DIY Peppermint Lip Balm Recipe with Printable Labels

See how to make peppermint lip balm! This easy DIY lip balm recipe is very moisturizing and perfect to soothe dry, cracked lips during the winter months. This lip balm without beeswax is also vegan and plant-based, so everyone can enjoy it. You’ll also get free printable lip balm labels and learn an easy trick to turn homemade peppermint chapstick into festive candy cane lip balm!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Learn more

DIY Peppermint lip balm recipe – Easy homemade candy cane lip balm

This peppermint lip balm, aka candy cane lip balm, is not only vegan (entirely plant-based) but also very hydrating and nourishing, just how I like a moisturizing lip balm recipe to be. The base of this soft lip balm recipe is made with jojoba oil and wax, shea butter and cocoa butter, which give the DIY peppermint chapstick a luscious texture.

The peppermint lip balm benefits are many. As I already mentioned, this lip balm is moisturising and perfect to care for dry, chapped and cracked lips in winter. Plus, lip balm with essential oils have even more benefits, which I’ll explain in a second. And did I mention that this homemade lip balm recipe has a refreshing peppermint scent?

Materials for peppermint lip balm

My goal was to create the best peppermint lip balm. So I developed different lip balm formulas until I settled on this cocoa butter lip balm recipe without beeswax. I also share two optional ingredients that will turn peppermint chapstick into candy cane lip balm!

For homemade lip balm with peppermint essential oil, we need the following materials:

• jojoba wax – Jojoba wax gives the peppermint lip balm recipe structure. The wax ester is also an excellent emollient, due to its similarity to the natural oils produced by the human skin.
• shea butter and cocoa butter – Shea and cocoa butter are excellent ingredients for natural lip care. This shea and cocoa butter lip balm recipe is wonderfully moisturising, and your lips will feel softer afterwards.
• jojoba oil – Jojoba oil creates a lipid film on the skin and locks moisture, making your lips soft and supple. The oil is very resistant to oxidation,
• peppermint essential oil – Peppermint essential oil has a healing and plumping effect. You can read more about the skincare benefits of peppermint essential oil below.
• vitamin E oil – Vitamin E in lip balm nourishes and moisturises the skin, keeping your lips hydrated and supple. As a potent antioxidant, vitamin E oil also fights free radicals and may prevent premature signs of ageing.
• lip balm tubes – We also need a lip balm container. You can either use lip balm tubes or small lip balm pots. The free printable lip balm labels include options for both.

Optional ingredients for candy cane lip balm

How do you make candy cane lip balm? The ingredients listed above will give you a wonderfully moisturizing peppermint lip balm. If you want to give the recipe a holiday twist and make candy lip balm, add the following ingredients:

• vanilla oleoresin – If you want candy cane lip balm, add a few drops vanilla oleoresin.
• stevia powder – A pinch of stevia powder sweetens the lip balm naturally.

As I said, these ingredients are optional but will give you candy cane lip balm that smells and tastes sweet and minty, just like candy cane!

Can you use peppermint oil in lip balm? Is peppermint oil good for your lips?

Yes, peppermint essential oil is good for lips and skin care. The EO has a cooling and revitalising effect on the skin and can help to heal and soothe cracked lips due to the oil’s menthol content. Peppermint EO also stimulates circulation, which some people say creates a swelling or plumping effect that makes your lips appear fuller.

Please note that peppermint essential oil is quite potent. To avoid side effects, always use it diluted in a carrier oil. For children or very sensitive skin, it’s better to use milder spearmint or bergamot mint essential oil.

Can you use peppermint extract in lip balm?

With the holidays approaching fast, many people are looking for easy homemade beauty gift ideas. And I understand that some of you want to create candy lip balm with ingredients you already have at home because it’s convenient and you won’t have to spend money on buying essential oils.

So, can you use peppermint extract in lip balm?

For alcohol-based peppermint extract, the answer is no. Lip balms are entirely based on wax, fats and oil and won’t mix with alcohol-based flavour extracts. If you have a peppermint or candy cane flavour oil, it might work, but I can’t guarantee that the peppermint lip balm would be the same. Do a test batch and take notes before starting a mini production of flavored chapstick.

DIY lip balm without beeswax

Can you make lip balm without beeswax? Yes, you can make lip balm without beeswax. After sharing homemade lip balm recipes for several years, I know that some of you want DIY lip balm without beeswax. Today, I’m happy to share a cocoa butter lip balm recipe without beeswax!

