I love balms, especially ones that are a bit soft and creamy smooth in consistency rather than those like lard. This recipe for Sun Olive Balm makes a nice night cream or is great for those hard to moisturize areas. In addition, it has a wonderful smooth consistency. This recipe is from the Herbarie (with their permission). Note that this recipe does not call for any hard butters or wrangling with the combination of cornstarch versus oils because the combination of waxes and emulsifier makes this a substantial and creamy smooth balm that glides on without the drag associated with balm/lotion bar type products. This recipe is the answer to the question, “How can I make a balm that is not like hard butter?”

Below is the description of the product as per the Herbarie. Ingredients used in this recipe may be purchased from their website. Alternately, the essential oils maybe swapped out for fragrance oil. If you wish to take out the essential oils completely--then do so. This recipe unlike a water-in-oil lotion or cream recipe is more forgiving.

The Herbarie's Sun Olive Botanical Balm is rich in emollient oils and butters - Jojoba Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Butter and Sunflower Butter - that will condition and protect skin. Calendula Extract o/s and essential oils of lavender, rose geranium and ylang ylang are soothing and nurturing to dry chapped skin and add a lovely fragrance as well. Coviox T-50 (Vitamin E) is added as an antioxidant. This anhydrous formula is perfect for dry, chapped skin that needs moisturizing.


Ingredients-------------- Amounts

Part A
Candelilla Wax------- 4.0% = 20 grams
Rice Bran Wax------- 4.0% = 20 grams
Cetyl Alcohol------- 2.5% = 12.5 grams
Jojoba Oil-------- 43.5% = 217.5 grams
Extra Virgin Olive Butter------- 20% = 100 grams
Sunflower Butter------- 20% = 100 grams
Calendula Extract o/s------- 3.0% = 15 grams
Covio-Ox T-50------- 1.0% = 5 grams
Optiphen------- 1.0% = 5 grams


Part B
Lavender Essential Oil------- 0.4% = 2 grams
Rose Geranium Essential Oil------- 0.3% = 1.5 grams
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil------- 0.3% = 1.5 grams
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Total----------------------------- 100.0% = 500 grams


Heat Part A until solids melt completely (around 75C-80C/170F-176F). Cool to less than 50C/122F). Add Part B with mixing. Pour immediately into jars. The finished product will be a medium-soft consistency. For a firmer consistency, increase Rice Bran Wax and/or Candelilla Wax and decrease liquid oils.

This recipe is posted with the permission of Angie Turner at Stoney Hill Farm otherwise known as The Herbarie. For ingredients please visit their website. They offer a wide variety of products for custom manufacturers, homecrafters, and the spa and wellness industry. They manufacture many of the botanical products that they sell, such as hydrosols, extracts, and botanical complexes. They have an extensive Online Formulary and provide technical assistance to their customers.

www.theherbarie.com
Phone: 803.364.9979
Fax: 803.364.9974