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You need only two ingredients for the most basic product: a little beeswax and a good-quality oil.

The oil and wax seal in moisture and the beeswax (which contains healing anti-inflammatory and antibiotic compounds) stiffens the product. I add a little raw honey to mine for its flavor, healing properties, and moisturizing effects.

If you know a local beekeeper, he or she probably sells food-grade beeswax as well as honey. Health food stores usually carry beeswax in blocks, “medallions,” or beads. A dollar or two will buy enough to make quite a few batches of lip balm.

How to Make Your Own Lip Balm

For preparation and storage, you’ll also need:

• You can dedicate a small stainless-steel or Pyrex pot to melting the wax (You may want to use it again to make other balms, salves, or ointments).
• A small wooden spoon or stainless-steel whisk for stirring.
• A small glass jar or another container (e.g., a new or recycled lip balm tube).

For the basic recipe:

• 1 Tbsp shaved or chopped beeswax (or beads).
• 3 Tbsp oil (I usually use olive oil since I have it on hand, but you could use almond, grapeseed, or another oil).
• 1 tsp raw honey (optional).
• Melt the beeswax with the oil over low heat (double boiler, inside a low oven) or microwave at low power (under careful observation to avoid fires).

As soon as the wax has melted, remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the honey. Pour into a container and let set until firm.

If the solidified mixture feels too firm, remelt and whisk in more oil. If you want a firmer product (e.g., one that will fill and push out from a lip balm tube, add a bit more beeswax). The process of remelting takes only a few seconds, so you won’t mind the work of getting it right.

Once you’ve succeeded with the basic product, you can try a new batch using ingredients such as a few drops of a medicinal tincture or an essential oil; cocoa butter, shea butter, or coconut oil for some of the oil; and carnauba wax in place of beeswax.

By the way, this stuff also works well to smooth unruly eyebrows, treat chapped hands, and moisturize cuticles and fingernails, so you may want to make a bigger batch on your second try.