DIY Body Balm | Douglas Fir and Orange Body Balm

In need of some last minute gifts? Not to worry, I’ve got you covered! Body balms are really fun to create and make charming stocking stuffers or small tokens of gratitude for the holiday season. They are fairly simple to prepare and just require a few key ingredients: olive oil (or oil of choice), beeswax, vitamin E oil, essential oils (I used Douglas Fir and Orange) and shea butter.  Ready to try it?

*this post contains affiliate links.  It it not sponsored. I only promote brands that I love and used myself. 

During the winter months I especially love the scent of coniferous trees.  Have you ever spent time in a forest and felt immediately at peace?  There is science to back up that feeling.  Visiting a forest has been shown to improve psychological health and increase focus and attention.  Cool right?

I however live in a city and can’t always go up north to spend time in a forest.  That is why I try to add coniferous tree scents to my house and body balms- to help me focus and bring some peace.  Not to mention that the Douglas Fir I used is the classic Christmas Tree scent- and who doesn’t want to smell like a Christmas tree?  You can adapt this recipe and include any essential oils that you want but I really like the combination of orange and Douglas fir.

I have always been taught that essential oils are very precious and should be used that way as well.   It takes many pounds of plant matter to produce a single bottle of essential oil.  I also like to use essential oils that come from small, organic farms where the plants are taken care of.   With that being said I really recommend Living Libations Oils. My favourites are Douglas Fir and orange but the tangerine or grapefruit would be nice with the Fir tree as well.

Making this balm I used an infused olive and grapeseed oil but you can use straight olive oil or oil of choice. Infusing oils with herbs takes a little more preparation so I plan on doing a whole post on it in the new year. I really recommend using high quality oils and sometimes you need to look in the food department instead of the beauty department to make sure you are getting the best.  Look for organic and cold pressed if you can find it.  Oils should also be stored in glass jars instead of light plastic.

Tried the recipe? loved it? Rate it and tag #sweetlizzy on Instagram!

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Douglas Fir and Orange Body Balm | DIY holiday gifts

This easy DIY body balm smells just like Christmas and makes the perfect stocking stuffer for the holidays!

• Author: Sweet Lizzy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 1/4 cup 1x
• Category: Herbal Remedies

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

1/4 cup packed beeswax, grated.

1 tbsp shea butter (optional)

1 cup olive oil or mix (I used a combination of olive and grapeseed)

1/4 tsp vitamin E oil

20–30 drops of Douglas fir essential oil. I used this one.

15–20 drops orange essential oil. I used this one.

Instructions

Melt the beeswax in a double boiler with the shea butter if you are using it.  Once it has melted stir in your olive oil. Take off the heat and stir in the vitamin E oil and the essential oils.  Pour into small mason jars or body butter containers. (I got mine at Michaels)

Notes

*This makes a balm that is still soft. If you want it to be harder simply increase the amount of beeswax you use.