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Is There A Substitute for Beeswax in Homemade Lipbalm

Posted By Nicole (Arizona) on 07/21/2015

Is there another wax besides beeswax that can be substituted with the same effect? My son has very sudden and severe allergic reactions to anything with beeswax in it so I avoid all products with it.

I have chronically chapped lips and currently use (toxic) vaseline since even handling a tube of chapstick with beeswax can set off a reaction for him and almost every brand/type of over the counter lip balm, chapstick, etc. contains beeswax so my options are limited.

I'd like to make my own balm that will be equally effective as beeswax. I'm also hoping the alternatives anyone can suggest can be applied to the undereyes as mentioned too. (De-wrinkling a bit would be nice! )

I also try to avoid coconut oil since it causes me to break out when applied topically to my face, (I can cook with/eat it, oil pull with it & use it all over the body except my face - no idea why I'm so reactive there) so that one is out for me, but any other suggestions are appreciated!

Replied by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 07/21/2015

Dear Nicole,

There are a couple of beeswax alternatives - one is Carnauba wax. Another is "Emulsifying Wax." Mountain Rose Herbs sells these for body care products. They may not substitute exactly for the beeswax in recipes, though.

Apparently, many lip balms contain ingredients that make chapped lips worse by drying them out and making application of lip balm more needed. I used to be quite addicted to lip balm and realize this is why.

I have been making my own for quite a while and love to do that. Look up online, "Lip Balm Recipes with No Beeswax." You will find many recipes.

But because you and your son are sensitive, you may do well to stick to one ingredient treatments for you lips.

Castor Oil (look for expeller pressed and hexane free) is a wonderful lip moisturizer. I put it under my eyes and on my face at bedtime, too. It is supposed to be good for wrinkles. I don't really know. My skin just tends to be dry and this helps a lot.

Cocoa Butter is another option. You can buy cocoa butter, melt it in a double boiler and pour it into empty lip balm tubes for a great lip balm.

One of my adult children likes lanolin for chapped lips. He keeps a little in a tiny tin in his pocket in the winter. (In the summer it can leak out of the tin if it gets too hot.)

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Paula (Texas) on 07/24/2015

I too have suffered with chapped lips for a long time. This summer it became worse than ever, so I researched remedies online. I read about Calendula (marigold) ointment being effective so thought I would try it. After using it for several days it has eliminated my chapped lip problem completely. The initial taste is not pleasant to me but it only lasts a moment and is certainly worth it.

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