Okay, so you're tired of spending $1.
50 on a tiny tube of lip balm.
Or maybe you buy the Chapstick brand only to be staring at 20 different versions of their traditional tube.
Perhaps you want a beeswax base, but with a different flavor.
Whatever the scenario, it can be extremely beneficial to make your own product at home.
Making your own lip balm can be easy, especially if you know where to start.
First, you will need a base.
The base is going to be the basic formula you use to create your own formula.
The two major types are Petroleum and Beeswax.
Beeswax is all-natural.
Petroleum bases tend to contain various chemicals that may or may not be harmful.
There has been some concern that the original Chapstick contains Oxybenzone, a chemical that can have some negative effects on the lips.
Once you determine which base you would like to start with, you just have to find the right tubes, flavoring and essential oils.
Buying tubes can be easy and incredibly cheap if you find a wholesaler.
It's important to remember that not all wholesalers require a high minimum for your order.
Look for a company that will sell lip balm tubes at a wholesale price for any quantities.
When starting out, I'd recommend looking for clear tubes, that way you can see your finished product and how it looks after it sits for a while.
Flavoring and essential oils are next.
When searching for flavoring, look for something that won't be too strong.
Most people associate strong scent or flavor with lip gloss, not lip balm.
Remember, it's always better to start off with a 'not strong enough' flavor than an overpowering one.
So you have your base and flavoring, now it's time to think about essential oils.
This is the part where you can really customize.
You can add aloe or jojoba oil to the mix to add moisture.
If you want a strong protection against the sun, add an SPF.
The possibilities are endless.
Once you have everything you need, the process is simple.
You will start by melting the base in a double broiler (if you are working with smaller quantities) and once heated, you can mix in your flavoring and essential oils.
Be sure to mix properly, at least five minutes when melted to ensure the product combines properly.
Once mixed, pour into your containers.
This is the part of the process that can get a bit sticky.
I'd recommend a turkey baster if you are using industry standard size tubes (4.
25 grams).
From there, you can set your lip balm upright to dry.
If using the industry standard size tubes, and plan on doing larger quantities or using in the future, look on eBay for 'mold holders'.
These will be small, usually styrofoam, containers that will hold the lip balm upright while drying.
It can help save you a headache.
Once dry, you can use on your lips and you will be ready to go! You can make lip balm and give it out as gifts or party favors.
You can even create labels and sell your creations on sites like eBay or Etsy.
Do some research and you will find that many people are making money with small business lip balm companies.
If you are looking to use lip balm as a way to make money, I'd recommend finding a larger manufacturer like Bulk Apothecary or one of the others found in your region.
You can order standard lip balm unlabeled and create your own brand for anywhere from.
19-.
28 cents per unit.
It can save you time and money.