Ready-to-use lip balm bases help to simplify DIY cosmetic formulations for a quicker and more efficient production process every time. NDA’s Lip Balm Base is composed of natural emollients with antioxidant properties, including Natural Wax Jelly, Beeswax, Almond Sweet Oil, Coconut Fractionated Oil, Lanolin Anhydrous, Vitamin E USP, and Hempseed Oil
Lip Balm Base glides easily across the lips to impart a soft and velvety finish without creating resistance caused by excessive wax. It not only hydrates and softens the lips but it also nourishes, conditions, smoothes, and protects against dryness, flaking, and cracking as well as the harsh effects of the elements. This base can be used as is; the only required steps involve simply melting the base and filling the preferred containers, such as tins, pots, or lip balm tubes. For information about incorporating additives – such as flavors, colorants, and sunscreen powder – see the chart below.
8 BENEFITS OF NDA’S LIP BALM COSMETIC BASE
- NDA’s Lip Balm Cosmetic Base is composed of natural, high-quality ingredients that are well-known for their hydrating, long-lasting, protective qualities, which help guard the skin against environmental pollutants and other irritants. Their exfoliating and reparative properties combined with their vitamin content helps promote the skin’s rejuvenation by softening, contributing shine, and restoring natural smoothness, thereby helping diminish the appearance of the signs of damage.
- The absence of synthetic chemicals in NDA’s Lip Balm Cosmetic Base means that it does not have the chemical smell or flavor that is sometimes present in many other lip balms.
- NDA’s Lip Balm Cosmetic Base has a velvety smoothness that allows for ease of application and that provides deep but gentle natural hydration without making the lips feel gummy to the touch.
- NDA’s Lip Balm Cosmetic Base is already enriched with the goodness of natural emollients; thus, the individual cosmetic manufacturer is spared from many required steps, which can save time, money, and effort. For a customized blend, fragrance and flavor oils can be added. See the list below for more additive suggestions.
- NDA’s Lip Balm Cosmetic Base is a multi-purpose product that can be adapted to formulate perfume balms, also called solid perfumes. This base can also be used to easily produce foot salves, body butters, lotion bars, vapor rubs, and moisturizing cuticle sticks.
- NDA’s Lip Balm Cosmetic Base is packaged in opaque, durable, and microwave-safe plastic containers, which lessen the chances of leaking during the delivery process.
- NDA’s Lip Balm Cosmetic Base comes in 1-kilogram (2 lbs./32 oz.) jars, which fill approximately 200 lip balm tubes, bringing ease and simplicity to the production process.
LIP BALM ADDITIVES
NDA’s Lip Balm Cosmetic Base is odorless and colorless, which makes it easy to personalize it with the following oil-soluble additives. It is important to avoid adding water-based additives, as these ingredients will not bind properly with the base and will disperse to become isolated from the blend.
*Ensure that all additives are skin-safe, non-perishable, non-phototoxic, and in accordance with IFRA standards for lip products.
| FRAGRANCE OILS |
| What are they? Not to be confused with our 100% natural Essential Oils, NDA’s Fragrance Oils are synthetically compounded oils with rich, complex, and long-lasting scents that are skin-safe. What do they do? How much should be added to a formula? |
| ESSENTIAL OILS |
| What are they? Essential oils are natural, volatile, aromatic microdroplets of liquids that are stored within a plant’s glands and secreted by tiny structures in a plant’s various parts, such as the seeds, leaves, fruits, flowers, resins, and woods. After these droplets are diffused through the gland walls, they spread out over the plant’s surface and then evaporate, filling the air with a pleasant scent. A single drop of an Essential Oil can be potent enough to have powerful health benefits. Learn more about Essential Oils. What do they do? How much should be added to a formula? |
| VITAMIN E |
| What is it? Vitamin E encompasses a group of other antioxidant vitamins that are fat-soluble, and its numerous natural forms are referred to as Tocopherols. It is a nutrient that is best known for maintaining skin health. What does it do? How much should be added to a formula? |
| COLORANTS |
| What are they? Colorants are oil-soluble and skin-safe pigments. They can be found in both liquid and powdered forms. *Do not attempt to use colorants for candles, soaps, or food in lip balm formulations. What do they do? How much should be added to a formula? |
| FLAVOR OILS |
| What are they? Despite their name, Flavor Oils contribute only fragrance – not flavors – to lip balms. They are not sweetened. What do they do? How much should be added to a formula? NDA LIP BALM FLAVORS |
| SWEETENERS |
| What are they? Sweeteners are natural, plant-based substances that function as substitutes for sugar. They are available in both liquid and powdered forms. Popular sweeteners include Aspartame, Stevia, and Saccharin, all of which can be added to various lip products. What do they do? How much should be added to a formula? |
| BUTTERS |
| What are they? Natural Butters are emollients that can be added to formulations to provide them with more luxurious moisture. Butters also contribute firmness to a final product, which might otherwise be too soft for some users. What do they do? How much should be added to a formula? When the butters being used have strong scents, it is recommended that their Refined varieties be used to prevent the final product’s scent from being overpowered by their natural fragrances. Otherwise, Unrefined varieties are recommended for their beneficial constituents. Suggested butters include Cocoa, Shea, Tucuma, and any other hard butters that give extra firmness. |
DO I NEED LIP BALM WITH SPF?
