Make homemade lip balm in minutes with just two simple ingredients. It really is that easy.
I recently shared a round-up of budget-friendly Mother’s Day DIYs, and this two-ingredient homemade lip balm is a perfect addition to gift ideas. It’s quick, inexpensive, and makes a thoughtful little present for Mom—or for yourself.
Create flavored, colored lip gloss pots in ten minutes or less with this straightforward tutorial.
P.S. You can use Kool-Aid for both flavor and tint, so these glosses taste as good as they look.
Homemade Lip Balm Ingredients
- Kool-Aid powder packets (I used the small 0.14 oz packets in cherry, lemonade, and tropical punch to create the colors shown)
- Petroleum jelly OR a non-petroleum jelly alternative (works just as well but yields a slightly softer finish)
- Small containers with lids for the lip balm
- Small microwave-safe bowl
- Spoon
*I used small screw-top pill containers from The Container Store; they’re inexpensive and simple. Small rectangular pots also work well and come in value packs.
Quick Note about Quantities
The exact amounts depend on how many pots you want to make. A good guideline is about 1/2 packet of Kool-Aid for every two heaping spoonfuls of petroleum jelly. That ratio produces a nicely tinted and flavored balm. I made a double batch to demonstrate how much this yields.
How to Make Homemade Lip Balm
Step 1: Melt the petroleum jelly.
Place the petroleum jelly in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high in 30–45 second intervals, stirring between intervals, until the jelly is fully melted and clear with no clumps. Depending on the amount, this may take several intervals—stir thoroughly to remove any lumps.
Step 2: Add Kool-Aid powder.
Slowly add Kool-Aid powder to the melted jelly while stirring, until you achieve the desired color and strength of flavor. Tropical Punch gives a red-pink tone; adding lemonade lightens the shade to a soft pink. For a deeper mauve, try cherry combined with a bit of tropical punch.
Step 3: Transfer to containers and let set.
Once the powder is fully incorporated, scoop or pour the mixture into your small pots and allow it to solidify. While I left mine overnight, they will usually firm up within an hour or two if you’re in a hurry. After they set, they’re ready to use or package as gifts—tuck one in a handbag, keep a few in your bathroom, or include them in a gift set.
Cost Breakdown
This project is not only simple but also budget-conscious. A 13 oz jar of petroleum jelly (about $5) plus roughly $1 worth of Kool-Aid packets (they’re often five for $1) can produce around 30 small pots of lip balm. That means for about $6 (not including containers) you can make a large supply for gifting and personal use.
How to Make Homemade Lip Balm (Only Two Ingredients)
Brittni
Ingredients
- Kool‑Aid powder packets (small 0.14 oz packets in cherry, lemonade, and tropical punch recommended)
- Petroleum jelly OR a non‑petroleum jelly alternative (yields a slightly softer finish)
- Small pots with screw lids
- Small microwave‑safe bowl
- Spoon
Instructions
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Add petroleum jelly to a small microwave‑safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30–45 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the jelly is fully melted, clear, and free of clumps.
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Gradually stir in Kool‑Aid powder until you reach the color and flavor you want. Stir thoroughly so the powder dissolves evenly.
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Pour or scoop the mixture into small screw‑top pots. Let them cool and solidify—about one to two hours, or overnight if you prefer.
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Once set, the lip balms are ready to gift or use. Store in a cool, dry place for best results.
Notes
Want more DIY beauty ideas? Try a natural two-ingredient lip balm tutorial for an all‑natural alternative that also uses just two ingredients.