Do your lips often get dry and chapped? Nothing ruins a good make-up and hair day like lips that just won’t stop cracking. But don’t worry about it, you’re definitely not alone. As queen of the chapped lips club, I often got made fun of by my much prettier friends. Even the most fancy lipstick couldn’t cover up the horror show that was my poor, neglected and dehydrated lips. However, it’s for that very reason that I started my journey to discovering everything I could about lips and how to care proper care of them. Today, I’m proud to say that my lips are the most attractive features on my face; right up there with Angelina Jolie’s smoochers – at least that’s what I have been told.

And you know what the best part is? It didn’t even require any surgery or other similarly drastic measures. It’s all about the simple things. For starters, did you know that unlike the rest of your skin, the lips don’t have their own sweat and oil-producing glands? That’s why they dry out faster and get chapped quite easily if not well moisturized. With no natural oils to keep your lips supple and soft, a lip balm is the next best thing.

While there are many varieties of lip balms in stores, have you ever thought of making up your own using natural ingredients that are readily available. I am sure you are asking, why bother when lip balms are so cheap!

Well, are you aware that most of the well-known lip balms brands contain several endocrine disruptors (read cancerous tumors), dyes (linked to cancer), artificial fragrance, colors and petroleum based oils? Would you risk those harmful chemicals getting into your body? I am sure that was a BIG resounding NO!

So man or woman, boy or girl, you can see why it’s essential for you to lend a helping hand. In this segment, I’ll be investigating exactly what these foreign objects on our faces are, the most common issues that plague lips and all the different ways you can adopt to keep your lips looking plump, healthy, hydrated and youthful.

At the very end of the article, I also have 15 homemade recipes to help you make your own DIY lip balm. All formulations contain at least one essential oil to not only provide some fragrance but also to deliver some therapeutic benefits to your lips. Feel free to pick any of the recipes and give it a go. If you are stuck at any step or you would like to query a particular ingredient in any of the recipes, feel free to hit me with an email.

So get those pouts puckered up people, because you just landed on the ultimate, in-depth and comprehensive mother of all guides to getting the right lip care!

What Are Lips?

How about a quick joke before our resident nerd bores us with his jargon? So, what do you and a praying mantis have in common? Of course, only one of you prays, but that’s not it. Turns out that both you and several insects have mandibles – only that ours have evolved and joined to form lips.

But in all seriousness, lips can be described as the soft, movable, visible body parts at the mouths of humans and many other animals. Scientifically speaking, the upper and lower lips are referred to as Labium superius and Labium inferius oris respectively.

The juncture where the lips end is referred to as the vermillion border. Interestingly, the top border is referred to as cupid’s bow thanks to its bow-like shape. Apart from serving as the opening for food intake, lips also perform a wide range of other functions. These include allowing for the articulation of speech, acting as a tactile sensory organ and as erogenous zones used for kissing and other acts of intimacy.

As I mentioned earlier, the lip skin does not have any hairs, sweat, or oil glands. As a result, they don’t have the usual protective layer of sweat and body oils that not only keep the skin smooth, but also regulate warmth and inhibit pathogens. Without this protection, the lips tend to dry out faster and get chapped after being exposed to the elements for a short while. That’s why you need the lifesaving assistance of lip balms, glosses, and sticks to help keep the moisture locked in and prevent some of the following issues noted below.

Common Lip Problems And Their Causes

Lips are considered one of the most sensitive organs on the human face. While we may often overlook it, the skin on the lips is quite thin and extremely sentient. This means that it’s highly susceptible to irritation and also prone to attracting a myriad of problems. Similarly, the lips can also reveal underlying symptoms of disease. I’ve compiled some of the most common issues below and while some are harmless, there are others that you’ll need to pay serious attention to.

1. Dry and chapped lips

Typically, dry, chapped lips indicate that you are probably dehydrated or that the weather is too hot. This results in a serious lack of moisture within the lips, leaving them chapped, flaky and pretty dry. While you might be tempted to lick your lips, that’s actually the last thing you should do. Saliva actually dries out your skin even more, leaving your lips dryer and in a worse state than they were.

2. Cracked and peeling around the edges

This is probably the result of an infection. If you typically drool in your sleep or use orthotic retainers, then bacteria can accumulate around the mouth and cause infection. Similarly, extremely cold weather can cause peeling and cracking as well.

