably pretty easy. You did a great job of explaining the process. Maybe someday I will be adventurous with the kids and make some! Thank you for this post.
Thank you, Leah! This project is very easy and doable with kids. Just be mindful of the hot oil! Children love hands-on fragrant projects like this, too. Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve made lip balm, but your recipe sounds divine. I’m excited to give it a go!
Aw, thanks MaryAnne! That’s sweet of you to say. I appreciate your comments!
No natural lip balms have worked to keep my lips from cracking and becoming so dry. I will try this one and stay hopeful
Thanks for stopping by, Emily! You can alter the lip balm recipe to add more beeswax (makes a harder lip balm, but might seal your lips better), or add in some heavily moisturizing oils like shea butter or cocoa butter. Also, using a blend of olive oil & avocado oil would boost the vitamin E content, which might be more useful. I’m curious if drinking more water would help?
Omgosh I just bought some at Lush for my daughter. Love this recipe!
So glad you found the recipe here. I hope you will make it with your daughter, Grace! Once you make your own lip balm, you won’t go back to the store bought type! Happy Holidays!
This is such an interesting post! Such a great gift for family and friends. Thank you for sharing. Happy New Year to you and your family x
Aw, thank you Lauren! Yes, homemade lip balms make a great gift for family & friends! Something that’s easy & inexpensive to make, yet it is so thoughtful & pampering! It’s great to get gifts like this anytime, not just at Christmas. Happy New Year to you, too!
Oh wow! This looks awesome! And a great homemade gift. I love finding new crafty things!
Thanks, Alexx! It’s a real money saver, too!
What a great post! So easy to follow as well 🙂 I love homemade items – both to use for myself and to give as gifts. Think there is something so special about giving something you made yourself! Also love this because my lips get so dry! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Rina | rinakay.co.uk
Homemade gifts are the best! Let me know if you try the recipe! Thanks for your comments, Rina Kay!
This is a great idea and looks fun to make.
Yes, it is a lot of fun to make, Travel Addicted Unicorn! I’ve enjoyed making lip balm with my daughter, nieces & nephews, too.
Can you give other essential post?
Yes, Reshma, I will be posting more recipes using essential oils throughout this blog, so check back often!
I absolutely love this! Was really into the idea of making my own a few years back but the steps were never easy to follow, this is awesome 🙂
That’s great, Samantha! I’m happy to hear that you’re going to give it a try now! It really is easy to make your own, I think you’ll be thrilled with the results. Be sure to come back & share of photo of your lip balms!
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Love it.
I definitely want to try and make my own lip balm.
These will make perfect gifts.
Clem xx
http://www.clemloves.co.uk
So glad you enjoyed it, Clem! I think you will find that making your own lip balm is really quite easy & very fun. If you make this recipe, you’ll have plenty to share for gifts!
This would be so much fun to make with some friends. Thank you for all of the directions. I can see these as gifts this holiday season!
Absolutely! Homemade lip balms make lovely stocking stuffers and are perfect for holiday gift giving! Thank you, Mai!
Lovely gift, I’m sure people would want one when they know a gift like this is amazing.
Thank you, Philomath! Everyone loves these lip balms, they make the perfect gift. Thanks for stopping by!
This is so cool – what a fun thing to make homemade, where you can have input on what goes into it. Thanks for sharing!
Great point, Lisa Marie!
That’s one of the best things about making homemade lip balms, lotions, and other herbal bodycare products. Not only do you save a ton of money (that you can put into your retirement account instead of spending), you also get to control the ingredients!
I’d never even considered making lipbalm before but this is a lot easier than I imagined!
Ash | https://thisdreamsalive.com
Yes, it’s incredibly easy to make homemade lip balms, Ash! They are often better than what you can buy in stores, and much cheaper!
When things calm down after the holidays I’ll attempt these with my daughter. We love lip balms.
It’s a lot of fun to do with kids, Lashunta! I’ve made lip balms with my daughter as well as nieces & nephews, and even young children when I had a child care business in my home. Let me know how your daughter enjoys the project! Thanks for reading & commenting!
Thanks for sharing it’s really useful to have a recipe and guide!
You’re welcome, Julia! I hope you try making your own lip balms. If you do, pop back in and post a picture, we’d love to see it!
Great post! I made some a while back but used coconut oil. I’ll have to try it with almond oil to see the difference
I’m sure your coconut oil based lip balm was very nice, Mir! Coconut oil melts at body temperature, but the beeswax helps to keep it firm. Coconut oil does smell & taste good!
That was so cool! I might have to try this recipe and then maybe try making other flavored lip balms. Thanks for this 💕💕💕
The Cheetah Buzz | thecheetahbuzz.com
Thanks so much, The Cheetah Buzz! Once you start making your own homemade lip balms, you’ll fall in love with the benefits! You get to control the ingredients, you can customize your recipe, and you’ll save money!
Interesting! Is there any way to add some color to the balm?
Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you, Sue! Glad you enjoyed the post on making lip balms. Yes, you can color homemade lip balms by infusing dried alkanet root in the oil, before you add the beeswax. Warm the oil, add the dried alkanet root and keep the mixture warm for about 30 to 45 minutes to extract the desired color. For this recipe, start with one tablespoon dried alkanet root. Once your oil is a deep red color, strain out the alkanet and proceed with the recipe. Although the lip balm looks red, it will lightly tint your lips. Powdered mica or beet root powder can also be used for natural coloring, but mica tends to dry out the lips, and beet root powder can feel gritty.
This is such a good idea! I’m a sucker for lip balm!! I literally have one in my car, baby bag, my purse, bedside table, my vanity and my desk at work! You never know when you will need it! These would make wonderful presents. Adding it to my gift idea list for Christmas on a budget!
Thanks, Ashley! Yes, homemade lip balms are wonderful to give and receive and they won’t break your budget! Thanks for stopping by!
I have made lip scrubs before, but I have never ventured into lip balms. You have made it look easy. Will have to try this out.
Lip scrubs sound fun, Brooke! Following a lip scrub with a homemade lip balm would be ultra pampering!
Oh wow…….. this is so cool!!!!!!! Now I can make my own lip balm. Thank you for sharing.
Yes, it’s easy & fun to make your own lip balm, Fadima! Glad you enjoyed the post!
I haven’t tried ever. After reading this, I’m feeling to give it try.
Thanks for sharing this homemade lip balm.
It’s an easy and fun project, Spreading Book. Glad you are going to give it a try, I’m sure you will love the results!
This is such a great idea! I’ll have to get some beeswax so I can try it out – I love the addition of the essential oils!
Thank you, Kalin! I’m happy you are going to try making your own homemade lip balm. My favorite essential oils to add are sweet orange, tangerine, or mint.
This is great – thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to try it out!
You’re welcome, Ali! Thanks for your comment, I’m happy to hear you are going to try making your own lip balm from my recipe. Have fun!
I’ve never made lip balm before and I had no idea that it was so easy to make. Looks fun too 🙂
Yes, Gemma! Making homemade lip balm is very easy, very inexpensive, and a lot of fun. Enjoy the process!
I never thought to make my own lip balm but this is a genius idea and so simple too x
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed the post, Della!
Oh wow!!! A homemade lip balm! This is the coolest DIY ever. Thank you for sharing.
An ace post and a really great idea. Excellent stuff! Thanks for sharing!
Great DIY, it would be the perfect holiday gift, and I will try to do it. Thank you for sharing!
This lip balm is amazing. I would love to make it and give it as a gift.