Winter Lanolin Balm

It's common knowledge that winter is a dry skin chapping season. I alter my skin and beauty products (and routines) to keep on top of the chapped skin! In all honesty, Linsinoh HPA Lanolin doesn't need any alteration. If you have chapped skin, especially lips, I highly HIGHLY recommend this product. Don't be put off by the fact that it's for breastfeeding Mommas. If you are looking for more for your $$ or a non-baby related product (even though the HPA Lanolin is nothing but pure deodorized lanolin) you might have to get something less deodorized. I haven't found another lanolin I could buy that didn't have at least a little of that lanolin chemically-leather smell. But seriously,  the benefits outweigh the smell; using pure lanolin on your lips nightly can really help stave off the worst of chapping and drying.

So why am I altering this lanolin after I just sang the praises? Well lanolin is very thick and sticky. Especially at cooler temperatures; when you are in a cold house it's damn near impossible to squeeze out of a tube. These texture reasons make it less suited to rub into larger parts of the body-like feet or hands. I still plan on using the straight lanolin for my lips (I'll fight that tube all night if I have to), but I wanted to lower the melt temp of the lanolin to make it more spreadable for other applications and add a couple other winter skin goodies at the same time!

I used jojoba oil to soften it and a touch of cocoa butter to make sure it didn't get too soft. Olive oil would be brilliant here as well. I prefer a refined olive oil or I smell too much like dinner.

I like a squeeze tube for a soft balm. These 15 ml tubes from LotionCrafter are easy to fill with liquid ingredients, portable and pretty cute! You could easily use a little jar too though.

All ingredients added to a small 140ml beaker.

Post-water bath, all ingredients are melted and mixed.

Prop your tubes in a small cup so they stay upright and are easy to fill.

If you buy these tubes, opt for the filling syringe (if you don't have one) it makes it so much easier!

A breeze. I clean mine in just boiling water and ammonia. I find ammonia cuts the oils better than bleach.

  

Filled! 32 grams made enough for two tubes without any left over. Above I included the percentages as well in case you want to make more. Remember it's good to try a recipe out small first though in case you don't like it!

I put the tops on and invert them. Then pop them in the fridge if you are eager, or just leave them out in your cold house.

Cooled and solidified.

But not so solid it won't easily squeeze out of the tube! Massage this balm into cuticles and hands, feet, elbows, knees, chapped noses, lips or ears as desired. Pretty much it's great at moisturizing and creating a light barrier over any skin. You could also squeeze a pea size into your hand, add some lotion and rub together to create a thicker lotion! (I actually use this one-time mixing technique of heavier oil balm and lighter hydrous lotion a TON). It also makes a great face balm/gloss for adding a little dewy sheen to cheeks!