If your homemade lip balm is cracking and you tried everything to make it stop but still haven’t solved your problem. You most likely are trying to fix the wrong things, which doesn’t solve your problem but instead makes it even worse. Here is how you fix and avoid homemade cracking lip balm.
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Homemade Lip balm may crack because the ratios are wrong or the melting point is not high enough. It may also crack if the mold is too cold before pouring. Finally, the type of wax may also be the cause, such as Ozokerite, which makes the mixture very rigid and prone to breaking.
Why Is My Homemade Lip Balm Cracking?
Melting point
Cracking lip balm can happen due to several reasons. One of the most common (and probably also the most crucial) is the melting point.
Every fatty acid in butter has a different melting point. Suppose the butter doesn’t melt properly and then cools gradually; the fatty acids will turn solid at different rates and begin to crystallize.
All these crystals melt once they come in contact with the skin but also feel rough. This problem occurs in the majority when you use shea or mango butter.
Another important thing to note is that the lip balm will be ineffective, or the process may go wrong if the crystallization does not occur. It’s just not optimal for the lip balm’s consistency, and as you may have guessed, it leads to cracking.
Every mixture has a different melting point, so using a thermometer immersed in a vial with water at a controlled temperature is strongly advised. If you have no idea what the melting point is, you can use this method to determine the temperature at which the lip balm sample melts. The next time you’d know for this particular mixture, this is the melting point.
Wrong ratios
Your ratios might not be correct. Using too much beeswax will most likely make your lip balm too hard, which eventually will also lead to cracking.
If you do use not enough beeswax, on the other hand, your lip balm will be too soft (too much oil for the ratio you are using). In this case, a quick fix is to remelt your lip balm and add beeswax till you have the right amount.
Your mold is too cold.
It sounds so simple, and yet this may have been your problem all along. A cold mold will, without a doubt, lead to cracking lip balm. This happens as a layer of the cold balm is directly formed without cooling throughout the mold. A quick fix for this is to warm up your mold before pouring.
TIP: If you live in an area where the temperatures are cooler, you most definitely would want to warm your mold before pouring in the mixture.
Try Different Combination
Try experimenting with different combinations of waxes until you find the right combination you are satisfied with. The type of wax you want to use might not be the right type for the combination of the mixture you wish to make.
Once you’ve found the one, you can move on to playing around with different oil ratios to help you get better, satisfying results.
Please remember that there are no hard and fast rules for the proportions of your ingredients (oils and waxes); it depends on how you would like it to feel. One way to test your lip balm’s feel before it fully hardens is by using the frozen spoon trick (explained here).
How to Avoid Cracks in Your Lip Balm?
The most effective way to prevent cracks is by making sure you are using each ingredient’s correct ratios. I know this sounds not really helpful, but it is the only way I am afraid. You’ll need to go through some trial and error to reach the right ratios. This is especially the case when you want to use your own recipe.
Try sticking to a simple recipe with a ratio of 3:1:1, that is, 3 parts (60%) of carrier oil, 1 part (20%) of your preferred wax, 1 part (20%) of butter. You could also make smaller samples to test out what works and whatnot. This is much cheaper, and once you get the right ratios, you can make a whole batch without worrying.
TIP: Another beneficial tip is to keep a notebook to jot down your points on what worked well and what did not, to help you better your process of making stellar lip balms.
Can You Fix Cracks in A Lip Balm?
I think this is the second most common question one would ask after why your lip balms crack.
While you can fix cracks in a lip balm, if the mixture’s consistency is wrong, it won’t be so easy to fix. However, if you have the right consistency, there is a way to save it.
Pour out the mixture in a container and heat it up in a bowl while continuously stirring it.
Finally, take the mixture and pour it into the lip balm stick or mold and cool it in your refrigerator. At the end of the process, you will have a brand-new lip balm.
Dos and Don’ts While Making Your Homemade Lip Balm
Dos
- There is a huge difference between beeswax and coconut oil based on the storage boxes or tubes. For the lip balms that come in boxes or containers, it is good to add more coconut oil to get a smooth and soft consistency. On the other hand, the lip balms coming in tubes have to add more beeswax.
- If you are using a microwave to melt the wax, adjust the temperature moderately for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Make sure that you don’t cover the beeswax while melting it, as the process of condensation may affect the texture of the lip balm.
- Try to use all of your mixtures. When you transfer the contents into a tube, take the help of a dropper to prevent spillage.
- Just like you would do with cooking, mise en place all your equipment and ingredients needed before you start. This way, you won’t waste time running around searching for your ingredients.
- Always wash your hands before you start.
- Silicone/glass utensils are perfect to use for making lip balms, as they are easy to clean.
- Always start with a small test batch for your first try. You can always increase the quantity on the second try with tips guiding you from your first experience.
- Go through several recipes before picking the perfect one for you. Check the ratios to be sure that you won’t end up with a poor end product.
- Keep a record of all your project ideas (ingredient ratios, steps, observations while making the lip balm). It’s good to get into a habit of making notes, so you have a record of what works and what doesn’t.
Don’ts
- Do not immediately wash out the jar you used to heat all the ingredients. The water will stick to the oils. Instead, wipe it out as best as possible with a paper towel. Try to do this while it’s warm as it solidifies quickly.
- Do not guess the ingredients in your recipe. Always follow the recipe for the perfect consistency. Or start with a recipe that has been tested by others and work from there.
- Do not buy blocks of beeswax. Always buy cubes or pellets according to your needs. You’ll just end up with too much beeswax in your hands.
- When working on a new idea, don’t just get right to it. Always research! Try to find the rights scents, and oils to make a good product rather than a lip balm that feels itchy and has an inconsistent texture.
- Do not buy from any wholesale vendor because they are cheaper. Always research your supplier. Compare all your options, read reviews about the suppliers, and then make a conclusion based on your findings.
- Don’t get essential oils mixed up with fragrance oils. They are two very different things and are used in very different quantities.
- Do not randomly substitute one product for another if you are missing out on one. First, check the benefits each ingredient offers before trying to switch them out for another one.
- Do not hoard products because they are expensive. If the ingredient is past its expiry date, throw it out as it could completely ruin the end product.
To Sum Up
With these effective methods, try modifying the consistency of your lip balm in your way. To make them perfect and unique, experiment with different innovative combinations and discover something great!
Start your preparing your secret now!