Fall brings beautiful colors, scents and traditions. Unfortunately, it can also mean dry, chapped lips. As we transition out of summer and into fall, the humidity drops dramatically, taking a toll on our lips and skin. Not to mention, indoor heaters can also zap moisture from the atmosphere and dry out skin even more.
But a homemade lip balm and scrub can do wonders for lips in need of a little TLC. Just slough away dead skin cells and seal in moisture to plump and protect chapped lips.
DIY Lip-Plumping Homemade Lip Balm + Scrub
One of the best ways to hydrate lips is to first prep them with some exfoliation. Once dead skin is removed, it allows moisturizers to be better absorbed. A physical exfoliation can be anything with a gritty texture (often sugar) that removes patches of dead, dry skin cells.
Using a scrub with a gritty texture is helpful in buffing away any uneven texture and enhance cell turnover.
Homemade Lip Scrub with Cinnamon
Homemade Lip Scrub with CinnamonTry this homemade cinnamon lip scrub for a little exfoliation which will be the prep your lips to receive the healing properties of lip balm. Not to mention it’ll leave your lips naturally plumper – and smelling of fall! Double win!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon raw honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Combine the above ingredients in a mixing bowl. Apply to lips with fingertips and gently slough off dry, dead skin cells by scrubbing in circular motions. It is important to use a gentle technique and to not over-exfoliate to prevent small tears in the skin.
Rinse with warm water and follow with lip balm. Use this scrub once or twice a week to transition into fall and treat the chapped lips that occasionally accompany the season.
Homemade Plumping Lip Balm with Cinnamon
Cinnamon is such a delicious fall flavor and scent, and when added to lip balms and other beauty recipes it creates a warming sensation that ‘plumps’ the lips. Full of powerful antioxidants and polyphenols, cinnamon also has the ability to repair damaged tissue. And thanks to its antibacterial properties, cinnamon may even help prevent recurrent painful fissures (cuts) on the lips.
The vitamin E in this recipe will not only add to the lip balm’s shelf life but will also increase the hydration of the balm. Vitamin E is known for its antioxidant properties, (protecting the skin from harmful effects of sun damage), and can nourish, soothe and protect the skin along with lips.
Topical vitamin E comes in both cream or or oil form so this recipe can be adjusted to what’s available in your area. Capsules are another great option. Just cut one open and squeeze out the oil for topical application.
Ingredients
Ingredients- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
- 2-3 vitamin E capsules
- 3/4 tablespoon raw honey
- 15 drop cinnamon essential oil
- lip balm containers
- double boiler
- measuring spoons
*If you prefer your plumping lip balm to have a firmer consistency, you can increase the amount of beeswax and decrease the coconut oil. And if you prefer a more liquid balm, decrease the beeswax and increase the coconut oil.
Instructions
In a double boiler combine the coconut oil and beeswax. Over low heat, stir until both are completely melted. Remove from heat then add the vitamin E (puncture the capsules and squeeze), honey and essential oil. Transfer to lip balm containers. You’ll have about 5-10 minutes until it starts to harden.
Use the lip balm whenever your lips feel like they need a pick me up and some extra moisture.
Lip Balm FAQ
What can I use in place of beeswax in this lip balm recipe?
Soy wax or carnauba wax are two great vegan alternatives to beeswax. But I definitely wouldn’t recommend skipping the wax entirely, otherwise you’ll run into consistency issues when the coconut oil starts to soften.
How can I prevent the honey from separating from the lip balm?
When used in homemade bath and body products, honey, which is water-based, has a tendency to settle at the bottom of the container. There are two ways around this:
Let the melted oil mixture cool to almost room temperature (you should see it starting to form a film on top) before adding your honey. Then place it in the freezer for a few minutes to finish cooling.
The cooler the oils are when you add the honey, the less separation should occur. And by rapidly cooling the mixture after you’ve added the honey, you’ll prevent further separation.
Use an emulsifying wax to bind the honey and oil-based ingredients and keep them from separating. Follow the instructions on the package to determine the amount of emulsifying wax required for this recipe.
