Health and beauty tips: how to make your own lip balm

Throughout the year, the skin suffers from the harsh effects of the weather. Nowhere is this environmental assault more noticeable than on the delicate lips, which are subjected to almost constant exposure. In hot weather, they can become dry, while colder temperatures cause painful chapping. To avoid the problem, most of us buy commercial lip balms guaranteed to provide protection. What few people realize is that these products are extremely simple and inexpensive to make. In fact, you can make a lip balm that is virtually identical to expensive store brands for mere pennies a tube. If you want to keep your lips kissable in all climates and would like to save some money, try making your own homemade lip balm.

Basic Ingredients

The purpose of every lip balm is to cover the delicate skin with a protective layer. Once applied, this layer will stay in place for several hours, working both to keep moisture in and to keep drying weather conditions out. Incredibly, only two ingredients are required to make this lip-necessity: oil and beeswax. Of course, you can add extra items to your balms once you have mastered the technique, but the basic two-part recipe works just as well as the most complicated one. When choosing an oil, look for a vegetable derivative reputed for its nourishing qualities. Good examples include cocoa butter, a rich oil that is solid at room temperature, sunflower oil, which is packed with vitamins A and E, almond oil, a light moisturizer, and coconut oil, which is similar in consistency to shortening and is great for pampering troubled lips. Remember that the oil you choose will dictate the thickness of the final product. If your balm contains an oil that is liquid at room temperature, it will be softer upon use. On the other hand, oils that are solid at room temperature produce thicker lip balms. Heavier products tend to stay on the lips longer and have less shine, which makes them especially appealing to men. Having chosen your oil, you will need to obtain pure beeswax. This is a vital part of the mixture because it thickens the lip balm and helps it remain on the skin. If you have trouble locating this ingredient, you may have luck shopping at a large craft store. Some people obtain their beeswax directly from beekeepers, but an easier route for most is to purchase it over the internet. Most online stores that sell cosmetic supplies will carry this product.

Recipe

Before beginning, prepare the containers in which you will be storing your lip balm. Most beginners prefer using recycled lip balm tubes or jars rather than buying new ones. However, you can purchase both in the cosmetic department of your local Wal-Mart if you prefer. Thoroughly wash away any old lip balm residue with soap and water and dry your containers. Set them aside. Next, combine two teaspoons of grated beeswax and four teaspoons of your chosen oil in a microwave-safe container. Heat the mixture on high at twenty-second intervals, checking and stirring it until the ingredients are entirely melted. At this point, you can add any additives and mix well. Finally, pour your liquid lip balm into the prepared containers and all it to cool. Putting in the freezer will speed the process and give a smooth finish to the balm. This recipe should be enough for at least four containers, depending on the sizes you choose.

Healing Additives

Now that you have seen how easy making lip balm is, you may wish to spice it up. While the basic balm serves in a protective capacity, extra ingredients can help it speed the healing process of chapped lips. A popular medicated lip balm contains camphor and menthol extracts, both of which have antiseptic properties. You can make a similar product by adding a drop of each per batch. In order to find these extracts, you will probably need to shop online. Just be sure that any additives you purchase are cosmetic grade for safety. Alternately, readily available essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, and spearmint promote healing when added to lip balms. Again, just use a drop or two of each to create a balm for chapped lips.

Flavoring

Flavorings can turn a bland lip balm into a treat, so do not overlook this step. Try melting two chocolate chips into your mixture for slight sweetness and a warm brown color. By including a quarter of a teaspoon of honey, you can add flavor, skin-healing power, and a beautiful golden tinge. The next time you are in the baking section of the grocery store, look at their candy flavoring oils. All of these make great additions to lip balms, spicing them up with a delicious flavor and scent. Popular choices include peppermint, vanilla, butterscotch, and almond.

Color

To add the final touch to your plain lip balm, think about including color. A few drops of beet juice produce a lovely red color, transforming your gloss into lip tint. Other fruit juices like grape juice produce exotic shades. All you need to do is add them to the liquid balm along with a few drops of preserving vitamin E for a delightful splash of color. As your talent expands, consider purchasing cosmetic grade pigments and shimmer additives to create balms in every shade of the rainbow. All of these can be found at online cosmetic product stores for a few dollars each. If the price deters you, just remember that these products are enough for hundreds of tubes of gloss.

Making your own lip balm is a fun and affordable alternative to buying it. By experimenting with different ingredients and proportions, you can produce a wide array of beautiful and beneficial products for everyone in the family. Imagine all of the potential uses of your homemade creations. You can fight chapped lips through the winter, have an endless supply of lipstick shades, and delight a daughter with glitter gloss for her next birthday. Everyone will appreciate your wonderful hobby and the lush lips it creates.