Easy homemade lip balm (or moisturiser)

Let’s talk “cooking” of a different kind for a minute. Have you ever made your own cosmetics or cleaning products? You’d be surprised how easy it is – while some might be more complicated, others are literally child’s play.
Homemade lip balm – a great first DIY cosmetic project
Take this balm for example – based on a recipe from Biome for a super easy lip balm, the kids and I have also tested it as a moisturiser (meaning my five year old daughter spread it all over her arms when I wasn’t looking hehe) and it works really well. It uses only three natural ingredients which are easy to find (including one you probably already have in your pantry) plus a few optional drops of your favourite essential oil. No nasties, you know exactly what’s in your lip/all-over balm and because you can choose the size of the balm and the smell, you’re guaranteed to find it practical and perfectly personalised. It would make a great Christmas gift!
We made this lip balm last weekend with the kids (my gorgeous hand models) and were amazed how quickly it came together. We’ve been using it ever since and loving it. It comes on a little oily/greasy but absorbs into the skin easily and quickly and your skin and lips are then wonderfully soft.
What’s in this lip balm?
It’s all good, really. The three main ingredients are:
- coconut oil: Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, which are a form of saturated fat. The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil have antimicrobial properties that can help protect against harmful microorganisms. This is especially important for skin health, as many types of skin infections, including acne, cellulitis, folliculitis and athlete’s foot, are caused by bacteria or fungi. Applying coconut oil directly to the skin, due to its lauric acid content, may prevent the growth of these microorganisms.
- beeswax: Beeswax carries antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that are essential in fighting chapped skin and bacterial infections that tend to affect us most in the dry, winter months. It forms a protective wall by sealing in moisture in our skin without smothering and clogging up the pores.
- shea butter: High concentrations of fatty acids and vitamins make shea butter an ideal cosmetic ingredient for softening skin. Shea butter also has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Using shea butter on your body, especially your face, can condition, tone, and soothe your skin.

Natural and beautiful smelling
This lip balm can be simply made with the three ingredients listed above and it will be beautiful for your lips and skin.
If you’d like your lip balm to have a little bit of a natural smell, you can use a few drops of your favourite essential oil or essential oil blend. I used Blissful Magic from Woolzies which includes oils of jasmine, neroli, rose, white lotus, and vetiver and the blend has a sweet, floral, exotic aroma which just smells like (luxurious) heaven to me.

Recipe notes
This post is based on a recipe published by Biome which is a fabulous Australian company which offers zero waste, toxin free and ethical choices products for sale on its website. It is also a certified B corporation which means you can trust them. Their website also has lots of other great DIY recipes which you can find here.
Easy homemade lip balm (or moisturiser)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp beeswax, grated
- 2 tbsp shea butter
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 3-4 drops essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the first three ingredients together in a small pan over low heat. Do not let it boil.
- When melted together, take the pan off the heat and mix in the essential oil.
- Pour into glass containers of choice and let cool.
Notes

27 Comments
Valerie
Wow, I’ve never thought of making my own lip balm! Now I definitely want to especially because it seems more natural than the store bought products! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
http://roadesque.com
Katerina
No worries at all, it’s so simple and I really love knowing what’s in it! Hope you love it!
Leanne
This is such a great idea Katerina! I’ve never tried making my own lip balm, but totally seems like something I can handle. And it would make a great DIY stocking stuffer!
Katerina
That’s a fabulous idea!
Alida@mylittleitaliankitchen.com
Lovely! I might actually try that. I avoid many beauty products because of the nasty chemicals. This recipes looks very simple. Thank you!
Katerina
It couldn’t be much simpler, right!? Thanks Alida!
Alida@mylittleitaliankitchen.com
Wonderful thank you! I might actually try this. The ingredients are so simple! I love natural products, infact I avoid many creams and beauty products because of the chemicals.
Ashley
Oooh, I bet this formula is so hydrating! Perfect for the cold+dry winter months!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Katerina
It’s really good, thanks Ashley!
Jill
This is such a great DIY! I made lip balms recently with my essential oils recipe box! It’s so fun to make your own!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Katerina
That’s wonderful – your essential oils recipe box looks so interesting!
Laura
What a great idea, Katerina! I love all-natural beauty products and this looks like something I’d be thrilled to put on my lips! Thanks for the recipe!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Laura! I love putting this on my lips – it’s so lovely!
Christie
This is such an amazing natural way method to make lip balm!!! I must try this one day! I go through lip balm like crazy so this would help save on cost and also be more nourishing to my body! Thanks for sharing.
Katerina
Thanks so much, Christie! I’ve been enjoying this natural balm and it was so easy to make!
Shannon
What a fantastic idea! I can already feel how amazing and smooth this lip balm must be! Love how making it ourselves means that we are in control of what’s going on our lips and body. And your hand models are so adorable! I bet it was a blast making this beautiful lip balm together. This is definitely something my daughter and I would love making together and wearing!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Shannon! We’re loving these little projects and it’s so fun for kids to learn you can make things at home and don’t have to buy everything! ♥️
Ashley
This sounds amazing and easy (two of my favorite things, haha!). I love that it has shea butter in it!
https://www.makelifemarvelous.com/
Katerina
Isn’t shea butter wonderful? Thanks so much!
Jamie
I’ve never made beauty products with beeswax and I love that you explained why each one is important. The Essential oil blend that you used sounds amazing and includes some of my favorite scents! I am definitely going to give this a try!
Katerina
Thanks Jamie! We’re loving our creation and knowing what exactly is in there!
Kathrine Eldridge
What a great DIY! I can see this being a great gift to make for someone.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Katerina
Thanks Kathryn! We loved making this.
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
This is interesting, because I’ve been trying to find a good natural lip balm to purchase online and I’m not sure why I never thought of making my own! Brilliant!! I’m going to try this.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Katerina
Same here. There are a few around but they don’t last very long – I might as well save my money and make my own!
jodie filogomo
This is such a great idea. I could totally do this because I’m all about more natural things.
So question…after you use your pot for this, does it clean out okay to then use for food?? I would assume so, but better to ask before I try it.
XOOX
Jodie
Katerina
Hi Jodie, yes, the pot is fine but don’t use your favourite grater to grate the wax – it’s hard to wash off. For the pot, because the wax is melted with the coconut oil, that’s all good. You could always use a dedicated pot for your DIY cosmetics that you don’t use very often otherwise, if you’re concerned.