3. Paleness and discoloration

This problem could range from harmless activities such as sucking on a lollipop or severe ones such as liver disease. It could also be an indication of anemia or other underlying issues in your body. Paleness on the lips can also signify a lack of sun exposure; so get out there.

4. Swelling and tenderness

While some women adore the idea of having plump, swollen lips, there is such a thing as too much. Swollen lips are usually an indicator of allergic reactions in the body or getting sucker punched in the mouth. Tenderness could also reveal an allergic reaction to topical triggers such as toothpaste or lipstick. However, you need to seek medical help immediately if your swollen lips are also accompanied by a burning sensation, pain, hives on the skin, swollen tongue and itchy throat. Those are all telltale signs of going into anaphylactic shock.

5. Cold Sores

Cold sores are open scabs or blisters all around the lips caused by viral infection. Typically, they are the result of the herpes virus, but other factors can also contribute to causing the sores. Fortunately, there are numerous medications that can help curb cold sores.

So, how exactly do you avoid all these issues without escalating the problem?

Lip Care 101: How To Keep Those Smoochers Looking Plump And Youthful Forever

Just like any other part of the body, your lips also have their own way of showing that they are not in the best of health. As you’ve seen above, there are lots of ways they do that. But unlike me, you don’t have to wait until 90 percent of your lip skin is chapped to do something about it.

Whether your lips are flawless and perfect or totally neglected, it’s never too early or too late to start paying special attention to them. In this segment, I’ll be looking at the only product worth using on our lips as well as some great home remedies to ease most of your lip issues.

Lip Balm

Here’s an interesting history on lip balm. Did you know that the first origins of lip balm can be traced back to earwax? That’s right; half a century before the commercial introduction of most balms, housewife Lydia Maria used and recommended earwax as a treatment for cracked lips in her highly popular book titled The American Frugal Housewife. I don’t know about that, but I bet you that men weren’t really lining up to kiss young miss Lydia Maria. Fortunately for us, the ingredients in today’s lip balms are far more attractive.

Also known as lip salve, lip balm is a wax like substance applied to the lips to help moisturize and offer relief for dry, chapped lips and other conditions. The main purpose of the balm is to provide a highly occlusive layer on the lip surface. Most lip balms contain ingredients such as camphor, lanolin, beeswax or carnauba wax, cetyl alcohol, paraffin, petrolatum, dyes, flavor, salicylic acid, phenol, sunscreens and other ingredients. All of which can either be applied by finger or directly from a lipstick style tube.

This layer of lip balm not only works to seal in moisture, but to also protect the lips from external exposure. See, hot, dry air, cold temperatures, the wind, and other elements all draw moisture away from any part of your skin; creating an unpleasant, drying effect.

Since the lips are particularly vulnerable due to thin skin, they often present the first signs of dryness. Occlusive materials such as petroleum jelly or wax maintain lip comfort and prevent moisture loss while the flavors, colorants, sunscreens and other medicaments in lip balms provide other benefits. And speaking of benefits, let’s look at all the wonderful merits that lip balm has brought us.

Benefits And Uses Of Lip Balm

1. Locks Moisture In

This is the most important use and advantage of lip balm that is literally the key to better lip care. We’ve already seen how the thin nature of the lip skin makes it prone to quick dehydration. By applying a little lip balm every now and then, you help lock in substantially more moisture and keep your lips well-hydrated all day. Speaking from experience, that’s all your lips need to remain healthy, plump, and yes, full of life.

2. Promotes Faster Skin Healing

It’s perfectly normal for the lips to get chapped, cracked or peeled once in a while. What’s not normal is not doing anything about it. While the skin has the remarkable ability to heal and recover from pretty grim situations, the last thing you want to do is push the most sensitive skin on your face to the point of no return. This could lead to permanent scarring and severe damage to the outer tissue. If your lips are already suffering from years of abuse and neglect, there’s no need to call the lip police. According to dermatologists worldwide, the human skin heals faster when its moist. Lip balm seals in the visible cracks and prevents any further irritation and clears most issues such as cracking, chapping, peeling, and a whole host of other problems faster.

3. Makes Lips Suppler

Believe it or not; nothing on this earth becomes supple when dry. Whether it’s a plant, fruit, animal, or even you, we all need a little water to look healthy. It’s all in the cells, basic biology 101; when cells are left to dry, they become flaccid and shrink. But when you expose them to an abundance of H 2 O, they become lucid and more robust. Same goes for your lips which become barely recognizable when neglected. Sure, plenty of lip glosses claim that they’ll give you that perfect movie star pout. But it’s only by using lip balm that you’ll be able to maintain healthy and hydrated lips. Remember, they don’t have to pop like Angelina Jolie’s, just as healthy and as natural looking as you can get them is okay.

