Making Lip Balm

For the first of our freebie Fridays we’re creating a new lip balm.

Let’s face it, this is the time of year when our lips are dry and possibly cracked. It’s really difficult not to lick dry lips and, yes, it definitely makes them worse, just as your mum told you!

These are the ingredients listed in the most popular lip balm that we have all heard of and no doubt used.

 Petrolatum Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Glycol Stearate, Sodium Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylene Brassylate, DMDM Hydantoin, Disodium EDTA, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Titanium Dioxide.

Makes you think doesn’t it? This month we’re creating some more natural but effective lip balm with only 4 ingredients plus pure essential oil.

Firstly we’re going to use equal quantities of shea butter and argan oil. Both have great moisturising properties. Raw shea butter is well known for its moisturising and healing properties so is an ideal product for winter worn lips. It also has anti-aging properties and can act as a mild sunscreen, not that you’ll need that in January!

Argan oil is also great for sore, chapped lips, it moisturises and heals. So, it’s not just good for hair! Beeswax is a hard wax and is used to help to set the lip balm and also seal in moisture. It also contains vitamin A and antibacterial properties.

You can use almost any essential oils but we need to steer clear of the photosensitive ones usually the citrus ones, although they smell great they’re not a good idea on any part of the face.

Bearing in mind we’re trying to calm possibly red and sore lips I’ve chosen Roman chamomile for its soothing and anti bacterial properties and a little lavender which is always calming and has a lovely aroma.

Vitamin E is added to extend the shelf life of the balm as with all natural products which are not made with synthetic ingredients and preservatives we need a natural preservative. Oh, and it is also good for the skin. This lip balm is more of a cream and is best for badly chapped lips as it’s quite soft so it doesn’t drag on really sore lips. We’ve created a second, firmer, balm with peppermint essential oil. Peppermint has a cooling effect. This one is best for protection and is still soft enough not to drag delicate lips.

To get your free sample visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/mulberryhallchic and follow the instructions.