Is the scorching heat making your lips dry and chapped? The sun's rays can evaporate moisture from your lips, leaving them feeling parched and cracked. Fortunately, there are natural solutions that can help in providing your lips with the nourishment they need. Instead of relying on store-bought lip balms filled with chemicals, why not make a natural lip balm using shea butter? In this article, we list the benefits of DIY shea butter lip balm and how you can make it at home.
Why Shea Butter?
Shea butter is a naturally occurring fat extracted from the nuts of the African shea tree. It contains abundant amounts of vitamins A, E, and F, along with essential fatty acids. This makes it a powerful moisturiser and healer. Shea butter provides deep hydration to dry and chapped lips, leaving them soft, smooth, and protected from harsh environmental factors, such as the sun and wind.
Shea butter contains linoleic acid and according to a 2018 study, it was found that products containing linoleic acid exhibited anti-inflammatory effects on the skin and enhanced hydration.
Also Read: Keep Your Lips Soft: Here Is How You Can Make DIY Lip Balms With Healing Ingredients At Home
DIY Recipe For Shea Butter Lip Balm
Ingredients You'll Need
- 2 tablespoons of shea butter
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of beeswax pellets
- Optional: a few drops of essential oil for fragrance (lavender, peppermint, or orange)
Instructions
- Melt the Ingredients: In a double boiler or a heatproof bowl placed over a pot of simmering water, melt the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax pellets together until fully liquefied. Stir occasionally to ensure even melting.
- Add Essential Oil: Once the mixture is fully melted, remove it from the heat and add a few drops of your chosen essential oil for fragrance. Stir well to combine.
- Pour into Containers: Pour the liquid lip balm mixture into small lip balm containers or tubes. Make sure to work quickly, as the mixture may begin to solidify.
- Cool and solidify: Allow the lip balm to cool and solidify at room temperature or in the refrigerator if you want faster results. Once solid, cap the containers tightly.
Benefits of DIY Shea Butter Lip Balm
- Natural Ingredients: Unlike many commercial lip balms that contain artificial fragrances and preservatives, homemade shea butter lip balm is made with natural, nourishing ingredients that are gentle on your lips.
- Deep Moisturisation: Shea butter penetrates deeply into the skin, providing long-lasting moisture and preventing dryness and chapping.
- Healing Properties: The vitamins and fatty acids in shea butter help repair and regenerate damaged skin, making it ideal for soothing and healing chapped lips.
- Customisable: You can customise your DIY lip balm by adding different essential oils for fragrance or even natural colourants like beetroot powder for a hint of colour.
- Cost-Effective: Making your lip balm at home is much more cost-effective than purchasing store-bought alternatives, especially considering that you can make large batches with just a few simple ingredients.
Tips for Using Shea Butter Lip Balm
- Apply liberally to your lips throughout the day, especially before going out in the sun or wind.
- Use as an overnight treatment for extra hydration and repair.
- Store your lip balm containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent melting.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information for informational purposes only, hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you have any health issues to get the necessary treatment.]