Lip Balm 101 – First Test Batch

Today I’m going to take the formula I developed yesterday and make a test batch. This will be a very small batch – just 50 grams.

To recap, I’m basing my formula on the following guidelines:

• 20% Beeswax*

• 25% solid at room temperature oil (Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Shea Butter, Lanolin, etc.)

• 15% brittle at room temperature oil (Cocoa Butter, Palm Kernel Oil, etc.)

• 40% liquid oil at room temperature (Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, etc.)

*If you want to use a vegetable wax such as Carnauba, Candelilla, or Soy, you’ll want to use about half the amount of Beeswax and add the additional amount to your solid oils.

These are the ingredients I chose to use and what you’ll need if you’re making this along with me.

Instructions

Weigh all ingredients but the essential oil into a small beaker or other heat-safe container. Microwave in very short time bursts (10 seconds), swirling the mixture after every heating. As soon as most of the ingredients are melted, stir with a spoon to finish melting the wax.

Add the essential oil, stirring well to combine.

Pour lip balm into containers. I’ll be using jars instead of tubes this time.

Allow to cool completely before capping and labeling. Enjoy!

Ingredients in beaker before melting.

Lip balms freshly poured.

Notes

The 50-gram test batch filled 6 of our 33 mm lip balm jars.

It turns out this is a pretty soft, oily lip balm. I feel like it’s not ideal for the hot summer temps. On the other hand, I like the composition and how easily it spreads on the lips and absorbs.

I’m going to tweak it a little tomorrow to see if I can reduce that oiliness just a bit. Check back tomorrow!