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Making lip balm can be an enjoyable and straightforward process. The advantage of crafting your own lip balm is that you have complete control over the ingredients. Additionally, you can select your preferred flavors or experiment with new ones that may not be readily available in stores. While there are numerous methods for making lip balm, options can be limited if you desire a fruit-flavored variant.
Required Ingredients
Utilizing Drink Mix
- 4 tablespoons (60 grams) of coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) of petroleum jelly or shea butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of beeswax, either flakes or pellets (optional)
- Powdered fruit drink mix (like Kool-Aid or Crystal Light)
Utilizing Freeze-dried Fruit
- 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 grams) of coconut oil
- ½ tablespoon (7.5 grams) of finely ground freeze-dried fruit
- ½ to 1 teaspoon (2.5 to 5 grams) of beeswax flakes or pellets (optional)
Utilizing Essential Oil or Flavor Oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of beeswax flakes or pellets (optional)
- 4 tablespoons (60 grams) of coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) of Vitamin E oil
- ½ to 1 teaspoon (2.5 to 5 milliliters) of flavor oil (optional)
- 5 to 10 drops of essential oil (optional)
Instructions
Using Drink Mix
Combine coconut oil and petroleum jelly in a microwave-safe bowl. If you prefer not to use petroleum jelly, consider substituting with shea butter. While petroleum jelly is more readily available, shea butter offers greater nourishment for your lips.
Incorporate 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of beeswax for a firmer consistency. Ensure the beeswax is in flake or pellet form for easier melting. If your beeswax is in a block, grate it using a cheese grater.
Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for 1 minute. This will melt the ingredients together, facilitating the mixing of the drink mix.
Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the ingredients with a spoon until smooth. Ensure there are no lumps or clumps. If lumps persist, further heating may be necessary. Return the mixture to the microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Repeat until smooth.
- Exercise caution when removing the bowl from the microwave, as it will be hot.
If you desire multiple colors or flavors, divide your melted mixture into separate bowls. For instance, if you aim to create lip balm with both strawberry and cherry flavors, allocate the mixture into two bowls. However, if you prefer a single flavor, retain everything in one bowl.
Incorporate the powdered drink mix into the mixture, ensuring it is free of lumps or grains. The quantity added depends on the desired color and flavor intensity. Begin with a small amount, stir, and gradually increase until achieving the desired color.
Transfer the mixture into a clean, empty lip balm container using a spoon or mini spatula. Work swiftly as the lip balm sets rapidly.
Allow the mixture to cool slightly before refrigerating for 1 to 2 hours. This will complete the setting process, resulting in lip balm with a firm texture.
Complete.
Utilizing Freeze-dried Fruit
Grind the freeze-dried fruit into a fine powder. Any type of freeze-dried fruit can be used, but berries like raspberries and strawberries yield the best color.
- You can grind the fruit using a coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle.
Set up a double boiler. Fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water and place a heat-safe bowl on top. Ensure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water surface. Opt for a glass bowl as it heats more evenly than metal ones.
Combine the coconut oil and beeswax (optional) in the bowl. While beeswax is not mandatory, it contributes to a firmer texture and reduces stickiness. If using beeswax, aim for flakes or pellets for quicker melting. Alternatively, grate beeswax using a cheese grater if unavailable in flake or pellet form.
Heat the coconut oil and beeswax over medium-high heat until fully melted. Stir occasionally to ensure even melting. Both ingredients will become somewhat translucent when fully melted.
Remove the bowl from the double boiler and place it on a stable surface. Use oven mitts to handle the bowl as it will be very hot.
Incorporate the freeze-dried fruit into the mixture. Stir continuously until everything is thoroughly combined. Ensure there are no streaks, lumps, or swirls. If using different fruit types for varied flavors, divide the melted mixture into smaller bowls first, then add the powdered fruit.
Transfer the mixture into clean, empty lip balm containers using a spoon or mini spatula. Act swiftly as the lip balm sets quickly.
Allow the mixture to cool before refrigerating for 1 to 2 hours. Refrigeration completes the setting process, resulting in hardened lip balm.
Complete.
Utilizing Essential Oil or Flavor Oil
Prepare a double boiler. Fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water, then place a heat-safe bowl on top. Ensure the bowl does not touch the water's surface.
Combine the coconut oil and beeswax (if desired) in the bowl. Beeswax contributes to a firmer texture and reduces stickiness. Opt for flake or pellet form for easier melting. If unavailable, grate beeswax using a cheese grater.
Heat the coconut oil and beeswax over medium-high heat until melted. Stir occasionally for even melting. Both ingredients will become clear when fully melted.
Remove the bowl from the saucepan and stir in the vitamin E oil. Vitamin E oil helps moisturize and soften your lips.
Mix in your flavor oil until the consistency is smooth and the color is uniform. The amount you use is flexible, but remember that the flavor intensifies as the lip balm solidifies. Opt for flavoring oil designed for lip balm or candy-making, ensuring it's oil-based. Avoid water or alcohol-based options for even mixing.
- Find lip balm flavoring oil online from cosmetic supply stores or candy-making flavor oil in arts and crafts and baking shops.
- Alternatively, use 5 to 10 drops of essential oil.
- If creating multiple flavors, divide the melted mixture into separate bowls.
Transfer the mixture into clean, empty lip balm containers. Use a spoon or mini spatula to fill the containers swiftly as the balm sets quickly.
Allow the mixture to cool before refrigerating for 1 to 2 hours. Refrigeration completes the setting process, resulting in hardened lip balm.
Complete.
Pointers
- Repurpose clean, empty contact lens cases as convenient lip balm containers.
- Experiment with 2 to 3 different flavors for a fruity punch or salad sensation.
- Personalize your lip balm containers with washi tape, decorative tape, or stickers. Label the lid with the balm's flavor using a blank label.
Cautions
- Ensure cleanliness and sterility of the lip balm containers. Wash them thoroughly with hot water and dry using a tissue.
- Exercise caution with essential oils. Lemon and grapefruit essential oils are photosensitive, increasing sun sensitivity of lips. Orange and lime essential oils are not photosensitive and do not affect sun sensitivity.
Materials Needed
Using Drink Mix
- Microwave
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Small whisk or fork
- Spoon
- Additional bowls (if using multiple colors/flavors)
- A Small container
Using Freeze-dried Fruit
- Double-boiler (saucepan and bowl)
- Spoon, fork, or small whisk
- Spoon
- A Small container
