{DIY} Make Your Own "Frugal & Fun" Lemonade Lip Balm

'"Is your lemonade sweet enough?" Mrs. Oleson asked. So Laura knew that it was lemonade in the glasses. She had never tasted anything like it."

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder, On the Banks of Plum Creek

Lemonade needn't be saved for summer! As the season of lemons is actually winter, let's utilize this fruit in a fun and frugal project that will benefit you year round! The following recipe is an excerpt from our Ebook, 100+ DIY Projects to Make with Fruit Scraps. It is from the chapter of "Bath and Body Care" recipes, which features a variety of all-natural products to fill your powder room shelves such as balms, bath salts, face care products, natural perfume, scrubs, easy to make soaps, oils, powders, etc.

Before we begin the quick-to-make lip balm, we first need to infuse the oil. This is what makes this recipe frugal! We are tapping into the aromatic and medicinal benefits of the fruit peel instead of purchasing an expensive oil! There are many ways to do this but today we are sharing the quick maceration method on the stove top.

Fill a small clean jar with at least 1/4 c. of dried, chopped lemon peel (if using fresh peels, let them sit out for a day prior to infusing to remove excess moisture). Next, pour the oil of choice (i.e., almond oil, grape seed oil, jojoba, sunflower oil, etc.) over the citrus peels and cover by at least 1 – 2 inches (it helps to mark the outside of the jar prior to covering with oil). Lightly cap the jar and place it inside of a small pot filled 2/3 of the way with water (this makes a double boiler). Cook at the lowest heat for several hours (you don't want to burn the oil so be careful that it is gentle) making sure to keep an eye on the water content (and refill as necessary so it doesn't evaporate). When time has elapsed, strain the oil through a fine piece of cotton or muslin and store in a clean, glass jar . Your lemon infused oil is ready to use!

Lemonade Lip Balm

(feel free to double and triple the recipe)

Ingredients/Supplies:

•  1 tbsp. grated (tightly packed) beeswax or pastilles (which are very convenient)

•  5 tsp. lemon infused oil (see directions above)

•  4 - 5 chap stick tubes or lip balm containers 

Place the lemon infused oil and beeswax inside of a double boiler (or prepare the makeshift version above that can be tossed after without clean up). Put on stove over medium-low heat until contents are melted and clear. Remove from heat. Pour mixture into lip balm containers as soon as possible because it will start to thicken. If mixture does thicken up before containers are filled, simply reheat in the double boiler and re-pour. For best results, let the lip balm set overnight prior to capping. 

Yield: Approx. 4 – 5 chap-stick tubes

Feeling frugal? Recycle old lip balm containers, mint tins, small condiment jars and/or baby food jars for this project.

Lip balms also make wonderful gifts! We share matching printable labels for all our bath and body care recipes, pantry recipes, medicinal recipes, etc., in our Ebook making it a fun and frugal resource for the homemaker! 

If you enjoyed this recipe, we share 100+ more ideas on how to creatively use up those nutrient-rich fruit scraps in our Ebook here! Recipes include balms, bath salts, perfume, scrubs, easy-to-make fancy soaps, facial products, potpourris, room sprays, sachets, candy, syrups, shrubs, desserts, healthy and delicious beverages, medicinal oil blends, salves, tonics, digestive aids, health supplements, snacks, seasoning and spice mixes, tea blends, homemade vinegars, recipes for canning syrups and jelly, herbal honey, and much more! 

This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them). #thriftyDIYgifts