The lips are the most neglected area of skin when it comes to applying sunscreen, and lip balm bases, finished lip balms, and other lip products alone do not, unfortunately, guarantee sun-protective properties simply by concealing the skin of the lips. Additionally, applying sunblock directly to the lips can potentially cause skin irritation for some sensitive skin types.
The luster and intense hydration of some non-protective lip products can, conversely, invite sunlight to penetrate deeper into the skin and thereby compromise the skin’s defense. To prevent this susceptibility and to create a hydrating yet protective lip balm, an ingredient with SPF should be added to lip product formulations to guard against the harsh and drying effects of exposure to UV radiation.
IS ZINC OXIDE SAFE IN LIP BALM?
Zinc Oxide can be a natural cosmetic additive that has SPF and can exhibit remarkable results for skin health, especially in lip balms. When applied topically, Zinc Oxide remains on the skin’s surface, forming a coating that functions as a protective agent, notably against the harmful effects of UV radiation and environmental irritants. Ensure that Zinc Oxide in lip balms is always food-grade.
Learn more about NDA’s Zinc Oxide (USP) Raw Material.
To make all-natural sun-protective lip balms, choose one of the suggested Natural Butters with high SPF from the chart above. Alternatively, any Carrier Oil can be chosen. Recommended oils include Castor and Jojoba.
A SIMPLE LIP BALM RECIPE
Apparatus
- Lip Balm Base (1 lb)
- Lip Balm Tubes/Tins
- Lip Balm Filling Tray
- Ingredient Weighing Scale
- Preferred additives
- Hair Net
- Gloves
- Microwave/Double-Boiler
- Heat-safe spoon
- Heat-safe container
- Thermometer
- Measuring Cup with an easy-pour spout
- Funnel, pipettes, or baster
Directions
- Begin by ensuring that all lip balm tubes are fitted into the lip balm filling tray.
- Place the Lip Balm Base in a heat-safe container and melt it on low heat until it liquifies. If using the microwave, melt it in intervals and avoid going over 30 second intervals.
- Once the base has liquified, remove the container from the heat and pour the base into the measuring cup. At this stage, immediately stir in all additives at their appropriate usage rates.
- Allow the base to cool to 60°C (135°F) or lower inside the measuring cup, then pour it into the lip balm tubes (or tins). If the tubes are filled when the base is too hot, the heat can warp the plastic of the lip balm tube or cause the lip balm itself to crack. If the measuring cup’s spout does not help channel the base into the tubes/tins, a funnel, plastic pipettes, or a baster might help make this easier.
- If the base begins to harden before all the tubes/tins have been filled, it can be reheated.
- The tubes/tins can be cooled and allowed to harden either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- Once the lip balms have hardened in their tubes/tins, they can be capped and used. Avoid capping still-warm lip balms, as this can create condensation inside the tube.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
As with all other New Directions Aromatics products, all the products listed in this article are for external use only. It is imperative to consult a medical practitioner before using them for therapeutic purposes. Pregnant and nursing women are especially advised not to use any of the aforementioned skincare products without the medical advice of a physician, as they may have effects on certain hormone secretions and it is unclear whether these effects are transferable to babies at these stages of development. These products should always be stored in areas that are inaccessible to children.
Those with the following health conditions are especially recommended to be advised by a physician: cancer, heart-related ailments, skin disorders or allergies, hormone-related ailments, or epilepsy. Individuals that are taking prescription drugs, undergoing major surgery, or who are at a greater risk of experiencing strokes, heart attacks, or atherosclerosis are also advised to seek medical consultation prior to use.
Prior to using any Essential Oil, a skin test is recommended. This can be done by diluting 1 drop of the Essential Oil in 4 drops of a Carrier Oil and applying a dime-size amount of this blend to a small area of skin that is not sensitive. Essential Oils must never be used near the eyes, inner nose, and ears, or on any other particularly sensitive areas of skin. Potential side effects of Essential Oils include redness, rash, hives, burning, bleeding disorders, decreased speed of healing, low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, convulsions, and rapid heartbeat. In the event of an allergic reaction, discontinue use of the products and see a doctor, pharmacist, or allergist immediately for a health assessment and appropriate remedial action. To prevent side effects, consult with a medical professional prior to use.