DIY Shea Butter Lip Balm + Vegan-Friendly Recipe
Lip balm in fifteen minutes? Yes, it's possible!
December 27, 2021 5 minutes readIn This Post
If someone were to ask you – What's the one thing you couldn't live without on a deserted island? – what would you answer? Maybe, you would give it some thought and say – A hammock, a box of matches, or a fishing net... When, really, the first thing that comes to mind is – A lip balm (and a giant one)!
If you would (like us) choose the last option, then you're probably one of those people who carries a good-old lip balm even when going to the corner shop across the street. In that case, this article is made for you!
Learn how to make your own lip balm with just a couple of ingredients so that you never run out (in the case of an apocalyptic event, for example, or said deserted island).
How to Make DIY Shea Butter Lip Balm
For our recipes today, we chose shea butter as the main ingredient. Containing high levels of essential fatty acids (such as oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acid), shea butter is incredibly emollient and will hydrate and soothe your chapped lips.
On top of that, there are a bunch of vitamins and antioxidants in shea butter as well, which make it also anti-aging and anti-inflammatory, making your lips plump and nourished.
Therefore, if your lips are prone to cracking and drying (especially when exposed to dry air and extreme temperatures), a shea butter lip balm should be a staple in your beauty routine.
So, let's find out how you can make your own.
Shea Butter Lip Balm Recipe
If you're a fan of coconut and citrus scents with a tinge of honey sweetness, you'll love this lip balm. It will nourish and hydrate your lips while smelling refreshing and summery at the same time.
You'll need:
- 1 tablespoon beeswax (or Cera Alba, purified beeswax)
- 1 tablespoon unrefined shea butter
- 1 tablespoon cold-pressed coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon organic, raw honey
- 5 to 7 drops lemon balm essential oil
- 5 (appx) smaller glass jars or tins (you can use empty lip balm containers or tubes if you have any)
Preparation:
- Put beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil in a glass bowl or a pot, melt in a microwave (for about 30 seconds), or on the stove at medium heat.
- Stir well to combine all the ingredients and get a uniform mixture.
- Once nicely melted and combined, take the pot off the stove (or out of the microwave).
- Add raw honey and lemon balm essential oil to the mixture while whisking to blend everything together.
- While the mixture is still warm and liquid, transfer it into prepared empty containers using a smaller spoon or a pipette.
And there you have it; your DIY lip balm is done! Now you have enough lip balms to put one in every room in your home, one in your purse, and one on your work desk. You just need to allow it to cool for one hour, more or less, before use.
Vegan-Friendly Recipe for Shea Butter Lip Balm (Without Beeswax)
In this lip balm recipe, we're combining shea butter, Centella oil, calendula oil, and chamomile essential oil. All of these ingredients have potent moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties, perfect for healing and nourishing chapped and sore lips.
You'll need:
- 2 tablespoons shea butter (unrefined)
- 1 tablespoon candelilla wax (or soy wax, whatever you prefer or is available)
- 1 teaspoon Centella oil
- 1 teaspoon calendula oil
- 3 to 5 drops of chamomile essential oil (or any other oil of your choice)
- 3 (appx) smaller tins or glass jars (or old and empty lip balm containers or tubes)
Preparation:
- Fill a medium-sized pot with water (about half full), place it on the stove, and turn the stove on to medium heat.
- Put shea butter and the wax of your choice in a separate bowl, smaller in size, and place it inside the medium-sized pot filled with water.
- Stir everything together while melting to mix all the ingredients well.
- Once melted, take it off the stove.
- Add Centella oil, calendula oil, and the essential oil of your choice to the mix and stir again.
- While your mixture is still liquid, pour it into the smaller containers you've prepared.
And that's it! Let the blend cool and solidify before use. You now have several vegan-friendly, beeswax-free lip balms to keep your lips hydrated and healthy during the whole winter (or summer).
How to Use Your DIY Lip Balm
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use your homemade lip balm effectively:
Step 1: Start with Clean Lips
- Cleanse Your Lips: Before applying lip balm, make sure your lips are clean. Gently wipe off any makeup or residue with a damp cloth or a mild lip scrub if your lips are flaky or chapped.
- Dry Gently: Pat your lips dry with a soft towel.
Step 2: Prep Your Lip Balm
- Warm It Up (If Needed): If the balm is too hard, warm it up slightly by holding the container in your hands for a few minutes. The warmth of your hands can soften the balm, making it easier to apply.
Step 3: Application
- Scoop It Out: If your lip balm is in a tin or jar, use a clean fingertip or a spatula to scoop out a small amount.
- Direct Application (For Tube): If it's in a tube, apply it directly to your lips as you would with a commercial lip balm.
- Be Generous but Not Excessive: Apply a generous layer to ensure your lips are well-covered, but avoid applying too much, which can feel heavy and greasy.
Step 4: Reapply as Needed
- Throughout the Day: Reapply your DIY lip balm as needed throughout the day. Lips can dry out quickly, especially in cold or windy weather during winter or in air-conditioned rooms.
- Before Bed: Consider applying a thicker layer before bed to moisturize your lips overnight.
Step 5: Hygiene and Maintenance
- Keep It Clean: If you're using your finger to apply, ensure your hands are clean each time to avoid transferring bacteria into the balm.
- Storage: Store your lip balm in a cool, dry place. Homemade balms can melt in high temperatures or become too hard in cold temperatures.
- Shelf Life: Remember, DIY lip balms may not have preservatives, so be aware of their shelf life and make fresh batches as needed.
To Wrap Up
If you're someone who likes to keep lip balms in every corner of your house (bathroom cabinet, on your nightstand, and one close to your living-room sofa) and can't leave the house without one in your purse, we're certain you'll love these DIY lip balm recipes with shea butter. In only 10 to 15 minutes and with minimum effort, you can make a season-worthy supply.
What's more, if you need a holiday gift idea for your loved ones, these DIY balms could be a cute present and a heartwarming surprise. And, once you master some basic steps (like melting your solids first), you'll be able to make plenty of different versions without following any recipe.
FAQs
How do you make lip balm with shea butter?
To make lip balm with shea butter, you'll need 1 tbsp beeswax (or Candelilla wax or soy wax), 1 tbsp of shea butter, 1 tbsp of carrier oil, and several drops of your favorite essential oil. Melt all the ingredients over medium heat or in a microwave, let the mixture cool, and then use it as a lip balm.
Can you use pure shea butter as a lip balm?
Yes, shea butter is an excellent lip balm replacement. It's rich in essential fatty acids that moisturize and heal extremely dry, chapped, and damaged lips. For best results, apply it before going to bed and let it work its magic overnight.
Is shea butter or coconut oil better for lips?
Both shea butter and coconut oil are great moisturizing ingredients. However, shea butter might do a better job as it also has anti-inflammatory properties, healing and soothing dry, irritated, and damaged skin.
How do you make shea butter lip balm without beeswax?
You can use other types of wax, like plant-based ones, such as soy wax, Candelilla wax, rice bran wax, or berry wax, to name a few. There are plenty of alternatives for making vegan-friendly skincare recipes.