Not long ago, I tried making a natural lip gloss with beets. As anyone who’s diced up a salad with this root vegetable knows, it’s not a pretty sight. My hands, my towels, and pretty much my entire kitchen were covered and stained with pink. Needless to say, it created quite the mess!
So when I saw that people were making homemade blush with freeze-dried raspberries, I thought, why not a DIY tinted lip gloss or, better yet, balm? Bonus: raspberries are way tastier than beets anyway!
Why we love raspberry
In addition to being the perfect color for homemade cosmetics, raspberries also provide benefits for your skin (and your lips count as part of that!) Raspberries are loaded with antioxidants, namely vitamin C and polyphenols, which help protect your skin from damaging free radicals in the environment that lead to premature aging [source].
These same antioxidants also help protect the skin from the sun—another known cause of premature aging, not to mention an increased risk of skin cancer [source].
Other antioxidants you can find in raspberries include vitamin E, magnesium, lutein (which provides brain-boosting power as an added perk), and beta carotene. Raspberries also contain flavonoids [source], which are natural substances that act like antioxidants [source]. You can also find them in certain roots, stems, flowers, tea, and, last but certainly not least, wine!
As if that weren’t enough incentive to make this ingredient swap even more of a no-brainer, it also just couldn’t be any easier to DIY—the recipe is a total cinch! The hardest part is cleaning out the coffee grinder to remove all the pink specks, lest your coffee starts to taste like raspberry.
And if you’re thinking, “Freeze-dried raspberries? Where the heck do I buy those?” Well, I’ll tell you: Trader Joe’s! Not only do they sell freeze-dried and fresh raspberries, but they are also super affordable (some frozen fruits and veggies can get pricey).
And if you don’t have one nearby, you can order them online or try a local health-food store. I even saw some at Publix. Don’t have a Publix near you? Chances are, your local grocery store has them hiding somewhere.
How to Make DIY Tinted Lip Balm
The benefit of using freeze-dried raspberries is that they are frozen at the peak of freshness, so you know they contain the highest amount of nutrients (often even more than the ripe kind). Of course, if you are really having a tough time finding them, you can also try freeze-dried cherries.
The taste was good, but if I’m being honest, the color was less intense (which was a total bummer). But feel free to go crazy and combine the two!
Tinted lip balm instructions:
Melt your coconut oil and beeswax over low heat (a Pyrex dish in a saucepan is my go-to double boiler method).
Next, finely grind the raspberries (I used a clean coffee grinder) and stir them into the mix. If you are looking for a darker color, simply add a bit more raspberry powder.
As the balm cools and solidifies, the grounds will start to settle at the bottom. That’s when you want to turn the container upside down (with the lid on) or on its side to help keep it evenly distributed. Or just keep stirring as the mixture cools.
That’s all you gotta do for soft, pink, and tasty lips!
Raspberry Lip Balm FAQ
Is my lip balm supposed to feel grainy?
Grind your raspberries as fine as you possibly can using a coffee grinder. After powdering them, try sifting the powder with a fine mesh strainer to get rid of any noticeable chunks or seeds.
But even if you take these precautions, your balm might still feel a little grainy since the raspberry powder is what gives it its color. A slight graininess just comes with the territory!
How do I keep the raspberries from separating and sinking to the bottom?
If you’re still having trouble keeping the mixture from separating, there are a couple of things you can try:
1. Wait until the wax has cooled to just slightly above room temperature but hasn’t totally solidified yet. Then add the raspberry powder and give it a good stir. The cooler the wax is when you add the raspberries, the better it will hold the powder, and the less separation will occur.
2. Use an emulsifying wax to hold everything together. While beeswax is often touted as a natural emulsifier, I’ve found that it doesn’t work as well as real cosmetic grade emulsifying wax.
Where can I find those containers?
I picked up mine at a local craft store, but you can find similar ones here.
Can I add flavors like vanilla extract or essential oils?
Sure! Vanilla or almond extract would be great in this. Just make sure to add an emulsifier or wait until your wax has cooled considerably before adding them. Add 1–2 drops of a gentle essential oil like lavender or chamomile.
What’s the shelf life on this homemade lip balm?
Coconut oil acts as a natural preservative, so this recipe should last 3–6 months. If you’d like to extend the shelf life even further, try using an additional preservative such as Leucidal Liquid SF.
And as with any homemade beauty product, always keep an eye out for a change in consistency or mold. If you see fuzz, it’s time to toss it!
Can you make this with fresh raspberries?
I haven’t tried making this with fresh raspberries, however, I’d expect you to have a hard time getting the mixture to blend. Since raspberry juice is mostly water, the juice (and thus the color) will separate from the wax as it cools, and you might be left with a mess.
Plus, anything made with fresh fruit will go bad within a matter of days, drastically reducing your lip balm’s shelf life.
What can I use in place of the beeswax?
Try all-natural and vegan carnauba wax.
Looking for more ways to use those dried raspberries?
Try making a skin-soothing cheek stain.
