Vegan Lip Balm 101
For all my wonderful and amazing vegan and vegetarian friends, this lip balm tutorial is for you!!!
Looking for a vegan alternative to traditional beeswax lip balm? This simple DIY recipe uses plant-based waxes to create a smooth, nourishing lip balm that is completely animal-free.
First up, we have carnauba wax, the overachiever of the plant-based wax world. It's a super hard wax produced by Brazilian palm trees. You heard it right: this wax is straight from the leafy palms of Brazil, containing fatty acids, wax esters, and fatty alcohols. It's perfect for crafting lip balms, salves, stiff creams, and skin barrier products. You can snag some at Mountain Rose Herbs. Click HERE to teleport there!
Then, we have the lesser-known but equally fabulous candelilla wax. This vegetable wax hails from the candelilla plant, a humble resident of Mexico. It's like the quiet, smart kid in class - unassuming with a pale yellow hue and no detectable aroma, but just as essential for your DIY lip balm needs. So, let's embrace these vegan alternatives and make our lip care routine even more compassionate!
Custom D.I.Y Vegan Lip Balm Recipe
makes enough for one 4-ml lip balm tube or container
3/4 teaspoon of your favorite carrier oil (such as coconut oil, olive oil, mango butter, shea butter...you choose as many or as few as you want just make sure it equals 3/4 teaspoon total)
1/2 teaspoon of one of the following plant based waxes
- Carnauba=hardest
- Candelilla=medium
- Berry Wax=creamy
- Sunflower Wax=elegant glide
- Rice Bran Wax=silky finish
10 drops Vitamin E Oil
2 drops of your favorite essential oil (such as lavender, sweet orange, peppermint, spearmint, or vanilla C02)
Measure out the carrier oils and wax into a small glass measuring cup and place in a saucepan containing a few inches of simmering water until the wax and oils have melted together. Remove from heat. Add in the vitamin E oil and essential oil. Carefully pour the mixture into a lip balm container. Allow to harden and cool to room temp. Enjoy!!
Fun Fact: Different oils and butters have different melting points and textures. If you substitute ingredients, your finished lip balm may be softer, firmer, glossier, or more matte.