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My Reward PointsSun exposure can cause common skin issues like dark lips, pigmentation, and dryness. Lips, with thinner skin and less melanin, cannot defend themselves from sun damage.
DIY SPF lip balms offer a natural, cost-effective solution, allowing customization and avoiding harmful chemicals.
Making your own balm allows you control over ingredients, ensuring natural benefits and personal preferences.
This post uncovers why SPF lip balm matters, briefly explains its natural & safe ingredients, and provides the best recipes on how to make SPF lip balm at home.
What is SPF in Lip Balm & Why Does It Matter?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Applying SPF to your lips provides critical protection against UV damage, preventing sunburn and premature aging and lowering your chance of skin cancer.
Sunburned lips, hyperpigmentation, and other complications might result from not applying SPF.
Natural & Safe Ingredients for DIY SPF Lip Balm
Many natural and safe ingredients can be used to make DIY SPF lip balm, including zinc oxide, shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, beeswax, essential oils, and more.
Before learning how to add SPF to DIY lip balm, let's quickly review these ingredients:
1. Zinc Oxide (non-nano)
Zinc oxide is a potent organic sunscreen lip balm ingredient that effectively absorbs and scatters UVA and UVB rays.
Non-nano, uncoated zinc oxide forms a physical barrier on the outer layer of the skin to prevent the sun's harmful rays from entering.
2. Red Raspberry Seed Oil
Raspberry oil, rich in natural tocopherols and fatty acids, is ideal for natural cosmetics due to its antioxidant properties and its 30% Omega 3, 54% Omega 6, and 14% Omega 9 ratio, making it beneficial for light SPF applications.
3. Carrot Seed Oil
Carrot seed essential oil, with a natural SPF of 35-40, is an excellent addition to lip balm for sun protection.
However, due to its diluted nature and uneven application, the lip balm's SPF may be lower, providing modest sun protection.
4. Shea Butter / Cocoa Butter
Shea butter enhances the sun protection factor in lip balms, while cocoa butter acts as an emollient, providing deep moisture and protection.
Cocoa butter also solidifies the balm, providing a protective barrier on the lips.
5. Coconut Oil / Almond Oil
Coconut oil and almond oil are ingredients often used in natural SPF lip balm recipes that provide nourishing, smoothing, and minor UV protection for lips.
Coconut oil nourishes and softens lips while providing UV protection, while almond oil moisturizes and protects from dryness and sun damage.
6. Beeswax / Candelilla Wax
Beeswax and candelilla wax are crucial SPF lip balm ingredients due to their protective properties, firming ability, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and their ability to prevent melting at room temperature.
Candelilla wax, a vegan alternative, offers a similar protective coating.
Tips for making SPF lip balm without beeswax for vegan versions
- Use plant-based waxes like candelilla or carnauba.
- Add moisturizing substances like shea butter, coconut oil, and castor oil.
- Consider adding a natural sun protection factor (SPF), like zinc oxide or raspberry seed oil.
7. Beetroot Powder or Natural Mica
Beetroot powder is commonly used in DIY SPF lip balms due to its natural pigment, providing a pink hue and improving color over time.
Natural mica powder adds a subtle shine, enhancing aesthetic appeal while maintaining sun protection.
8. Essential Oils
Lavender, peppermint, and other essential oils can be a useful addition to DIY SPF lip balms, providing both medicinal advantages and a lovely scent, as well as a pleasant aroma and a mild cooling effect.
Ingredients to Avoid in DIY SPF Lip Balm
Sun Bum sunscreen lip balm should exclude chemical sunscreens, potentially poisonous compounds, and synthetic agents. It is important to be aware of these ingredients.
1. Oxybenzone & Chemical Sunscreens
Lip balms often contain oxybenzone & chemical sunscreens for UV protection, but these can be irritating or hazardous if consumed orally.
As an alternative, mineral-based SPF protection offers fewer side effects.
2. Synthetic Fragrances
Avoid synthetic scents in DIY SPF lip balm to prevent skin irritation, allergic reactions, and dryness. Use natural alternatives like essential oils or fragrance-free products for a gentler, healthier option.
3. Parabens & Phthalates
Lip balms often contain artificial ingredients like parabens and phthalates, which can cause discomfort and health issues when used daily.
Natural, non-toxic alternatives reduce discomfort and promote skin-friendly products.
Best Homemade SPF Lip Balm Recipes
Some of the best homemade lip balm with SPF recipes include a sunscreen recipe, a vegan (without beeswax) recipe, and a tinted (for dark and pigmented lips) recipe.