4. Antibacterial Protection

Now, why would your lips need protection from bacteria? That’s a great question; you do know that as you read this, your entire skin surface is covered in some of the most harmful germs and bacteria on the planet? Lucky for you, your skin has its own oil glands to help protect it. But what about your poor old lips that don’t have any available protection? This is one of the main reasons why the lips are easily susceptible to outbreaks, sores and all sorts of bacterial attacks. Some ingredients in lip balms help eliminate any harmful bacteria near your mouth and keep the skin on your lips protected against future attacks.

5. Creates A Smooth, Safe Canvas For Art

Let’s face it (pun intended and nailed), makeup is here to stay. And nothing helps accentuate your face better than a little lip color. That’s why the lip stick, lip gloss, and lip art is a multimillion dollar industry. But with all the different brands and types out there, some of these lip beauty products might not be quite as helpful as you think (but I’ll get into that later on). Lip balms create a smoother and safer canvas for you to apply any type of lipstick or lip gloss you want. Not only does the balm protect your sensitive lips from commercial chemicals, but it also makes your lipstick shine and your lips juicier.

Step-By-Step Guide On How To Use A Lip balm

Hey, even regular tasks like applying your lip balm can be a challenging process. I mean, is there a ceremonial prelude that should be performed before balming up? Do you use it only once a day or do you apply every time you feel chapped? And just how much of the stuff should you be putting on? And what if it smells so good that you accidentally take a bite out of it?

See, I told you it can be challenging. That’s why I insisted on including this segment to help everyone know how to use their lip balms right. For dudes, I’ll give you a dude’s only commentary; I understand these things can get uncomfortable for testosterone filled chumps.

For guys, the only application tools you need should include the following:

Lip balm

Any working finger

For girls, lip balm is usually used as a foundation for an endless list of lip care and beauty products. So ladies, feel free to gather your arsenal of:

Facial tissue

Lip liner

Lip gloss

Lip scrub

Lip moisturizer

Lip pencil

Lipstick

Q-tips and cotton swabs

And don’t forget your mirror

Step 2: Exfoliate your lips

Alright, so this step is great for mornings after you wake up and at night when you’re going to bed. As you’re well aware, chapped lips tend to crack and peel; and no amount of gloss is going to hide dead skin. Exfoliating removes the outer dead layer of lip skin, leaving a fresh and healthy layer of new cells under there. You can buy lip scrub from the store or just make your own. Stick around and I’ll show you how to make your own lip scrub. If you can’t exfoliate the lips every day, once or twice a week should be enough to treat chapped and peeling lips.

Step 3: Apply lip balm

For most people (and indeed most guys), this is the final step; it’s time to give your lips some much-needed nourishment and protection. Depending on what type of lip balm you have, you can either apply directly from the balm stick or use a finger.

However, you’ll have to make sure your hands are clean if you’re using your fingers to avoid transmitting bacteria, viruses and other sickness causing organisms from hand to mouth. As for the amount to use, just apply a moderate amount that your lips can comfortably hold without looking like you just ate some fried chicken. For guys, your journey ends here; but stick around, we’ve got more in store for you after this.

Step 4: Applying additional beauty products

Alright ladies, it’s just you, me, and our resident nerd now (don’t ask me about it – he apparently likes to glam up). Now that your lips are properly moisturized and protected, it’s time to paint over the canvas with your choice of lipstick or gloss. Before proceeding, make sure the rest of your makeup is all done. That includes you too resident nerd; unless you want gloss all over your powder puffs.

Next, trace out the edges of your lips with lip pencil then proceed to apply your lipstick. Use the tissues and Q-tips to remove any excess clumps and finish off with your lip gloss. Press your lips together, and you should be ready to go. That’s great resident nerd, you’ve never looked sexier.

Other Uses Of Lip Balm

Apart from making your lips look fabulous, lip balm also has a myriad of interesting uses. I’ve compiled a list of clever uses for lip balm that you would have never guessed. I hope our guys are back, because some of these uses are outright weird, crazy and totally creative.

1. Protects your face from the sun

That’s right; the protective effects of lip balm can also be used on the rest of your face. While it’s not as good as your regular sunscreen and lotions (not to mention how much you’ll need), it can stand in as a temporary alternative in the event of sunblock emergencies.

