The first time I made my own lip balm, I felt like I’d uncovered one of homemaking’s best-kept secrets: it’s easy, it’s fun, and it actually works.

Lip balm was one of my very first herbal DIY projects—partly because I was already using so much of it! Once I learned what was actually in those little store-bought tubes (petroleum, artificial fragrances, and who-knows-what else), I knew I wanted a better option for myself and my family. It turns out that a few pantry-friendly ingredients, a bit of beeswax, and your favorite herbal oil are all you need to make a nourishing lip balm that’s safe, effective, and beautiful enough to gift.

This post will walk you through how to make DIY herbal lip balm, including a calendula recipe, a tallow-based variation, and plenty of tips for gifting and customizing. Perfect for winter lip care, natural skincare, and handmade holiday giving!

Here’s what you’ll find:

• How to make DIY herbal lip balm from scratch
• Tips for crafting giftable lip balms for holidays and birthdays
• Printable calendula lip balm recipe and tallow-based variation
• Links to helpful herbal skincare posts and ingredient sources

The Legal Stuff

This blog is provided by St. Fiacre's Farm LLC for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, and you should always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any medical questions or concerns. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please note that we may earn a small commission on any purchases you make through our affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Why Homemade Lip Balm Belongs in Every Herbal Home

There’s something so satisfying about replacing store-bought staples with your own herbal creations. Lip balm is a perfect starting point: it’s quick, beginner-friendly, and budget-wise. You don’t need a full homestead or a fancy kitchen to make it happen—just a double boiler, a few simple tools, and some nourishing ingredients. You can even tailor it to each season or holiday by changing the herbs, oils, or essential oils you use.

• Safer ingredients: No petroleum, dyes, or synthetic fragrances—just real, food-grade components.
• Kid-approved and family-friendly: My children love using this balm, and I love knowing it's safe for them.
• Wonderful for gifting: Lip balm tins make lovely handmade gifts for Christmas stockings, birthdays, or teacher baskets.
• Apartment- and homestead-friendly: Whether you’re in the city or on a farm, this is a project anyone can try.

Wrapping Up Your Lip Balm for Gifts

One of the most enjoyable parts of making lip balm is dressing it up for giving. Tubes are my everyday favorite; they’re simple, recognizable, and easy for anyone to use. But tins open the door for more creativity with larger labels, ribbons, and even little accents like a sprig of rosemary or a tucked-in dried flower. Each has its place: tubes are practical, tins are playful.

If you want to make the tubes feel more special, try placing them in a small jewelry box and decorating the box itself with twine, ribbon, or scrapbooking accents. Suddenly, what looks like an everyday staple becomes a unique, thoughtful gift. These little packages slip easily into stockings, gift baskets, or a hostess bundle at Christmas, birthdays, or housewarmings.

Designing labels is where I let my inner graphic designer play—programs like Canva make it simple to create polished designs. But if you have scrapbooking supplies, stickers, fabric swatches, or stencils, you can have just as much fun crafting something one-of-a-kind. A few balms tucked into a canning jar, with the jar decorated for the occasion, also makes a charming presentation.

Lip balm pairs beautifully with other homemade goods: a soothing salve, a jar of infused oil in a swing-top bottle, or even a set of fresh hand towels for a cozy DIY bath kit. Best of all, this is a project the children can join in on—they love helping pour the balm and decorate the packages. It’s one of those simple crafts that turns into a memory, and a gift that feels as good to make as it does to give.

Helpful Herbal Lip Balm Tips

Making your own lip balm opens the door to so much creativity. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next batch:

• Choose herbs you grow: Calendula, chamomile, or lavender are easy to grow and perfect for infusing into oils.
• Use food-grade ingredients: Most of what you need is already in your kitchen or can be found at Farmhouse Teas.
• Make it seasonal: Try chai spice, peppermint cocoa, or citrus blends depending on the time of year.
• Blend with purpose: Add plantain for healing, chamomile for calming, or mint for a fresh tingle.

Homemade Lip Balm Know-How

Can I make herbal lip balm without beeswax?
Yes! You can use candelilla wax or carnauba wax as a vegan alternative, though the texture may differ slightly. If you’re not looking for a vegan option, grass-fed tallow can also be used in place of other oils for a deeply nourishing balm. Just note that tallow is firmer than olive or coconut oil, so you may want to reduce the wax slightly for a softer glide.

What herbs are best for lip balm?
Calendula, chamomile, lavender, and plantain are all gentle, skin-loving herbs that work beautifully in lip balm. Be sure to infuse them properly before use. For fun seasonal twists, try blends like orange spice, lavender lemon, coconut lime, hibiscus lemonade, chai spice, pumpkin spice, or cranberry for festive gift-giving and year-round variety.

Where do I find tubes and containers?
You can reuse tins you already have, or purchase new tubes and jars. For an easy start, you’ll find lip balm tubes and a complete DIY lip balm kit in the tools and gadgets collection at Farmhouse Teas , along with other helpful supplies.

How long does homemade lip balm last?
Stored in a cool place, homemade lip balm can last 6–12 months. Avoid introducing water, and label your batch with the date.

From Kitchen Craft to Cozy Keepsake

I hope this post gives you the confidence to try making your own lip balm, whether for daily use, thoughtful gifts, or a first step into homemade skincare. These little tins are more than just a fix for dry lips—they're a simple, meaningful way to connect with your ingredients and care for your loved ones. You don’t need a homestead to start; just a quiet moment, a few trusted materials, and the desire to create something wholesome with your own hands.

And since we’re talking about handmade gifts, I’d love to share something special with you. You can download our Handmade Christmas eBook —it’s free during November and December—and inside you’ll find even more cozy DIY ideas to tuck into stockings, gift baskets, or to enjoy in your own home.

Read More Cozy Recipes

• How to Create Your Own Herbal Monograph
• Calendula Herbal Monograph
• How to Make Calendula-Infused Oil
• Chamomile Benefits & How to Use It
• Affordable & Productive Medicinal Plants
• How & When to Harvest Herbs