mint oil for lips

Peppermint Oil for Lips – Know How to Use

Are you looking for a natural remedy for dry, chapped lips? Look no further than peppermint oil! This versatile essential oil has many benefits for your lips, from moisturizing and soothing to providing a refreshing tingle. Keep reading to learn more about how peppermint oil can transform your lip care routine.

What Is Peppermint Oil?

Peppermint oil is an essential oil derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It has a fresh, minty scent and a cooling sensation that makes it a popular ingredient in many beauty and personal care products. Peppermint oil is known for its ability to soothe headaches, improve digestion, and reduce inflammation. When applied topically, it can provide a range of benefits for your skin and lips.

Benefits of Peppermint Oil for Lips

Moisturizes Dry Lips

One of the primary pros of peppermint oil for lips is its ability to moisturize dry, chapped lips. Peppermint oil contains menthol, which has a cooling effect on the skin and can help to soothe irritation. Additionally, peppermint oil is rich in fatty acids, which help to nourish the delicate skin on your lips and keep them looking soft and supple.

Soothes Irritation and Inflammation

Peppermint oil has anti-inflammatory properties that make it a great choice for soothing irritated or inflamed lips. If you’re dealing with sunburned lips or a pesky cold sore, applying peppermint oil can help to reduce redness and swelling while providing a refreshing tingle.

Provides a Refreshing Tingle

Speaking of that tingle, many people love peppermint oil for the way it feels on their lips. The cooling sensation can be both invigorating and relaxing, making it a perfect addition to your self-care routine. Whether you’re using a lip balm or applying peppermint oil directly to your lips, you’ll love the refreshing tingle that comes with it.

Improves Lip Plumpness

Peppermint oil has been shown to improve lip plumpness and fullness. The cooling sensation of menthol can help to increase blood flow to the lips, which can make them appear fuller and more voluminous. If you’re looking for a natural alternative to lip injections or other procedures, consider incorporating peppermint oil into your beauty routine.

How to Use Peppermint Oil for Lips

  • Apply peppermint oil to your lips as a lip balm. You can mix a few drops of peppermint oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil or sweet almond oil for added moisturizing benefits.
  • Add peppermint oil to your favorite lip balm or lip gloss for a refreshing boost.
  • Make your own peppermint lip scrub by combining peppermint oil with sugar and coconut oil. Gently massage the mixture onto your lips to exfoliate and soften.

Remember, peppermint oil is a potent essential oil, so always dilute it before applying it to your skin. You should also do a patch test on a small area of skin before using it on your lips to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction.

Precautions and Side Effects

While peppermint oil is generally safe for topical use, there are some precautions you should take. Avoid using peppermint oil on broken skin, as it can cause further irritation. Additionally, peppermint oil can be toxic when ingested in large amounts, so keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Some people may experience an allergic reaction to peppermint oil, especially if they have sensitive skin. Stop using peppermint oil immediately if you experience any redness, itching, or swelling.

DIY Recipes of Peppermint Oil for Lips

Making your own DIY peppermint oil lip balm is easy and can be a fun project for those interested in natural beauty products. Here are some recipes for making your own peppermint oil lip balm at home.

Recipe 1: Simple Peppermint Oil Lip Balm

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons of beeswax pastilles
  • 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
  • 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Melt the beeswax and coconut oil together in a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl set over a pot of boiling water.
  2. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the peppermint essential oil.
  3. Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or small containers and let cool until hardened.

Recipe 2: Moisturizing Peppermint Oil Lip Balm

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon of shea butter
  • 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon of cocoa butter
  • 1 tablespoon of beeswax pastilles
  • 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Melt the shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax pastilles together in a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl set over a pot of boiling water.
  2. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the peppermint essential oil.
  3. Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or small containers and let cool until hardened.

Recipe 3: Tinted Peppermint Oil Lip Balm

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon of beeswax pastilles
  • 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon of beetroot powder (for color)
  • 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Melt the beeswax pastilles, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil together in a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl set over a pot of boiling water.
  2. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the beetroot powder (add more or less to achieve desired color) and the peppermint essential oil.
  3. Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or small containers and let cool until hardened.

Tips:

  • Be sure to use high-quality ingredients for best results.
  • Use caution when working with hot oils to avoid burns.
  • Store your homemade lip balm in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
  • Experiment with different essential oils and carrier oils to find your perfect formula.

Conclusion

Peppermint oil is a versatile and natural remedy for dry, chapped lips. With its moisturizing and soothing properties, as well as its refreshing tingle and ability to improve lip plumpness, it’s a must-have in your beauty arsenal. Just remember to dilute it before applying it to your skin and do a patch test to avoid any potential side effects. Say goodbye to dry lips and hello to the benefits of peppermint oil!

