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4.17.2012

Cocoa Mint Lip Balm

{Edited to add:  After this lip balm settled, the cocoa butter formed small, tapioca sized balls in the balm.  I learned this is related to the high fat content of the cocoa butter binding with itself... or something like that!  ;)  These small balls will melt on your lips... but you may or may not like the consistency.  Just a warning.}

When my niece visited from Chicago in March, we were determined to find a DIY lip balm recipe we loved.  We made small batch after small batch, pouring each one onto parchment paper.  There were rounds of testing.   We tried out a myriad of different ingredient combinations.  And I'll bet my niece breathed a sigh of relief when we finally settled on a favorite. 

I hope you like it as much as we do!  I buy my tins here and use these beeswax pastilles so I don't have to grate the beeswax.




Disclaimer:  Some people like to have designated pots and utensils when working with beeswax.  Personally, I don't find clean up to be a problem, though I do always stick with glass jars and metal utensils.  

 Cocoa Mint Lip Balm - Basic recipe/Quick and Easy Version:

You'll need:

1.5 parts coconut oil
1.5 parts cocoa butter
0.5 parts beeswax
peppermint essential oil


Combine coconut oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax in a glass measuring cup.  Melt in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time.  I use 50% power.  When the ingredients are fully melted, add your peppermint essential oil (approximately 3 drops/tin).  For easy clean up, set tin(s) on parchment paper.  Pour into your tin or tube.  Cover with lid(s) and let cool completely. 

Cocoa Mint Lip Balm - Big Batch/Stovetop version

You'll need:

5 Tbsp coconut oil
5 Tbsp cocoa butter
0.5 oz beeswax (I use pastilles and it comes out to 1 Tbsp + 2 tsp)
25 drops of peppermint essential oil
12 tins or tubes

You could also do this in the microwave following the instructions above.

In a double boiler, combine coconut oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax.  I don't have a double broiler, so I combine mine in a 2-cup glass measuring cup.  Then I place it into a pan of gently simmering water.  Let melt.  When the ingredients are fully melted, take off the stove and stir.  Then add 25 drops of peppermint essential oil.  Place your twelve tins on parchment paper.  Pour the mixture into the tins.  Cover with lids and let cool completely.

Enjoy!

2 comments:

  1. Neat! I love tutorials on things like this...getting back to basics and making your own. Thank you, Rachel!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Often times, making these kind of things at home is so easy - and rewarding! I'm addicted. :)

    ReplyDelete

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