Beeswax DIY Stocking Stuffers: Our Lip Balm Recipe

High-end, natural products are all the rage this holiday season. Why not jump into the trend by making beeswax lip balm as thoughtful gifts? They’ll make the perfect stocking stuffers and you can customize the scents and packaging however you’d like.

Here is our homemade beeswax lip balm recipe shared with Austin Woman Magazine readers.

But don’t stop there. Follow these tips to make your beeswax lip balm a truly treasured present:

1. Look for ingredients labeled as “food grade.” You’ll be putting the product on your lips, after all! We know customers use our bulk beeswax for many purposes—including lip balms, lotions, and cosmetics—so our beeswax is certified food grade quality already. You’ll also want to look for food-grade oils for the other ingredients as well. Not all carrier oils like coconut oil and essential oils like peppermint oil are safe for consumption.
2. The order matters. It’s essential to heat and combine the beeswax and carrier oils (in our recipe, those are the coconut and almond oils) first. Be sure to allow time for the mixture to cool slightly before adding your essential oil of choice because essential oils are very volatile. If you add them while the mixture is still boiling, they’ll burn up and evaporate.
3. Invest in a good thermometer. Making beeswax lip balm on your stovetop is like making old-fashioned candy: you need to get the temperature just right. It should be hot enough to melt the ingredients, but not so hot that it burns the product. Invest in a good candy thermometer and a double boiler to ensure your temperature rises slowly without scorching the ingredients.
4. Learn from others. Don’t use a microwave to melt your beeswax. Trust us: It’ll get messy. You may also feel the urge to cover the container while heating your ingredients but don’t do that, either. Condensation could form on the lid and drip into your mixture, diluting it.
5. Source your beeswax carefully. It may be tempting to buy bags of beeswax pastilles (small pellets) for a little project like this one but be careful. Those little pellets are often the worst offenders when it comes to adulterated beeswax. It’s critical to make sure your beeswax is as pure as possible. Otherwise, your lip balms won’t spread well or feel right. They also might contain high levels of pesticides and contaminants, which you don’t want sitting on your lips.
6. Consider buying in bulk. Buying blocks of beeswax is a better bet when it comes to purity and can be much more budget-friendly, too. You only need an ounce or two to make a batch of beeswax lip balm, but here’s a pro tip: Purchase a 1-lb block of pure beeswax, melt it down (slowly, in a double boiler) and divide it into smaller portions by pouring the nearly cooled melted beeswax into ice cube trays. You can use the beeswax for multiple batches of lip balms or use the extra cubes for other projects like these. From moisturizing soaps to crayons to wood finish, the possibilities are endless.

We’re so excited for you to experiment with beeswax. What a great way to show your friends and loved ones you care—with a gift made from the heart that can keep them happy and healthy all year long. And if you do give making beeswax lip balm a try, share your fabulous results with us! Please tag us on Instagram and Facebook so we can give you props for a job well done.