Tropical Citrus & Coconut Lip Gloss

This bright, uplifting lip gloss features tropical coconut oil for a smooth, glossy glide. Coconut oil naturally combats bacteria and is rich in antioxidants that help protect against aging. The formula is softer than a traditional balm, making it ideal for daily use.

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Ingredients

Makes 4 pots or 10 tubes

• 1 tbsp coconut oil

• 1 tbsp sweet almond oil

• 1 tbsp castor oil

• 1 tbsp grated beeswax

• 1 tsp carnauba wax

• 10 drops sweet orange essential oil

• 5 drops ylang-ylang essential oil

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Make It!

1. Melt the coconut oil, sweet almond oil, castor oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax in a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat, add the essential oils, and mix thoroughly.

3. Pour the mixture into pots or tubes and leave undisturbed until fully set.

Chai Lip Balm

This invigorating chai-inspired lip balm is packed with warming spices that create a pleasant tingling sensation. The essential oils stimulate circulation, giving lips a naturally fuller, rosy appearance. If you have sensitive lips, reduce the essential oil amounts by half or avoid using the balm if you don’t enjoy the warming effect.

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Ingredients

Makes 12 tubes

• 4 tbsp castor oil

• 4 tsp beeswax pellets

• 1 tsp carnauba wax

• 8 drops cinnamon essential oil

• 8 drops vanilla absolute essential oil

• 4 drops clove essential oil

• 2 drops ginger essential oil

• Optional: ¼ tsp cocoa powder

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Make It!

1. Melt the castor oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax in a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat and add the essential oils and cocoa powder. Stir thoroughly.

3. As you pour the mixture into tubes, continue stirring—cocoa powder settles quickly.

4. Leave the tubes undisturbed until fully set.

Chocolate Mint Lip Balm

This decadent lip balm is the perfect calorie-free treat for chocolate lovers. Cocoa butter delivers deep moisture and melts at body temperature for quick absorption, while peppermint and spearmint essential oils add a refreshing, cooling tingle to this rich lip butter.

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Ingredients

Makes 4 pots or 10 tubes

• 1 tbsp cocoa butter

• 1 tbsp sweet almond oil

• 1 tbsp castor oil

• 1 tbsp grated beeswax

• ½ tsp carnauba wax

• 8 drops peppermint essential oil

• 7 drops spearmint essential oil

• Optional: ¼ tsp cocoa powder

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Make It!

1. Melt the cocoa butter, oils, and waxes together in a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat and add the essential oils and cocoa powder. Mix well.

3. As you pour the mixture into tubes, stir continuously—cocoa powder settles quickly.

4. Leave the filled containers undisturbed until fully set.

Healing Eucalyptus Lip Balm

This soothing balm is designed for very dry or chapped lips. Peppermint and eucalyptus provide a cooling, anti-inflammatory effect, while lavender offers antibacterial and antifungal protection to support healing.

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Ingredients

Makes 12 tubes

• 4 tbsp castor oil

• 4 tsp beeswax pellets

• 1 tsp carnauba wax

• 10 drops peppermint essential oil

• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil

• 5 drops lavender essential oil

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Make It!

1. Melt the castor oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax in a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat, add the essential oils, and mix thoroughly.

3. Pour into lip balm tubes and allow to set undisturbed.

Basic Lip Balm Recipe

This simple, well-balanced formula creates a lip balm that moisturizes, protects, and can be customized with your preferred essential oils. Use this as your base to craft your own signature blend.

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Ingredients

Makes 12 tubes

• 4 tbsp castor oil

• 4 tsp beeswax pellets

• 1 tsp carnauba wax

• 16–20 drops essential oil of your choice

• Optional Variations:

  • Add ¼ tsp manuka honey for extra shine

  • Add ¼ tsp cocoa powder or cranberry powder for natural color

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Make It!

1. Melt the castor oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax together in a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Stir until thoroughly blended.

3. Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes and leave undisturbed until fully set.

Making Balms

Balms are a blend of fats and waxes that create a firm, moisturizing product. The process is simple: melt the ingredients together, then pour the mixture into your chosen container. Below are the tools you’ll need and the step-by-step method, followed by balm recipes.

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Equipment

• Double boiler or Turkish coffee pot

• Small spatula or metal spoon

• Lip balm tubes, metal tins, or small pots

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How to Make It

1. Melt the oils and waxes
   Use a double boiler to gently melt your oils and waxes. A double boiler with a pour spout is ideal. If you don’t have one, transfer the melted mixture into a heat-safe measuring cup with a spout for easier pouring.

2. Add essential oils
   Remove the mixture from heat. Add essential oils and stir with a small spatula or metal spoon while the mixture cools slightly but is still pourable.

3. Pour into containers

   • For pots or tins:
     Pour the hot mixture directly into the containers and leave undisturbed until fully set.

   • For tubes:

     • Fill each tube halfway and allow it to cool slightly. This prevents a hollow space from forming at the top once the balm sets.

     • Before the mixture begins to set completely, top up the rest of the tube, creating a slight convex surface without overflowing.

     • As the balm cools, it will shrink and level out.

     • If you end up with an uneven top, gently melt the surface using a heat gun or lighter—being careful not to melt the tube.

Once you’re familiar with the basic process, you’re ready to explore the balm recipes ahead!

All-Natural Hand Sanitizer Recipe

While regular hand-washing is the most effective way to stay healthy during cold and flu season, it’s helpful to have a natural hand sanitizer on hand when soap and water aren’t available. This gentle, aloe-based sanitizer uses witch hazel and a blend of essential oils for a refreshing, plant-powered clean—without harsh chemicals that can dry out your skin.

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About Thieves Oil

Thieves Oil is a traditional essential-oil blend containing clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. Its name comes from a 15th-century legend about thieves who supposedly stayed healthy while stealing valuables from plague victims. While the historical tale is debatable, the pleasant scent and household uses of these essential oils are well known.

Important safety note:

Essential oils are highly concentrated. Thieves Oil contains clove, rosemary, and eucalyptus oils, which are not recommended for use on small children.

For a child-friendly version (safe for ages 6 months and older), replace clove, rosemary, and eucalyptus with:

• lavender

• sweet orange

• fir

(No essential oils should be used on babies under 6 months.)

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Ingredients (Makes 1 cup)

• ⅓ cup pure witch hazel

• ⅔ cup 100% pure aloe vera gel

• 1 vitamin E capsule (acts as a natural antioxidant)

• 15 drops Thieves essential oil blend

Optional: Homemade Thieves Blend

• 10 drops clove essential oil

• 9 drops lemon essential oil

• 5 drops cinnamon essential oil

• 4 drops eucalyptus essential oil

• 3 drops rosemary essential oil

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Make It!

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the witch hazel and aloe vera gel until smooth.

2. Add the essential oils and mix again.

3. Puncture the vitamin E capsule and squeeze the contents into the mixture; stir to blend.

4. Use a funnel to pour the mixture into a pump bottle, GoToob, or any squeezable container.

To use:

Shake well before each use. Dispense a dime-sized amount into your hands and rub until absorbed. It may feel slightly sticky at first, but it dries quickly, leaving hands clean, soft, and lightly scented.