Monday, November 17, 2025

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.


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


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.

Sunday, November 16, 2025

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.


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


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.


Equipment

  • Double boiler or Turkish coffee pot

  • Small spatula or metal spoon

  • Lip balm tubes, metal tins, or small pots


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!

Friday, November 14, 2025

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.


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.)


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


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.

Foodie Face Masks

Simple, effective face masks can be made using fresh ingredients straight from your refrigerator.


Basic Face Mask Recipe

Mix together:

  • 1 tbsp yogurt

  • 1 tbsp honey

Apply evenly to the face.


Add-Ins for Extra Benefits

Enhance the basic mask by adding one of the following:

  • ½ avocado, mashed

  • 1 carrot, boiled, mashed, and cooled

  • 1 small banana, mashed

  • 5 strawberries, hulled and mashed

  • ½ cucumber, puréed

  • ¼ cup prepared oatmeal

  • A spoonful of aloe vera gel


Make It!

  1. Combine the basic mask ingredients with your chosen add-in.

  2. Stir well and apply to the face.

  3. Let sit for 15–20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

  4. These masks do not store well—discard leftovers after use.

Homemade Toner Recipes

A toner helps balance the skin’s pH level after cleansing. Since soap is typically alkaline, using a toner brings the skin back to a neutral pH, helping to prevent blemishes and slow the signs of aging.


Green Tea Toner

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brewed green tea (cooled)

  • 1 tbsp rosewater


Chamomile Toner

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brewed chamomile tea (cooled)

  • 1 tbsp witch hazel


Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water

  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar


Make It

  1. Mix all ingredients together.

  2. Pour into a clean spray bottle.

  3. Spritz onto freshly cleansed skin and gently pat dry.

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

🌼 Easy Lavender Grapefruit Whipped Coconut Oil Lotion

 

After a relaxing bath, treat your skin to this light and luxurious whipped coconut oil lotion.

It deeply nourishes, hydrates, and leaves behind the refreshing, uplifting aroma of lavender and grapefruit that lingers all day.

Coconut oil provides lasting moisture and a natural glow, while the essential oils add a touch of aromatherapy—lavender for calm and grapefruit for brightness and energy.


Ingredients

  • 1½ cups coconut oil

  • 10 drops lavender essential oil

  • 10 drops grapefruit essential oil


Instructions

  1. Chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to keep them cool.

  2. Make sure the coconut oil is solid but soft (not melted). If your room is warm, refrigerate the oil until firm.

  3. Add the coconut oil to the chilled bowl and whip with a hand mixer or whisk attachment until light and fluffy—similar to whipped cream.

  4. Add the essential oils and whip briefly again to blend thoroughly.

  5. Transfer the whipped lotion to a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid.


Storage

Store in the refrigerator to keep it firm and fresh.
Apply to damp skin after a bath or shower for silky, hydrated skin and a subtle, refreshing scent.

Cleansing Creams

Process Melt the oils and waxes (beeswax, coconut oil, and mineral/olive oil) in a bowl over a pan of boiling water (double boiler). ...