Simple Recipe - DIY Lip Balm With Sunscreen
This simple DIY lip balm with sunscreen recipe yields six standard-sized lip balm tubes with SPF. If you require a different quantity, please adjust the recipe accordingly.
Ingredients
- Olive oil with calendula - 30 ml
- Jojoba oil - 15 ml
- Wheat germ oil - 15 ml
- Grated beeswax - 30 ml
- Raspberry seed oil - 2.5 ml
- Carnauba wax - 20 ml
- Shea butter - 5 ml
- Vanilla essential oil - 8 drops
- Sweet orange essential oil - 6 drops
- Carrot seed oil - 3 drops
How to Make
Step 1: First, infuse olive oil with calendula. (Pour olive oil over the calendula petals in a jar, ensuring that the petals are covered by at least an inch of oil, and allow the mixture to infuse at room temperature for 4-6 weeks. Shake or mix daily, then filter the petals out after 4-6 weeks.)
Step 2: Combine all of the ingredients in a small double boiler or Turkish coffee pot and heat them to melt.
Step 3: When the oils, waxes, and butter have all melted together, turn off the heat and add the essential oils. Stir thoroughly with a tiny spatula.
Step 4: When everything has been properly combined, pour the lip balm into the tubes using the Turkish coffee pot's spout. Fill each tube just above where the center screw is.
Step 5: Allow the lip balm to cool before warming the leftover mixture in the saucepan to top off each tube. Fill lip balm tubes in two steps to avoid a depressed area with a hole in the middle. If such an issue persists, apply a small amount of lip balm to the top and melt it with a lighter. If you want to make the recipe for yourself, fill each tube the first time, as it doesn't affect the final product's function or usefulness.
Vegan Recipe - Homemade SPF Lip Balm Without Beeswax
This vegan recipe for SPF lip balm without beeswax will nurture your skin and lips with a blend of carrier oils, cosmetic butter, vitamin E oil, and more natural ingredients.
Ingredients
- Sweet Almond Oil - 15 grams
- Castor Oil - 5 grams
- Tamanu Oil - 5 grams
- Candelilla Wax - 5 grams
- Mango Butter - 10 grams
- Vitamin E Oil - 1 gram
- Peppermint Essential Oil - 10 drops
How to Make
Step 1: Except for the essential oil, combine all the ingredients in a heatproof beaker or jug.
Step 2: Prepare an improvised water bath by boiling pre-boiled water in a pan and then simmering it. Place the jug with the ingredients (except essential oil) in the water and let it melt for 15-20 minutes.
Step 3: Stir the mixture occasionally but not too frequently to prevent losing some on the spoon.
Step 4: Once your wax and firm butter have melted fully, remove from the water bath and set aside to cool for 5 minutes. (Be careful not to burn yourself, as the glass will be extremely hot.)
Step 5: Once the liquid has cooled slightly, add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil and combine thoroughly.
Step 6: Fill your lip balm tubes with the mixture, leaving a few centimeters at the top, being careful not to spill. (Chapstick tubes are an affordable, easily accessible, and professional option for creating a finished product; little balm pots can also be used instead of tubes.)
Step 7: Let the mixture cool in the tubes for an hour before using, or it will be too soft.
Tinted Recipe - DIY SPF Lip Balm For Dark & Pigmented Lips
Create the best SPF lip balm for dark lips by combining beetroot powder, mica, and hydrating ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and zinc oxide.
Ingredients
- Beeswax - 1 tablespoon
- Shea butter - 1 tablespoon
- Coconut oil - 2 tablespoons
- Beetroot powder or mica powder - ½ teaspoon
- Zinc oxide - ½ teaspoon
- Essential oil (optional) - 10-15 drops
- Vitamin E oil - a few drops
How to Make
Step 1: Put the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax in a double boiler or a heat-safe basin over simmering water to melt them.
Step 2: Once melted, remove from heat and mix in the beetroot powder or mica powder, as well as the zinc oxide. Stir thoroughly to mix.
Step 3: Stir in your chosen essential oils (if using) and vitamin E oil until thoroughly combined.
Step 4: Carefully transfer the liquid into the containers of your choice (small tins, old tubes, etc.) for lip balm.
Step 5: Allow this best SPF lip balm for pigmented lips to cool and firm entirely at room temperature, or refrigerate for speedier results.
Conclusion
We hope you learn how to make SPF lip balm with the best recipes and the knowledge of its useful ingredients.
Making your own DIY SPF lip balm provides important sun protection and allows for customization using natural ingredients, resulting in a safe and effective option for maintaining healthy lips.
Understanding the value of SPF and using safe ingredients allows you to experience the benefits of individualized lip care while avoiding dangerous substances.
