I love beeswax. I love the smell as it melts and burns, the different colours, how it feels to touch and on the skin. I love it for its waterproofing qualities and for its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. But most of all I just love it because it is pure, it is natural, and I know exactly where it comes from: my very own honeybees. And so, I have ditched all commercial makes of creams, lotions, lip balms and moisturizers. I make and use my own, using beeswax, and it is surprisingly easy. If you have a little bit of beeswax perhaps you would try it too. A great recipe to start with is this Easy Beeswax Salve.
Ingredients For Beeswax Salve
This is a 1:1:1 salve, using equal measures of beeswax, shea or cocoa butter and oil. You can then change the proportions the next batch to get the consistency that works best for you. I like my creams quite hard and I find the oily ones too greasy for daily wear. After a long hot soak in the bath though, it is lovely to indulge with a nice smooth cream. So, for my nighttime body cream, I add a bit more oil.
You can choose different oils for their different properties, such as almond oil, jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, olive oil or infused vegetable oils, but make sure to use one that has a reasonably long shelf-life, or at least as long as you think the cream will last before you have used it up.
Step by Step Instructions
In a wide mouthed squat jar, measure up equal quantities of beeswax and oil of your choice. Measure by weight.
Place the jar on a plate in the oven at 70 degrees Celsius.
Once the beeswax has melted into the oil, add the cocoa or shea butter and return to the heat. Alternatively, you can melt the wax and oil using a double boiler, add the butter, and pour into a heat proof container.
Once melted, remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
If you would like, you can now add a couple of drops of essential oil. Lavender works very well with the wonderful natural scent of beeswax and cocoa.
Leave to cool, and then apply to tired hands.
Variations
You will soon find new variations of this recipe, and who knows, maybe you too will convert to making your own skincare products!
Make sure to write down any changes that you make so that you can replicate them next time. Be careful when handling hot wax and make sure not to have pets or children with you when you do it. Want to give it a go but don’t have your own bees to make beeswax for you? Don’t worry, mine make plenty so you can get yours here.
If you are interested in exploring further what you can make with beeswax, I highly recommend the book Beeswax Alchemy by Petra Ahnert published in 2015 (ISBN 978-1-59253-979-6).
Hanna Bäckmo
Hanna Bäckmo is an award-winning beekeeper, entrepreneur, hobby gardener and internationally published writer. Originally from a small island in Sweden, she now lives in East Cork with her son, two dogs, a flock of rescue chickens and lots of bees. Hanna is the founder of Hanna’s Bees, producing a unique range of natural and sustainable honey, propolis, and beeswax products sold in Ireland’s leading Gift & Artisan food stores and select US outlets. With 70 colonies of Native Irish honeybees, she is a passionate bee-advocate and educator and is an Ambassador for the Native Irish Honeybee.
Garlic and honey are both known for their immune-boosting properties, reducing inflammation, and fighting infections. Fermenting garlic in honey is a great way to combine these two ingredients and create a delicious and healthy food. In this recipe blog, we will explore the benefits of honey fermented garlic, how to make it, and how to use it.
Drawn comb is gold dust to beekeepers. Frustratingly, it is sometimes as difficult to obtain as it is valuable. In this extensive article, originally published in the Irish Beekeeper’s Magazine, An Beachaire, we will look at comb and discuss how best to get the bees to build it.
Simple Beeswax Salve Recipe
I love beeswax. I love the smell as it melts and burns, the different colours, how it feels to touch and on the skin. I love it for its waterproofing qualities and for its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. But most of all I just love it because it is pure, it is natural, and I know exactly where it comes from: my very own honeybees. And so, I have ditched all commercial makes of creams, lotions, lip balms and moisturizers. I make and use my own, using beeswax, and it is surprisingly easy. If you have a little bit of beeswax perhaps you would try it too. A great recipe to start with is this Easy Beeswax Salve.
Ingredients For Beeswax Salve
This is a 1:1:1 salve, using equal measures of beeswax, shea or cocoa butter and oil. You can then change the proportions the next batch to get the consistency that works best for you. I like my creams quite hard and I find the oily ones too greasy for daily wear. After a long hot soak in the bath though, it is lovely to indulge with a nice smooth cream. So, for my nighttime body cream, I add a bit more oil.
You can choose different oils for their different properties, such as almond oil, jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, olive oil or infused vegetable oils, but make sure to use one that has a reasonably long shelf-life, or at least as long as you think the cream will last before you have used it up.
Step by Step Instructions
Variations
You will soon find new variations of this recipe, and who knows, maybe you too will convert to making your own skincare products!
Make sure to write down any changes that you make so that you can replicate them next time. Be careful when handling hot wax and make sure not to have pets or children with you when you do it. Want to give it a go but don’t have your own bees to make beeswax for you? Don’t worry, mine make plenty so you can get yours here.
Homemade candles, cream, salve, wood polish, lotion bars, beeswax moulds and lip-balm.
If you are interested in exploring further what you can make with beeswax, I highly recommend the book Beeswax Alchemy by Petra Ahnert published in 2015 (ISBN 978-1-59253-979-6).
Hanna Bäckmo
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Honey Fermented Garlic Recipe
Garlic and honey are both known for their immune-boosting properties, reducing inflammation, and fighting infections. Fermenting garlic in honey is a great way to combine these two ingredients and create a delicious and healthy food. In this recipe blog, we will explore the benefits of honey fermented garlic, how to make it, and how to use it.
How to Get Your Bees to Draw Comb
Drawn comb is gold dust to beekeepers. Frustratingly, it is sometimes as difficult to obtain as it is valuable. In this extensive article, originally published in the Irish Beekeeper’s Magazine, An Beachaire, we will look at comb and discuss how best to get the bees to build it.