Beeswax is an important natural ingredient for homemade cosmetics

The skin of our lips is exceptionally delicate and sensitive, so it often suffers from the weather conditions. The lips may become dry and chapped in the cold and wind during the winter months. We have selected some winter lip balm recipes with natural ingredients which will help you protect your lips and prevent problems during the cold months. Almost every woman carries at least one lipstick and balm in her bag but it often happens that we are not satisfied with the results of their use. Why is that? After all when you buy lip care products from a cosmetic store you’d expect that they will be efficient. Well, not many women pay attention to the description and read the labels of products. Many products contain paraffin which is the more economical substitute for natural wax and oils. As a result, these balms do not moisturize or nourish the lips properly. They create a thin film on the surface of the lips which in most cases disappears within an hour. Moisturizing and nourishing the lips is important at any time of the year and essential during the cold months. To avoid these troubles you can prepare a lip balm from natural ingredients at home. How to prepare winter lip balm recipes and store the product afterwards? What are the advantages of homemade lip care products? Now, having in mind that the market offers a huge variety of cosmetic products, it is logical to ask what the advantages of homemade winter balm recipes are? We shall have a look at the pluses, but just think about it – it is you who knows the problems of your lips and know exactly what they need - moisturizing, nutrition, UV protection, etc. In addition, a homemade lip balm will have your favorite taste and aroma so it will be even more pleasant to use it. Further to that you will know exactly the ingredients that will be part of your product and will not be unpleasantly surprised by allergic reactions or other side effects. Last but not least, we all know that little girls love to use their mom’s cosmetics. DIY lip balms are safe, as they do not contain artificial ingredients and children can use it because the delicate and sensitive skin of their lips also needs care and protection. Many women fear that making a lip balm at home is difficult and too much trouble. The truth is that balms are prepared quickly and easily and do not require special ingredients. In most cases you will be able to find what you need at the nearest pharmacy. We have to remind you that before you try any recipe for lip balm, you need to do a simple test for allergic reactions to its components. To do this, apply a little oil on the inner part of the elbow and see what will happen to this area of the skin during the day. If there is no allergic rash, swelling or itching, you can safely use this component. It is recommended to test each component separately, so that if an allergic reaction occurs, you will know what caused it. How to store and use homemade lip care products? When your balm is ready it should be poured into a special balm container or in a suitable small jar. Do not leave it under the scorching sun or in another warm place, as it can quickly melt. Homemade lip balm, if properly stored in a cool place, will be safe to use for quite a long time - from six months to a year. It is recommended to use homemade balm regularly and apply it evenly on clean and dry skin. What are the most popular ingredients for DIY lip balm recipes? An interesting fact is that the first balms were made in the Middle East from balsamic resin - hence the name. The first lip balm is created in the XVIII century in Paris. It is made from balsamic resin and rose essential oil. In 1880 Dr. Charles Browne Fleet invented the ChapStick, a lip balm which was intended to help treat and prevent chapped lips. As we already mentioned above, the balm for the winter season should be different from the summer products. Let’s have a look at the the most popular ingredients for winter lip balms. Beeswax is an important natural ingredient for homemade cosmetics. It is the basis for a high quality balm and for DIY balm recipes you will need a very little amount. As a rule, a lip balm is made on the basis of wax as it has an anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect. Wax is used to thicken and bind the finished balm. Without it, the balm will not have a form. This ingredient is especially important if you want to make a balm not in a jar but in a tube. Honey is another traditional ingredient for homemade lip balms. The vitamins and micro elements in its composition have a nutritious effect on the skin of the lips, relieve peeling and irritation and contribute to the healing of micro cracks. Of course, if you are allergic to bee products, you can prepare a lip balm without them. Choose a recipe that does not include honey or beeswax. Vegetable oils and butter like olive oil, castor, almond oil, shea butter, cocoa butter etc. have a beneficial nourishing, moisturizing, softening effect on the skin which is the reason why they are one of the main ingredients in winter lip balm recipes. Castor oil gives lips a gloss and has a moisturizing effect. Coconut oil is a fairly cheap ingredient for balms. It gives the balm a charming aroma and moisturizes and nourishes the skin very well. Shea butter perfectly relieves inflammation and instantly soothes irritated skin. Cocoa butter smooths the surface of the lips and the smell of chocolate improves the mood even on the cloudiest day. Tea tree essential oil is an excellent antiseptic. Essential oils - these can be purchased at any pharmacy and are quite affordable. Each of them has its own medicinal properties. Essential oils will give your balm a pleasant scent and have an additional healing effect. Do not forget that usually essential oils are used in very small quantities. Cinnamon, ginger and cloves essential oils have a warming effect which is important for the cold season; Lime, grapefruit, orange and lemon have a refreshing and invigorating effect; Peppermint also has an invigorating effect, stimulates blood circulation, which leads to a slight increase in lip volume; Vanilla and lavender give a pleasant soothing aroma. Vitamins A and E can be purchased at the pharmacy and you can enrich your lip care product with them. Vitamin A promotes cell regeneration while vitamin E slows down the aging process. Vitamin F contributes to the restoration of the lipid balance of the skin. Fruit powders give the balm color, scent and even taste. In addition, fruit powders remove dead skin cells from the lips and provide vitamins and minerals. Winter lip balm recipes to try at home A standard proven recipe for any balm is 30% waxes, 40% butter (solid oils) and 30% liquid oils. The procedure for preparing a lip balm is also very simple. First you need to melt the wax in a water bath and add vegetable oil to it. After 1 - 2 minutes, the mixture must be removed from the heat and add the required amount of essential oils. The ready balm is best divided into small portions for easier use. It is recommended to choose glass containers that can be kept in the refrigerator. Basic lip balm recipe Ingredients: 25 g of beeswax 25 g of shea butter 30 g of almond oil 15 g of cocoa butter 3 g vitamin E Directions: Melt the beeswax over low heat or in water bath. Add shea and cocoa butter and wait until liquid. Stir to mix with the melted wax. Add almond oil and vitamin E and miz until combined. Pour the balm in small jars and wait until cool. Winter lip balm Ingredients: 1 tablespoon beeswax 1 tablespoon glycerin 5 tablespoons jojoba oil 7 drops of tangerine essential oil Directions: Melt the beeswax over low heat or in water bath. Add glycerin and essential oil. Stir to combine and pour the balm in small containers. Wait until cool. Moisturizing lip balm Ingredients: 3 teaspoons of coconut oil 3 teaspoons avocado oil 1 capsule vitamin E Directions: Mix the ingredients and use the balm to moisturize your lips. Chocolate and mint lip balm Ingredients: 1 tsp wax beeswax 1 tsp cocoa butter 1 tbs almond oil 4 tbs chocolate chips 1 Vitamin E capsule 2-5 drops Peppermint essential oil Directions: Melt the beeswax and chocolate chip. Take wax and chocolate off heat and melt cocoa butter. When cocoa butter is melted, mix it with wax and chocolate mixture. Add the almond oil. Remove mixture from heat, add Vitamin E and Peppermint essential oil. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Pour the mixture into lip balm containers. Wait until cool.