If you have never made lip balm before, the recipe in this article may convince you to transition to the DIY lifestyle. Not only is it easy to make your own products, but it’s also much safer for your overall health. Lip balm is not as labor intensive as body butter or face lotion, though, so don’t worry about the process being too difficult. It’s quite fun and the whole process may only take 10 minutes or less.
Why Should You Use Lip Balm?
The lips are very vulnerable to dryness compared any other areas of skin. The skin on the lips is very thin, which is why lips experience dryness, cracking, or burning during cold or hot temperatures. Because the skin is thinner on the lips, it can heal fairly quickly, especially if you use lip balm to keep the skin moist. Most lip balms also offer mild sun protection, which helps prevent burning. Keep in mind that lip balm is not sunscreen, so if you are in blistering heat and want to protect your lips, lip balm may not be the right tool for the job.
Sweet Almond Oil
Almond oil exhibits emollient, sclerosant, and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why many people use it to hydrate the skin. According to several dermatology studies, sweet almond oil may be beneficial for eczema or psoriasis treatment. Experts say that it is a safe product for dry or cracked lips, so long as the user does not have an almond allergy. In addition to moisturizing the lips, it may also improve complexion and suppleness.
Beeswax
Many cosmetic companies incorporate beeswax into their skin care products. Beeswax contains natural emulsifiers that help the skin retain moisture, which is necessary if you experience chapped or dry lips. Beeswax is also free of parabens and added chemicals, meaning that it is much gentler for the skin. That doesn’t mean it’s less effective, though. In fact, beeswax can protect the lips from harmful UV rays and may even accelerate wound healing because of the antibacterial properties. This is great news if you have cracked lips that are easily irritated.
Coconut Oil
As mentioned earlier, the skin on the lips is very thin, which makes them sensitive and prone to moisture loss. They are also exposed to the elements more than the rest of the skin. Coconut oil is a natural emollient, meaning it helps protect the skin and keep it moist. Essentially, an emollient traps moisture in the skin, and it typically works best after washing or bathing the area. Coconut oil also exhibits antimicrobial and disinfecting properties, which may help keep the lips healthy and free of germs.
Homemade Lip Balm
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
- 2 tablespoons beeswax pastilles
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 8-10 empty lip balm containers
Instructions:
- Add the coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and beeswax pastilles to the top of a double boiler.
- Turn the heat on low and allow the oils and beeswax pastilles to become a melted mixture. Stir occasionally so the ingredients melt evenly.
- Once the mixture is fully melted, remove from heat and then stir in the essential oil.
- Stand the lip balm containers upright and secure them that way with a rubber band.
- Pour the mixture into the lip balm containers and allow the mixture to fully set before putting the caps on.
- Cap the lip balms and store them in a cool, dry place to avoid melting.