PEPPERMINT KISS ROSE LIP BALM

Today, we’re transforming roses into a delightful lip balm!

To get started, you’ll need rose petals. You can either collect fresh petals from roses in your garden (ensure they’re pesticide-free) or purchase dried, organic petals online from sources like Mountain Rose Herbs.

If you’re using fresh roses, start by spreading the petals in a single layer on a paper towel or brown paper bag. Let them air dry for a few days to remove any moisture. This step helps prevent excess water, which could cause the oil to spoil more quickly.

Once the petals are fully dried, we’ll create a rose-infused oil, just like we did for the Rose Petal Salve a few weeks ago.

Make the Rose Infused Oil

Fill a jar with dried rose petals, aiming to fill it about halfway to three-quarters full. The size of the jar you use will depend on how many petals you have. For a small batch, use a smaller jar; for a larger amount, opt for a bigger one.

Exact measurements aren’t crucial here—you just want to fill the jar with dried petals and then cover them with oil.

As for the oil, the choice is yours! I personally prefer Olive Oil or Sunflower Oil for lip balms, but other oils like Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, or Apricot Kernel Oil will also work beautifully.

Choose the Slow Method or Quick Method

For the slow method, cover the top of your jar with a few layers of cheesecloth and secure it with a rubber band. Place the jar in a dark cabinet and let it sit for 3 to 4 weeks to infuse.

For the fast method, gently set the jar into a pan with a few inches of warm water. Heat it slowly over medium-low heat, keeping the burner on for 1 to 2 hours. Afterward, remove the jar and let it cool.

Once your oil has infused, you can strain it and use it for your lip balm, or you can let it continue to infuse for several more days in a dark cabinet.

If you want a stronger infusion, you can strain the oil and then repeat the process with a fresh batch of rose petals, using the same oil. This technique is called a double infusion.

Your strained rose-infused oil will have a shelf life of about a year. For best results, store it in a cool, dark place.

Peppermint Rose Lip Balm Recipe

  • 1 tablespoon shea butter (.5 oz by weight)
  • 2.5 tablespoons (1 oz by weight) rose infused oil (use about 1 tablespoon more for tins)
  • 1/2 tablespoon castor oil
  • 1 tablespoon beeswax (.4 oz by weight)
  • powdered alkanet root (for natural color)
  • 15 or so drops of peppermint essential oil

Pour a small amount of the rose-infused oil into a bowl or cup and gradually mix in alkanet powder, adding it a little at a time until you form a thick, dark red paste. Set this aside; it will provide a natural color for your lip balm.

Next, place the remaining oils, wax, and shea butter into a heatproof jar or measuring cup. Set the container into a pan with a few inches of water and heat it over low heat, just below a simmer, until the wax and shea butter have melted.

Remove the jar from the heat and slowly stir in the alkanet paste, adding tiny dabs at a time until you achieve the desired color (less for a pink hue, more for a deeper red).

Finally, add a few drops of peppermint essential oil for a refreshing scent. Once everything is well mixed, pour the mixture into lip balm tubes, tins, or sliders and let it set. Enjoy your homemade peppermint rose lip balm!

Notes:

This ratio of oils and beeswax provides a good consistency for lip balm tubes. If you’re using tins, you might want to add up to another tablespoon of oil to make it easier to use.

For a vegan version, substitute candelilla wax for the beeswax. In this recipe, use about 1/2 tablespoon of candelilla wax in place of the 1 tablespoon of beeswax.

Castor oil is a key ingredient that gives your lip balm a glossy, smooth finish, so try to include it if possible.

You can also swap the shea butter for other butters like mango or cocoa butter if you prefer.

If you don’t have peppermint essential oil or don’t want to use it, you can either omit it or replace it with other flavors like spearmint or sweet orange.

If you’re not a fan of roses, feel free to substitute with another edible flower or herb, such as violet leaves, lemon balm, mint leaves, or calendula.

For more ideas on customizing your lip balm recipes, check out my post: How to Create Custom Lip Balms.

Please note: If you’re pregnant, alkanet root may be contraindicated for you. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for professional advice.

conclusion

In conclusion, making your own rose-infused lip balm is a fun and customizable way to create a natural, nourishing product for your lips. Whether you choose the slow or fast infusion method for your rose oil, the possibilities for customization are endless. You can experiment with different oils, waxes, butters, and scents to create a lip balm that perfectly suits your preferences. Remember, if you’re pregnant, it’s important to check with a healthcare provider before using certain ingredients like alkanet root. Enjoy the process and the smooth, moisturizing results of your homemade lip balm!