This homemade Honey Cinnamon Lip Balm makes an easy gift. With only a few, non-toxic ingredients, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to whip up.
Essential oils come in very handy for do-it-yourselfers.They’re perfect for fighting environmental threats, keeping away the bugs, clearing the sinuses and soothing sunburns and much more. I’ve been using them since I was a child, but this was the first time I’ve used them in lip balm.
Want to know more about how to use your time efficiently with DIY projects with essential oils? Check out my HomeAid video to learn how to create your own essential oil response kit for your home. Learn more about my HomeAid course here.
At the risk of sounding like a completely scatterbrained mama, I’m going to go out on a limb and tell you the background to this Honey Cinnamon lip balm. I had planned on making my own pumpkin and cinnamon flavored version for a few months, and when I finally got the time and the pumpkin to make it, I set about the process with much anticipation.
You see, a few months back a friend of mine was moving across the country and clearing out her freezer. She gifted me with a gallon-sized ziplock labeled “beeswax,” which I happily accepted (what real-food, diy-er wouldn’t?). I vaguely remember her giving me some sort of instructions about the bag, but at the time I was 9 months pregnant with #5, and my brain + pregnancy = no short term memory.
As I set about making my pumpkin and cinnamon lip balm I got out the beeswax and began to gently grate some into a bowl. As I grated, I noticed with mild confusion that the color of the beeswax was strangely pink, and the texture quite stringy.
Ignoring these discoveries, I added the beeswax to my makeshift double broiler along with the remaining ingredients and waited for it to melt, stirring gently every now and again.
But it refused to melt.
After over 1/2 hour of stirring, the beeswax still had not melted, so I took my hand blender to it. While it got smoother, it still wouldn’t melt. I added the pumpkin, hoping that would help. It didn’t. I tried pouring it into the tubes, but it wouldn’t pour. Instead the pumpkin and pureed beeswax mixture sort-of sloshed out and made a big mess. So I cleaned it up and set it aside to sleep on it.
The next morning I tried again, with the same failed results. Getting rather frustrated, I tried again sans beeswax. Still just a sloppy, un-pourable mess. I set out to try for a fourth time, adding back in the beeswax.
While I was grating, I thought again about the strange color and texture of the beeswax. It almost looks like frozen peaches, I thought to myself.
So I took a tiny taste. (Yes, I did.) And guess what it tasted like? Yep… peaches. All this time and I had been trying to make lip balm with frozen peaches instead of beeswax!
Through my endeavor to make pumpkin lip balm I learned two things:
1) peaches don’t melt (and they don’t make a good beeswax replacement).
2) pumpkin doesn’t emulsify in hot oil.
Ergo, no pumpkin lip balm. 🙁
Thankfully, though, after leaving out the pumpkin (and adding in some actual beeswax), the remaining ingredients make a very nice Honey Cinnamon lip balm instead!
Even though I wouldn’t recommend eating it, the slightly spicy, warm and comforting smell of this leftover Honey Cinnamon Lip Balm is definitely delicious. It’s been a huge hit with friends I’ve gifted it to, as well as with my own daughters.
Please don’t read this little story and think, “Why go to all that trouble when I could just buy some lip balm?” Without peaches and pumpkin, lip balm is very quick and easy to make. 😉 And it’s so much cheaper than store-bought, since organic, non-toxic lip balm can be quite pricy.
Honey Cinnamon Lip Balm Recipe
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon beeswax
1 tablespoon shea butter
2 teaspoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon apricot oil
1 teaspoon honey
8 drops cinnamon essential oil
Directions:
In a small saucepan, bring about a pint of water to simmer over medium heat. Place an oven-safe bowl over the saucepan, making a double boiler.
Add beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and apricot oil to the bowl and heat until beeswax melts, stirring every now and again.
When the beeswax is melted, remove the bowl from the heat and stir in honey and essential oil.
Pour into lip balm tubes or tins.
Let cool before use.
When using essential oils, please remember that they are very concentrated, so you need very little. Because of their concentration it’s always a good idea to dilute some of the oil and test it on your skin before using, just to make sure you don’t react negatively.