But why a lip balm recipe without beeswax? For one, some people are allergic to bee-derived products like honey and beeswax is a no-no, too. Secondly, as amazing as the skincare benefits of beeswax in natural skin care are, beeswax is an animal-derived ingredient and not suitable for plant-based, vegan beauty products.

If, of course, you still want to try a lip balm recipe with beeswax, try this simple DIY lip balm recipe, it’s one of the best lip balm recipes.

Alternatives for beeswax in lip balm

What are vegan options for beeswax in lip balm recipes? There are a few actually:

• candelilla wax – Candelilla wax is probably the best-known beeswax substitute. This plant wax is great to stabilize homemade lip balm recipes and helps to lock moisture in the lips.
• carnauba wax – Carnauba wax is harvested from the leaves of the carnauba palm. This wax gives a glossy finish.
• stearic acid –  Stearic acid isn’t a wax but a white, waxy, natural fatty acid. It works as an emulsifying agent and gives creams, lotions, and other natural body care recipes a silky feel.
• berry fruit wax – Berry fruit wax (Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera) is a vegan wax made from the berries of the Chinese lacquer tree. I love berry fruit wax in homemade skincare products, but unfortunately it isn’t widely available.
• jojoba wax – Jojoba wax is softer and more hydrating than the other plant-based waxes. In my opinion, it’s the best substitute for beeswax in DIY lip balm recipes.

I used a jojoba wax pastilles in for this all-natural beauty recipe to give the lip balm a soft texture that just melts into your lips and helps dry, chapped lips stay moist and hydrated. If you can’t find jojoba wax, substitute with stearic acid.

Okay, now let’s delve into this DIY peppermint lip balm recipe without beeswax!

How to make peppermint lip balm – Easy candy cane lip balm recipe

How do you make peppermint lip balm? Here’s how to make DIY peppermint lip balm from scratch:

• Melt the wax. First, melt the jojoba wax in a heat-proof jug in a warm water bath on low heat. Make sure the wax doesn’t come in contact with the water. Tip: Use a container with a small spout (e.g. a glass measuring cup) to make pouring the lip balm easier.
• Melt the oils. Next, add the shea butter, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil. Warm and stir until the butters have melted. Take off the heat.
• Add essential oil. Add the peppermint essential oil and vitamin E oil. Stir well.
• Fill containers. Pour the peppermint lip balm mixture into tubes or pots.
• Let lip balm harden. Let sit at room temperature until solid, which usually takes 2 to 4 hours in a moderate climate. You can also put the lip balm in the fridge to cool the beauty DIY if you live in a hot environment, but cooling at room temperature is the better option for this lip balm recipe without beeswax.

That’s it! Your homemade peppermint lip balm needed just a couple of minutes of prep, and the rest of the time is spent waiting on the lip balm to harden.

If you want to learn more about how to fill lip balm tubes and how to deal with lip balm sinkholes, read my DIY pumpkin spice lip balm recipe where I answer these questions.

Cute decorating idea for candy cane lip balm

Fun tip… mix a little red or pink mica and 99% isopropyl alcohol to create a mica “paint”. Then draw a candy cane or peppermint starlight design on the lip balm. The mica is only a thin layer and will be gone with one swipe. It isn’t enough to tint your lips but is still a cute and festive lip balm gift, right?

And speaking of looking festive, don’t forget to download our free printable lip balm labels at the end of the post, after the DIY box. The labels come in two designs: one is intended for lip balm tubes, and the other printable can be used on round lip balm tins.

How long can you store peppermint lip balm?

This peppermint lip balm has a shelf of 1 year. Be sure to store candy cane lip balm in a dark, cool place, away from heat and sunlight.

I usually keep one homemade lip balm in my purse and one at my nightstand. The lip balms I’m not currently using are either stored in a cupboard or the refrigerator if it’s hot outside.

More DIY candy cane beauty recipes

Candy cane inspired beauty products are wonderful to care for your skin throughout the holiday season. Plus, each DIY skincare recipe is also a festive homemade Christmas gift idea for family and friends.

For more peppermint beauty DIYs, check out these projects:

• DIY peppermint bath bombs
• candy cane bubble bar scoops
• homemade candy cane sugar scrub and peppermint body butter
• peppermint bath salts
• festive candy cane soap
• easy peppermint lip scrub
• DIY peppermint scented candles
• candy cane gift set

Over to you!

Thanks so much for visiting Country Hill Cottage – we’re so happy you’re here! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this post, please share it using the social media buttons you see next to the post.

For more crafts, beauty DIYs and recipe, follow us on Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

Irena xx