Bri's Beeswax Body Balm

Lately, I've been researching the many harmful chemicals in various cosmetic and beauty products.  I was so alarmed to find that many Canadian products contain Parabens, BHA and Formaldehyde!  Some of these chemicals may interfere with reproductive functions and are known to contaminate our bodies and brains and cause cancerous tumours.  Of course, after reading, I checked all of my cosmetic products and almost everything I own contains these ingredients!!!  So, I am making an effort to replace my body wash, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer and other products with human-friendly alternatives.  However, since making a few shopping trips to the drug store and health food store, I've realized that there aren't very many affordable and readily available options... so I am making my own!

Beeswax Body Balm
1/2 cup Beeswax
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
1/2 cup Olive Oil
1/2 cup Almond Oil
5-6 Vitamin E capsules

To make the balm, you need an old jar, an old rag and an old pot.  You don't want to use anything new or valuable because the beeswax, when liquid, will stain/coat any hard or soft surface and cannot be washed off.  Please use caution and be careful not to ruin your clothes!

Start with half a cup of beeswax: it should be pure 100% beeswax that has been filtered.  Beeswax locks in moisture and protects your skin from the environment.  I bought my raw beeswax unfiltered from a honey farm at about $1 per 1 cup and filtered it myself before I started.  Use your hands to break up the wax and place it in the jar.  Make a homemade double boiler by filling a pot with water and placing the wax jar in the centre.  Turn your burner on high to bring the water to a boil.

When the wax starts to melt, add your half cup of coconut oil: make sure to use 100% pure virgin coconut oil (it looks like Crisco or lard).  Coconut oil is an excellent skin conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged cells.  You can get coconut oil at any health food store or international food store.  The coconut oil will start to melt into the beeswax - stir every 5 minutes.

Finally, add half a cup of olive oil and half a cup almond oil.  I used, extra virgin olive oil since it restores your skin to a firmer and smoother state.  Sweet almond oil softens the skin and keeps it feeling great.  Keep stirring until the whole mixture is clearly liquid and remove from double boiler. 

Use a scissor to cut the Vitamin E supplements; squeeze the vitamin E into the mixture and stir.  I decided to add vitamin E to my balm for it's anti-aging and antioxident properties.  Vitamin E also helps to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks!  Allow your mixture to cool and stir every 10 minutes. 

You will see the balm begin to solidify from the bottom all the way to the top.  Eventually, the whole mixture will reach a thick consistency and you can scoop it into smaller cosmetic jars while it is still warm.  I used small jam jars with mason jar lids.

I really love the smell and the creamy texture of my new balm, but what I love most is that I know exactly what the ingredients are and I know it's good for my skin (and completely edible LOL!).  My hands and elbows are smooth and it was really fun to make!