Homemade Lip Balm

Use only a few ingredients to custom-make your own amazingly soft lip balm!

Posted by cora t.

About

There are several lip balm recipes around the internet, and I have tried many of them, and settled on using these three ingredients - beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter - as it makes for the softest most effective balm I have ever used!

Ingredients can be found at local health food stores, or online at soap-making-type companies. Coconut oil is also a cooking ingredient, so you may be able to find it at a grocery store. I found it at a bulk food store. Shea butter is also a hair product for some, I have seen it at Wal-Mart before. Make sure it is 100% shea butter with no other ingredients.

I purchased chapstick-style containers online, as well as used tins I already had. You can use any small container that you like, or even wash out your own containers from store-bought products.

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You Will Need (6 things)

  • Pot for boiling water
  • of your favourite Essential Oil
  • 1 tbsp Beeswax
  • a PYREX or other HEAT-RESISTANT Measuring Cup or dish
  • 1 tbsp Shea Butter
  • 1 tbsp Coconut Oil

Steps (5 steps, 45 minutes)

  1. 1

    Fill a pot with water (not too full, shallow is fine), and place your heat-resistant cup inside.

  2. 2

    Measure out about 1 tablespoon of each of coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax into the cup.
    If you're inclined to experiment and customize - more beeswax will make a harder lip balm, more oil will make it softer.

    Bring the water to a boil, then begin to simmer on medium heat to create a double-boiler effect.

    Stir the mixture a few times until completely melted.

  3. 3

    Add a few drops of essential oils if you would like your lip balm to have a certain aroma (optional). I like lavender the best with the combination of other ingredients.

    (You could also use a homemade mixture of edible flowers, boiled in shallow water for a couple of hours. Strain the water using cheesecloth - and add a few drops to the lip balm mixture.)

    Mix and remove from heat USING AN OVEN MITT!

  4. 4

    Pour the mixture into your containers. You may need to use a funnel or an eye dropper if using smaller containers.

  5. 5

    Let harden and decorate!

    You may like to add stickers, or labels with ingredients - especially if giving as a gift! Make your own, or they can also be ordered online if you are making a large batch.
    http://www.onlinelabels.com/lip-balm-labels.htm

    The mixture should harden within 30 minutes.

    Store in a cool, dry place.