Homemade: Lip balm and Sugar Scrub

In keeping with the homemade theme, I decided to make up a few more batches of the lip balm that I wrote about back in July. In case you missed it, here is the recipe:

Healing and Cooling Lip Balm and Gloss by Organic Body Care Recipes

4-5 tablespoons almond, jojoba, soybean, or castor base oil (castor oil is preferred if you want a super-shiny gloss)

1 tablespoon beeswax

2 teaspoons honey

20 drops of spearmint essential oil (or your favorite scent)

1/4 teaspoon of your favorite colored lipstick

In a small saucepan over low heat or double boiler, warm oil, beeswax, and honey until the wax is just melted. Use 5 tablespoons of oil for a softer consistency; use 4 tablespoons for a firmer balm.

Remove from heat. Add the essential oil and colored lipstick (if desired), and stir until the lipstick if melted. Set the pan in a shallow ice-water bath. Using a whisk or spoon, stir rapidly for 30 to 60 seconds until the honey is completely incorporated and the formula is like thick frosting.

Pour the mixture into the containers and cap. Let the mixture set for 2 hours before use. No refrigeration is required, but for maximum freshness and taste, please use within 1 year.

My notes: This stuff is messy so I suggest going to a thrift store and buying a bowl, knife and spatula specifically for making these body care items. Otherwise you are going to use a lot of hot water and elbow grease to get the beeswax and oil off. I also suggest pouring the mixture into the containers just after the honey is completely incorporated during the ice bath. There is a fine line where the mixture starts to harden and becomes too difficult to pour into the containers - this is important for a smooth look. Also, be careful not to fill too close to the top and don't cap until they have cooled completely.

In addition to the lip balm, I made sugar scrub. I did some research on the Internet for a good recipe but they all seemed very simple and adjustable so I decided to use avocado oil.

Sugar Scrub Recipe for a 8 oz. container

3/4 cup of granulated sugar

10 drops of essential oil

6 oz. avocado oil

1 tsp. hibiscus powder

For lemongrass and orange, I added about a tablespoon of appropriate grated peel.

Combine with a spoon and finish with labels. I included instructions: Oils may separate when scrub settles, please mix before using. By the way, after a long search for labels that would fit my containers, I finally found the right size at the PaperSource.