How to Make Chap Stick Without Beeswax

You can make your own Chap Stick-style lip balm.

Lip balm protects and soothes dry, flaky lips in winter, and raw, sun-damaged lips in summer. Chap Stick is a trademarked brand, and its classic tube is ubiquitous in drugstores around the country. Many lip balms, including Chap Stick, use beeswax for shape and substance, but you don't need it when you're whipping up your own Chap Stick-style balm. Paraffin wax is a reasonable substitute for beeswax, and although your balm may be a little less solid than your favorite Chap Stick, it will moisturize your lips just as well.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 tsp. paraffin wax
• Cheese grater
• Small plate or sheet of wax paper
• Measuring spoons
• 1 tsp. coconut oil
• 1 tsp. petroleum jelly
• 1/4 tsp. sweetened cocoa powder, 1 Candy Melt or 1/4 tsp. presweetened fruit drink powder for flavor
• 1 resealable polyethylene plastic bag, such as Ziploc
• Small bowl
• Small cosmetic lip balm pot
• Scissors

Instructions

Homemade lip balm

1. Grate paraffin wax with the cheese grater onto the small plate or wax paper. Measure 1/4 teaspoon wax and add to plastic bag.

2. Add 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 1 teaspoon petroleum jelly and your flavoring of choice to the plastic bag.

3. Seal the plastic bag. Fill small bowl with hot water and place the sealed bag in the bowl. The hot water will melt ingredients slowly and evenly. Leave for about 5 minutes, or until contents have melted.

4. Remove the bag from the water and massage gently until all ingredients are smoothly blended. With your scissors, cut a tiny hole in one corner of the bag, and squeeze the warm contents into the lip-balm pot.

5. Close the lip-balm pot and place in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the balm has solidified.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a cotton swab instead of your fingers to apply the balm to prevent contamination.

• Don't leave your balm in a hot car or near a sunny window -- it may melt and leak.

References

• Yoyo Lipgloss : Lip Balm Gloss Recipes
• SavvyHomemade.com : Homemade Lip Balm Recipes
• Bionic Beauty : Bionic Homemade: Make your own lip gloss recipe

Resources

• Wiltons : Candy Melts