2. Soothe wounds and insect bites

Thanks to its soothing and moisturizing properties, lip balm is ideal for treating small insect bites, stings, shaving nicks and superficial injuries. Similarly, some of the ingredients help eliminate bacteria in bites and wounds while also reducing inflammation and relieving pain.

3. Hide scratches and scuffs in leather

If your leather gear is starting to look dull and all scratched up, lip balm actually offers a solution. Rubbing a bit of it helps hide scuffs on leather belts, bags, shoes, jackets, and return the shine on other leather items.

4. Start a fire

If you’ve ever gone camping and couldn’t seem to get a fire started, you’re about to feel mighty stupid. With lip balm in your pocket, you don’t even need any lighter fluid. Generously applying the stuff to a cotton ball or paper and lighting it up will create an instant fire that burns longer than the average matchstick.

5. Quick lubricant

Thanks to its oily compounds, lip balm makes for a great lubricating substance. You can use it to grease up things like stuck zippers, screws, and even detangling delicate necklaces. It also works wonders for rings and bracelets that get stuck on your fingers and hands. But why stop there? If there’s a shoe giving you hell, you can use a little lip balm on the affected area to reduce blistering.

All Natural vs Commercial Lip Balms

If you thought that all lip balms were great, think again! Up to this point, I’ve only been talking about safe, natural and healthy lip balm, not that commercial gunk that’s spewed in industrial factories as a by-product of a by-product of who knows what. In this segment, I’ll be looking at why you need to ditch all your industrially produced products and embrace all-natural lip balm.

Now, have you ever wondered why almost everyone you know is always fishing around their purses and pockets every few hours for a dose? Why on earth would your lips still feel dry even after applying a fresh coat of balm? That’s because most commercially produced lip products are made using ingredients that are of very low quality. Not only do these ingredients aggravate the soft nature of the lips, but they also pose severe health hazards as well. Unfortunately, these same ingredients can harm the very thing they are supposed to protect.

In fact, some of the globally recognized lip balm brands have actually been proven to cause addiction. That’s because profit-hungry manufacturers abuse ingredients such as menthol, camphor, and phenol that all work great at making your lips feel refreshed and rejuvenated, but actually do nothing for moisture locking. And with a little more alcohol in the balm than your lips need, it’s no wonder your lips dry out even faster with some of these commercially produced lip balms. And before you know it, they’ve managed to create a lip balm addiction that is closely rivaling cigarettes.

Why All-Natural Lip Balm?

All natural lip balm, on the other hand, comes with all the benefits of a real balm without any of the negatives. Unlike commercial junk that simply puts a moist layer of jelly on your lips and covers them with harmful chemicals, an all-natural balm actually soaks in for deeper moisture locking and use only the best and safest ingredients, read “organic herbs, essential and carrier oils” as ingredients.

The cosmetic industry generally regulates itself, meaning that you need to do lots of research on the ingredients. Most synthetic balms contain petrochemicals, artificial skin softeners, silicon dioxide and a ton of other toxic chemicals.

All-natural lip balms are safer since they contain natural ingredients that are pure, unadulterated and very high quality. This guarantees that moisture is locked in and that your lips remain soft and supple throughout the day. Similarly, organic all-natural lip balms also come with significant health benefits. This includes infusing your lip skin with antioxidants and vitamins that nourish your lips back to life.

On a side note, I’d like to appeal to all nature and environment lovers: While most of you may not know it, almost all beauty companies test their products on animals. From monkeys to pigs, rats to rabbits, there are hundreds of animals currently undergoing product testing before you get to use these products. Equally, these companies don’t care about what their sourcing methods do to our planet or the environment.

Organic all-natural lip balm makers, including the ones I developed are never tested on animals and hence are 100% completely safe. What’s more, the herbal, natural ingredients and organic components found in them often have little to no impact on air, water, soil and the environment at large.

Before I get to the myriad of lip balm recipes, why not talk about some popular home remedies for lip care.

Home Remedies For Lip Care

If your lips are in dire need of immediate attention and you don’t have any lip balm in sight or nearby, there’s no need to panic. I’ve compiled some handy home remedies that will not only offer relief for dry and chapped lips, but also keep them looking youthful and supple moving forward. Some of these tried and tested remedies include:

1. Vitamins

Vitamins are usually available for every conceivable health issue and deficiency. When it comes to lip health, there are a few vitamins that you should pay close attention to. Of course, this doesn’t mean that they should be used in place of a healthy diet. However, vitamins A, B, and even C are quite effective at maintaining good overall lip health and avoiding common lip issues. So make sure you get a healthy helping of vegetables and fruits.

