Lip balm or lip salve is a wax-like substance applied to the lips to moisturize and relieve chapped or dry lips, angular cheilitis, stomatitis, or cold sores. Lip balm often contains beeswax or carnauba wax, camphor, cetyl alcohol, lanolin, paraffin, and petrolatum, among other ingredients.
Coffee Lip Balm
DIY lip balm is a homemade cosmetic product typically made by combining a mixture of wax (like beeswax), solid butters (such as cocoa butter or shea butter), and liquid oils (like coconut oil or almond oil) to create a moisturizing stick for the lips, often customizable with essential oils for scent and flavor; the exact ratio of ingredients determines the consistency, with more wax resulting in a firmer balm and more oil creating a softer texture.
Key points about DIY lip balm:
-
Basic ingredients:
Beeswax, carrier oils (like coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil), and solid butters (like shea butter, cocoa butter).
-
Customization options:
- Essential oils: Add fragrance and potential therapeutic benefits depending on the oil chosen (e.g., peppermint for a cooling sensation, lavender for calming).
- Colorants: Natural pigments like mica powder or beetroot powder can add color.
- Flavors: Food-grade flavor oils can be added for taste.
-
Consistency control:
- Harder balm: A higher proportion of wax for a longer-lasting, firmer consistency.
- Softer balm: A higher proportion of liquid oils for a smoother, more glide-like application.
-