Calendula Honey Lip Balm
This lip balm took a bit of experimentation to get right. Honey does not naturally want to stay suspended in an oil and wax base, and my early attempts proved that quickly. Left to its own devices, honey tends to separate and form little pockets that settle or bead on the surface. After a few trials, and a couple of batches that went pear-shaped, I landed on a method that reliably keeps the honey evenly dispersed.
The key is both timing and equipment. Your mise en place matters here. You want everything ready before you begin, especially a container that is small enough to work efficiently, deep enough to use an immersion blender, and easy to pour from. A small Pyrex measuring cup has worked well for me and makes filling lip tubes much less stressful.
This balm is soft, nourishing, and lightly protective. Calendula oil supports irritated skin, shea butter adds richness, beeswax provides structure, and honey brings both humectant properties and a subtle sweetness that feels especially good in dry weather.
Tools
Double boiler
Immersion blender
Twelve lip tubes or other small containers
Ingredients
2 tablespoons shea butter
6 tablespoons calendula oil
2 tablespoons beeswax
1 tablespoon honey
Up to 20 drops essential oil of choice
Instructions
This recipe yields approximately twelve tubes of lip balm.
Set up a double boiler and gently melt the shea butter and beeswax together. Once melted, stir in the calendula oil until fully combined. Remove the mixture from heat.
Add the honey and stir briefly. At this stage, you will notice small droplets forming. This is expected. Use an immersion blender to blend the mixture for about 30 seconds. This breaks the honey into very fine droplets and helps suspend it evenly throughout the balm while also beginning the cooling process.
Once the mixture is well blended, add your essential oils if using and stir gently. Pour immediately into lip tubes or containers and allow to cool completely before capping.
Essential Oil Suggestions
Honey lemon
15 drops lemon
Honey basil
15 drops basil
Lemon basil
10 drops lemon
5 drops basil
Vanilla cinnamon
5 drops vanilla
5 drops cinnamon
Use essential oils sparingly and thoughtfully, especially for a product applied to the lips.
A Few Gentle Notes
This balm is forgiving, but it does move quickly once blended. Having your containers ready and nearby makes all the difference. If the mixture begins to thicken too fast, a brief return to gentle heat can help, but avoid overheating once the honey has been incorporated.
This is a practical, slightly fussy recipe that rewards patience. When it comes together, the result is a balm that feels comforting, protective, and just a little indulgent.
