Soothe dry lips with this simple and luxurious honey lip balm recipe. Made with just 4 natural ingredients: raw honey, shea butter, oil, and beeswax. And, optional, add your favorite essential oil for a delicious scent and natural flavor.
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I’ve been making this moisturizing recipe for over 11 years, and I love how it feels on my lips. It reminds me of my favorite Burt’s Bees lip balm.
In this blog, I outline the steps to make this easy recipe.
Key Takeaways
- Simple Ingredients – To make your own lip balm, you’ll need honey, shea butter, carrier oil, and natural beeswax to make this recipe.
- Equipment – You’ll also need small lip balm containers (metal tins or an old tin used for mints work best), a saucepan, a heat-safe bowl, and a stovetop.
- How Much This Recipe Makes – This recipe makes 1 container or 1 ounce.
- Adding Essential Oils – Add your favorite essential for a scent. Peppermint essential oil is perfect for this lip balm.
- Shelf Life – Keep the lip balm for 6-8 months!
- Great Gifts – This recipe makes a beautiful gift, particularly during winter.
Before you get started: What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoons carrier oil – nourishes and moisturizes the skin. My favorite oil options are sweet almond, olive, sunflower, avocado, jojoba, and virgin coconut oil.
- 2 teaspoons beeswax pellets – the glue that holds the oil and shea butter together and creates a solid product. Beeswax, a natural ingredient thanks to hard-working bees, provides a protective barrier to the skin and may help soothe it.
- 1/2 teaspoon shea butter – provides the moisturizing relief my lips crave in the drier fall and winter months.
- 1/4 teaspoon honey – Honey is a natural humectant (hydrating for the skin). Honey also contains antioxidants, which may help repair chapped lips and stressed-out skin.
- (OPTIONAL) 3 drops of essential oils – I like peppermint oil, which adds a warm scent and flavor. Another great option is a warm vanilla essential oil.
Equipment
- small saucepan – used to create a double boiler with a bowl to melt the ingredients.
- small heat-safe bowl – this can be glass or metal and should be large enough to rest on the saucepan to melt the ingredients. I’ve found that a glass measuring cup that sits in the saucepan (and the water added to the saucepan) works best as it has a spout for pouring the melted wax into lip balm tubes.
- large bowl – partially filled with cold water. You’ll use this bowl to cool the lip balm ingredients after melting and before adding the honey.
- 1 ounce lip balm container
How to Make Honey Lip Balm: Step By Step Guide
- Step 1 Combine Ingredients – Combine the oil, beeswax, and shea butter in a small heat-safe bowl.
- Step 2 Melt Ingredients – Now place the bowl on top of the saucepan partially filled with water over medium heat. Heat the mixture until the beeswax melts, stirring occasionally. Fill a larger bowl with cold water. I place a few ice cubes (3-4) in the water. Set this bowl aside for later. While the ingredients melt, fill a large bowl 1/4 of the way full with ice water. Set this bowl aside for step 4.
- Step 3: Remove Ingredients From Heat – Remove the mixture from the heat once the ingredients melt. Let the bowl rest away from the heat for just a minute. I place a hot pad holder on the counter to create a heat-safe surface for the bowl to rest.
- Step 4: Cool the Lip Balm Rapidly – Place the bowl with the melted lip balm mixture in the bowl, in a more giant bowl filled half a 1/4 way full with ice water. This step rapidly cools the mixture so the honey may be added without separating from the other ingredients. The rapid cooling will also prevent a gritty lip balm, which can happen to shea butter. The mixture will begin to solidify as it cools. Pour in the honey, add the essential oil (if using), and stir to combine.
- Step 4 Spoon into a Container – Spoon the solidified mixture into a container. I used a 1-ounce metal container. Alternatively, you could use a mini Altoids container. This recipe will make about 1 ounce. The result will be a smooth, soft, spreadable lip product with the most gorgeous yellow color.
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.
Watch My Step-By-Step Recipe Video
How Long Will This Lip Balm Last?
- Shelf Life – This recipe will last for 6-8 months. My other lip balm recipes last 12 months (like this shea butter lip balm and this 3-ingredient recipe).
- Shorter Life Span – This honey lip balm could also last 12 months; however, since it’s stored in a tin and you’ll use your finger to apply it (dipping it in the container), I’ve shortened the shelf life.
How Much Lip Balm Does This Recipe Make?
This recipe makes 1 ounce of lip balm. You’re welcome to make a larger amount (4 ounces or more), and I share how to do this in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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 Honey When Melting The Ingredients – Honey is added at the end, along with the essential oil (if using), to retain all its natural properties. We don’t want the heat destroying anything of its benefits.
