| As we have been having all kinds of fun with coconut this week, I decided that we needed to feature a lip balm. After all, you can’t have a themed week of coconut without a lip balm. That is all kinds of goodness that would be missed! I wanted to change this recipe up a little bit by using soy wax and by adding silver mica for a little bit of shimmer. Let’s go make some lip balm!Soy Wax is a wonderful ingredient to work with. However it can be prone to fractionation making it a little tricky. Just make sure you heat it up well enough and it will work just fine for you!
Virgin Coconut Oil is a dream to work with! It has wonderful odor and flavor. It also melts near body temperature making any lip balms just glide smoothly onto the lips. I also used Palm Kernel Oil in the recipe. I like Palm Kernel Oil because it is white and it also fills my need for a brittle oil in the lip balm formulation. An added bonus is how economical it is to add to a formulation. You don’t need to break the bank on your soaps, lotions and other toiletries. You can have amazing products without having to pay through-the-roof prices. Castor Oil gives lip products a smooth creaminess and long lasting power. Castor Oil also gives lip products their smooth glide, which is so common it has become a signature. Lastly, I used Cherry Seed Oil in this formulation because of how light it is. It will not feel heavy or greasy. Perfect for an intro to summer!
Recipe:
Weigh everything except the Coconut Flavor Oil and the Silver Mica in a microwave safe container. Heat everything gently until it is crystal clear. If it does not get hot enough to completely melt the Soy Wax, it could fractionate. If unsure, try the plate test before putting into containers. Add the Coconut Flavor Oil and the Silver Mica. Stir well. Pour into containers and allow to cool. Label and enjoy! The Plate Test: The plate test allows you to try your lip balm to see if it has the perfect flavor, color and texture prior to filling your containers. I consider this test invaluable because it prevents failed batches, even those that have failed due to fractionation. You can catch it prior to filling your containers, preventing the entire project from needing to be scrapped. Whew! Isn’t that wonderful? To use the plate test method have a porcelain, glass or ceramic plate on hand. I use one that is at room temperature. This gives you the most accurate texture information versus using a plate that has been in the freezer. A plate that was in the freezer will actually promote the balm feeling more brittle than it really is. Take a few drops of your lip balm solution and drizzle them onto your plate. Allow them to set up. This should take no more than about 15 to 30 seconds. Rub your finger on the cooled lip balm. You can then rub it on your lips. Is the taste right? How about the texture? If it is just right, you can fill your containers. If not, check your notes. Did it get hot enough? What is in your formulation? Did everything get added? Remember, if you are struggling with fractionation just stop and let the lip balm set up. Call or email us and we can review your formulation and process. Don’t fill the containers with lip balm that isn’t quite right. Remember, we are only an email or phone call away. We can help!
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 Finished Lip Balm  Weighing Soy Wax  Weighing Oils  Weighing Oils  Adding Silver Mica  Stirring in Silver Mica |
I did not know Soy Wax has a fractionation issue. Thanks for the formulation.
It only has a fractionation issue if the ingredients aren’t melted completely. Otherwise, not to worry. Have a great time!
I love using Virgin Coconut Oil, it smells (and tastes) wonderful. Will have to make some of this!
You will love this lip balm! Every coconut lover I know thinks it is the best!
Thank you! Love the plate test tip
The plate test is my way to help my lip balms stay fail proof!
I tried the plate test, and it worked perfectly. This is one of the best tips for making lip balms. Thanks.
I love that virgin coconut oil – it smells SO GOOD!
I was just wondering if there is something that could be used in this same formula instead of soy wax? my body dont tolerate soy internally or externally these days for some reason. But love anything coconut tho.
I have an easy solution for you! Simple exchange the Soy Wax for Beeswax. No changing of numbers! Yay!
Is there a specific temperature that it should be heated to, in order to make sure it doesn’t fractionate? And can it also fractionate if it gets too hot? I’ve never used soy wax before, but would like to, I have a few customers who are allergic to bees, so they don’t want beeswax in their lip balm. I do kind of wonder if a person would actually be allergic to beeswax, if anyone knows!
A person that is allergic to bees is allergic to the venom, not the wax.
Bees are not a fun thing to be allergic to, it is really dangerous for someone
who has a severe allergy.
To make this lip balm I would heat to 160°F to clear all the wax portions to
melted and then prepare to pour. The lip balm mixture can fractionate but
I think this will make sure it is not too hot, nor too cold.
Cheers!
Tina
What a stunning lip balm. I love the contrast of the white goodness and the black tube. Oh, and I bet it feels great on lips too ^.^
It feels fantastic!
How do you fill a large batch of lip balm in tubes without a filling tray? I am having trouble filling the tubes with a pipette because the mixture solidifies while I’m filling. Is there anything else I can use to fill the tubes? Also, do you use a new pipette for every batch? Thanks, great recipe!
We like to set the jar of lip balm into a water bath to keep it fluid. An electric frying pan is awesome at keeping the jar of lip balm in a liquid state while you fill the tubes. Yes, we do get a new pipette for each batch, just not each tube.
Cheers!
Tina