More DIY Beauty Recipes:
- DIY French Toast Lip Scrub
- Sugar Body Scrub Recipe
- DIY Essential Oil Nighttime Lotion
- DIY Relaxing Bath Salt Recipe
- DIY Massage Bars
- Peppermint Oatmeal Soap Recipe
Free Download: Mom’s Essential Oil Cheat Sheet
Would you like a resource to help you learn to use essential oils with your family? Download this free 3-page printable:
- Basic guidelines for using essential oils around kids
- A list of safe, kid-friendly oils essential oils
- Helpful essential oil recipes
Click the link or image below to download the 3-page Mom’s Essential Oil Cheat Sheet. I’ll follow it up with more resources and free printables to help you on your essential oil journey. Grab your copy now!
Frozen peaches, HA!! That sounds like something that would happen to me… Glad things worked out. This does sound like a lovely lip balm that not only tastes good, but has health benefits too. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Samantha! I’m glad things worked out, too. 😉
I tried this recipe and went by the instructions you gave. It did not work for me. I could not get the honey to mix. Do you have any suggestions.
Hmm… I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. It’s possible that different types of honey and brands of coconut oil will react differently to each other. I didn’t test the recipe with different brands, though. Sorry!
Thanks for the answer I’ll try some different brands
What’s the shelf life of this lip balm? How far in advance can I make it for holiday gifts?
thanks
Paula
It lasts for about a year. You can definitely make it ahead of time.
I love this DIY! I need to make some. I love that you use honey and cinnamon essential oil.
Thanks, Emily! I love coming up with new ways to use EOs. 🙂
Lol I love your pumpkin and peaches story! I haven’t ever tried to make lipbalm but I’ve always wanted to. This recipe does sound simple (without peaches) so I might give it a try 🙂
http://natalieslife.com/2015/10/winery-harvest-festival
Haha! It is simple (without the peaches). 😉 I hope you get a chance to try it, Natalie!
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I always have issues with extremely chapped lips this time of year, so I’m excited to try this natural version of chapstick!
And thanks for sharing your story. It made me smile this morning. 🙂 Haha.
Glad to share, Alison. 😉 I hope the lip balm helps, if you get a chance to try it!
Can i use natural cinnamon in this recipe
Hm… I’ve not ever tried that, Alberta. Sorry!
Yes, I use a natural flavored cinnamon extract . It works perfectly and unlike some essential oils, it can safely be used in food grade products. Be aware that cinnamon is going to stimulate your taste buds and lips. A couple of drops per tube is great. If you want a lip plumper… add a few drops. It gets tingly!
Oh this was a great laugh! What pregnant brains can do to us mums hey?!! Frozen peaches!! It really is something I would have done! Thanks for sharing this, I’d really like to give it a go!
Yes, pregnant brains are not kind! Haha. I hope you get a chance to try the lip balm, Elisha! (Sans peaches, of course.) 😉
Ha! I’m secretly glad this recipe doesn’t call for peaches. Beeswax is a much better option for lip balm. Thanks Raia for the recipe.
Haha! Yeah, you’re right – beeswax works much better. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Anya!
Are you uaing cinnamon bark or cinnamon leaf oil?
Cinnamon bark.
Hi, would you be able to sub out the apricot oil for almond, jojoba oil or straight up vitamin e oil?
Yes, that would probably work just fine. 🙂
What is “T” in the recipe? Tablespoon? Teaspoon?
Large T is tablespoon, small t is teaspoon. But I can see how that would be confusing! I’ve updated the recipe to clarify. 🙂
Hey Raia,
I came over today on Raising Homemakers, and I’m glad to find your post.
Sounds like this project was quite an adventure. I’m afraid I would have all sorts of technical difficulties if I tried this myself. And, I applaud your courage! Looks like it all turned out very well.
Hope you have a blessed day~
Melanie
Thanks so much for stopping by, Melanie! I understand your trepidation, some DIY projects can be quite the undertaking! Thankfully, once you take out all the frozen peaches, this lip balm surprisingly easy. 😉
Oh my, peaches instead of beeswax! We all have a disaster story like this, don’t we? ha ha. Thanks for linking up on the Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesdays Linky Party. I hope you will join us again next week
Glad to share my disaster story, Audrey. 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by!
