How to Make Honey-Scented Lip Balm Gifts

My daughter claims she is a lip balm addict. Addiction to lip balm is a myth, I’ve read, but one that is widely discussed. Either way, lip balm is often a stressful topic in our family when my daughter can’t find her stash, so for a holiday gift I’m going to make her a big batch of honey-scented lip balm using beeswax and healing oils.

Making natural lip balm yourself is a great way to get to know the potential of natural ingredients, and once you do you’ll forever be a convert from petroleum-based balms. Petroleum is a non-renewable resource and offers no nutrients to your skin.

By contrast, beeswax is antibacterial and used as a emulsifier in creams and balms. It protects the skin by sealing in the moisture. The recipe below also offers more from the bees: honey, an antibacterial, nutritious humectant that attracts moisture to the skin. Combining honey and beeswax moisturizes and protects the lips.

Ingredients

Many health-food stores now offer a variety of vegetable, fruit and nut oils, coconut oil, and beeswax. Buy a few different kinds to try out on yours and others’ skin. If you can’t find beeswax in local stores, it is readily available online at most herbalist product sites.

1 ounce apricot kernel oil, almond oil, or other oil of choice*
1 ounce coconut oil
1/4 ounce beeswax
1 teaspoon honey

*Exploring the possible oils you can blend with the beeswax and honey is another satisfying reason to make lip balm! Your will skin love impossibly lubricating apricot kernel oil; avocado oil is ideal for older skin; coconut oil is non-greasy; almond oil is light enough even for oily skin; and jojoba is a liquid wax that never goes rancid. Mix and match the oils to the skin type of your gift recipient.

Directions

1. Combine the oils and beeswax in a double boiler. Heat slowly, stirring as it melts.

2. Once the beeswax has melted, remove from the stove and stir in the honey. Blend with a handheld mixer until the mixture thickens to the desired balm consistency.

4. Pour into small jars that have screw tops, but allow to cool before putting on the lid.

The mixture will keep for 6 months. Makes about 1/4 cup of balm.