Unless you've been living under a rock, you know we're in the midst of a natural beauty movement. Consumers are demanding products free of totally unnecessary artificial fragrances and funky lab-made ingredients, which is resulting in an increasing number of new natural beauty brands offering up toxin-free products you can feel good about slathering on your body.

The problem: These higher quality products can be pricey. Don't get us wrong, we're okay shelling out some extra cash for an organic foundation or mascara (stuff we'd never attempt making ourselves), but when it comes to the basics like lip balm, we're not about to drop $10 to $15 on a tin that won't even last a season—especially when we know just how simple it is to make one in our very own kitchen. 

Here, we share our favorite lip balm recipe, featuring nourishing coconut oil and shea butter, healing vitamin E oil, invigorating peppermint essential oil, and beeswax to help it all stick.  

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coconut oil lip balm
Meghan Caudill

Nourishing Coconut Oil Lip Balm

What You'll Need: 

1 part beeswax
1 part coconut oil
1 part shea butter
Vitamin E oil
Peppermint oil

Glass measuring cup or bowl
Saucepan
Utensil for stirring
Lip balm tins or jars

lip balm ingredients

How To Make It:

1. Fill saucepan with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer. 

2. Place glass bowl or measuring cup over water and add equal parts beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter. (A tablespoon of each will yield enough balm to fill a few tins, while 1/4 - 1/2 cup of each is ideal if you plan to give some away to your friends.) Stir periodically until melted. 

3. Add about a few drops of vitamin E oil and peppermint essential oil, and stir.

(Pro tip: This recipe is a good jumping off point, but you should definitely adjust the ingredients to your liking! More beeswax will make a harder balm; more coconut oil or shea butter will make a softer balm; and, of course, more peppermint oil will up the awesome scent and tingly sensation.)

4. Pour mixture into lip balm tins or small jars. Cool 1 hour before putting on lid.

DIY lip balm
Headshot of Stephanie Eckelkamp
Stephanie Eckelkamp
Stephanie Eckelkamp is a freelance writer, health coach, and former associate editor for Prevention covering health, food, and nutrition. She’s a graduate of Syracuse University and obsessed with dogs, exploring the great outdoors, and chunky peanut butter.