Make a Sunflower & Beeswax Balm

A few years back, I met a local beekeeper who told me about how she and her husband started their honey farm after they found a colony of bees in the walls of their country home. The way she spoke about bees, and their important role on our planet, made it evident that she had found her calling. Ever since I visited her honey farm, I’ve paid more attention to these little pollinators.

The other day, a bumble bee made its way across my backyard. I watch intently as it buzzed gracefully from flower to flower, harvesting nectar with focus. I wanted to create a product that mirrors the mindfulness of that little bumble bee. After some thought, I decided that a face and body balm was the way to go. This balm starts out as solid and melts into a luxurious oil as it makes contact with the warmth of your skin. It’s impossible to not be mindful when you feel the transition of its form between your fingertips.

Let’s get started!

The ingredients

Beeswax

To keep to the theme of my little bumble bee friend, I chose to use a Canadian beeswax. Did you know that beeswax is the substance that forms the honeycomb where the honey is stored?

It’s a great choice for a balm because:

• Its hydrophobic properties create a protective barrier to heal and soften dry skin without clogging pores.

• It can be used to treat blemishes as the fatty acids give it antibacterial properties.

• It’s high in Vitamin A, which delays the breakdown of collagen to help the skin regenerate after damage.

Sunflower oil

I wanted to include an element of the flower nectar that the little bumble bee was collecting. Sunflower oil helps gives the balm that luxurious texture as it melts. The linoleic acid in the oil can help improve the skin’s barrier and enhances the appearance of your skin by locking in moisture.

Also in this formulation:

• Shea butter

• Vitamin E (antioxidant)

• Geranium essential oil

The measurements

To make a 4 oz jar, you will need:

• Shea butter – 66 g

• Sunflower oil – 33.6 g

• Beeswax – 18.36 g

• Geranium essential oil – 1.2 g

• Vitamin E – 0.8 g

The steps

1. In a water bath, begin to melt the beeswax in a glass beaker and stir with a glass rod.

2. Once the beeswax is almost fully melted, add the shea butter and continue to stir.

3. When the wax and butter are fully melted, add the sunflower oil and stir until blended.

4. Remove the beaker from the water bath and continue to stir. As the mixture cools slightly (it will begin to get cloudy) add the Vitamin E and geranium essential oil.

5. Continue to stir until the glass rod begins to leave a trace in the product.

6. Pour into a jar and place the gently covered jar in the fridge to set overnight.

7. Don’t forget to perform a patch test before applying to your face and body.

Did you make this recipe? Let me know how you like it in the comments or on Instagram!