When seasons and weather change, our skin suffers if it’s not looked after properly. Most of us use, as a minimum, a moisturiser to keep our skin feeling hydrated. But do we ever stop and think about our poor lips?

Unlike other parts of our body, lips only have one thin layer of skin. This makes them more susceptible to drying and cracking when exposed to sun, wind, rain or snow without protection. Will any lip balm do the trick of moisturising and replenishing them back to their full glory?

Well, the answer is no. Not all lip balms give your lips the protection they need. In some cases, applying a balm or salve causes the lips to dry out more than they would without the product, which in turn makes you apply more, at which point you’re swept up in an everlasting circle of dehydration. Terrifying! This isn’t the case with all balms, and as with many things in life, it’s all about making the right decisions.

What you need is a balm that can seal in natural moisture without leaving your lips feeling slick.
Something organic and natural to keep those peckers nourished.

There are a huge number of products on the market, from natural to chemical, handmade to mass produced…but how to choose? To make life a bit easier, we’ve decided to give you a little help with a recipe to make your own balm.

Choose the right ingredients

When selecting a base, a lip balm will typically be made from one of either beeswax or petroleum jelly. For us the choice is easy; beeswax. The more natural the ingredient, the better.

- Beeswax is 100% natural and has been used for centuries in balms. It works well when combined with oils and helps retain natural moisture.

- Petroleum based products are very common in lip care products. They’ve also been used for centuries, but they are non-renewable, susceptible to contamination, and can block pores.

For fragrance, you can add essential oils or simply organic aromas. Using oils such as coconut, almond, calendula or rosehip can be beneficial as they contain rejuvenating properties that are perfect for chapped lips.

The more oil you use, the more gloss effect you’ll produce.

How to make an effective homemade lip balm

Our first tip: if you use organic and unrefined ingredients, you’ll not need to include any additives or preservatives. Your luscious lip balm will last for 12-18 months.

Homemade lip balm with marigold and rose

This recipe will make 10 X 10ml lip balms, we recommend that all ingredients are organic.

What you will need

10 X 10ml jars and lids (aluminium or bakelite)

2 X small glass jugs

Digital Scales

Food thermometer

2 X saucepans

1 X stainless steal spoon

goggles and latex gloves

NB. Always ensure your utensils and containers are clean and dry

Ingredients: These are easily found in your local Health Food store or online

30 gr Coconut oil - for moisturising

25 gr Shea Butter - for skin repairing

16gr White Beeswax - to create a protective barrier

10gr Calendula oil (often diluted in sunflower oil) - for healing

18gr jojoba oil - rich in vitamin E/anti-oxidants

24 drops of Rose essential oil (10% diluted in jojoba oil) – for astringent/repairing

*if you fancy a more refreshing smell than replace the rose with 15 drops of peppermint essential oil.

Procedure:

We recommend using gloves and googles when possible, for health and safety.