Last night I was desperate. Our whole family has a bit of a head cold and between that and the cold weather, my lips were falling apart. I was freshly out of Burt's Bees lip balm and really didn't want to have to resort to Bag Balm (really - have you ever tasted it?!). After considering my options, I finally decided that I could spare 10 minutes of my life to make some homemade lip balm.
One of the things I haven't liked about the lip balm recipes I have used in the past is the number of ingredients they require. I like simple. And easy. Generally, lip balms call for exotic things like coconut oil, glycerin, jojoba and cocoa butter (not that all of these are exotic, but most of us don't have them sitting around in our kitchen cupboards). So, I got to thinking and searching on the internet (what a wonderful tool!) and came up with a balm recipe that meets my "simple" and "easy" criteria and is wonderful to boot.
You really don't need anything special to put lip balm in, although tubes or little pots are handy. I actually made more lip balm than I had tubes for and put the overflow into 35mm film containers. Whatever you have on hand will work.
The only ingredient in the balm that you may not have on hand is beeswax, but it is fairly easy to come by and will last forever. The amounts of wax you use are very small in comparison with the rest of the ingredients, so a little will go a long way. I bought 4 twenty pound bricks of beeswax about 8 years ago and have used it in everything from lotion bars to lip balm to candles and have only used about 1/4 of 1 brick.
The lip balm takes about 10 minutes to make, including measuring and heating and another 20 minutes or so (depending on what containers you use) to harden. I do have to admit that I love using it when it is warm and not fully hardened yet - oh, so wonderful!
Most Wonderful Lip Balm
1/2 oz. beeswax
1 tsp. honey
4 oz. olive oil (1/2 cup)
Peppermint oil or peppermint extract to taste
In a small saucepan (or double boiler) melt wax. Add honey and oil. Stir for two minutes. NOTE: The honey will not really combine, but it is great for your lips and doesn't adversely affect the lip balm. Add peppermint (or other flavor). Stir well. Pour.
 |
| Melting the beeswax |
 |
| Measuring the oil |
 |
| Pouring into the tubes |
 |
| The overflow went into film canisters |
For mere pennies, you can make lip balm in your own kitchen. Not only is it a great winter evening project, it will bring you one step closer to preparedness.
One thing to note about dry lips and even just dry skin in general, is that indicates a vitamin D deficiency. Especially if one is sick.
ReplyDeletethank you for the recipe! I find a good lip balm is wonderful as a barrier from cold dry winds.
Bless you for sharing, so timely!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting the recipe. I can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you pour the lip balm into? Where would one purchase lip balm dispensers?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Enola Gay! I live in a very arid mountain climate and lip balm is carried in every vehicle, coat pocket, and purse. Water, lotion and lip balm are high priority items here. I just found your lotion bar recipes and had intentions of searching for a lip balm recipe, but your post was providence! I have problems with some of the ingredients in chemical laden lotions and lip balms and natural products seem to be only for the rich. Thanks, again, I'm off to find some beeswax.
ReplyDeletesidetracksusie
My grandmother made something that sounds similar to this-it had beeswax in it, at least(I used to buy it once in a while on my way to visit them-beeswax has a lot of uses). She put it in baby food jars a neighbor saved for her.
ReplyDeleteDear Enola, This is the little Dormouse who wanted to buy a tea cozy. I have tried to e-mail you, but it won't go through. I am squeaking with frustration. You have a new e-mail? How may I contact you? I said January would be fine because everyone was ill and you had a million back orders. Also would like to purchase your book on uncommon diseases. Hopefully, we will connect. Blessings, Dormouse
ReplyDeleteDear Dormouse;
DeleteI have your tea cozy! Finally. No, my email hasn't changed, however, our mail server has become increasingly dodgy. I am in the process of changing all of our email accounts off their server and going with someone else. I still have your email and will drop a note when I am able. It is not just you - we have lost numerous orders to the black hole of our mail server. Arghhh!
Enola
Oh, Ms. Enola, I too must ask if you received my questions regarding your Naturally Cozy products. I would like to purchase some but have a couple of questions.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Dear Elizabeth;
DeleteYes, I did recieve your email and I did answer it, but it has bounced back to me as undeliverable 3 times. I will keep trying. I'll talk with you soon.
Enola
Oh, I am so sorry to hear that! How strange.....how else can I get in touch with you? Or, actually, how can I securely pass my phone number to you so we can communicate?
DeleteElizabeth
Dear Elizabeth;
DeleteOur internet provider says they are working on it. Apparently someone used the providers address to send out mass spam so all of the other providers blocked their address. You should be able to use our other address: paratusfamiliapress@hotmail.com That should work. Talk to you soon.
Enola
That's great news.
DeleteBe talking to you soon.
Elizabeth
thank you for this- i intend to try it!! :)
ReplyDeleteA great post! I don't know how many times this week I've picked up my lip balm because my lips hurt or there dry. Lip balms (going up in price, as everything else) are not cheap, this is a great way to save money. I have every intention on trying to make lip balm, I hope you won't mind me borrowing your recipe?
ReplyDeleteI cant wait to give this recipe a try! Our local natural foods store has all of these ingredients including the empty lip balm tubes! My only question: what is that contraption in the se fond to last picture?
ReplyDeleteAndrea S
LOVE IT, I am off tomorrow to buy the ingredients. At our house we go through this stuff like crazy, wither by loosing then or using them. At a dollar to three dollars a tube its time to simplify and save some money.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you purchase your essential oils?
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to try making lip balm ever since I rendered some of our beeswax from our hives that we had last summer but like you I didn't have all the unique ingredients on hand. Yours look much simpler- thank you! I actually am currently out of olive oil but I do have coconut oil so I think I will try substituting that.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to trying it. Thanks again!
Thanks Enola, just made it! I used 1 oz of beeswax and a few drops of vanilla essence. I can't notice the vanilla smell, next time I'll have to add more or an oil as you recommend. But the wax itself smells lovely!
ReplyDeleteGoing on it's a bit thin for me but an excellent starting point and something I can work on. I have a friend who makes herbal infusions, I gave him some and he is going to infuse golden seal to make an ointment.
Thanks for sharing :)
Amanda
HI Enola, I found this on pinterest and made it today! So easy to make and so good for the lips! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
ReplyDeleteI posted a link on my blog directly to this page.
http://strobelshappenings.blogspot.com/2012/02/homemade-lip-balm.html
Thank you for sharing! My husband just shared your site with me, and I am so excited to have found y'all! :-) We are of like mind. I look forward to perusing your site more.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Where can I find containers like you used??
ReplyDeleteI order all of my lip balm tubes from Brushy Mountain Bee Supply, they can be found on the web by googling their name. They have all kinds of lip balm, candle and soap-making supplies. Have fun!
DeleteEnola
I made another batch of this today, but I am using it as hand lotion for my daughter and I. We were using the lip balm containers and I decided to use a bigger container this time around. We LOVE this stuff. I use it all the time! :)
ReplyDelete