2. Sugar

If you constantly suffer from chapped lips, then you’ll need a homemade exfoliating agent. Sugar works great at clearing these dead cells and restoring your lip skin’s natural softness without sucking up the remaining moisture. Just mix sugar with honey, scrub your lips and let it stay for a few minutes. After it dries up, scrub off the paste with your finger and wash off with warm water.

3. Honey

Honey works well as a lip moisturizer and healing agent as well. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it can also be used to clear harmful bacteria from your lips and treat chapped, peeling lips as well. All you have to do is use pure, organic honey as a lip balm a few times a day.

4. Rose Petals

Bet you didn’t know that you could raid your neighbors rose garden patch for lip care solutions. Just like the essential oil, Rose petals help the lips lock in more moisture and enhance the naturally beautiful color. All you have to do is wash a handful of rose petals, soak them in milk for a few hours, then mash them to a thick paste and apply several times a day, especially before bedtime.

5. Milk Cream

While you may dislike milk cream for its fattening properties, your lips can’t get enough of it. It’s the high-fat content in milk cream that makes it the ideal natural lip moisturizer. Washing your lips every day with a milk cream solution will help cure dry, chapped lips and keep them looking plump and healthy.

How To Make Your Own Homemade Lip Balm With Essential Oils – 15 DIY Recipes

Now that you know all about the dangers of commercially produced lip balms, it’s safe to say that you’ll be ditching all of them. It doesn’t matter how expensive, classy, or delicious it is; if it ain’t all natural, it should be headed for the trash.

If you’re anything like me, then you’re probably wondering how you will ever trust any lip balm brand out there. But don’t worry about that as I have you covered. There are plenty of great organic lip balms that are actually designed to offer as much moisture and protection as possible, including the L’orpur.

If you prefer, here’s how you can make your own lip balm right at home.

1. Organic Lip Balm

As I mentioned earlier, one major problem with commercial lip balms is the presence of toxic chemicals. Considering that this is something you might end up ingesting, it is only sensible to be concerned about the safety of commercial lip balms. The good news is that you can make your own organic lip balm at home; this should consist only of natural ingredients that are completely safe for your skin and body. Here’s a simple recipe you can follow using 100% natural ingredients.

What you need

2 tablespoons coconut oil (you can also use grapeseed, avocado or almond oil )

) 2 tablespoons Shea butter (you can also use mango or cocoa butter)

4 tablespoons beeswax (you can also use soy wax)

3-4 drops organic essential oil of your choice ( why not try the L’orpur organic ones )

) Beetroot powder for color (optional)

Directions

Mix the coconut oil, Shea butter and beeswax in a heat-proof glass bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave for 1 minute to melt the butter and wax. This should make it easier to mix the ingredients uniformly. Alternatively, set up a water bath and mix the ingredients as they melt. The most important thing is to make sure the mixture does not get too hot (just warm enough to melt) and that everything is thoroughly mixed.

Essential oils are beneficial for your skin / lips and adds some fragrance. You can use any as long as they are 100% organic. Do not use synthetic fragrances as they generally contain dangerous chemicals, are unsafe and harmful for your skin and will make your lips dry out.

The beetroot powder is optional and is a good natural way to add color to your lip balm. You can leave it out if you do not want a tinted formulation.

With everything well blended, pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or small jars and leave to set. If you want to use the lip balm within the hour, simply place the tube or jar in the fridge to set for approx. 45 minutes before using it.

2. Lip Balm Without Beeswax

Various homemade lip balm recipes call for beeswax as the main ingredient. This is because of its ability to keep the lips well moisturized. Its antibacterial properties also protect the lips from the harsh environment. But for people who are allergic to beeswax, here’s a great recipe which will make a perfectly good tube of homemade lip balm.

What you need

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons Vaseline (or any other petroleum jelly)

2-3 drops of lavender or any of your favorite essential oil

or any of your favorite essential oil 1 tablespoon vanilla (or any other flavor) extract

Directions

Put the honey and Vaseline in a bowl and mix thoroughly. This may take a bit of work since both are quite thick (use a hand blender instead). Melt the mixture in a microwave and mix well. Place the bowl in a fridge for half an hour, then melt the mixture again and blend again.

