Weekly DIY

3-Ingredient Skin & Hair Winter Barrier Balm

Winter has a way of finding every dry patch. Hands feel tighter. Lips chap quickly. Elbows, heels and cuticles start asking for extra care. And if your hair is already prone to dryness, colder weather can leave the ends feeling even more brittle, rough or frizzy.

This week’s DIY is a simple winter staple: a rich, protective Skin & Hair Winter Barrier Balm made with just three core ingredients. It’s water-free, concentrated and designed to bring comfort wherever winter dryness shows up — from dry hands and rough patches to cuticles, lips, heels and even dry hair ends or flyaways.

Made with nourishing shea butter, mango butter and beeswax, this balm is rich enough to protect dry skin, while still soft enough to warm and melt easily between your fingertips.

15–20 minutes, plus setting time

Beginner

Concerns

Dry winter skin • Chapped-feeling lips • Rough patches • Dry, frizzy hair ends

Benefits

Rich, protective feel • Helps seal in moisture • Smooths dry ends and flyaways

Format

Rich water-free balm

Shelf life

Best used within 6 months

What You'll Need

Just 3 natural ingredients:

Shea Butter
🥄50g (50%)
Rich, comforting and deeply nourishing for dry winter skin.

Mango Butter
🥄35g (35%)
Smooth and creamy, helping balance the richness with a softer, lighter feel.

Beeswax Pellets
🥄15g (15%)
Gives the balm structure and a more protective finish for lips, hands and rough patches.

How to Make

Weigh out the shea butter, mango butter and beeswax pellets into a heat-safe beaker or bowl.
Place the beaker into a warm water bath or double boiler and heat gently until everything has fully melted.
Stir occasionally. Once fully melted, remove from the heat and stir well.
If adding any optional extras such as Vitamin E or lavender essential oil, allow the mixture to cool slightly before stirring them into the balm.
Pour into clean, dry tins or jars.
Leave to set at room temperature, or place in the fridge for faster setting. Once fully set, cap, label and enjoy.

How to Use

Guidance

For dry hands and rough patches: Apply a small amount to dry or slightly damp skin, then massage in well. It works especially nicely after washing hands, bathing or showering.

For lips: Use a tiny amount on chapped-feeling lips. Leave the balm unscented if you’ll mainly be using it as lip care.

For cuticles: Massage a little into cuticles before bed.

For heels, elbows and knees: Apply to rough areas as needed, especially after bathing.

For hair ends and flyaways: Warm a very small amount between your fingertips, then smooth over dry ends or flyaways. Start with less than you think you need — a little goes a long way.

Make It Yours

Softer balm for dry hair ends - Want a softer balm with more glide for hair ends? Replace 10g of mango butter with either:
• 10g jojoba oil for a lighter, silkier glide
• 10g castor oil for a richer, glossier finish on dry ends

Softer balm variation: 50g Shea Butter; 25g Mango Butter; 15g Beeswax Pellets; 10g Jojoba Oil or Castor Oil

Help it stay fresher for longer - Add 0.5g Vitamin E oil, or a few drops, to help slow oxidation in the oil-based balm. Note: Vitamin E is an antioxidant, not a preservative. This balm does not need a preservative because it contains no water, but Vitamin E can help protect the quality of the butters and oils over time.

Add a calming winter scent - Add 6–10 drops lavender essential oil for a soft, calming scent.

Pro Tips & Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Patch test before first use, especially if adding essential oils. Do not apply to irritated or broken skin.
Use clean, dry hands or a small spatula to scoop out the balm. Because this is a water-free balm, keep water out of the jar to help maintain freshness.
If the balm feels too firm in cold weather, warm a little between your fingers before applying.
If the balm feels grainy over time, gently re-melt it and allow it to cool more quickly in the fridge.
For best results on dry skin, apply over slightly damp skin to help seal in moisture.
For fine hair, use very sparingly. Too much can make fine hair feel heavy.