A Peppermint Lip Balm Recipe for Sweet Sweet Lips

This peppermint lip balm recipe is lip-smacking good, and hey, it smells amazing too! Great to use all year long, this is a super simple recipe that doesn’t take long to whip up. Here’s how to make your own minty, fresh lip balm.

3 peppermint lip balm tubes with a festive red label

This peppermint lip balm is one of my favourite items to whip up during Christmas time. I call it my candy cane lip balm, and it’s a big hit among friends. They can get tucked inside stockings, alongside gift cards, or as a small token of thanks to acquaintances in your life.

But peppermint doesn’t have to be just a holiday scent. From toothpaste to mojitos, I love enjoying the crisp and fresh taste of peppermint.

Whenever I put this lip balm on, I get a hint of the peppermint taste and enjoy the cooling sensation that comes from the peppermint essential oil.

When it comes to making your own products, lip balm is one of the easiest DIY recipes out there. It’s ideal for beginners and is a very practical item everyone enjoys.

Here’s what we’ll be covering today…

3 peppermint lip balm tubes without labels, surrounded by fresh mint — Without a label, these mint lip balms look as clean and simple as their ingredients.

Homemade Peppermint Lip Balm

Now, this would make a great stocking stuffer, wouldn’t it? The recipe below makes 12 tubes, so you’ll have plenty of mint lip balm to keep and gift to others.

Ingredients and Equipment

See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact measurements.

Jump to Recipe

mint lip balm in small metal tins surrounded by spilled beeswax on a wood surface — If you can’t find lip balm tubes, you can also use small metal containers and apply the mint lip balm with your fingers.

Make It!

Melt the oil and waxes in the double boiler. Remove from heat, add essential oils, and stir well.

Line up lip balm tubes on a level surface and carefully pour the melted oil and wax into each tube, filling only halfway (if you pour it all at once, you may get a hole in the top of your lip balm once it cools).

It really helps if you have a double boiler where the top pot has a pour spout. If not, transfer the hot liquid into a measuring cup with a spout for easier pouring.

Once the half-full lip balm has been set, top up the rest of the tube.

If you still get an uneven top when the balm has cooled completely, you can use a heat gun or lighter to level it out. Just be sure not to melt the tube!

3 tubes of peppermint lip balm with an ornament and red berries out of focus in the backgrround — I labelled mine as candy cane lip balm since I made these during the holidays.

Custom Lip Balm Labels

To really make this peppermint lip balm fun, I added custom labels. It looks like something you might buy at the store!

You can make custom labels if you have a Cricut machine. Printing onto sticker paper is also an option for those who want to use their regular printer.

For simplicity’s sake, I like to use Evermine to make the labels for my items. I can design right on the platform and don’t have to worry about getting the dimensions right.

Once the label is on, they’re truly ready for gifting!

3 mint lip balm tubes lined up — For a year-round look, make the peppermint lip balm labels green and give it your own unique name!

FAQ About Using Peppermint Lip Balm

Is peppermint lip balm drying?

When used incorrectly, peppermint essential oil can be irritating. It should always be diluted before being applied to the skin. In the case of this mint lip balm, it shouldn’t be drying. Instead, the wax and oils create plenty of moisture while the peppermint gives a cooling effect.

Not everyone is well-suited to peppermint oil. The cooling and tingling sensation will promote blood circulation and give a plumping effect to the lips. However, those with sensitive skin may want to avoid using peppermint oil, especially those with dermatitis and eczema. Stop using the lip balm if it causes any irritation.

Why does peppermint make your lips tingle?

One major component of peppermint essential oil is menthol, which gives peppermint its smell, flavour, and tingling sensation. The skin on your face, including your lips, will process the menthol as a tingling and slightly burning sensation thanks to the nerves in the face. The process is similar to how our taste buds process spicy food.

This sensation is completely safe and can even promote focus and attention. Peppermint oil is FDA-approved for use as both a flavour and fragrance.

Peppermint Lip Balm

This peppermint lip balm is ideal around Christmas time or for anyone who loves a minty tingle. This recipe makes 12 tubes.

In the double boiler, melt your waxes and oil together.
Once melted, remove from heat and add your essential oils. Stir well.
Line up the lip balm tubes on a level surface. Pour the melted wax into each tube, only filling halfway. This prevents a hole from forming up top.
Once the lip balm has cooled, reheat the remaining oils and top up the rest of the tube.
If the top cools unevenly, use a heat gun or lighter to level the top. Careful not to melt the tube!

A double boiler with a pour spout makes it easy to pour into the small lip balm tubes. If you don’t have one, transfer the hot liquid into a measuring cup or other container with a spout to make pouring easier.