This simple body balm stick recipe is perfect for soothing and protecting ultra dry skin. It’s all-natural with a delicious peppermint orange scent. And because it’s this body balm is in stick form, its easy to apply too!
I’ve never really had dry skin, not truly dry skin. Until I moved here to southern Idaho. Holy smokes! I look like a lizard! Humidity here has been, like, 0% for weeks.
So I’ve been turning to body balms for some extra skin protection. Enter this lovely peppermint orange body balm stick recipe.
Although you use body balms as you would a lotion, they aren’t lotions. And, in fact, body balms and lotions are not interchangeable.They work on the skin in a completely different way. (If you want to know the differences between alllll the moisturizing body products, like butters, balms, lotions, and more, check out this post here.)
If you’ve used body balms before and haven’t been impressed, this is why:
Body balms are meant to be applied over the top of your regular lotion. Lotion delivers moisture (AKA hydration) to the skin; body balms seal in that moisture.
So, you have to use them BOTH in order for the body balm to actually work and help keep your skin hydrated. Mind blown, right?
To deliver even more moisturization, apply your lotion and body balm within three minutes of getting out of the bath or shower.
Because body balms contain no water, you don’t need to use a preservative.
A little bit goes a long way. Just take a dab and massage it into your skin. Like, everywhere–legs, elbows and knees, feet and hands. It also makes an extra nice cuticle cream.
I pour this body balm into cute push-up tubes that look like giant lip balm tubes. DIY body balm sticks makes it super easy to apply the balm, and it feels decadent on the skin.
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For that extra dry skin, this soothing body balm stick recipe is the perfect solution. I think the minty orange scent is super yummy, but feel free to sub out if you’re not a peppermint fan. Lavender, eucalyptus, or rose geranium would all smell lovely with the sweet orange.
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Peppermint Orange Body Balm Stick Recipe
This body balm stick recipe makes one (2 oz.) tube, or two (1 oz.) tubes. If you need more, it’s easy to double the recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon mango butter
- 2 tablespoons refined shea butter (unrefined shea butter has a very strong, distinctive scent, so I recommend refined for this recipe)
- 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
- 1 teaspoon beeswax
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
- 15 drops sweet orange essential oil
You’ll also need:
- A small, heat-safe bowl
- Small pot or double boiler
- Chopstick or similar (to stir with)
- Push-up cosmetic tubes (like these paperboard tubes or these acrylic tubes)
Step 1: Measure out the shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and beeswax into a small heat-safe bowl.
Step 2: Place this bowl over a small pot filled with water to make a double boiler. (Food blogger Jamie Geller has an awesome step-by-step on how to do this, if you’re unsure. It’s super easy.)
You can also microwave for 15-45 seconds, until the oils are just barely melted. Stir until they fully melt.
Step 3: Add in the peppermint and sweet orange essential oils and mix well.
Step 4: Pour immediately into tubes. Let set undisturbed until it’s completely cooled (about three to four hours) before you put on the lid.
Note: If you don’t care for the tubes, you can pour this balm into any small container. I’m in love with these glass cosmetic jars with bamboo lids, but any small container will do.
To use: The finished balm will be semi-solid but will melt on contact with your skin. Massage in as needed. Just a small dab goes a long way!
Yield: About 2 fluid ounces
Shelf life: About 8 to 12 months
(Psst… did you sign up to grab the Guide to the 10 Best Lotion-Making Oils and Butters yet? It gives you all the details, skin-care properties, and absorption rates of 10 amazing oils and butters perfect for making lotions and body balms. You’ll love it, and it’s free! Sign up here.)
