With most beauty products, healthy choices become clearer after a scan of the ingredients. But tiny tubes of lip balm, and their equally tiny labels, can make this difficult. To avoid putting unwanted dyes, petroleum products, and preservatives near your mouth, mix up a batch of balm yourself. It's surprisingly easy, and the results beat many store-bought salves. Add peppermint and eucalyptus oils to heal a chapped kisser, or opt for a soothing vanilla- and rose-scented version. Either way, you'll have lip-softening relief right in your pocket.

Lip Balm How-To
Makes 4 tins, 1/2 ounce each

1 tablespoon beeswax pearls (also called pellets or pastilles)
1 tablespoon pure shea butter
2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
10-15 drops essential oils

Melt beeswax, shea butter, and almond oil together in the top of a double boiler or in a heat-safe bowl set over a pot of simmering water; stir continuously with a whisk. Once the ingredients are liquefied, remove them from heat. Whisk in essential oils. Working quickly, transfer the liquid to a measuring cup or a container with a pour spout and then divide it among four 1/2-ounce lip balm tins. Let balms cool completely until solid, about 20 minutes. Store in a cool, dry place.

Variation: Peppermint-Eucalyptus Lip Balm
Use 6 drops of peppermint essential oil and 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil.

Variation: Vanilla-Rose Lip Balm
Use 10 drops of rose oil, also called rose otto, and 5 drops of vanilla oil, also known as vanilla absolute.