It's the Balm!

I couldn't help it, very punny, I know. I've been making lip balm and lotion bars! They're super easy to make and totally addictive.

I bought all my supplies at The Portland Homestead Supply Co. (except for the little Altoids tin). If you are ever in Portland, specifically in the Sellwood neighborhood, the store is worth a visit. They have all sorts of homesteading type supplies, including soapmaking, canning, and all things urban chicken raising.

I used this recipe but divided everything in half (i.e,. 1 tbl beeswax pellets, 1 tbl shea butter, 2 tbl sweet almond oil). Also, I used the essential oils I had on hand, which were lavender and peppermint. Combined with the smell of beeswax, it turned out to be a lovely scent. I ended up with enough balm to fill these two containers, plus two standard chapstick-type tubes.

I also made a lotion bar, using the same ingredients (beeswax, shea butter, and sweet almond oil) but in a 1-1-1 ratio, also scented with lavender and peppermint essential oils. I LOVE this bar! My 10-year-old, who has always had a touch of eczema at his elbow creases, has also been using this lotion bar and loves it too.