Our lips have no oil glands – unlike the rest of our body – and are therefore prone to dryness. Regular use of lip balm offers the fastest relief for chapped and dry lips.
Usually made of waxes and oils, some formulas also contain menthol or camphor to soothe rawness and stinging, while others may have allantoin or aloe to speed healing.
Several commercial lip balms also provide some basic sun protection, which is helpful, as our lips (just like the rest of us) are also prone to sun damage.
Most of us have a drawer full of half-used lip balms that we picked up at the drugstore without a second thought. Inexpensive, nice smelling and colourfully packaged, they are fun items to grab each time you pop into the store, and most of us would never even use half of what we have before they expire and end up in a landfill or in the belly of some poor unsuspecting marine creature.
So to cut down on pointless waste and to also control what you put on your lips, here is a really simple but super hydrating lip balm recipe that is safe, natural, super moisturising and also good for both yourself and the planet!
What you will need:
Cacao butter, coconut oil and beeswax
Melt equal parts of all three ingredients in a bowl set in a pan of simmering water. Stir and then pour the mixture into a little glass jar, reusable lip balm tin or silicone mould of your choosing. The mixture will harden as it cools, but you can always speed it up by placing it in the fridge. The end result is a lovely chocolately smelling lip balm that will keep your puckers moisturised and healthy without resulting in any unnecessary waste.
THE LIFESTYLE COLLECTIVE 