It’s so great to find your blog through Gluten Free Fridays! I used to make my own lip balm, and it is so wonderful to read your methods. I also really appreciate that you shared your pumpkin attempts with us, so we don’t do the same thing. Honey and cinnamon sound like the perfect combination to me. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you, Kaila. 🙂 Honey and cinnamon are a wonderfully warming combo, and the recipe is super easy. 🙂
This looks like so much fun to do with my kids…thanks for the great idea and excellent tutorial!
You’re very welcome, Janelle! I hope you enjoy making it!
Such great gift ideas!
Definitely, Amber! 🙂
Hi Raia,
This lip balm sounds great. Love the idea of the cinnamon flavor. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted!
Glad to share, Marla! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
Mmmm, this looks and smells good enough to eat! What a wonderful combination of ingredients.
Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop!
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Haha! Yes, my daughters think we should be able to eat it, too. 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by, Jennifer!
Oh my, I’m glad your little adventure worked out in the end because this lip balm sounds wonderful. I don’t think I could resist a little taste test. 🙂
Haha, thanks, Barbara! 🙂
It’s so nice to be able to make things yourself, isn’t it? 🙂
Definitely. 😉
Hahaah….That is priceless. LOL. Good thing some of the best lessons we have we learn by mistakes right? Thanks for linking up at Simply Natural Saturdays!
Sigh… exactly. 😉 Glad to link up, Jessica! Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
Love this homemade lip balm, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.
Thanks so much! I’m glad to share, Swathi!
Good Evening Raia!! Just popping in to let you know your post has been picked as a feature at the Welcome Home Wednesday Link Party! Stop by tomorrow morning to see your feature and link up! Don’t forget to grab your “Featured Button” too!
Thanks so much for the feature, Lisa! I’ll be sure to link up again. 😉
Haha that story was too good, I cannot tell you how many times I have messed up the ingredients for things (ie I always put powdered sugar instead of flour…and wonder why it dissolves in water). This sounds awesome though…I’ve started really liking lip balm I think I should make my own! Thanks for sharing at Welcome Home Wednesday!
Haha! Powdered sugar for flour doesn’t sound very enjoyable! You should definitely give homemade lip balm a try, it’s pretty easy (minus frozen peaches!). Thanks so much for stopping by, Sam! 🙂
Raia, I love this DIY project. Chapstick does not last long in my home, especially during the winter. I am pinning for later and will be trying your recipe! Thank you for linking up with us on Welcome Home Wednesday link party. I liked this so much it’s my feature this week! Congrats =)
Thanks so much, Lyn! I hope you enjoy the chapstick. 🙂
Hey Raia,
You are a magician. Just went through your site. This concoction sounds just as fancy and soothing as anything else. Cinnamon and honey? I am so sold.
Although, I don’t know where to source beeswax from (ah crafting woes! may be a candle store?).
Oh and congratulations on the feature on MidMichiganMom’s Welcome Home Wednesday.
Keep sharing. Cheers!
Ha! Thanks so much, Shreyashi. 😉 I get my beeswax from either Amazon or Mountain Rose Herbs. 🙂 You could try a candle or crafting store, too, just make sure there aren’t any pesticides or other additives on the beeswax. Hope you get a chance to try the lip balm!
Yes, looked up Amazon. Seems to be the way to go. 🙂
Your post is being featured on Simply Natural Saturdays this week. Thanks for linking up!
Yay! Thanks so much, Jessica! 🙂
Hi Raia,
Just thought I would give you a heads-up that I did end up making this lip balm and loved it (just as I hoped I would). That being said, I am planning to feature this in my best of November 2015 round-up. I think it is a very easy and awesome DIY that many people would be tempted to try out. So, I would love to feature this on 1st December on my site with a picture of the balm and the proper citations if that is alright by you.
Thank you,
Cheers.
I’m so glad that you loved it, Shreyashi! Of course you can use a photo and link in your round-up. Thank you so much for asking and for featuring it! 🙂
Ha Ha! I can totally see myself doing this! But the cinnamon honey result sounds totally delicious, I can’t wait to try it!
Haha, yeah, I’m ok with the end result. 😉 I hope you enjoy it, Liz!
Holy cow that was funny !
It sounds just like something I would do, and I’m a beekeeper!
Thanks for the recipe and the laugh…
Haha! Well, that helps me feel a little better, then. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Angie!
muy buena su receta, me gusta, pero queria preguntarle porque puedo cambiar el aceite de albaricoque, ya que en mi pais es muy dificil encontrarlo lo he buscado mucho y nadie lo fabrica.. gracias por su respuesta
You can substitute more coconut oil in place of the apricot oil. 🙂
Just finding this recipe on Pinterest. Can you tell me where to get Shea butter and bees wax? Also where can I find the tubes to put the balm in? Looking forward to trying this out!!
You can purchase both of them on Amazon or many other stores online or a local store like Whole Foods.
Health food stores
the honey separated. what did i do wrong?
Hm… I’m not really sure, Nancy! I’ve never had that happen before. I’m sorry!
So nice of you to reply. I did read that maybe heating it longer might prevent the separation. I guess other people have had problems with honey separating. I did used raw, unrefined honey. Don’t know if that makes a difference. Thank you so much
You’re welcome, Nancy! I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you.
I also had the honey separate in some of the containers. . .
Sorry that happened to you, Lindsay!
Same thing happened to me. I used local raw honey. Cloudy, not filtered variety and it’s not mixing with the oils. Maybe clear honey works better.
🙁 Sorry! I have not tried with raw honey, I just used the regular stuff from Costco. I would guess there would be some difference.
This lip balm is amazing! I cut the recipe in half as I had only bought 4 tubes. Worked perfectly other than the mess I made trying to pour it into the tubes. Lol! Small modification made for the next batch. Instead of a bowl, I heated everything in my glass measuring cup in a small pot of gently simmering water. Also on second batch I tried peppermint EO. Fabulous!!!!! Thank you for the recipe. Totally a keeper and I will be using frequently in the future! I have shared a few and everyone loves this lip balm. Very smooth, awesome fragrance and feels good even a few hours later. Win, win, win!!!
I’m so glad you liked it, Liz! Thank you so much for letting me know. 🙂 It’s always encouraging to get positive feedback. I’m definitely trying it with peppermint next time… 😉
How much is water is a pint of water exactly? The water I need to bring to a boil that is 😉
Hope you can help. Love this recipe.
A pint is 2 cups, or about 1/2 a liter. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
I like the texture and it stays well. I think I might add some Stevie to it next time to add a touch of sweetness. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Dawn! Thank you for letting me know!
Hi again. So now that my balm had a chance to sit for a day or two I really noticed the sweetness from the honey. I think I could eat this stuff! I’ve given away quite a few of these and the reviews are fantastic. I just wanted to update my last post. Thank you again for the recipe. It’s really great.
Haha! I’m so glad you like it. My daughter tries to eat it, too. 😉
I wanted to find out how much does this recipe makes? How many tubes will it fill?
It makes about 8 tubes.
Hi there! Thanks for the recipe. I want to try this recipe. I have made other honey lip balm in the past, and although it tasted great, I noticed that when carried on a warm place (e.g., a pocket), the honey would seep out the bottom and get sticky. What type of honey did you use? I just used a local raw honey I had, but I’m wondering if you had this problem or could recommend anything else I could try to prevent the balm from doing this.
Thank you!
Hm… I just used local honey, too. I played around with the recipe a few times before I settled on this one. The first two definitely seeped out the bottom, but I didn’t find that this one separated. If you’re worried about it, maybe you could use a little lip balm jar, like the one in the top photo, instead of a tube. I hope you enjoy the lip balm!
Thank you! I will definitely try your recipe and see if i have better luck.
P.S. I really appreciate you responding to your viewers so fast! You really make an effort to respond to everyone and in a timely manner. That is impressive. Most people never reply to my questions or they do months or even years later. So thanks for being awesome! 🙂
Haha! You’re welcome. 😉
Hello! I cannot see the amount of lip balms this recipe yields… any answer? It would be helpful to know. Thanks in advance
The recipe makes about 8 tubes of lip balm. 🙂
Hi
I know this was from 3 years ago but have just found the recipe. And am eager to give it a go. What measurement is “T” please is it Tea Spoon or Table spoon?
The capital T stands for tablespoon. 🙂 I hope you enjoy the lip balm, Clare!
LOL Someone needs to make a pumpkin spice essential oil 🙂
That would be amazing. 😉
It’s a double BOILER!
You boil 2 layers of whatever.
Nothing is ever broiled there!
Thank you for your chapstick recipes!
This looks so good! What a great gift to make for friends or to enjoy yourself!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?