A cheap, easy craft idea! It is easy to make lip balm yourself from cheap, easy to find ingredients. You can use Vaseline, cosmetic grade beeswax or petroleum jelly as a base with essential oils for flavouring.
Small glass pots are suitable for your lip balm. If you have any old lip balm containers you can use these but they must be sterilised first. To do this wash them thoroughly with soap and water then rinse out with rubbing alcohol. Rinse with clear water then dry completely before use.
The lip balm does not need to be coloured but if you would like to colour it a you can use few slivers of lipstick shaved from a new lipstick. It is necessary to use new lipstick as lipstick that has been used could be contaminated with bacteria.
The base material, whether it is vaseline, petroleum jelly or beeswax, needs to be melted before you can add the flavouring or colouring. You will need about two teaspoons for each small pot. There are a variety of ways to do this but whichever you choose only just melt the material. It does not need to be heated more than that. You can use a double saucepan to gently melt the material with steam or heat it in the microwave. If you use a microwave be careful not to overheat it. Place it in a small container then heat for only 30 seconds. Check to see if it is melted then heat again for 30 seconds if it is not. Continue heating for 30 seconds at a time until melting occurs. I find the easiest way is to place the material in a plastic bag, tie the ends, and then float in some hot water. Once the material has melted snip off a corner and pour it out.
Once you have melted the base material the following flavourings can be added. Add only a small amount until the taste is satisfactory. Essential oils must be handled carefully so make sure you read the safety instructions that come with your oil before you start. Citrus essential oils (e.g. orange, lemon etc) should not be used as they can make you skin more photosensitive.
Almond oil, vanilla oil, cocoa powder, tea tree oil, camphor, cinnamon, ginger, peppermint oil.
Vitamin E acts as a preservative. Use a vitamin E capsule, puncture with a sterilised needle (hold it in a flame for a few seconds) then squeeze out the oil into you balm.
Carefully melt the beeswax with the Shea butter. Be careful not to overheat as this can make the Shea Butter grainy. Allow to cool slightly then add the Jojoba oil, the almond oil, essential oil and the vitamin E. Pour into containers and allow to cool. Add a few more drops of almond oil if necessary to soften the lip balm.
The above recipes do not include any sun protection. Some people are allergic to some essential oils so be careful if you make these as gifts.