What’s the shelf life of DIY lip scrub and lip balm?
Homemade lip scrub should last approximately 2 weeks if kept refrigerated. Lip balm should last about 6 months.
To make them last longer, you can use a natural preservative such Leucidal Liquid SF.
Can I use regular white sugar instead of brown sugar for the scrub?
Definitely. However, a fine-grained sugar such as caster sugar will be easier on your lips.
Where did you find your little jars?
These are similar to the ones we used.
The cinnamon irritates my lips, can I leave it out entirely?
Cinnamon’s tingling action is what makes this plumping lip balm + scrub so magical. But yes, if it irritates your skin, go ahead and leave it out entirely. It shouldn’t affect the recipe.
Do you have a favorite fall beauty recipe to share? Let us know if the comments.
DIY Lip-Plumping Lip Balm + Scrub
Equipment
- Double boiler
- Measuring spoons
- small jar or lip balm containers
Materials
Lip Scrub with Cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon raw honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Plumping Lip Balm with Cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
- 2-3 vitamin E capsules
- 3/4 tablespoon raw honey
- 15 drops cinnamon essential oil
Instructions
Lip Scrub with Cinnamon
- Combine the above ingredients in a mixing bowl. Apply to lips with fingertips and gently slough off dry, dead skin cells by scrubbing in circular motions. Rinse with warm water and follow with lip balm.
Plumping Lip Balm with Cinnamon
- In a double boiler, melt the coconut oil and beeswax over low heat. Remove from heat then add the vitamin E liquid (puncture the capsules and squeeze), honey and essential oil.
- Transfer to lip balm containers or a small jar. You’ll have about 5-10 minutes until it starts to harden.
- Use the lip balm whenever your lips feel like they need a pick me up and some extra moisture.
Notes
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Rina Mary Allawh, M.D., a dermatologist who performs adult and pediatric medical dermatology, skin cancer treatment and cosmetic dermatology. 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.
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Would it be alright if I did without the beeswax and honey and used coconut oil instead, or would it mess with the consistency? Is there anything else I can use in place of beeswax and honey?
Do you use cold pressed coconut oil or liquid coconut oil?
Tried this recipe and the honey separated from the balm.
What’s the shelf life for the scrub since there is not a preservative? And the balm? Vit e is a natural preservative, so can you put some in the scrub?
Is it okay to not use the Vitamin E capsule?
You can leave it out, but your lip balm will eventually go rancid. Vitamin E is a preservative, as well as being good for your lips.
Hi! Where did you find those adorable containers? Thanks
I used this recipe and was very disappointed. The honey does not mix well with the beeswax and coconut oil.
Would you recommend ditching the honey then? I'm not sure if I want to include it since it seems to be an issue for many people.
Can you use coconut oil instead of olive oil for the lip scrub?
Yes!! I did and it was wonderful!!!
Can you use regular white sugar instead of brown sugar?
I just used white sugar for the lip scrub and it worked great :)
Hello,
I have a few questions. How much lip balm is the end product from your recipe? I’m trying to order little metal pots to put the balm in. I am going to make the scrub and lip balm for Christmas Presents. How long does the lip balm and scrub good for? When would it go bad?
When I made this for my sister, she said it lasted about three months. ( before she used it all) :)
Hey, I would like to do this recipe and, I was just wondering where you got these ADORABLE Jars. <3 c:
Nicely done and great photos too. Did you use Cinnamon Leaf Oil or Cinnamon Bark Oil in this formula? Definitely agree for the lip scrub you would have to use Cinnamon powder.
How long do these last without going bad?
Where do you find those containers?
can I use actual cinnamon instead of cinnamon essential oil? or would it not work?
Thanks! Looking forward to trying this!
The scrub uses actual cinnamon instead of essential oil, I’m sure you can give it a try for the lip balm, it might be a little gritty depending on how much you use, and might leave a little brown tint. If you end up trying it without the oil, let us know how you like it!
xo
Deborah
I used cinnamon oil for cooking instead of an essential oil and it is working very well and makes my lips look and feel really good!