A simple homemade 3 ingredient vegan lip balm you can make with ingredients you might already have on hand. All you need is carnauba wax, cocoa butter, and a carrier oil. No disposable plastic tubes needed!
This is part of a series of posts on eco-friendly body products, with several vegan recipes for homemade beauty and hygiene products. Try homemade toothpaste, 2 ingredient calendula salve, and homemade epsom salts.
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Ingredients
All of these ingredients can be found online at shops like Mountain Rose Herbs, and often in stores that sell natural body products.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You can opt to use any of these oils in your lip balm. I personally love to use coconut or jojoba oil as they are easily accessible and ones I have on hand. Alternatively, you can choose to use a herbal infused oil—calendula is my go to—for some added healing benefits.
- Olive Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Hemp Seed Oil
- Jojoba Oil
How to Make Lip Balm
Step 1: Begin by heating a double boiler on the stove over medium heat. Add the wax, cocoa butter, and the oil.
Step 2: Let it melt. Once all the wax is melted remove the mixture from the heat. You can add some essential oil or mica at this time if desired.
Step 3: Carefully spoon your mixture into sterilized jars.
Step 4: Fill to them to the top, then set aside to set fully, lids off.
Top Tips
- Tame your brows: not only for lips, this is also good for stubbornly dry skin on the hands and body, and excellent for keeping eyebrows in check. I use it on my eyebrows all the time.
- Keep it cool: lip balm will melt in the sun or in very warm places. Keep it in a cool place to avoid melting and rapid spoilage. Extras should be stored in the fridge.
- Clean with paper towel: it's tricky to get pots, spoons, and anything used to make lip balm clean afterwards. Use as much as you can, then wipe them with paper towel and wash as usual.
How to Add Tint + Glitter
- Glitter: I like to keep my vegan lip balm plain, but you can use natural dyes to add a little colour or mica for some eco-friendly sparkle. If you choose to go the sparkle route, do some research to to ensure your mica is as conflict free as possible.
- Tint: as for adding tints, you can add a little beetroot powder, natural food dyes, or even some tail ends of old lip sticks into your mix prior to melting.
How to Add Scents with Essential Oils
I like a super simple unscented lip balm, but for those that like a sent you can add a few drops of high quality essential oils. Food grade oils are best as they are going so close to your mouth!
- Peppermint or spearmint: fresh and minty with a slight cooling effect
- Sweet orange: unlike orange oil which can be phototoxic, sweet orange oil is gentle and subtle and has major Lip Smackers vibes
- Vanilla oleoresin: a warming sent that isn't too overpowering
- Clove: slightly plumping, so just use a tiny amount
- Anise: love the warming notes and spices of this one
- Lavender: perfect to calm your anxieties
Where to Find Lip Balm Containers
You don't have to get fancy containers, even an old mint tin or old lip balm container will work. But if you want to buy containers, these are great options.
- Paper tubes are a great bio-degradable option
- Small tins are great as the can be reused and make great gifts
- Then there are the classic plastic tubes, which can also be reused
FAQ
What is vegan lip balm vs regular?
The main difference is in the ingredients. A vegan lip balm won't contain any animal products like beeswax or lanolin, and is made only with ingredients derived from plants.
Is it OK to put on lip balm everyday?
If it's a natural one like this, yes, because it doesn't contain any drying elements. Especially in cold, dry winters, it's a good idea to keep your lips moisturized!
Can I leave lip balm overnight?
Absolutely, this is one of the best ways to keep your lips from drying out! Apply it every night before bed and it should really help.
What is carnauba wax?
It's a wax made from Brazilian palm trees. Try to find carnauba wax that's marked as organic and fair-trade to avoid contributing to deforestation.
More Homemade Body Products
If you make this Vegan Lip Balm or any other vegan DIY recipes on Wholehearted Eats, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. For more WHE, follow along on Instagram or subscribe for new posts via email.
Simple Vegan Lip Balm
Equipment
- Tablespoon
- Double boiler
- Jar Sterilize before using
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon grated carnauba wax
- 1 tablespoon grated cocoa butter
- 1 tablespoon carrier oil olive oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, help oil, or jojoba oil or infused herbal oil
Instructions
- Heat a double boiler on the stove. Add the wax, cocoa butter, and the oil. Melt over medium heat.1 tablespoon grated carnauba wax, 1 tablespoon grated cocoa butter, 1 tablespoon carrier oil
- Once all the wax is melted remove the mixture from the heat. You can add some essential oil or mica at this time if desired.
- Carefully spoon your mixture into sterilized jars. Fill to them to the top, then let sit to set.
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