How to Make Homemade Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

This homemade cocoa butter lip balm recipe uses natural ingredients to moisturize and nourish the lips, leaving them soft and hydrated.

**UPDATED NOVEMBER 12, 2023**

My journey to living a more natural life and filling my home with non-toxic products has been a slow, albeit steady one. Once I’ve made the switch for one product, I look for another product that can be replaced, and continue that cycle. An item that was on the forefront of my mind coming up on winter a few months ago was lip balm. Natural lip balms can be $4 or more per tube, which to me is a bit much, especially when you’ve got four people who use it continuously throughout the winter. So, because I’m frugal, I decided to give a few homemade lip balm recipes. Although they were nice, they weren’t quite the right texture for me, so I created my own that suits my needs a bit better!

What I look for in a lip balm is a nice, creamy texture. and one that stays on my lips for a long period of time. I find that formula really moisturizes and hydrates the lips, which leaves them nice and smooth. The main ingredient of this lip balm is cocoa butter, which is what gives it that beautiful and creamy texture. It also includes hydrating ingredients like coconut oil and jojoba oil. And better yet, it’s easy to make and can be made in bulk or just a few at a time.

PIN FOR LATER!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our full disclosure here for further information.

WHY SWITCH TO NATURAL LIP BALM?

Conventional lip balms can include a myriad of chemicals and ingredients that actually do more harm than good for your lips and your body as a whole. Some lip balms can include synthetic fragrances, which can disrupt hormones, as well as many petroleum based products like paraffin wax. Because lip balm is close to the mouth, it is especially important to be mindful of the ingredients that it contains. I chose to go a more natural route, not only for me, but also my children since they’re beginning to use lip balm more often!

NATURAL COCOA BUTTER LIP BALM INGREDIENTS

• BEESWAX: Beeswax is antibacterial and helps to moisturize and hydrate the skin and lips.
• COCOA BUTTER: Cocoa butter is full of fatty acids and Vitamin E, both of which can help to heal and repair dry, cracked lips.
• COCONUT OIL: Coconut oil has antibacterial, antiviral and anti fungal properties, and can help to reduce inflammation and heal wounds, which is great for chapped lips.
• JOJOBA OIL: Jojoba oil is antibacterial, moisturizing and can help promote wound healing.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE LIP BALM

TOOLS YOU MAY NEED

• Double boiler or pot and heat proof bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing spoon
• Lip balm tubes
• Plastic dropper or measuring cup with a spout

INGREDIENTS

Small Batch

• 1 tsp beeswax
• 2 tsp cocoa butter
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp jojoba oil
• 5-10 drops of essential oil
• 3-5 lip balm tubes

large batch

• 1 tbs beeswax
• 2 tbs cocoa butter
• 1 tbs coconut oil
• 1 tbs jojoba oil
• 10-15 drops essential oil
• 8-10 lip balm tubes

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING HOMEMADE LIP BALM

Add beeswax, shredded cocoa butter, coconut oil and jojoba oil to a heat safe bowl.

Set the heat safe bowl on a pot of boiling water and allow everything to fully melt (about 10 minutes).

Remove the heat safe bowl from the double broiler and add in essential oils (optional).

Working quickly, add the homemade lip balm to the lip balm tubes using a measuring cup with a spout or a dropper.

Allow the cocoa butter lip balm to set up for 30 minutes prior to use.

Add a cap and store this homemade cocoa butter lip balm in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months.

NOTES

• You can substitute beeswax with soy wax for a vegan option.
• Use sweet almond oil in place of jojoba oil.
• Don’t use “hot” oils like cinnamon, clove, oregano or thyme because they can cause a burning sensation.
• Be careful when using citrus essential oils like orange, lemon, bergamot, et cetera because they can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, resulting in an exaggerated sunburn. Stay out of the sun when using photosensitive essential oils in your homemade lip balm.
• For a more firm lip balm, add an extra tablespoon of beeswax to the large batch and a whole tablespoon to the small batch.

BEST ESSENTIAL OILS TO USE FOR HOMEMADE LIP BALM

You can use many different essential oils in your homemade lip balm recipe, depending on your preferences. Here are a few great options! See the notes above for essential oils to avoid in this recipe.

• Peppermint
• Lavender
• Frankincense
• Spearmint
• Vanilla
• Orange (see notes)
• Rose

Continue to Content

Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

Yield: 8-10 lip balm tubes

Active Time: 15 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

This homemade cocoa butter lip balm recipe uses natural ingredients to moisturize and nourish the lips, leaving them soft and hydrated.

Print

Materials

• 1 tbs beeswax
• 2 tbs cocoa butter
• 1 tbs coconut oil
• 1 tbs jojoba oil
• 10-15 drops essential oil
• 8-10 lip balm tubes

Tools

• Double boiler or pot and heat proof bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing spoon
• Lip balm tubes
• Measuring cup with spout or plastic dropper (optional)

Instructions

1. Add beeswax, shredded cocoa butter, coconut oil and jojoba oil to a heat safe bowl.
2. Set the heat safe bowl on a pot of boiling water and allow everything to fully melt.
3. Remove the heat safe bowl from the double broiler and add in essential oils (optional).
4. Working quickly, add the homemade lip balm to the lip balm tubes using a measuring cup with a spout or a dropper.
5. Allow the cocoa butter lip balm to set up for 30 minutes prior to use.
6. Add a cap and store this homemade cocoa butter lip balm in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months.

Notes

• You can substitute beeswax with soy wax for a vegan option
• Use sweet almond oil in place of jojoba oil.
• Don't use "hot" oils like cinnamon, clove, oregano or thyme because they can cause a burning sensation.
• Be careful when using citrus essential oils like orange, lemon, bergamot, et cetera because they can increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun, resulting in an exaggerated sunburn. Stay out of the sun when using photosensitive essential oils in your homemade lip balm.
• For a more firm lip balm, add an extra tablespoon of beeswax to the large batch and a whole tablespoon to the small batch.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

CHECK OUT MORE OF MY NATURAL DIY’S

Looking for more natural recipes like this homemade lip balm? Check these out:

• Easy 3 Ingredient DIY Peppermint Lip Scrub
• DIY Refreshing Scalp Spray for Hair Growth
• DIY Orange Spiced Sugar Scrub
• Homemade Whipped Body Butter

Did you make this cocoa butter homemade lip balm recipe? If you did, I’d really appreciate if you came back and gave them a five star rating! Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation!