DIY Chocolate Lip Balm {8 Easy Recipes}

Learn how to make the best chocolate lip balm with real chocolate! This yummy lip treatment feels soft and moisturizing, protecting your lips against dehydration. The tutorial includes recipes for 8 delicious flavors like vanilla, mint, and ruby rose.

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Homemade chocolate chapstick

Can we all agree that chocolate is the best thing ever, right? Though I love a good chocolate chip cookie any time of day, we ain’t baking today.

Instead, we’ll be creating the dreamiest and creamiest lip product you’ve ever tried: homemade chocolate lip balm!

Wanna know the real kicker? My chocolate lip balm recipe uses actual chocolate! Chocolate might seem like an odd choice for a skincare product.

But trust me on this, it has all the qualities you want in a lip balm. Incredibly nourishing? Yep. Cushiony texture? Check. Delicious aroma? You betcha.

And because I couldn’t decide on just one type of chocolate, I created 8 different lip balm recipes, one more delicious than the other. Are you ready for this?

If you’re looking for other lip balm recipes, be sure to try my lavender lip balm, our popular 4-ingredient lip balm, and this healing lip balm.

And for more tips, check this post on chapped lip remedies from Beauty Crafter.

Chocolate lip balm benefits

Pucker up! Here are all the reasons to make this homemade chocolate lip balm recipe:

• Real chocolate: Yes, you read that right! My lip balm uses real chocolate. You can use different types of chocolate to customize the DIY chapstick to your heart’s content.
• Uber moisturizing: Coconut oil and chocolate provide deep and long-lasting hydration. The formula fights dryness and soothes chapped lips.
• Super creamy texture: The texture is my favorite part! It’s incredibly creamy and soft with a satin finish. The balm glides on your lips and melts into the skin. Perfection!
• Protective: The balm forms a lightweight film that protects your lips from moisture loss and the elements. Really handy in fall and winter!
• All-natural: Only eco-friendly and natural ingredients here! You won’t find any weird, synthetic materials in this easy lip moisturizer.
• Easy: This natural lip balm recipe is incredibly easy – even if you’ve never made lip balm before. It’s also a fun craft project to try with children.
• Giftable: Chocolate flavored lip balm is created with inexpensive ingredients and can be produced in large quantities, making it a great gift and wedding/party favor.

Materials

Although the balm may seem intricate, the list of ingredients is surprisingly simple. Chocolate-flavored lip balm is definitely an easy skincare recipe!

• Chocolate steals the show in this DIY! It creates a rich texture and infuses the balm with a yummy chocolate aroma.
• Coconut oil is incredibly moisturizing and is ideal for dry, chapped lips.
• Olivem 1000 is a natural emollient made from olive oil. It locks moisture into your skin and prevents moisture loss.
• Essential oils, like vanilla extract, cacao absolute, tonka bean, provide a yummy scent. Adding a fragrance is optional. You can prepare the lip balm without essential oils, too.

The ingredient quantities and full instructions are listed in the how-to box at the bottom of the page.

You can learn more about the key ingredients at the end of this post.

Tools

• Digital scale to get precise measurements.
• Chocolate melting pot to warm and melt the ingredients. This pot has a spout, which is great for pouring the balm.
• Glass stirrer or spoon for mixing.
• Aluminum tins to store the lip balm. I don’t recommend lip balm tubes because my chocolate chapstick is too soft to hold up in a tube.

How to make chocolate lip balm

A warm water bath is the best way to melt the ingredients. Be sure to follow the instructions and melt the chocolate + Olivem first and only add the coconut oil afterward. Let me walk you through the steps for how to make chocolate lip balm:

Step 1: Set up a water bath

• Fill a small saucepan with 1 in / 2.5 cm water.
• Adjust the heat to low and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 2: Melt chocolate and Olivem

• Put your chocolate of choice and the Olivem 1000 into the chocolate melting pot.
• Place the melting pot on the saucepan, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the pot.
• Stir occasionally until the ingredients are fully melted.

Step 3: Add coconut oil

• Remove the melting pot from the water bath and place it on a kitchen towel. Dry the condensation from the outside of the pot.
• Stir in the coconut oil until melted.
• If the coconut oil doesn’t melt all the way, put the pot back in the water bath for a few seconds until the mixture appears smooth.

Step 4: Scent (optional)

• Add the essential oil or absolute and swirl with a glass stirrer or spoon to incorporate.

Step 5: Pour the lip balm

• Pour the lip balm mixture into the aluminum tin and optionally apply a printable label.
• Allow to cool and set at room temperature, for approximately 30 minutes. Now, your homemade chocolate lip balm is ready!

Tips for success

Want to know more about making chocolate lipstick? You’re in the right place! Here are my best tips and tricks for creating satin-smooth and moisturizing chocolate lip balm!

