Recipes for Honey-Beeswax Lip Treatments

DIY Beauty
Carla Oates, The Sunday Mail (Australia), 6/11/2006

You can easily make your own protective lip balm using 12g beeswax, 8g cocoa butter, 21/2 tbs almond oil, 1/2 tsp honey. Melt all the ingredients in a bain marie (I sit a pyrex jar in a pot of boiling water on the stove). When melted, mix well and pour into little jars. Once they have cooled, put the lids on. I prefer to use calendula-infused almond oil as calendula helps repair cracked or chapped skin and is full of antioxidants. (All ingredients available at The Sydney Essential Oil Company)…

If you are prone to cold sores, be very gentle as irritation may cause an outbreak. As they tend to erupt when the body and lips are run down, it's a good idea to have a few remedies on hand during winter. Myrrh tincture, available at health food stores, works well as a spot treatment for cold sores, as does manuka honey, which boasts potent anti-bacterial properties.

Lip masks help nourish, balance and repair your lips. Rub in vitamin E or unrefined vegetable oil each night into and around your lips (over smile lines) before bed. Following is an excellent lip treatment that can be used day or night. Vitamin C is reputed to stimulate collagen production and helps to repair damage. Milk has refining acids and nourishing proteins to keep your lips smooth and replenished, while honey is anti-bacterial and softening.

Vitamin C Lip Booster Treatment Mask

1/8 tsp soluble vitamin C powder (preferably with bioflavonoids)
1/2 tsp water
3/4 tsp organic milk
1 tsp runny honey
1/2 tsp citrus pectin (available at health food stores)

Dissolve the vitamin C powder in the water. Add the milk and honey. Stir to a smooth consistency. Whisk in the citrus pectin to make a smooth paste. Apply over and around the lips. Leave for 15 minutes and remove with a flannel and warm water. Perform a patch test on the inside of your arm before applying to the face to check for irritation.