Make your own lip balm

As we come indoors and then go out, the dry winter air causes static hair, parched skin, and—especially—cracked lips. It’s easy and inexpensive to make your own moisturizing lip balm from natural ingredients. You need only two ingredients for the most basic product: a little beeswax and a good-quality oil.

The oil and wax together seal in moisture; the beeswax (which contains healing anti-inflammatory and antibiotic compounds) stiffens the product. I add a little raw honey to mine for its flavor, healing properties, and moisturizing effects.

If you know a local beekeeper, he or she probably sells food-grade beeswax as well as honey. Health food stores usually carry beeswax in blocks, “medallions,” or beads. A dollar or two will buy enough to make quite a few batches of lip balm.

To make lip balm

Supply needed

A small stainless-steel or Pyrex pot you can dedicate to melting the wax 

A small wooden spoon or stainless-steel whisk for stirring

A small glass jar or other container 

Ingredients

1 Tbsp shaved or chopped beeswax (or beads).

3 Tbsp oil (olive oil, almond, grapeseed, or another oil).

1 tsp raw honey (optional).

Few drops of essential oils (optional).

Methods

Melt the beeswax with the oil over a low heat (double boiler, inside a low oven) or microwave at low power (under careful observation to avoid fires). As soon as the wax has melted, remove the pot from the heat, whisk in the honey. Pour into a container and let set until firm. If the solidified mixture feels too firm, remelt and whisk in a little more oil.

Once you’ve succeeded with the basic product, you can try new batch using ingredients such as a few drops of a medicinal tincture or an essential oil; cocoa butter, shea butter, or coconut oil for some of the oil; 

By the way, this stuff also works well to smooth unruly eyebrows, treat chapped hands and moisturize cuticles and fingernails, so you may want to make a bigger batch on your second try.

DIY lip balm that’s perfect for dry days!