Introduction: Honey & Lard Lip Repair Cream
My lips need extra TLC all year round: in the below-freezing winter weather, the dry air really takes a toll on them, and in the warm summer months I spend a lot of time outside in the wind and parching-sun... this Lard & Honey Lip Repair Cream has been a life-saver!
Even better, to me this is a "home-remedy" in every sense of the word because we harvest the beeswax and honey from our bees, and render our own lard from the pigs we butcher.
It's incredibly easy to make, and made from simple ingredients.
AND IT WORKS!
The way I use this Honey & Lard Lip Repair Cream is to lather it on before bedtime. The honey brings in moisture and provides antioxidants that nourish the skin, and the lard is made largely of saturated fat- which is the same type of fat our skin cell membranes are made of, so it is very restorative. Finally, the beeswax adds a protective layer and seals in all of the good stuff!
When I wake up the morning after using this cream on my lips, they are soft and moist- plus, I don't have to use ANY other lip creams or lip balms all day long.
Feel free to double or triple this recipe.
It makes great gifts too!
Step 1: Gather Ingredients & Equipment
No special equipment needed here- just every day items you already have on hand!
Honey & Lard Lip Repair Cream Ingredients
1 tsp beeswax pieces or pastilles
4 tsp rendered lard (pure, white)
1 tsp raw honey
Equipment Needed
small glass jar like a jelly jar or pyrex measuring cup
small to medium-sized pot
kitchen fork
container to hold the finished product
WAIT! Don't just melt everything together!
Honey is notoriously hard to incorporate into body products, because it will separate out from the oils once the products solidifies. We're using a technique designed to get around this problem, and in the end we will have a great, nourishing lip product full of honey that won't separate out!
Step 2: Measure and Combine the Beeswax and Lard
In your glass jar or cup, add:
- 1 tsp beeswax pieces or pastilles
- 4 tsp rendered lard
Place the glass jar into a pot of water, so that the water comes about half-way up the glass jar.
Place the pot on the stove over medium to low heat. Do not allow the water to boil; a gentle simmer is okay.
Use a fork to gently stir the ingredients occasionally as the mixture heats up and the beeswax and lard melts. It should take about 5-8 minutes for everything to melt and combine.
Step 3: Allow the Beeswax and Lard Mixture to Cool
After all of the beeswax pieces are melted, remove the glass jar from the pan (use a towel or oven mitts!).
Set the jar on a heat-safe surface and allow it to completely cool and solidify- this should take about 30 minutes.
Step 4: Test the Product
To make sure the mixture has the correct consistency, poke it with your finger- it should easily indent and the product should be soft.
If by chance it isn't soft enough to indent with your finger (this shouldn't happen unless you didn't measure precisely) return the jar to the pot of water on the stove and re-melt, adding an additional 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of lard. Allow the mixture to cool again, returning to step #3.
Use a fork to scrape the product and start to loosen it up.
Step 5: Mix and Incorporate Honey
After you've broken up the solidified product, use the fork to whip it around in the jar until it is a uniform creamy consistency (about 30 seconds).
Add in:
- 1 tsp raw honey
Again use the fork to whip in the honey and keep stirring for about a minute, until everything is well-combined.
Step 6: Jar It Up
Find a cute little jar (I love these little tiny jelly jars!!) to store your brand new Honey & Lard Lip Repair Cream!
Slather it on your lips and be prepared for friends and family to ask if they can have some!