In another bowl, add one tablespoon of your preferred flavor extract (vanilla, strawberry, banana, coconut etc.). This will be the main scent and flavor of the lip balm. You want something that tastes good since it is inevitable that some of it will get inside your mouth. Add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil such as lavender, myrrh or orange – this enhances the fragrance of the balm. Mix the two.

Combine the contents of the two bowls and mix thoroughly. Cool the resulting mixture in the fridge for around an hour. It should feel soft but firm enough to form a fairly thick coat over your lips. It is ready to use.

3. Lip Balm For Dry Lips

For some people, dry lips are a real menace. They become cracked and can even start bleeding as the thin dry skin breaks. If your lips tend to get dry quickly, you need a lip balm with enhanced moisturizing qualities. In the recipe below, I use beeswax to create a firm protective coating over the lips. This locks in moisture even when you are exposed to the elements. I also add avocado oil and Shea butter to further soften the delicate skin of the lips. To further protect the skin from bacteria, I have included aloe gel.

What you need

2 tablespoons beeswax pastilles

1 tablespoon avocado oil

1 tablespoon Shea butter

1 teaspoon aloe gel

2-3 drops of peppermint or your favorite essential oil

Directions

Put the beeswax, avocado oil and Shea butter in a bowl. To mix the three ingredients, place the bowl in a water bath and stir gently as individual components start to melt. When everything is well mixed, remove the bowl from the hot water and add the aloe gel and essential oil.

Aloe gel is a great protective component especially if your lips are already cracked. It is also a humectant, meaning that it can attract and retain moisture. In this recipe, the essential oil is mostly for fragrance, and you can drop it if you prefer.

Pour the mixture in Chap Stick tubes or in small jars and place the mixture in the fridge for 30 minutes to solidify. It should be nice, soft and ready to use.

4. Beeswax Lip Balm

Beeswax is known for its incredible moisturizing properties – it makes the skin soft and supple. Most importantly, it has a firm enough texture that ensures it remains on the skin for hours, hence providing reliable protection from the elements. Here is a super simple beeswax lip balm recipe that you can whip up in a few minutes.

What you need

2 tablespoons beeswax pastilles

1 tablespoon coconut oil

2-3 drops rose essential oil (or any other essential oil)

Directions

As usual, start by melting the beeswax and coconut oil in a water bath. You can also microwave the mixture for 10-15 seconds to make it soft and easy to mix. You can then add your preferred essential oil to give the lip balm some fragrance. Put it in the fridge for half an hour and it is ready to use.

Note that you can modify the above recipe to make additional lip balms. For instance, to make double the amount, use 4 tablespoons of beeswax, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 4-6 drops of essential oil.

5. Lip Balm For Chapped Lips

Chapped lips not only look bad, they can be quite uncomfortable too. In some instances, the skin can start to crack and bleed. And believe me when I say that commercial lip balms will actually make the situation worse. One of the best ways to deal with chapped lips is making your own lip balm at home. Include moisturizing components as well as ingredients that have antibacterial protection. Here is a good recipe you can try out at home.

What you need

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon coconut or avocado oil

1 tablespoon Shea or cocoa butter

1 tablespoon Vaseline or petroleum jelly

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

2-3 drops lemon essential oil

Directions

Put honey, coconut oil, Shea butter and Vaseline in a glass bowl. Prepare a water bath and place the bowl in it. Keep stirring until the ingredients soften and you get a uniform mixture. Each of the above ingredients has a moisturizing effect. They all work together to keep your lips super soft. Honey serves as the body of the lip balm, ensuring that the formulation is firm enough to stick to your lips throughout the day.

Once the mixture is ready, add vitamin E oil and a few drops of the lemon essential oil. Vitamin E oil is a well-known beauty ingredient – in addition to being anti-bacterial, it is also a very effective moisturizer. Cosmetic companies also use it as an anti-aging component, meaning it can help keep your lips looking smooth and young.

After mixing in the last two ingredients, the formulation is ready. Put it in lip balm tubes or small jars and store it in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.

6. Lip Balm For Men

It is not just ladies who can benefit from homemade lip balms. Just as women suffer from dry and chapped lips, men experience crackly lips too. It can be especially bad if you live in a dry, low-humidity environment. Some weather conditions such as the heat in summer or the cold in winter can also make lips drier.

