Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
Making a lip balm with coconut oil is one of the simplest and most rewarding DIY beauty projects you can try at home.
Coconut oil is a fantastic base because it’s deeply moisturizing, naturally antibacterial, and gentle enough for even sensitive lips.
Whether you’re brand new to homemade skincare or you’ve been whipping up your own products for years, learning how to make a lip balm with coconut oil gives you full control over what touches your lips.
In this post, we’ll walk through why coconut oil works so well in a lip balm, the ingredients you need, and step-by-step instructions for making a lip balm with coconut oil that actually holds up.
Let’s get to it.
Why Coconut Oil Makes a Great Lip Balm
Coconut oil makes an excellent base for a lip balm with coconut oil, and here’s why:
1. Coconut Oil Is Deeply Moisturizing
The main reason coconut oil shines in a lip balm recipe is its fatty acid profile.
Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which locks moisture into the skin and helps repair a dry, cracked lip barrier.
This is why a lip balm made with coconut oil feels soothing the moment it touches your lips.
It doesn’t just sit on the surface either, it sinks in and keeps working for hours.
2. It Has Natural Antibacterial Properties
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has mild antibacterial and antifungal properties.
That means a coconut oil lip balm doesn’t just moisturize, it also helps keep your lips clean and protected.
If you’re prone to chapped lips or small cracks at the corners of your mouth, a lip balm with coconut oil can be a gentle daily ally.
3. It’s Gentle and Widely Available
You can find coconut oil at almost any grocery store, and it’s affordable.
It’s also well tolerated by most people, including those with sensitive skin.
That makes it a beginner-friendly ingredient for anyone learning to make a lip balm with coconut oil for the first time.
Ingredients You Need to Make a Lip Balm With Coconut Oil
To make a lip balm with coconut oil, you only need a handful of ingredients:
1. Coconut Oil (The Star Ingredient)
Use 2 tablespoons of coconut oil as your base.
Virgin or refined works fine, though virgin coconut oil smells lovely and has more nutrients.
2. Beeswax (For Structure)
Add 1 tablespoon of beeswax pellets.
Beeswax gives your lip balm with coconut oil its firmness so it doesn’t melt instantly on your lips or in the tube.
If you want a vegan version, candelilla wax works as a swap at half the amount.
3. Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter (Optional but Lovely)
Add 1 tablespoon of shea or cocoa butter for extra creaminess.
This makes your coconut oil lip balm feel richer on the lips.
4. Essential Oil (For Scent)
A few drops of peppermint or vanilla essential oil make your lip balm smell great.
Skip this if you’re making it for kids or very sensitive lips.
How to Make a Lip Balm With Coconut Oil: Step by Step
Here’s how to make a lip balm with coconut oil in about 15 minutes:
1. Melt the Ingredients
Combine coconut oil, beeswax, and butter in a heat-safe bowl over a double boiler.
Stir gently until everything melts into a clear liquid.
2. Add Essential Oils
Remove from heat and stir in your essential oil.
Work quickly because the mixture starts to set fast.
3. Pour Into Tubes
Carefully pour the liquid into lip balm tubes or small tins.
Fill them almost to the top and let them cool undisturbed for about 20 minutes.
4. Let It Set and Store It
Once your lip balm with coconut oil has hardened, cap the tubes and store them in a cool spot.
Coconut oil softens in heat, so keep your finished balm away from direct sunlight.
Tips for the Perfect Coconut Oil Lip Balm
A few tricks make your coconut oil lip balm even better:
1. Adjust the Wax for Consistency
Too soft? Add a little more beeswax next time.
Too hard? Reduce the wax slightly and add more coconut oil.
2. Test on Your Lips First
Always patch test a small amount before using your coconut oil lip balm regularly, especially if you’ve added essential oils.
3. Make a Small Batch First
Before doubling the recipe, make one small batch of lip balm with coconut oil so you can tweak the texture to your liking.
So, How Do You Make a Lip Balm With Coconut Oil?
You make a lip balm with coconut oil by melting coconut oil, beeswax, and butter together, adding essential oil, then pouring the mixture into tubes to set.
Coconut oil makes a wonderful base because it’s moisturizing, antibacterial, and gentle on sensitive lips.
Follow the steps above and you’ll have a homemade lip balm with coconut oil that rivals anything you’d buy at the store.
Happy making.