- 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 Gritty Lip Balm
- The Problem – I also shared about this issue in my shea butter lip balm recipe, as it’s a common issue with shea butter products. While there’s nothing wrong with this, and the lip balm is still usable, the final product can feel funny on your lips. Grittiness is a common issue with a shea butter lip balm if it’s not cooled rapidly after melting.
- The Solution – The rapid cooling performed in step 4 of my recipe helps to prevent a gritty lip balm.
FAQs
- Can I use other butters, like mango or cocoa butter, instead of shea butter? Yes, you can. Mango butter is an excellent substitute for shea butter, as it’s soft and spreadable. Natural cocoa butter is a hard butter that melts easily but can produce a firm final product.
- Will this work in lip tubes vs. jars? No, it won’t due to the softer nature of the lip balm. The best options are cute little jars or a small mint tin (like an Altoids tin). If you want to make lip balm in a tube, try my other DIY lip balm recipes: shea butter lip balm recipe or customizable 3-ingredient lip balm.
- Can I double or triple this recipe? Yes, you can! I provide the exact measurements to make a larger quantity in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Benefits of Using Honey on Your Lips
- rich in antioxidants
- has antibacterial properties (check out this article from the National Institutes of Health)
- a natural preservative
- a humectant, which means it has moisturizing properties
- is soothing
- doesn’t strip the skin (like many commercial face washes and soaps) and works to regulate the pH of the skin, which is essential for healthy skin function
- it’s relatively cheap, considering the multi-purpose nature of this ingredient
More Homemade Products Made With Honey
Honey is a beautiful skincare ingredient. Here are more ways to use it in your skincare routine.
- Honey Face Wash – Made with castile soap and honey.
- Honey & Aloe Face Mask – A simple and soothing blend of honey and aloe.
- Soothing Acne Face Mask – Combine honey and clay for a fantastic face mask.
- Spirulina Honey Face Mask – The perfect “glow” face mask.
DIY honey lip balm Recipe
This lip balm goes on smooth, and, thanks to the peppermint essential oil, has a cooling sensation that feels and tastes amazing!
Equipment
- 1 small heat-safe bowl
- 1 large bowl
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon carrier oil such as: olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons beeswax pellets or grated beeswax (from a beeswax bar), 7 grams
- 1/2 teaspoon shea butter 2.5 grams
- 1/4 teaspoon honey
- 3 drops peppermint essential oil or your favorite essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients – Combine the oil, beeswax, and shea butter in a small heat-safe bowl.
- Melt Ingredients – Now place the bowl on top of the saucepan partially filled with water over medium heat. Heat the mixture until the beeswax melts, stirring occasionally. Fill a larger bowl with cold water. I place a few ice cubes (3-4) in the water. Set this bowl aside for later. While the ingredients melt, fill a large bowl 1/4 of the way full with ice water. Set this bowl aside for step 4.
- Remove Ingredients From Heat – Remove the mixture from the heat once the ingredients melt. Let the bowl rest away from the heat for just a minute. I place a hot pad holder on the counter to create a heat-safe surface for the bowl to rest.
- Spoon into a Container – Spoon the solidified mixture into a container. Alternatively, you could use a mini Altoids container. This recipe will make about 1 ounce. The result will be a smooth, soft, spreadable lip product with the most gorgeous yellow color.
- Storage – Store the lip balm at room temperature for up to 6-8 months.
How to Use:
- 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.
Video
Notes
To make a larger quantity for gifts:
This amount fills 24 of the 1 ounce containers
- 3/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 1/2 cup beeswax, pellets or grated
- 1/3 cup shea butter
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 36 drops essential oil (optional)
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 3 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon beeswax pellets or grated
- 1 1/2 teaspoon shea butter
- 1 1/4 teaspoon raw honey
- 12 drops peppermint essential oil
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
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Let me know what you think of this recipe!
Thanks so much for the recipe! Question please. I made this a few weeks ago and used it a few times at that time. Now (a few weeks later) I just opened my tin again and see tiny green specs all over it. Not sure if it’s mould and should be tossed or if this is normal from the peppermint eo? I’m new to using eo’s but purchased mine at plant therapy so I’m not concerned about fake eo’s. Any other thoughts? I’d greatly appreciate your help. ❤️
Hey Rose, I would toss it. Sounds like some sort of mold or a growth. Did water come into contact with the formula or in the container?
Thanks. I just looked again and even more spots so seems the be mold. I tossed it out. And yes, now that you mention it, I do recall spilling water and thought I got it out but I guess not. Too bad, I’ll make more today. Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.
You’re most welcome, Rose. Yes, always better to be safe when it comes to growth in products.
Great recipe!!