For men who want to keep their lips soft, here is an easy-to-follow recipe. This recipe results in a non-glossy and non-greasy lip balm. It also includes a masculine-scented essential oil though you can sue any essential oil you prefer.

What you need

1 teaspoon pure Lanolin

1-2 drops of patchouli or sandalwood essential oil

1 tablespoon Shea butter

2 tablespoons beeswax

Directions

First melt the Shea butter and beeswax in a bowl. You can place the bowl in a microwave for a minute or use a water bath to melt the ingredients. Stir until the mixture is completely uniform. Add the lanolin and patchouli or sandalwood oil and stir again to blend. Lanolin is a well-known moisturizer. It is a common component of beauty products and works amazingly well on dry and chapped skin.

In this recipe, I prefer it to coconut oil because it has less of a glossy sheen. Patchouli essential oil has a nice masculine scent and triggers a musty, sweet, spicy fragrance when it touches your lips. Your lip balm is now ready. Put it in lip balm tubes so that you can easily carry it around.

7. Lip Balm With SPF

Just like any other exposed part of your body, your lips also suffer from constant UV exposure. With global warming and all that, the sun is turning out to be more harmful than helpful these days. The funny thing with the sun’s harmful rays is that they can penetrate regular lip balm, that’s why you need to get one with sunscreen in it for total SPF protection if you are outside.

Most of the oils and butters used in DIY lip balm recipes provide significant lip protection. Some oils such as carrot seed oil and raspberry oils even have natural SPF properties. But when the weather gets too hot or when you spend a lot of time outdoors, you’ll need something stronger to protect your lips from the sun’s UV rays.

A simple way to make SPF lip balm is to add some sunscreen to the oil and butter mixture in a bowl. You can pick any recipe above and simply add sunscreen to it to make it SPF. If you would prefer natural protection the trick is to combine several SPF oils. Here is a recipe that does exactly that.

What you need

2 tablespoons beeswax

1 teaspoon coconut oil

1 teaspoon raspberry oil

1 tablespoon Shea butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

4-5 drops carrot seed essential oil

Directions

Start by melting and mixing Shea butter and beeswax. Then add all the oils and mix everything to a uniform blend. Use a dropper to fill up lip balm tubes. Remember to always carry a tube with you when you are going out. The combined effect of these ingredients keeps your lip well moisturized and protected from UV damage.

8. Tinted Lip Balm

In general, lip balms create a gloss or matt colorless coating on the lips. If you want some color, you can apply both lipstick over your lip balm. But this can be an issue for those who do not like using lipstick but would still love some color (or tint) on their lips.

Others find that lipstick does not stay put through weather conditions. Tinted lip balm provides the moisturizing softness of lip balm and the color of lipstick. Here’s how you can make your own at home.

What you need

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1/2 tablespoon beeswax

1/2 tablespoon Shea butter

2-3 drops peppermint, sweet orange or any other essential oil

Natural food color

Directions

Put the coconut oil, beeswax and Shea butter in one bowl and mix. Place the mixture in a microwave to melt and stir it thoroughly for uniform mixing. Alternatively, you can place the bowl in a water bath and stir gently as it melts. When it has melted, add your food color and keep stirring until it has blended completely.

I use food color because it is safe even when ingested. You can also use non-toxic crayons or even your current lipstick. For the crayon, use a few flakes of your preferred color. For the lipstick, cut the tip and mix it in the bowl.

Add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil to complete the blend. If you prefer not to have a scented lip balm, you can leave out the essential oil. You can transfer the lip balm to a plastic container or put it in lip balm tubes. Place in a fridge for 30 minutes to cool.

9. Rose Lip Balm

Rose has an elegant and delicate fragrance that would be perfect for a lip balm. By adding just a single additional ingredient, you can turn any of the recipes I have provided into a rose lip balm recipe. There are two ways you can make rose lip balm.

The first is by using pure rose essential oils. 4-5 drops of it should be enough for most formulations provided. You can combine rose essential oil with other essential oils or use it on its own.

The second method is by using rose powder, you can purchase from here. A teaspoon of rose powder is good enough for most recipes.

So just pick any recipe in this guide and either add rose powder or rose essential oil to create the perfect stick of rose lip balm.

10. All Natural Lip Balm

For those who love natural products, making an all-natural lip balm is easy. You just need to pick the right ingredients and know which components to avoid. Most of the recipes I have provided are all-natural. Ingredients such as Shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil and essential oils are natural. Use these when you want a fully natural lip balm.

