There are many different recipes for homemade lip balm to be found online, most made with natural ingredients and flavors for those who want to avoid chemical ingredients, either due to personal preference or allergies. Most types of homemade lip balm will begin with a simple base of either beeswax or petroleum jelly that has been melted in the microwave or stove top with other ingredients, and then poured into a tube or tin to set. Additional ingredients for moisturization, scent, or flavor can then be added; for instance, jojoba oil is a great choice for moisturizing, as well as coconut or almond oil.
Making homemade lip balm, or purchasing it from someone else, can be a great way to save money, as all of the required ingredients can be purchased in bulk and reused many times. Homemade lip balms and glosses also make excellent gifts around the holidays. It is necessary to begin with a base that will hold the ingredients together, and allow it to be applied to the lips; this "base" ingredient will also help to protect the lips from cold or wind when it is applied. Petroleum jelly and beeswax are both inexpensive and easy to come by; people interested in preparing all-natural homemade lip balm will generally select beeswax, though petroleum jelly might be a better choice for those with extremely dry lips.
This base ingredient is melted on low heat until it becomes liquid, at which point the other ingredients can be mixed in. Honey is a very popular and natural moisturizing ingredient that also helps the lip balm taste great. Various oils such as jojoba oil, coconut, and almond oil are also pleasantly scented and extremely moisturizing and gentle. For additional healing benefits, some people will add vitamin E, mint extract, or aloe vera gel to the mixture.
Essential oils can be added for additional scent and flavor to homemade lip balm, but it is important to make sure they are edible. Ingredients such as cocoa butter or vanilla can be added for a great taste and smell. For those who want color, it may be necessary to purchase specially designed lip balm colors for this purpose, but most homemade lip balms are colorless. Once all the ingredients are melted and mixed together, the liquid may simply be poured into a tin where it can solidify and set. Proponents of homemade lip balm point out that they are completely free of preservatives and chemicals and therefore safe for people of all ages.