Homemade Raspberry Lip Balm
Equipment
- Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl
Materials
- 1–2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/2 tablespoon ground freeze dried raspberries add more if desired
- 1/2–1 teaspoon beeswax for a firmer consistency
Instructions
- Grind raspberries in a coffee grinder until you have a very fine powder.
- Melt the coconut oil and beeswax (if using) together in a double boiler (I just put the oils inside a glass Pyrex measuring cup, then place whole thing inside a small saucepan. Fill the saucepan with 2 inches of water, and bring to a low boil.)
- Add raspberry powder and stir to combine.
- Transfer to container with lid and let sit to harden.
Notes
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Photos by Lindsey Johnson
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Guys, how long does it last?
I have just made a big slot but I don’t know for how looking I can keep using it.
Used organic freeze dried raspberries ground to a powder, (since dried beet root stayed grainy in previous lip balms, due to it’s insolubility in oil, I wanted a natural alternative), in my coffee grinder, but the seed particles are still there and rough on the lips. Even tried to filter through a cheesecloth using a funnel, and the only thing that dripped through were clear oils. Made a mess, wasted some wonderful, organic and healthy ingredients, and don’t know how everyone else seems to be making this without issues. Sigh. Ready to buy mica…
Don’t buy mica! Try alkanet root! I infuse it into oil and then use that oil in my natural lip balms. It has a great color and isn’t grainy. Don’t use alkanet root powder straight in your mixture because it will be grainy. :)
I have tried this recipe a couple of times. First time exactly as the recipe states and the second time I tried mixing the the raspberry powder in the coconut oil first before mixing it with the bees wax. Both times the raspberry separated from the oil and wax. It did not colour the balm at all in fact it clumped together just leaving small clumps in a white balm. It didn’t look anything like the photo. Not impressed.
Same thing, I forgot to mention the few tubes I salvaged after my failed cheesecloth strainer through a funnel attempt, the 4 tubes are not tinted, the 5th is pretty deep tinted seeds held together with wax :/
I had the same exact experience. Tried multiple times with more raspberry powder and a strainer. Never looked like the photo.
Shelf life for using natural grounded fruit powder in your homemade lips balms. Especially if someone is thinkibg about selling the lip balms.
I cant get the recipe to look like your photo. There is a lot of white in between the raspberries and I even doubled the amount of raspberries and tilted like you suggested. How do I get the balm to look all red like yours?
I have a question, where do you get that glass container for the lipbalms?
I bought some at amazon 1.5oz hexagon $19.95 for 20?
Hi, can plain vanilla extract be used for this recipe? I want to experiment with different flavors.
Yes, definitely. You can add it to the raspberry if you want, as well.
Oh my! I have never thought about this, such a delicious recipe. Besides, must be healthy too, for lips and body.
I presume this is normal coconut oil and not fractionated? Makes sense but I thought I’d double check!
Looks amazing, I love the taste and smell of raspberries.
How long did it last before spoiling or seeing mold? I haven’t used fresh or dried food ingredients in mine yet. Thanks!
Thats a good question!! any home made product with fresh pureed fruit or juice would need to be used in days. Even if stored in the fridge. Powders are ok and should last a month or so if no water is introduced to the product.
Lovely recipe thanks! I used strawberries instead and added a tiny bit of maple syrup. I heated it in a 1/2 cup stainless steel over a toaster and it was all so quick! My 4 year old girl crushed the strawberries in the packet. I should have whizzed it first, as there were a few bits that I had to spoon out. The pips also give it texture. Perhaps I’ll put it through a sieve next time…
Can you use fresh raspberries?
can i replace coconut oil with olive oil?
:)
Coconut oil is so much better than olive oil. You get the already hardened coconut oil.
Thank You for sharing this recipe with us can you please tell me where can I find that cute little glass container you store the lip balm in? I will surely appreciate it :)
YUM Ive already made this with passion fruit powder now in trying it with mango!
Hi there Just wanted to say I made this tonight and am wearing it now. I replaced the freeze dried raspberries with 5 drops of vanilla essential oil and it smells delicious. It’s a very nice ratio also, not too waxy but not too slimy when applied. Thanks so much
Can u put in the fridge to make it set faster?
Sure!
Im going to try this with passion fruit powder YUM!!
Is there something that could substitute the beeswax?
Awesome. Can u do a rasberry lip scrub?
Hi any ideas of how to use ground banana powder in face or lip balm or any DIY beauty or other recipies? Please email me with any ideas @ Mammabearandcubs@gmail.com thanks!
Hi Teresa, I’ve never used banana powder, but it sounds tasty! I think a lip balm is a great idea!
Great containers, where did you purchase them? I can’t wait to make this!
I think I got those at the craft store – they usually have a section of glass containers that are super cute.
What a wonderful use for raspberries. So yummy =)
Great idea !
I will definitely try it tomorow!
What is the shelf life?
Coconut oil is a natural preservative so it will probably stay good for at least 3-6 months.