The addition of lemon balm creates a cooling effect in this moisturizing lip balm recipe.
Have you ever made your own lip balm before? If not, I think you’ll enjoy this project!
The last time I bought some nice lip balm with clean ingredients I was surprised at how much it cost for just one tiny tube.
And you probably realize that once you start making homemade beauty / household products, you tend to use the same supplies over and over.
So when you buy them in bulk, it’s quite cost effective.
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Making your own soothing lip balm
Recently I had been looking for a DIY lip balm recipe for chapped or sunburned lips.
After reading about the properties of lemon balm, I was surprised at how much I didn’t know about it.
It’s not just an herb with a zesty aroma; it has so many uses beyond tea!
I’ve been growing it in my garden for the last few years and had plenty dried and ready to use. I didn’t even realize it contains basically the perfect lip balm qualities:
- Antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial
- Can effectively treat cold sores
- Can aid in better sleep, less anxiety
- Increases alertness
- Contains eugenol, which can calm muscle spasms and numb tissues
- May treat indigestion and bloating (Source.)
Basically, if you’re looking for a powerhouse medicinal herb, lemon balm is a good choice.
From soothing and numbing chapped lips, to treating cold sores, to promoting calm and rest- it has so many terrific qualities.
Read next:
Homemade Rosemary + Lemon Balm Beef Tallow Moisturizer
How to make Lemon Balm Lip Balm
Try to read that title 7 times fast! Lemon Balm lip balm is not only fun to say, it’s very easy to make and share with friends.
You’ll start by making a lemon balm infused oil. This is simply combining avocado oil and dried lemon balm, and letting it “steep” for some time; ideally, a few weeks.
Yes, it takes a little patience, but it’s worth it!
(*If you want to try a quicker method, though, see the Notes section of the recipe card.)
Once your oil and lemon balm have mingled for a while, you’ll want to strain it using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
In a heat-safe glass bowl, you will mix together the oil along with cacao butter and beeswax, over a double broiler until melted.
Alternatively, you can use the microwave, but keep a close eye on it and stir frequently!
Once it’s completely melted and cooled for just a few minutes, you can add essential oils such as peppermint, tea tree, or other oils that you prefer.
You can use plastic lip balm containers or small glass amber containers, depending on how you like to dispense your lip balm.
When using the plastic containers, be sure to read the instructions as you may need to cool it to a certain temperature before adding the liquid to the container.
Once the mixture hardens, you’re ready to go with a lip balm that smells amazing and can provide medicinal properties with ingredients you know and can trust. (That’s the best part!)
Lemon Balm Lip Balm Recipe
From chapped lips to cold sores, lemon balm infused lip balm is the perfect DIY solution.
Ingredients
For Infused Oil:
- 2 oz dried lemon balm
- 4 oz avocado oil
For Lip Balm:
- 6 Tablespoons lemon balm infused oil
- 3 Tablespoons beeswax
- 1 Tablespoon cacao butter
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- Lip balm containers or amber glass containers
Instructions
- Combine the avocado oil and dried lemon balm in a 4-ounce container; shake well. Let sit for approximately 2 weeks to infuse the oil. (*See Notes section for alternative method if desired.)
- Strain with a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
- Add 6 tablespoons of the infused oil along with the 1 tablespoon of cacao butter and 3 tablespoons of beeswax to a microwave-safe bowl. Melt slowly over a double broiler, or in the microwave, stirring frequently.
- Once mixture is completely melted, remove from heat and let cool on countertop for a few minutes. Then add essential oils.
- Pour warm (not hot) oils into containers- amber glass jars or lip balm tubes. Makes approximately 5 ounces total.
Notes
*Shea butter can be substituted for the cacao butter if desired.
*Other carrier oils can also be used in place of the avocado oil, such as sunflower oil or avocado oil.
*FOR QUICK HEAT INFUSION METHOD: Instead of letting herbs sit in cold oil for several weeks, you can do one of the following if you prefer, letting the herbs heat in oil for 30 mins for up to a few hours:
- Heat the oil and herbs over a double broiler, keeping the temperature from 90-110 degrees F. Do not go over 110 to preserve the quality of the herbs. Do not boil! Don't allow any water to get into the mixture.
- Add the oil and herbs to a small slow cooker on low or "keep warm" setting, checking the temperature frequently to stay under 110 degrees F.
- Add the oil and herbs to a glass mason jar; shake and add ring and lid. Put in dehydrator at about 105 degrees F for a few hours. Careful when removing jar! Use potholders.
*You can also blend the herbs in a blender or coffee grinder before heating OR cold infusion process, to increase surface area and allow a quicker infusion.
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