DIY Peppermint Lip Balm Recipe – Natural, Soothing, and Refreshingly Tingly

December 3, 2007 by Kimberly Ayers Leave a Comment

If your lips are dry, cracked, or just plain grumpy, this simple homemade peppermint lip balm is going to be your new go-to. It’s cooling, hydrating, and super easy to whip up in your kitchen—no fancy tools or mysterious ingredients. Just pure, tingly goodness in a tin or tube!

This recipe has been a CraftGossip favorite since 2007, and it’s still just as relevant today. Why? Because it works. It’s natural, effective, and you can tweak it to suit your needs (or your stash of oils and butters).

Whether you’re filling up stockings, making teacher gifts, or just treating yourself, you’ll love how nourishing this balm feels on your lips—and how easy it is to make a whole batch in under 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Peppermint Lip Balm

Cooling tingle from pure peppermint essential oil
Beeswax base for long-lasting protection
Nourishing oils to soften and heal chapped lips
Customizable – make it vegan or switch up the scent
Perfect for gifting – add a cute label or tie with twine

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons grated beeswax or beeswax pellets
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons sweet almond oil or olive oil
6–10 drops peppermint essential oil (adjust to your tingle preference)

Optional Add-Ins:

½ teaspoon shea butter or cocoa butter (extra moisturizing)
¼ teaspoon vitamin E oil (extends shelf life + skin healing)
A pinch of mica powder for a shimmer tint
A few drops of stevia or honey for a hint of sweetness

Tools:

Heat-safe bowl or jug
Saucepan (for double boiler method)
Lip balm tubes or tins (clean and dry)
Dropper or small spoon for pouring

Instructions:

Melt It Down
In a heat-safe bowl, combine the beeswax, coconut oil, and almond oil. Use the double boiler method to gently melt everything until smooth, stirring occasionally.
Add the Goodies
Remove from heat and let it cool slightly (about 1 minute), then stir in the peppermint essential oil and any optional ingredients.
Pour & Set
Carefully pour the mixture into your lip balm containers. (A small funnel or pipette helps avoid messes!) Let them sit at room temp until fully set, about 30–60 minutes.
Label & Store
Pop on a label, decorate, or stash them in a tin. Store in a cool, dry place. Balm will last 6–12 months depending on ingredients.

Tips for Perfect Peppermint Lip Balm:

Use less peppermint if you’re sensitive to tingling.
Want it firmer? Add a bit more beeswax.
Making it vegan? Swap beeswax for candelilla wax.

Gift Idea:

Bundle a peppermint balm with a handmade mug and a hot chocolate mix for a cozy winter gift set. Or tuck a few into a Christmas cracker or holiday card.

Have you read?

DIY Herbal Vapor Rub Balm – A Natural Vicks-Style Decongestant for Cold and Flu Relief

When someone in the house starts sniffling, you just know it’s going to make the rounds. That’s when I reach for this homemade herbal vapor rub—our family’s go-to chest balm for easing congestion, coughs, and that heavy-headed sick feeling.

Made with gentle yet powerful essential oils, this balm works just like the classic Vicks rub (but without the synthetic stuff). It’s safe, effective, and smells like a eucalyptus grove with a hint of grandma’s medicine chest—in the best possible way!

Whether you’re treating a toddler’s sniffles or trying to head off a man cold, this DIY vapor rub will be your winter wellness MVP.

Why You’ll Love This Natural Decongestant Balm

No petroleum or nasties – A clean, green homemade Vicks alternative
Gentle enough for kids – With optional adjustments for littlies
Nourishing balm texture – Melts into skin without being greasy
Essential oils – Provide cooling, clearing, and comforting support
Customizable – Make it stronger for adults or extra-gentle for babies

Ingredients

Base:

1/4 cup coconut oil (or olive oil for a softer balm)
2 tbsp shea butter or mango butter
2 tbsp beeswax pellets

Essential Oil Blend (for adults):

10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
8 drops peppermint essential oil
6 drops rosemary essential oil
4 drops tea tree essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil

Optional for kids under 5:
Replace eucalyptus and peppermint with fir needle and cedarwood atlas, and halve the total essential oil amount.

How to Make Your Own Vapor Rub

Melt the base:
In a double boiler (or a bowl over simmering water), gently melt the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax together. Stir until smooth and liquid.
Cool slightly:
Remove from heat and let cool just a few minutes—enough that it’s no longer scalding hot but still liquid.
Add essential oils:
Stir in your essential oil blend. Don’t add them too early or the heat will evaporate their goodness.
Pour into tins or jars:
Carefully pour into a small glass jar or metal balm tin. Let cool completely before putting the lid on.
Label & store:
Store in a cool place away from sunlight. Balm will keep for up to 6 months.

How to Use Your Herbal Chest Rub

For chest and back: Rub a small amount onto chest, upper back, and soles of the feet during cold or flu season.
For steam relief: Add a pea-sized amount to a bowl of steaming water, cover your head with a towel, and inhale.
For headaches: Dab a touch on temples and neck (use caution and avoid eyes).

Mum Tips

Patch test first if you’re unsure about sensitivities.
Keep a tiny jar in your handbag during winter for on-the-go sniffles.
For a nighttime version, add a few drops of Roman chamomile or lavender for extra sleep support.