Rich Honey Hand Balm
Dry, cracked winter skin is no match for this homemade hand balm.
Yield: 8 ounces
Cost: $10
Equipment
- 8 ounce jar or several small tins with lids
- Microwave safe bowl
- Double boiler (optional)
Materials
Simple Honey Hand Balm (without Emulsifier or Preservative)
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup almond oil
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 5 tablespoons beeswax pastilles
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
- 1-½ tablespoons raw honey
- Essential oils of your choice
Honey Hand Balm with Emulsifier and Preservative
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup almond oil
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons shea butter
- ¼ cup beeswax pastilles
- ¼ cup emulsifying wax pastilles
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 1 tablespoon Leucidal Liquid SF or any other natural preservative
- Essential oils
Instructions
- Combine everything except for the raw honey, Leucidal Liquid SF (if using), and essential oils in a microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave in 30-second increments for 1–2 minutes, until the oils and beeswax have completely melted. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler to melt your oils.
- Place the bowl of melted oils in the freezer for about 2 minutes. When you take it out, the mixture should be solid around the edges but still liquid in the middle.
- Stir for about 15 seconds until the mixture comes together almost like a thick batter.
- Add the honey, Leucidal Liquid SF (if using), and essential oils. Stir again. While the Leucidal SF says to let the mixture cool overnight before adding, I've found that the balm is much too solid at that point to mix well. I prefer to add it when the balm is barely at room temperature and still mixable.
- Spoon the balm into a lidded glass container, and pop it into the refrigerator for 15 minutes to cool completely.
- Let the balm solidify before using.
Notes
You don't need to use emulsifying wax in your hand balm if you don't want to—but without it, honey is known to separate and settle at the bottom. You can prevent some of the settling by letting your oils cool to room temperature before adding the honey or by using an electric hand mixer to whip the oils and honey once the balm has completely cooled.
If you prefer your hand balm to be on the harder side, use more wax. If you prefer it to be creamier, use less wax and more shea butter. Feel free to adjust any of the ingredients to meet your needs.