How to Make Citrus Mint Tallow Lip Balm DIY Recipe
I originally made this citrus mint tallow lip balm for my husband who wanted a more “manly” scented lip balm that wasn’t vanilla or flowery. Turns out we all love this one! It’s buttery smooth, locks in moisture, and doesn’t leave your lips feeling sticky.
This DIY herbal lip balm is going to be your new go-to. You’ll love the benefits of turmeric, camu camu, hibiscus, and lemon balm. Plus, homemade tallow lip balm is a great alternative to commercial lip moisturizers because it’s free from petroleum products and preservatives.
Tallow lip balms are super easy to make and only take a few ingredients. They make perfect gifts and party favors too! One batch makes 9-12 sticks so if you want them all for yourself, you only need to make them once a year.
Benefits of Tallow for Your Lips
If you are new to beef tallow skincare products, take a look at our post on How to Render Your Own Tallow, How to Make Tallow Balm, How to Make Tallow Soap, or Pumpkin Spice Tallow Lip Balm.
The fatty acids and vitamins in tallow naturally provide the nourishment our skin and lips need to push back dryness and seal in the good stuff. All without petroleum or alcohol, which makes it the perfect lip cover for sensitive skin!
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Herbal Benefits in Lip Balm
All of the herbs I use in this recipe are beneficial to the skin and body. I like to buy the ingredients in bulk to use not just for lip balms but for homemade teas too!
Turmeric: The curcumin has been said to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and can add a glow to your skin along with moisturizing (source).
Camu Camu: May contain nutrients that improve skin health and appearance (source).
Hibiscus: Has been found to have a strong anti-oxidative stress effect and may have potential to reverse skin aging (source).
Lemon Balm: May have an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help reduce redness and swelling in the skin and can help keep skin hydrated (source).
How to Make Citrus Mint Tallow Lip Balm Recipe
Lip Balm Supplies:
- Lip Balm Tubes
- Lip Balm Tube Tray (not 100% necessary but makes it A LOT easier)
- Double Boiler
- Silicone Spatula
- Glass Pourable Measuring Cup
- Small Sieve
- Cheesecloth
Lip Balm Ingredients:
- 2.26oz Rendered Tallow
- 1/2 Tbsp Beeswax Pellets
- 1/8 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Camu Camu Powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Orange Peel
- 1-2 Tablespoons Dried Hibiscus Flowers
- 1-2 Tablespoons Dried Lemon Balm
- 6-8 Drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil
- 2-4 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
Step By Step Citrus Mint Tallow Lip Balm
Melt and Infuse Ingredients: To a double boiler, fill the bottom half with water and then add tallow, beeswax, and herbs to top bowl. Heat over medium on stovetop for 2-3 hours to infuse. Stir mixture occasionally.
Prepare Work Space: While the mixture is infusing, click empty tubes into tray from the bottom and set aside. Gather cheesecloth, sieve, and measuring cup.
Strain Herbs: Once everything is sufficiently melted, remove the lip balm mixture from the heat and dry off the bottom and sides of the bowl with the tallow very well. Pour mthe ixture through cheesecloth into a measuring cup.
Mix in Scent: Add essential oils and stir them together really well.
Fill Tubes: Pour hot lip balm liquid into tubes until overfull (this is where the tray comes in handy) and let them cool completely. Once cooled, use a spatula or knife to scrape the extra balm off the tops to smooth them out.
Cap Balms: Remove tubes from the tray and cap. Storing lip balms at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.
Notes:
- Watch water level in the double boiler carefully and add more as needed – you may need to refill 2-3 times throughout heating
- Be sure when you refill the water to not splash ANY water in the tallow (water leads to mold)
- Make sure beeswax pellets are completely melted before pouring lip balms (if not you may get a strange texture)
- You want to overfill the tubes with hot balm because as the balm hardens it shrinks a bit
- Remelt any extra scraps to make another tube or top off shallow ones
- This recipe makes approx. 9-12 tubes, but you can double the recipe for a bigger batch
- You can use any herbs you like to grow or buy
- This recipe assumes use of suet (hard kidney fat), if you use trim fat you may need additional beeswax
Let me know if you try making your own Citrus Mint tallow lip balms!
How to Make Citrus Mint Tallow Lip Balm DIY Recipe
Learn how to make nourishing Citrus Mint Tallow Lip Balm with this easy DIY recipe. Infused with herbs and oils, you'll love your soft lips!
Materials
- 2.26oz Rendered Tallow
- 1/2 Tbsp Beeswax Pellets
- 1/8 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Camu Camu Powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Orange Peel
- 1-2 Tablespoons Dried Hibiscus Flowers
- 1-2 Tablespoons Dried Lemon Balm
- 6-8 Drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil
- 2-4 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
Tools
- Lip Balm Tubes
- Lip Balm Tube Tray
- Double Boiler
- Silicone Spatula
- Glass Pourable Measuring Cup
- Small Sieve
- Cheesecloth
Instructions
- Melt and Infuse Ingredients: To a double boiler, fill the bottom half with water and then add tallow, beeswax, and herbs to top bowl. Heat over medium on stovetop for 2-3 hours to infuse. Stir mixture occasionally.
- Prepare Work Space: While the mixture is infusing, click empty tubes into tray from the bottom and set aside. Gather cheesecloth, sieve, and measuring cup.
- Strain Herbs: Once everything is sufficiently melted, remove the lip balm mixture from the heat and dry off the bottom and sides of the bowl with the tallow very well. Pour mthe ixture through cheesecloth into a measuring cup.
- Mix in Scent: Add essential oils and stir them together really well.
- Fill Tubes: Pour hot lip balm liquid into tubes until overfull (this is where the tray comes in handy) and let them cool completely. Once cooled, use a spatula or knife to scrape the extra balm off the tops to smooth them out.
- Cap Balms: Remove tubes from the tray and cap. Storing lip balms at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.
Notes
- Watch water level in the double boiler carefully and add more as needed - you may need to refill 2-3 times throughout heating
- Be sure when you refill the water to not splash ANY water in the tallow (water leads to mold)
- Make sure beeswax pellets are completely melted before pouring lip balms (if not you may get a strange texture)
- You want to overfill the tubes with hot balm because as the balm hardens it shrinks a bit
- Remelt any extra scraps to make another tube or top off shallow ones
- This recipe makes approx. 9-12 tubes, but you can double the recipe for a bigger batch
- You can use any herbs you like to grow or buy
- This recipe assumes use of suet (hard kidney fat), if you use trim fat you may need additional beeswax
FAQS
Not if you have infused spices, herbs, or added essential oils. Even if you left the tallow plain it should have a slight buttery smell plus a slight honey smell from the beeswax.
We have not found it to be greasy, but it has more of a buttery and silky texture that melts right into your lips!
Just like any other lip balm, I wouldn’t leave it in a car on a hot day, but for the most part, it should be fine at room temperature or in a bag.
Of course! You can choose which essential oils you like (make sure you do not use photo-reactive oils and use the correct dilution rate).
This looks like a lot of lip balm for a little effort! Interesting ingredients (in a good way)– I’d like to try this soon. Tallow is so nice on the skin! Makes perfect sense it would make a lovely lip balm.
Super cool recipe! Saving this to try soon I hope. I love the ingredients!