Have you ever experienced BURNT lips? Yes, the kind between your nose and your chin! Let’s say you were out stand-up paddleboarding or potentially stair stepping your way up Mount Rainier with the Sun Glare dial turned up to 11, perhaps you went on vacation to Cabo, or some such sun riddled place. Then you know. Heck, you might even have just gone out for a little innocent gardening. Either way from whatever occasion, burnt lips are a bummer. That said, in the vein of just trying to make cosmetic products which are less unidentifiable, let’s make lip balm with some naturally occurring SPF.

Here’s a super simple recipe that I had great luck with for a homemade lip balm that contains natural sun protection:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of shea butter
• 1 tablespoon of beeswax pellets
• 1 teaspoon of raspberry seed oil (natural sunscreen)
• 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil (optional for flavor)

https://amzn.to/3TLPi0G – Not everyone has Raspberry Seed oil sitting around so here’s a link if you want to see which kind I use and maybe grab some for yourself!

Instructions:

1. In a small heatproof container, combine the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax pellets.
2. Place the container in a pot of simmering water to create a double boiler. Stir occasionally until the ingredients have melted and combined.
3. Remove the container from the heat and add the raspberry seed oil and peppermint essential oil (if using). Stir well.
4. Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes or small containers and allow to cool and solidify before using.
5. Store your homemade lip balm in a cool, dry place.

Note: While raspberry seed oil contains natural sun protection properties, it is still important to use additional sun protection measures such as wearing a hat and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen for maximum protection. The medical compound in raspberry seed oil that provides sun protection is called “ellagic acid.” Ellagic acid is a polyphenolic compound found in various fruits and vegetables, including raspberries. It is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the ability to absorb both UVA and UVB radiation, making it an effective natural sunscreen. The amount of ellagic acid in raspberry seed oil varies depending on the extraction method and the variety of raspberry used, but it typically ranges from 1-2%.

Have fun with it! Use whatever kind of flavored essence you want or scented too (as long as it doesn’t taste nasty). If you make this, please let me know what your experience with it is. I love it! Peace and Sunshine to you and all around you!