Moisturizing Lanolin Lip Balm Recipe

Enjoy soft lips with this simple lanolin lip balm recipe. It’s perfect for the harsh winter when dry lips need extra moisture. And bonus: it’s easy to make, better than commercial lip balms, and 100% natural! 

I’ve been making lip balm for over 11 years. I love this homemade lip balm recipe, honey lip balm, and shea butter lip balm. But when I want something extra moisturizing for chapped lips, lanolin is a great way to do that and always provides immediate relief.

Today, I’ll show you how to use lanolin to make a beautiful balm. 

Key Takeaways

• Best Ingredients – To make this recipe, you’ll need beeswax, shea butter (or mango butter or cocoa butter), oil of choice (like olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil), and lanolin. 
• Minimal Equipment – You’ll need lip balm tubes or metal tins, a small saucepan, a heat-safe bowl, and a stovetop. 
• How Much This Recipe Makes – This recipe makes 4 ounces of lip balm. You can divide this between four 1-ounce lip balm containers or make one 4-ounce jar. 
• Flavor Options – Personalize this natural lip balm recipe by adding your favorite essential oils, like peppermint or lavender essential oil. 
• Shelf Life – Homemade lip balm lasts for up to 12 months!
• Great Gift – Like my other lip balm recipes, the finished product is a great gift. 

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

You’ll also find the full recipe, instructions, and links for my favorite ingredient brands in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons shea butter – provides the critical moisturizing relief my lips crave in the drier months. Rich in fatty acids, vitamin E, and ultra-moisturizing properties. Alternatively, cocoa butter (hydrating and rich in vitamin E, chocolatey scent) or mango butter (rich in fatty acids, ultra-moisturizing) are great substitutes. 
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil – nourishes and provides extra moisture for the skin. My favorite oil options are sweet almond, olive, sunflower, avocado, jojoba, and coconut oil. 
• 2-3 teaspoons beeswax pellets – the glue that holds the oil and body butter together and creates a solid product. The wax also provides a protective barrier to the skin and may also help to soothe the skin.
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid lanolin – This natural ingredient is extracted from sheep’s wool. It protects the skin’s natural barrier and locks in moisture. Lanolin may also be substituted with vitamin E oil. 
• 5-10 drops of essential oils (optional) – peppermint or lavender are great choices for lip balm. The essential oil adds a lovely scent and flavor.

Equipment

• Small saucepan – creates a double boiler by adding water to the saucepan and placing a heat-safe bowl on top to protect the oil and butter from burning. 
• Small or medium heat-safe bowl or tall measuring cup (glass or metal)- to create a double boiler and melt the ingredients. I’ve found that a glass measuring cup that can sit in the small saucepan (above) works best as it has a spout for pouring the melted wax into lip balm tubes. Other options include a glass bowl or metal mixing bowl; however, they are more challenging to use if you’re making lip balm tubes, as they need a spout for pouring. 
• Lip balm containers – This recipe will make four 1-ounce tubes or tins or one 4-ounce jar. You’re welcome to use tins, tubes, or cosmetic jars for this recipe. 

How to Make Lanolin Lip Balm: Step-by-Step Guide

• Step 1 Combine Shea Butter & Beeswax – Combine the shea butter and beeswax in a glass bowl.
• Step 2 Melt Ingredients – Place the glass bowl on top of a saucepan partially filled with water over medium heat. Heat until the beeswax melts, stirring occasionally.
• Step 3 Add Oil, Lanolin, and Essential Oil – Turn off the heat and remove the bowl from the pot. Add the carrier oil, lanolin, and essential oil.
• Step 4 Pour – Place a towel on a surface, then place the lip balm container on the towel (this will protect your surface). Pour the mixture into lip balm containers and sit for a few minutes until formed. The lip balm will set as the mixture cools, so working quickly during this step is essential. 

Application Tip: Apply as needed to the lips. May be used daily and multiple times a day. I love to use this lip scrub once a week during the winter as well.

How Long Will This Lip Balm Last? 

Homemade lip balm will last about 12 months—store at temperature. 

How Much Lip Balm Does This Recipe Make?

This recipe makes 4 ounces of the final product. Divide the lip balm between four 1-oz small jars or tubes, two 2-oz tins or small jars, or one larger 4-ounce tin. 

How to Make Moisturizing Vegan Lip Balm 

To make this basic lip balm vegan, you must substitute two animal-based ingredients: beeswax and lanolin. 

• Beeswax Substitute: Instead, use a plant-based wax, like soy wax, carnauba wax, or candelilla. 
• Lanolin Substitute: Instead, vitamin E oil. 

What to Avoid Doing

• Don’t Use “Hot” Essential Oils – Some essential oils can irritate the skin and cause the skin to feel an uncomfortable burning sensation. Avoid “hot oils” such as cinnamon, clove, oregano, thyme, and lemongrass.
• Citrus Oils – ​ Citrus oils, like sweet orange or lemon essential oil, are photosensitive and can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Skip these oils if you’ll be in the sun a lot.
• Don’t Add the Essential Oils When Melting The Ingredients – Essential oils quickly evaporate when exposed to high temperatures. Wait until the ingredients have melted and are away from the heat source before adding the essential oil. 

How to Prevent Grainy Lip Balm 

Lip balm made with shea butter can (on some occasions) turn gritty or grainy. While the lip balm is still usable, the final product can feel funny on your lips when applied. Here’s how to prevent a grainy final product, which is particularly of concern during the warmer months (since your home isn’t as cold): 

1. Cool in Fridge – Place the lip balm in the fridge after pouring it into your tins or tubes. 
2. Slow Melt – If you find this issue still occurs, next time, melt the shea butter first over low heat in the glass bowl (double boiler set up) before adding the other ingredients for 15-20 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and proceed with the steps. This slower, longer melt can also help reduce the grainy texture issue.

FAQs

• How can I add a pop of color to this recipe? I’ve experimented with different natural colorings, like beetroot powder, hibiscus powder, and even cocoa powder, but I have yet to succeed with any of these ingredients. The best way to color organic lip balm is to use colored mica powder (about 3/4 teaspoon). Here’s a tutorial on how to do that.
• Can I add honey to this recipe? You can add honey to lip balm, but this recipe is different. Instead, follow this honey lip balm recipe for the exact measurements and steps.
• Will the lip balm melt when it’s hot outside? The lip balm shouldn’t melt when hot outside, even if kept in your car. It will soften in high temperatures (like the car in the summer), but it shouldn’t melt. 
• How can I make this recipe harder or softer? If you add too much wax, you’ll end up with a very hard lip balm; too little wax and you’ll get a very soft lip balm. If this issue occurs, next time, add more wax if the lip balm is too soft for your liking. Add more oil if the lip balm is too hard for your liking.