How to Make Tinted Lip Balm

Most lipsticks harbor unsafe chemicals and coloring agents, like lead, parabens and lake dyes. It’s so easy to make your own from natural ingredients that you’ll never be tempted by store brands again!

Go Naked, It’s Okay

If softer lips are your only goal, the recipe below stands fine on its own. Without adding another thing, the basic formula gives lips a moist, glossy look and forms a shield that protects against sun and wind. Mission accomplished.

Natural Tints

It’s incredibly easy (and fun!) to tint your lip balms with natural agents. Several different powdered spices and herbs can be used, depending on the shade and depth of color desired. For example, powdered pink roses provide a soft shade of pink, while powdered hibiscus boasts a bold burgundy. Either of these colors can be adjusted by mixing in another herb or spice, such as ground beetroot or nutmeg. For a matte finish, just add a tiny bit of bentonite clay.

Suggestions:

Powdered Roses

Beetroot Powder

Cranberry Powder

Cocoa Powder

Cinnamon Powder

Important note: Although their color may be beautiful, avoid herbs and spices that can irritate or burn sensitive lips, namely cayenne, chipotle and other spices produced from ground peppers.

Natural Scents

The addition of a 1 or 2 drops of essential oil will give your lip balm scent and provide antimicrobial properties at the same time. Note, however, that scent does not equate to flavor. Lip-licking defeats the purpose of lip balm since the practice leaves wet lips vulnerable to the elements and lead to chapped lips. So if you find scented balms too tempting to taste, then it’s best to go without essential oils altogether.

Suggestions:

Peppermint

Sweet Orange

Mandarin

Nutmeg

Basic Recipe

The proportions given here will yield enough to fill one lip balm tin or tube. To make a quantity at one time, simply adjust the amounts accordingly.

1 teaspoon organic sweet almond oil

1 teaspoon organic coconut oil

1 teaspoon pure beeswax pastilles

Optional:

¼ to 1 teaspoon coloring agent of choice

1-2 drops essential oil of choice

Combine the oils and beeswax in the top of a double boiler and gently heat until thoroughly melted. Stir in the powdered herb or spice that you’re using and keep stirring until well blended. Add the essential oil, if using, and stir well. Transfer mixture into a clean tin or tube. Let cool completely before capping and labeling.