3 homemade lip care products to keep your lips smooth

You'll get a kick out of making lip balm at home. You'll feel a little bit like a mad scientist, and a little bit like a truly creative cook. The following three formulations will cost about a dollar or so each, and provide a lot of lip gloss or balm for the buck.

Consider dividing the lip balm mixture into several small containers, so that you can carry some with you.

• 90 ml (6 tbsp) beeswax, grated or shaved
• 125 ml (1/2 c) extra-virgin olive oil
• 30 ml (1 oz) honey
• 1/2 capsule vitamin E, 400 IU1. In a microwave or the top of a double boiler, melt the beeswax and oil together. Do not boil. If the mixture starts to boil, remove from heat and allow it to cool. Once the beeswax and oil are blended, stir in the honey. Then pierce the vitamin E capsule with a needle, squeeze out half the contents and stir in. Pour the resulting mixture into clean containers with tops.
  2. Let the lip balm sit at room temperature for 48 hours until it arrives at the proper consistency for spreading. You can carry a small container of lip balm around with you during the day, but you may find it keeps better in the refrigerator overnight.

Remember, although this concoction smells sweet, it is not a food product. If you plan to give it to a child, label it accordingly and explain how to use it.

• 90 ml (6 tbsp) beeswax, grated or shaved
• 125 ml (1/2 c) extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) cocoa powder
• 1/2 capsule vitamin E, 400 IU1. In a microwave or the top of a double boiler, melt the beeswax and oil together. Do not boil. If the mixture starts to boil, remove from the heat and allow it to cool. Once the beeswax and oil are blended, stir in the cocoa powder. Pierce the vitamin E capsule with a needle, squeeze out half the contents and stir it in. Pour the resulting mixture into clean containers with tops.
  2. Let the lip balm sit for 48 hours at room temperature until it arrives at the proper consistency for spreading. You can carry a small container of lip balm around with you during the day, but you may find it keeps better in the refrigerator overnight.

When you cook up this little treat in your kitchen, you may be tempted to eat it, but this yummy-smelling lip balm is not edible. Be sure to label it as lip balm and explain to young children what it is.

• 90 ml (6 tbsp) beeswax, grated or shaved
• 125 ml (1/2 c) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 capsule vitamin E, 400 IU
  3 to 6 chocolate chips1. In a microwave or the top of a double boiler, melt the beeswax and oil together. Do not boil. If the mixture starts to boil, remove from the heat and allow it to cool. Once the beeswax and oil are blended, pierce the vitamin E capsule with a needle, squeeze out half the contents, and stir in. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour the resulting mixture into clean containers with tops.
  2. Let the lip balm sit for 48 hours at room temperature until it arrives at the proper consistency for spreading. You can carry a small container of lip balm around with you during the day, but you may find it keeps better in the refrigerator overnight.