Balm Stick Base Ingredients

To create a facial balm stick similar to Korean products, which comes in a stick format like a lipstick, the main ingredients used for building the stick base are Waxes and Butters with high melting points. These ingredients help the balm solidify and maintain its stick shape at room temperature.

Each type of wax has different properties and melting points, which affect the hardness, gloss, and texture of the balm. Examples of waxes commonly used in stick formulations include:

• Synthetic Wax: Available in various melting points, allowing formulators to achieve desired hardness. It often provides gloss and helps the product adhere well to the skin.
• Ceresin Wax: A wax that helps increase the viscosity and stability of the balm base. It is available in different hardness grades.
• Sunflower Wax: A natural wax with a relatively high melting point, contributing to the hardness and shape retention of the stick.
• Tribehenin: A soft wax with special characteristics, such as being non-crystalline (no rough flakes), providing shine, and improving product pay-off on the skin.
• Ozokerite Wax: A wax that helps enhance the stability and viscosity of the product.

In addition to waxes, Cetyl Palmitate, an ester with a wax-like texture, may be used. It helps make the texture smooth and acts as an emollient.

When developing a balm stick formula, the proportions of different waxes, oils, and other butters, as well as active ingredients (such as sunscreens or skin conditioning agents), must be adjusted to achieve the desired texture, hardness, and properties, whether it's a sunscreen balm, sleeping balm, or cream balm.