How can I make this recipe better? HELP!

[IanT]

Ok I made my first lip balms, they are quite nice and I like the way the came out though packaging them was a little more challenging than I had presumed....

I would like to improve this recipe and I need some feedback (please! )

40% Beeswax
25% CO
20% Aloe Butter
14% Castor
1% strawberry flavor oil

Basically, I think the recipe is a bit too greasy... it feels like it sits on the lips rather than sinking into it and moisturizing it....

how can I make it better!?

I feel like lanolin might do the trick since its closest to our body's natural oil--sebum... but I dont have any of that on hand (hence the castor oil)....

and suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[topcat]

I haven't made lip balms yet Ian but I have read that jojoba is also very close to our skins sebum so that could feel good. If it feels like it sits on the skin then perhaps you could lower the wax portion and increase the liquid oil or even use a higher butter amount. I haven't used aloe butter but shea or mango are both softer than the beeswax. Hope someone who makes these comes along soon for you.

Tanya

 

[IanT]

thanks! I appreciate your input!

 

[IanT]

anyone else have any ideas?

 

[flowerpower]

Castor gives a glossy/slick look and feel to lip balms, so I don't usually go above 10%. I'd reduce it to no more than 10% and see how you like the feel of that.

Aalso, try replacing some of your beeswax with a brittle butter like cocoa butter. It'll give you some moisture, but also keep the stiffness of the balm.

 

[IanT]

awesome.. thank you so much! I reaaaaally appreciate your feedback!

 

[Sunny]

I used jojoba oil and mango butter in mine, with beeswax (sometimes candelila wax instead, for the vegans) and it turns out nicely. I also like wheat germ oil.

Beware of the cocoa butter percentages, I do recommend using it but if you get too much the stick will get hard and has to warm to your lip before it glides on. (it will feel like the cocoa butter feels at room temp - hard!)

 

[IanT]

I used jojoba oil and mango butter in mine, with beeswax (sometimes candelila wax instead, for the vegans) and it turns out nicely. I also like wheat germ oil.

Beware of the cocoa butter percentages, I do recommend using it but if you get too much the stick will get hard and has to warm to your lip before it glides on. (it will feel like the cocoa butter feels at room temp - hard!)

Ive heard that jojoba is close to lanolin, like it can be substituted for it...and lanolin is close to sebum, our natural body oil.... so I might try to add some of that in my next batch

Ill try with cocoa butter too...what percentage do you usually reccommend it at? or at least what percentage should I stay under so it doesnt get all hard like you said? ....and I think I still have some candelila wax too... experimentation time.... off to my evil laire

 

[carebear]

jojoba is a nice light oil, and lanolin is a sticky mess. I don't find that lanolin soaks in AT ALL but jojoba does.

 

[IanT]

so probably better off with jojoba then thanks for the tip...Ive only worked with jojoba and not lanolin... so Ill give it a shot and see what happens!

Thanks for the advice everyone I appreciate it!

 

[flowerpower]

Try this basic recipe from the Sage:

20% beeswax
15% hard butter (cocoa butter etc.)
25% soft butter (shea, mango, aloe etc.)
40% liquid oils

Obviously you can tweak your ratios from there and replace different oils/butters with your ingredients of choice.

If you use candelilla, keep in mind that it's a much stronger hardener than beeswax, so start with 50% of your beeswax amount (in this case, 10%) and allocate the remaining 10% to the other parts.

 

[Zenobiah]

Just some personal input: I prefer it when the lip balm sits on my lips and stays "greasy". So if you are looking to sell your products that is something to keep in mind, not everyone are the same. (You can offload your "mistakes" that way, perhaps?)

 

[IanT]

sweet !! thanks for the tips!! Im going to give it all a try next time Im able to get a second to create some more stuff

 

[ElSapone]

First, sorry for my english. It´s really bad.

I think you have a little too much beeswax in your formula. Do you like to have your lipbalm in sticks or in pots?
If you have it in pots you don´t need more than 10% wax. Instead of it use Shea- or Mangobutter.
Cocoabutter und more than 7% Castor make your lips dry out.
Jojoba and Almondoil ist really nice to have in the formula. Also a little UDA or UDS

 

[IanT]

First, sorry for my english. It´s really bad.

I think you have a little too much beeswax in your formula. Do you like to have your lipbalm in sticks or in pots?
If you have it in pots you don´t need more than 10% wax. Instead of it use Shea- or Mangobutter.
Cocoabutter und more than 7% Castor make your lips dry out.
Jojoba and Almondoil ist really nice to have in the formula. Also a little UDA or UDS

thanks for the reply! I have been using the lip balms in sticks (.15 oz? i think?)

I think next batch i will try to use less beeswax and some almond or jojoba

thanks for the input!