Homemade lip balm

Admit it: your lips are so dry you hesitate before smiling because you're afraid they'll crack. Wouldn't your friends and family be impressed if they got homemade lip balm for a gift this time of year?

Here's the basic recipe we use for the lip balm we sell at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice:

20% beeswax
25% coconut oil
15% cocoa butter
40% liquid oil (we use cosmetic grade sweet almond)
A few drops of Vitamin E
A few drops of flavoring/scented oil (we use food safe essential oils)

Candace Minster, who gathers interested volunteers when making the lip balm White Violet Center sells, says we melt everything carefully in a double boiler, or a mug placed into an old saucepan, under low heat. Then use a glass dropper to get the liquid into a tube or pot. Use this recipe whether it's a small batch just for you or if it's a large batch to share.

We get all ingredients from Herbs & Heirlooms in Terre Haute (on 4th Street, just off of Hulman Street). They have online ordering. Sweet!