Avoid using synthetic fragrances and extracts as they are toxic for your body. Components like menthol and artificial food color are also not ideal for a natural formulation. For the food color, there are natural alternatives like beetroot powder that will give your lip balm a nice tint.

Natural lip balms are especially beneficial for people with sensitive skin. The risk of experiencing an adverse reaction is pretty low.

11. Cocoa Butter Lip Balm

I have already featured cocoa butter in a couple of the above recipes. It is a great moisturizer and also offers sun-protection. Here is another cocoa butter recipe you can make at home.

What you need

2 tablespoons cocoa butter

2 tablespoons honey

1 table spoon coconut oil

3-4 drops essential oil (optional)

Directions

Put the honey, cocoa butter and coconut oil in a bowl and place it in a water bath. Stir the mixture as it melts until you have a uniform blend. Add your favorite essential oil if you want some fragrance in your lip balm. You can pour the mixture in empty lip balm tubes or let it cool in your fridge for 30 minutes and then scoop it into a glass jar.

12. Flavored Lip Balm

Chances are you’ll end up licking your lips when using a nice flavored lip balm. It can also be romantic during a kiss. To flavor your lip balm, simply add your preferred extract to any of the above recipes. Some good examples include vanilla, strawberry, banana, cinnamon and orange.

A few drops or a teaspoon should be enough to avoid making the flavor overwhelming.

13. Vegan Lip Balm

Most lip balms, whether commercial or homemade, are not vegan. This is because they contain beeswax, which is harvested from bees. Some also use lanolin, a product derived from animal wool. Most of the other ingredients are vegan. To create a vegan lip balm, substitute lanolin, beeswax and honey. Stick to Shea or cocoa butter, carrier oils and essential oils.

Add 4 tablespoons of Shea butter, 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil and a few drops of essential oil to make a soft scented lip balm. Follow the usual method of melting the butter first and then adding the oils. Pour in lip balm containers or small jars and let the mixture set.

14. Shea Butter Lip Balm

I have included Shea butter in the majority of the recipes above. I love it for its ability to keep the thin skin on the lips soft and tender. With SPF properties of its own, it can provide some protection from the sun’s UV rays. Another advantage is that it is both natural and vegan. This means you can use it in any recipe whether organic, all-natural or vegan.

Shea butter has no odor, so feel free to add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to keep your lips smelling heavenly.

15. Lip Balm With Petroleum Jelly

What you need

Petroleum Jelly (30 grams)

Color and shimmer

1 teaspoon of Coconut oil

1 teaspoon of peppermint or spearmint essential oil

Flavors and extracts (optional)

Directions

Step 1: Place your jelly in a heat safe bowl and melt in a microwave. The petroleum jelly will act as a base for your balm, so use the plain, original and unflavored kind. Heat the petroleum jelly for a few minutes and stir until it is liquid with no lumps or clumps.

Step 2: You can take this chance to add the color and shimmer if you want your lip balm to double as a stain or gloss. Crushed blush works great for the color while cosmetic grade glitter creates a nice shimmer.

Step 3: Add the coconut oil for some extra nourishment as well as to give the lip balm a nice, subtle coconutty scent and flavor. You can also add the flavor extracts, peppermint essential oil and powders to take your lip balm game to the next level.

Step 4: Pour the mixture into a clean, empty lip balm container and wait for it to cool and solidify up. Once the balm has set (typically after 1 to 2 hours), apply it on your lips and enjoy the natural protection.

The Bottom Line

There you have it boys and girls; all the wonderful ways to care for your lips and make your own lip balms right at your fingertips. With this knowledge, you should be able to avoid the embarrassment that comes with chapped lips and maybe even get a real live human to kiss you back!

Remember to use only organic and natural lip balms to avoid aggravating the sensitive lip skin even further. If your lips continue displaying symptoms even after trying a couple of the above remedies for a while, then you might need to visit your doctor to diagnose any underlying issues. Otherwise, keep on hydrating, keep on moisturizing, and keep on keeping on.

Further, if you burn through lip balm tubes quickly, costs can add up fast. Expect to pay more for natural, organic, vegan or SPF lip balms. You can save some money and have fun by making your own lip balm at home. Even better, you’ll be sure that it contains only the ingredients you want. So pick one of the above recipes and have fun. Another option is to try the USDA certified organic L’orpur lip balms.

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