Simple Homemade Vegan Lip Balm
TABLE OF CONTENTS
As going vegan becomes more and more of a widespread practice**, more vegan alternatives for things like lip balm are entering the market. But these alternatives are often expensive, which isn't ideal in dry or windy months when our lips dry out! Luckily, it's possible to make homemade vegan lip balm.
Non-vegan lip balms often contain potentially harmful chemicals that aren't particularly environmentally friendly. But a good vegan lip balm recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients and soothing essential oils.
So then - how exactly do you make vegan lip balm?
Building The Base
Beeswax is usually used as the base for many lip balms, but it isn't actually vegan. So for a vegan lip balm recipe, something else needs to be used. A plant-based wax like soy or candelilla is perfect.
Candelilla wax is firmer than beeswax and so will require a higher temperature to melt it. 70 degrees Celsius should do the trick. It also takes longer to set, potentially up to three days. But it is a good alternative because it can be absorbed quickly. Candelilla is anti-inflammatory and locks in moisture easily.
Organic soy wax is another good alternative, as it has a similar firmness to beeswax. Although the melting temperature for soy wax can be tricky to get right, it can be used in the same quantities as beeswax in many existing recipes. Soy wax should melt somewhere between 49 and 80 degrees Celsius.
The chosen wax should be combined with Shea butter and coconut oil to form the base of this DIY vegan lip balm. Shea butter helps soften the skin and is anti-inflammatory, while coconut oil is a great moisturiser.
Adding Scents and Flavours
Essential oils can be used to add a pleasing scent to homemade vegan lip balm. Some popular choices include lavender, chamomile, candelilla, and peppermint. Natural flavour oils or spices can also be used to give a homemade vegan lip balm a pleasant taste.
However, flavoured oils run the risk of being toxic, so it's best to stick with spices or essential oils. Here are some potential benefits of popular essential oils.
Almond Oil
This oil helps to retain moisture, thanks to its high content of healthy fats. This makes it ideal for a DIY vegan lip balm. Almond oil is also high in antioxidants and is relatively mild, so it won't overpower the balm.
Aloe Vera
Another good choice is Aloe Vera, which has anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties. Aloe Vera is a soothing ingredient and can help heal chapped lips.
Candelilla
A candelilla lip balm recipe using both the wax and oil of this shrub can be a great combination. Candelilla can increase the production of collagen, which helps lips look fuller. It can also reduce signs of ageing.
Chamomile
A sweet, herbaceous scent, chamomile makes a great addition to a homemade vegan lip balm. Chamomile helps replenish moisture as well as heal cracked lips and has anti-inflammatory properties.
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