Natural Tinted Lip Balm Recipe (2024)

This natural tinted lip balm is a nourishing part of any skincare routine. Kiss dry lips goodbye and add a little shimmer to your day. This DIY is a great alternative for those (like me) who don’t regularly wear lipstick. But If you’re a lipstick girl, also check out my homemade lipstick.

My daughter loves this lip balm! Since it’s a natural recipe I’ll let her use a tiny amount and she feels special because she’s wearing “makeup.” It also makes a great gift for birthdays or as a stocking stuffer at Christmas.

Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm

Tinted Lip Balm is smoother and glossier than lipstick, and more like a traditional lip gloss. Matte versions just use pigment to tint the lips, while glossier versions offer shimmery lip color. They’re different than a lip stain which gives a hint of color but can dry out lips.

Especially during the winter months, I like using lip butter or lip balm to soothe chapped lips. Having a barrier there can also provide some mild sun protection. Coconut oil and shea butter both have mild SPF properties and I use both in my homemade sunscreen. While they’re not SPF 15 like conventional SPF lip balms (they’re more like SPF 7) I still like using them to nourish and hydrate.

Ingredients in DIY Tinted Lip Balm

This DIY lip tint version is made with completely natural ingredients. And a little really goes a long way! I colored my original version with a tiny drop of natural red food coloring for a pop of color. I also added lemon and vanilla for scent. You could leave it unscented if you prefer, or opt for a different essential oil.

I settled on a refreshing mint version that offers subtle color and reminds me of Burt’s Bees lip balm. Instead of oxides for a wash of color, I opted for sparkly rose mica. On days I want more color coverage, I’ll add a little bit of cocoa powder or natural food coloring to the recipe. One of the best parts about making your own beauty products is being able to customize the recipe how you want!

Best Oils for Lip Balm

There are a lot of different choices when it comes to lip care. I kept it simple, yet functional with coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax for the base. You could sub in a little jojoba or avocado oil for the coconut oil if preferred though. Castor seed oil adds a little bit more of a glossy feel, but too much can make it feel sticky. Some drugstore brands, like Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm, use sunflower seed oil and other vegetable oils, which is something I try to avoid.

I’ve also added a little vitamin E oil. It helps the product last a little longer and provides some antioxidants. If you don’t have any on hand though, don’t worry, it’s optional. And if you want a firmer lip balm or don’t have shea butter, then cocoa butter will also work.

This recipe has many of the same ingredients as my homemade lotion bars, homemade lotion, DIY deodorant, and more. So if you keep these ingredients on hand, you can make endless variations of natural beauty products.

Lip Balm Containers

I re-used an old tin for this recipe, but you can also find cute, small tins online. I like to use these 1/2 of 1-ounce tins when I make lip balm for gifts. Just be sure your hands are clean when applying. Adding slightly more beeswax also makes a great lip balm in a chapstick container.

DIY Natural Tinted Lip Balm

This natural DIY tinted lip balm is simple and easy to make with soothing ingredients to hydrate thirsty lips. Also makes a great gift!

Prep Time4 minutes mins

Equipment

Materials

2 TBSP coconut oil
1 TBSP beeswax pellets
1 TBSP shea butter
½ tsp red or rose mica powder
4 drops peppermint essential oil optional
10 drops vitamin E oil optional
1 drop natural red food color optional

Instructions

If you don't have a double boiler, then place a glass bowl on top of a small saucepan halfway filled with water.
Add the coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter to the bowl or top of the double boiler and heat over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until melted.
Once melted, turn the heat off and add the essential oils, food coloring, vitamin E, and mica.
Carefully pour the mixture into the tins and allow it to cool completely.

Notes

Storage and Shelf Life: Use a clean finger to apply and store in a cool, dark place. This will last about 6-12 months when stored properly.

Best Tinted Lip Balms to Buy

Don’t have time or ingredients to make it? Here are some paraben-free, cruelty-free, and clean brands to get instead.

Ever made your own lip balm or chapstick? Ready to try this one? Leave a comment and let me know how it went!