I made this in bulk for gifts. Here is 24 oz. conversion. I omitted Essential oil but it would be less than half a teaspoon (36 drops). This fills 24 of the 1 ounce containers.
3/4 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 cup beeswax, pellets or grated
1/3 cup shea butter
1 T raw honey
Follow directions above!
This is awesome, Danielle. Thank you so much for sharing.
I would like to do this with jojoba oil instead of Shea and add vanilla instead of peppermint to the mix : also dispense in tubes, any suggestions?
Hey, You could do this, but will probably need more beeswax to make it solid.
Whats the shelf life of this ?
Hey Michelle, About 6 months.
HI Kristen, can i use wax pellets instead of beeswax pellets?
Hi Eden,
Not sure about wax pellets, wouldn’t have the dawn benefits.
LS Team.
Hi, is there an ingredient I should add less of to make a more solid lip balm? I would prefer for the lip balm to be a bit more firm. 🙂
Hi Anne,
You can add more beeswax. That should help. Also, here is another post that can help: https://livesimply.me/how-to-make-a-simple-ingredient-lip-balm/
LS Team.
So, would 3 teaspoons be okay?
Hi! Can you use this on the face? And also, can you do without the beeswax with Shea butter and still get the same consistency?
Hi Genesis, I have never tried it on the face so I cannot tell you if that would be a good idea or not. The consistency will be different if the beeswax is not added. It binds everything.
LS Team.
Thank you! It is a wonderful recipe, works great! I also tried a version with more honey (1 tsp) and it is also nice – you have to stir a bit more though…
That’s great Anja! I’m so happy it worked well for you. Thanks for commenting.
Well it’s nice of Maggie to go on your website and then refere to a recipe in humble Bee and me. The reason why don’t like humble b is because you start adding all these unnecessary ingredients that you really don’t need and of course your expence will be much more to make a few little tubes of lip balm. At that point you’re better off just buying them so those are my thoughts . I’ve seen so many recipes in your eyes is by far the best all natural
Hi Kristin,
Wanna know if I could use Geranium essential oils instead of peppermint?
Sure, Adam.
Kristen, this stuff is fantastic! I was planning to make two lip balm recipes tonight (this one and another one I found off of a different blog). I made this one first and stopped there. Thank you so much for this post!
Ooops, I did mean to ask if there would ever be a need to add Vitamin E or if the honey takes care of that. Thanks!
Hey Meredith, You could add a small amount (maybe 1/8 teaspoon). It wouldn’t hurt to add it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe and lip balm, Meredith. Yay!!
When making a product, you need to check the science. Honey is a water soluble ingredient, which means it shouldn’t go in an oil based product without an emulsifying ingredient. At first, it may work, but over time the honey will probably bead out of the lip balm.
Humblebee & Me is an awesome blog that has tons of great recipes and talks about this scientific component of DIY beauty, you should check it out.
http://www.humblebeeandme.com
Hey Maggie,
Thanks for sharing your concerns. All of our do-it-yourself projects are well researched and tested over and over again by multiple testers.
When a very small amount of honey is combined with the now-solid ingredients using a specific method (as described in the recipe), the honey can be used without an extra emulsifier and doesn’t separate over time.
Thanks for sharing Marie’s website. I very much enjoy her blog and have worked with her on a couple of projects for Live Simply.
Hi,
This is an amazing lip balm recipe! I made it and loved it! Not just me but my friends too loved it! Have you made any tinted lip balm? If yes, please share your recipe on that.
Thanks.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the lip balm! I have a few other recipes on the blog. My favorite is the peppermint lip balm: https://livesimply.me/2014/11/13/diy-homemade-peppermint-lip-balm/.
Hi,
That sounds great! I can’t wait to make it, but is it possible to use cacao instead of shea butter?
Hey Hrisi, You could definitely try cocoa butter instead of the shea butter. You may not need as much beeswax.
The recipe is awesome! I love using honey in diy beauty products.
Thank you, Milena.
Hi!
I love your original lip balm and gave it as Christmas gifts last year. Do you like this one just as much?
Andrea
Hey Andrea, I love this lip balm, but it’s not as pretty as the tubes (the original lip balm) if you’re giving it away for Christmas.
Just made this, and I am really liking it! Thank you for the recipe!
Hey Julie, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the lip balm!
HI Kristin,
I have made quite a few batches of peppermint lip balms the last couple of years, but was hoping to find a recipe with a different EO. I wanted to steer clear of Citrus EOs (which are my favorite) because of the photosensitivity concerns, but I didn’t know what else to use. Have you tried any others?
Thanks! 🙂
You could use bergamot fcf, or red mandaran they are lovely citrus oils without the photosensitivity.
Thank you, Bethany! I apologize for missing your question, Laura. Bethany’s provided some great options.