Beeswax Lip Balm Recipe

Beeswax is a natural product made by bees, often used in cosmetics and skin care products.  It is also good for lips, offering moisturizing and various protective benefits.  

If you've ever thought of making your own beeswax lip balm, here's a simple recipe to get you started.  

But first, what does beeswax bring to lip balm?  Apart from various benefits explained on my page Is beeswax good for lips? beeswax has thickening properties to help the balm stay on your lips for longer, and the more beeswax you use, the harder the lip balm will be, depending on your preference. 

Beeswax also adds a degree of stickiness, which helps to make it useful in the manufacture of lipsticks.  This stickiness helps the other beneficial ingredients you select for your lip balm to adhere to your lips, giving them time to be absorbed.

Recipe for beeswax lip balm

The good thing about making your own lip balm is that as long as you have the beeswax, you'll probably have all the ingredients you need in your kitchen cupboard - if only for the most basic recipe.  But most people also have a handy food essence too to liven things up a bit, and add a little extra fragrance.

Ingredients:
2½ oz (60g) beeswax
3½ oz (100g) oil - possible candidates include olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil.  Alternatively, you could experiment with shea butter.

Optional:
Depending on the oil you choose as your main ingredient, you might like to experiment with one of the following:

• An edible essential oil, such as peppermint or rosemary.
• An edible vitamin oil, such as vitamin E or wheat germ oil
• An flavoring extract, such as Seville orange, vanilla, almond or peppermint.

Method:
Make sure you prepare clean jars or tins ready for storing your lip balm.

Use a double boiler or make a bain-marie by placing your main ingredients in a glass bowl over a pan of water, and heat gently.  Once melted, add your optional ingredient, and stir well.

Pour the heated mixture into a glass jug, then distribute the lip balm into suitable individual containers, such as small glass jars or tins.

Allow to cool.

Have fun!

Remember to experiment to get the ideal texture and flavor for you.