Short answer
Gently melt 10 g of beeswax pellets with 30 ml of cosmetic argan oil and 5 g of shea butter, pour the mixture into small clean tins, and let it set for 30 minutes. Use it on lips and cuticles. Do a patch test first, and keep it away from heat.
Table of contents
- Before you start
- Ingredients
- Equipment
- Method
- Texture guide
- About the ingredients
- Vegan version
- Tips
- Variations
- Shelf life and storage
- Selling or gifting
- Common mistakes
- Scaling the balm
- Timeline
- Adjusting the texture
- Making a set of gifts
- Cleaning up
- Storing a balm in your bag
- A note on safety
- Frequently asked questions
A small tin of balm is easy to make and useful. It suits dry lips and cuticles, and it makes a friendly gift. The recipe uses three ingredients and one pan. It is a personal care product, and I do not claim any medical effect.
Before you start
Use cosmetic argan oil. Do a patch test on the inside of your forearm first. Skip the recipe if you have a nut allergy or an allergy to beeswax, shea or any ingredient. Keep the balm away from your eyes. Use clean tools, because a balm can hold bacteria.
Prep 10 min
Set 30 min
Makes about 30 ml
Ingredients
- 10 g (about 2 teaspoons) beeswax pellets
- 30 ml (2 tablespoons) cosmetic argan oil
- 5 g (1 teaspoon) shea butter
Equipment
A heatproof bowl or jug, a small saucepan with a few centimetres of simmering water, a spoon, a kitchen scale and two small clean tins or jars, about 15 ml each.
Method
- Wash and dry the tins. Place them on a tray.
- Set the bowl over the pan of simmering water. Do not let water touch the bowl.
- Add the beeswax and shea butter. Stir until they melt.
- Take the bowl off the heat and stir in the argan oil.
- Pour the mixture at once into the tins.
- Leave the tins undisturbed for about 30 minutes, until set.
- Close the lids and label with the date.
Texture guide
If the balm feels too hard, remelt it and add a little more oil. If it feels too soft, remelt it and add a few more beeswax pellets. Small adjustments make a big difference, so change by a teaspoon at a time.
About the ingredients
Beeswax
Beeswax gives structure and forms a protective layer on the skin. Use cosmetic grade pellets from a trusted supplier.
Shea butter
Shea butter adds softness and a creamy feel. Unrefined shea has a nutty smell. Refined has less.
Argan oil
Choose cosmetic argan oil that you have checked for freshness. The buying and storage guides explain how.
Vegan version
Replace beeswax with candelilla wax. Use about half the amount, since it is stronger, and adjust the texture.
Tips
- Work quickly when you pour, because the balm sets fast.
- Use small containers that you will finish within a few months.
- Do not overheat the oil. Gentle warmth is enough.
- Wash your hands before you use the balm on your lips.
Variations
- Cuticle balm. Leave the recipe unscented and use it on nails and hands.
- Tinted balm. Add a tiny pinch of cosmetic grade mica. Test it first.
- Cooling. Add one drop of food grade peppermint flavour. Use with care.
- Sweeter. Add a drop of vanilla extract.
Shelf life and storage
Store the balm in a cool, dark place, away from heat, such as a hot car. Use it within about six months, and discard it if it smells sour, changes colour or feels grainy. Scoop with a clean finger or a small spatula.
Selling or gifting
If you give the balm as a gift, label the ingredients and the date. If you plan to sell it, check local rules for cosmetics. Do not make health claims on the label.
Common mistakes
- Adding water or juice, which spoils the balm.
- Letting the wax overheat.
- Pouring after the mixture has started to set.
- Using dirty tins.
Scaling the balm
| Tins | Beeswax | Argan oil | Shea butter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 small tin (15 ml) | 5 g | 15 ml | 2.5 g |
| 2 small tins (30 ml) | 10 g | 30 ml | 5 g |
| 4 small tins (60 ml) | 20 g | 60 ml | 10 g |
Timeline
- Wash and dry tins: 5 minutes.
- Melt the wax and butter: 5 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the oil and pour: 2 minutes.
- Set: 30 minutes.
Adjusting the texture
| You want | Change |
|---|---|
| A firmer balm for hot weather | Add a few more beeswax pellets |
| A softer balm for cuticles | Add a little more oil |
| A creamier feel | Add a little more shea butter |
| A glossier lip balm | Keep the balm simple, and do not add water |
Make small changes and test the result on a small tin.
Making a set of gifts
A small set can include a lip balm, a cuticle balm and a jar of sugar scrub. Label each with the ingredients, the date and a note about allergies. Use the same jar style, and tie the set with string. Do not add health claims to the labels.
Cleaning up
Wax is hard to clean from pans. Wipe the bowl with a paper towel while it is still warm, then wash it with hot water and soap. Do not pour melted wax down the drain.
Storing a balm in your bag
A balm in a warm bag may melt. Keep it in a small pocket in the shade, and away from a hot car. If it melts, chill it briefly and it will set again, though the texture may change.
A note on safety
Beeswax and shea can cause reactions in some people. If you notice redness, swelling or itching, stop using the balm. Do not use it on broken skin. If you have a nut allergy, ask a doctor about shea and argan.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use culinary argan oil?
I would not. Use cosmetic oil for something you put on your lips and skin.
Why is my balm grainy?
Shea butter can crystallise if it cools slowly. Remelt and cool quickly.
Is it safe to eat a little?
Lip balm is not food. Use a small amount and do not swallow it on purpose.