• Use room temperature ingredients. The chocolate and coconut oil should be at room temperature, not chilled. If storing your coconut oil and chocolate in the fridge, let them warm up on the counter for 1 hour before attempting the recipe.
• Melt in a water bath because chocolate burns easily in the microwave. If using the microwave, be sure to melt at the lowest possible setting and heat in 15-second bursts.
• Heat slowly. Since chocolate burns quickly, watch the heat. The water bath should be slightly steaming, not boiling or bubbling.
• Make sure no water enters the chocolate mixture. Water will seize the chocolate and ruin the balm. Be careful not to get any water into the chocolate and Olivem mixture.
• Add the coconut oil AFTER melting the chocolate and Olivem first. You might be tempted to melt everything at once. But when testing the recipe, I found that the coconut oil will seize the chocolate, making it grainy and unusable.
• Add extra coconut oil for semisweet and bittersweet chocolate. These types of chocolates are harder than milk or white chocolate. An additional 1/4 tsp coconut oil will make the texture soft and creamy.

8 Chocolate lip balm recipes

Alright, my friend! Now that you know all about making chocolate lip balm from scratch, let’s have some fun and play with different flavors. I’ve created 8 scrumptious formulas, and I feel so excited to share them with you. Enjoy!

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Vanilla white chocolate lip balm

This vanilla-flavored lip balm is made with white chocolate and botanical vanilla extract, which you can replace with seeds of a real vanilla bean. I adore the cushion texture and cozy fragrance of this version. You’ll need:

• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz white chocolate chips
• 1 tsp / 3 g / 0.1 oz Olivem 1000
• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz coconut oil
• 5 drops botanical vanilla extract

Milk chocolate lip balm

Next, up is a delicious milk chocolate lip balm. I used cocoa absolute for a stronger chocolate scent. Here are the ingredients to make this velvety lip balm:

• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz milk chocolate chips
• 1 tsp / 3 g / 0.1 oz Olivem 1000
• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz coconut oil
• 5 drops cacao absolute (optional)

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Bittersweet chocolate lip balm

This one is for chocolate lovers! You can prepare the recipe with dark, semisweet, or bittersweet chocolate. These types of chocolate are firmer than white and milk chocolate, so add an extra 1/4 tsp coconut oil.

• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz bittersweet chocolate chips (can sub for dark or semisweet)
• 1 tsp / 3 g / 0.1 oz Olivem 1000
• 1 1/4 tsp / 7.5 g / 0.26 oz coconut oil
• 5 drops cacao absolute (optional)

Ruby rose lip balm

Ruby chocolate is naturally pink chocolate and features a fruity taste. The pink color comes from unfermented cocoa beans. I scented this version with rose absolute for a beautiful rose fragrance.

• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz ruby chocolate
• 1 tsp / 3 g / 0.1 oz Olivem 1000
• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz coconut oil
• 5 drops rose absolute

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Chocolate mint lip balm

Chocolate mint is a classic flavor combination and makes delicious lip balm, too. Peppermint essential oil can remedy cracked lips and has a cooling effect thanks to the presence of menthol.

• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz semisweet chocolate
• 1 tsp / 3 g / 0.1 oz Olivem 1000
• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz coconut oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil

Chocolate coffee lip balm

Coffee and chocolate team up to create a lip balm that smells like your favorite coffee house drink. Coffee absolute is responsible for the mocha scent and has a stimulating effect. I combined bittersweet and white chocolate for this variety.

• 1/2 tsp / 3 g / 0.1 oz bittersweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 tsp / 3 g / 0.1 oz white chocolate chips
• 1 tsp / 3 g / 0.1 oz Olivem 1000, divided
• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz coconut oil, divided
• 5 drops coffee essential oil

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Spiced hot chocolate lip balm

If you like a bit of lip plumping action, try this lip balm with cinnamon leaf essential oil. Cinnamon improves circulation, thus making your lips appear bigger. The oil isn’t suitable for sensitive skin, though.

• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz semisweet chocolate
• 1 tsp / 3 g / 0.1 oz Olivem 1000
• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz coconut oil
• 5 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil
• sprinkle of ground cinnamon (optional)

Blonde chocolate toffee lip balm

Like ruby chocolate, blonde chocolate is fairly new. Blonde chocolate is browned white chocolate and features irresistible notes of toffee and butterscotch. Tonka bean absolute intensifies the toffee aroma.

• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz blonde chocolate (can sub for butterscotch morsels)
• 1 tsp / 3 g / 0.1 oz Olivem 1000
• 1 tsp / 6 g / 0.2 oz coconut oil
• 5 drops tonka bean absolute (optional)

How to use cocoa lip balm

It’s easy! Apply chocolate lip balm like you would use any other lip hydrator.

1. Using a cosmetic spoon or clean fingertips, take a small amount of balm out of the tin.
2. Rub the formula gently into your lips.
3. Smack your lips together to disperse the product and enjoy the moisturizing effect.

FAQ

Is this homemade chocolate lip balm edible?

Theoretically yes, but I don’t recommend it. Chocolate and coconut oil are surely edible, but Olivem and essential oils shouldn’t be consumed.

Can I use vegan chocolate?

Absolutely! If you need vegan chocolate lip balm, prepare the recipe with your favorite vegan or dairy-free chocolate.

Can I use sugar-free chocolate?

Yes, that should work, too. Before making a large batch, be sure to create a small test sample. Sugar-free chocolate can be sweetened with different low-carb sweeteners, and it’s impossible to know beforehand how they will behave.

Storage instructions

• Packaging: As mentioned earlier, lip balm tins are the best storage containers for this DIY chocolate lip balm. You could also keep the ointment in these frosted mini glass jars. The texture is too soft to hold up in lip balm tubes.
• Labels: This DIY includes free printable lip balm labels, which you can download below. The labels come in different sizes to fit a variety of containers.
• Storage: To maintain the soft consistency, store your chocolate chapstick at room temperature, around 59 to 77 °F / 15 to 25 °C. The balm will soften and melt if kept any hotter than that. I don’t recommend placing it in the fridge because it will make the texture hard.
• Shelf life: Chocolate lip balm will keep well for 9 months to 1 year. The best-before date of your chocolate will determine the exact shelf life.

Chocolate

Can you use chocolate in skincare?

Yes! You may not realize it, but the individual components of chocolate are popular cosmetic ingredients.

Chocolate is made of cocoa mass, cocoa butter, sugar, and emulsifiers like soy/sunflower lecithin. Cocoa butter and sugar are common in skincare products and can be found in body lotion, creams, or body scrubs. Lecithin is occasionally used as a natural emulsifier.

And cocoa mass? Cocoa mass is essentially cocoa powder + cocoa butter, which can be used to make cosmetics.

What does chocolate do in lip balm?

Chocolate gives the lip balm texture, flavor, structure, and moisturization. Most lip balm recipes contain solid plant butter (e.g., shea butter or cocoa butter) as a moisturizing agent, and chocolate serves the same purpose.

What types of chocolate can I use?

The wonderful thing about this homemade lip balm is that it can be prepared with a variety of chocolates. You can make chocolate lip balm with:

• White chocolate
• Milk chocolate
• Semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
• Ruby chocolate
• Blonde chocolate
• Candy melts and baking bites like toffee, peanut butter, or butterscotch morsels. These aren’t technically chocolate but work regardless.

Should I use chocolate chips or a chocolate bar?

Both will work fine. Feel free to make the lip balm with chocolate chips or chop up a chocolate bar.

My only tip is: don’t skimp on the chocolate! If possible, buy high quality-chocolate bar/chips from brands like Valrhona, Guittard, Ghirardelli, or Callebaut.

Cheap chocolate (especially products specifically made for baking) often contains all sorts of additives like palm oil or paraffin wax but no cocoa butter.

Can I substitute cocoa butter?

Yes, you can substitute chocolate with cocoa butter. The consistency will turn out firmer, and the color will be pale cream.

Can I use cocoa powder instead of chocolate?

Yes, but with reservations. Cocoa powder creates a grainier consistency, and you have to add a plant butter such as cocoa butter or shea butter.

Will cacao nibs work?

No, this homemade lip balm can’t be made with cacao nibs. Cacao nibs are tiny pieces of cacao beans and don’t melt.

Coconut oil

What is coconut oil?

Coconut oil is pressed from the flesh of coconuts. The oil has the ability to flip-flop between solid and liquid depending on the ambient temperature.

Virgin coconut oil has a smell similar to piña coladas. Refined coconut oil is deodorized and has no noticeable odor. Which one you choose is up to personal preference.

What does coconut oil do for lips?

Coconut oil liquefies on touch and melts into the skin. The oil provides excellent lubrication and has an analgesic (pain-relieving) effect. It can help to moisturize and soothe dry, cracked lips.

Substitutes for coconut oil

Babassu oil and mango butter are possible substitutes for coconut oil.

Olivem 1000

What is Olivem 1000?

Olivem 1000 is a natural emulsifier and multipurpose skincare ingredient. The product is made from olive oil and sorbitol.

Why are we using it in this lip balm recipe?

Olivem is an emollient, meaning it traps moisture in the skin and protects it from drying out.

Furthermore, Olivem adjusts the texture and gives the balm a lush, powdery finish. Coconut oil is quite greasy, but Olivem eliminates every trace of greasiness.

Substitutions for Olivem 1000

Olivem 1000 is easy to source, and I recommend you stick with it if at all possible.

Ritamulse SCG (aka ECOMulse or Emulsimulse) can be used as a swap-in for Olivem.

Other emulsifying wax (Polawax, Emulsifying Wax NF) or beeswax aren’t good substitutes for Olivem in this lip balm recipe.