Lipbalms made easy!
Our lip balm unscented has been formulated to be extremely robust. Essential Oils, Fragrant Oils, micas, infused oils and oil-soluble Raw Materials can be added in order to customize each product. Within minutes, even a hobbyist can produce an upscale, high quality product that has been personalized to their preference. We have also made every effort to produce the most natural based products possible.
Product appearance: Our unscented lip balm base comes as a natural coloured (slight cream to yellow tone) pot-set base. The balm can be re-heated in a bain marie (water bath) to up to 70C to enable re-packing, customisation and decanting. Due to the chemistry of this product the balm will present as harder in winter and slightly softer in summer. Commercial balms should have a melting point of between 50-55C in order for them to retain their integrity under hot summer conditions but still remain usable in winter (5C minimum).
Customisations:
Mica: After melting down, add up to 10% mica for a lip tint or shine.
Speciality Oils and Butters: 1-5% of additional oils and/or butters can be added to this base when melted. While this will soften the balm base a little, the products melting point should still be within saleable limits. Adding more oils and butters is possible but this may reduce the product melting point making it too soft to pack into tubes. This may not be an issue but is something to look out for.
Waxes: Adding more waxes to this base will increase the melting point. This may be necessary in some cases, especially where you are selling in a hot climate. If you want to thicken your amended balm without adding more wax, you can use our Oil Thickener. This is hydrogenated vegetable oil and can thicken the balm without adding to the waxy after-feel.
Infused Oils: Infused oils are the best way to increase the herbal content of the balm. Typically these will be used at 0.1-1% of your formula unless the infused oils web description states you can use more.
Essential oils and fragrances: As the lips are live skin they can easily become irritated. There are some essential oils that are suitable for lip balms (citrus, lavender, mint, Eucalyptus, tea tree, Rose geranium) but others that are less so (herbs and spices typically). Check the book 'Essential Oil Safety' by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young for more specific advice on the safe doses before adding essential oils to your formula. Fragrances are generally not used in lip balms due to them not being formulated for that purpose. Instead, flavours can be purchased and added.
Oil Soluble Actives: Oil Soluble vitamin C, Vitamin F blend, Alpha Lipoic Acid (antioxidant) and bisabolol (soothing) could be considered for an anti-ageing or restorative lip balm.
Improving the balm after-taste: 0.05-0.2% of Stevia Powder can be mixed through a lip balm formula to disguise the fatty after-taste that incidental ingestion of the balm leaves in the mouth. Stevia is a naturally derived sugar alternative and while it is water soluble, small amounts can be dispersed through a lip balm base with little trouble.
Adding water-soluble additives: Glycerin extracts, Honey, Hyaluronic Acid and other water-soluble ingredients will not mix well with this base as supplied. To create a stable balm that includes these ingredients you need an emulsifier. Lecithin and/or Lanolin can perform this role and are both natural options.
LOGISTICS NOTE: The import of this product may be subject to quarantine regulations in your state due to the presence of beeswax. Please be aware delays may occur if customs clearance is required.
New Directions Australia Pty Ltd. does not supply food grade raw materials and therefore cannot waive GST.
Prior to use: Customers should always refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet / Specification Sheet OR the ingredients label as affixed to each product which are current at the time of supply of the product.
The information provided is for educational purposes only. Individuals receiving this information must exercise their independent judgment in determining its appropriateness for a particular purpose or use.
As the ordinary or otherwise use(s) of products is outside the control of New Directions Australia Pty Ltd., no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the effect(s) of such use(s), (including damage or injury), or the results obtained. New Directions Australia Pty Ltd. expressly disclaims responsibility as to the ordinary or otherwise use(s). Furthermore, nothing contained herein should be considered as a recommendation by New Directions Australia Pty Ltd. as to the fitness for any use. The liability of New Directions Australia Pty Ltd. is limited to the value of the goods and does not include any consequential losses.