Mocha Lip Balm

This dark, deliciously shimmering lip balm smells faintly of honey, strongly of coffee, and looks like chocolate.  Mmmm! 

Lip balm is one of the easiest homemade body-care items you could make; it was certainly the first homemade toiletry I ever created. Look for these ingredients on Amazon or in your local health food shops.  This recipe is, of course, great as a lip balm but also soothing and healing [because of the shea butter!] for dry, chapped hands.  

MOCHA LIP BALM

makes eight 15ml jars

2 TBS natural beeswax, grated

1 TBS unrefined shea butter

1 TBS unrefined cocoa butter

1/4 cup organic virgin coconut oil

1 tsp honey, preferably raw

4 drops GSE

10 drops vanilla essential oil

20 drops coffee essential oil

1 tsp organic cocoa powder

1/2 tsp natural gold mica powder

Basically, the beeswax and fats need to be melted together, and then the essential oils and powders can be added.  I use a small stainless steel saucepan: fill it with a few inches of water, and place a Pyrex glass jug into the pan. Put the grated beeswax into the jug and set the pan over a low heat.  As it begins to melt, stir in the butters and oil, and the honey.  If shea butter gets too hot it will become grainy, so stir consistently and keep the heat low.  

While the oils are melting, pop a few clean small jars into the oven on a low temperature to warm.  I like tiny used jam jars [currently scoring mine from Starbucks; yeah, it helps to know the staff!] but you can also buy little cosmetic jars on eBay brand-new, if you prefer.  This recipe makes eight 15ml jars.

Back to the stovetop: remove the pan from the heat and, using a fork, whisk the cocoa powder and gold mica powder into the melted oils. Add the GSE and essential oils.

Pour the liquid balm into the hot glass jars, slowly and carefully.  Whisk the mixture before you pour into each jar to ensure a more even distribution of ingredients.

Set aside, uncovered, to cool overnight.  In the morning, put lids on the jars and give them a bit of a wipe down to remove any spills.  

In a hot climate or in extremely warm weather, it's probably best to store this lip balm in the fridge.  Also, if you are planning on giving this away, please remember that it is not appropriate for people who are allergic to nuts, because of the shea butter!

For more ideas about homemade and eco-friendly things you can make or do, visit Beth's blog and follow the links on her Green Resource post: