Eye Balms

General Recipe:

1. Wax (10-20%): Beeswax or a vegan alternative like carnauba or candelilla wax. This will help solidify the balm and provide a protective barrier on the skin.

2. Butters (20-40%): Such as shea, cocoa, or mango butter. These give the balm its creamy consistency and add moisturizing properties.

3. Oils (30-50%): Choose from oils like jojoba, almond, or argan oil. These contribute to the balm's spreadability and also add nourishing benefits.

4. Active Ingredients (2-10%): These will provide the main benefits of your product. This could include ingredients like peptides for anti-aging, caffeine for de-puffing, or specific vitamins (like vitamin E) for their antioxidant properties.

5. Emulsifiers (0-5%): If your balm is anhydrous (without water), you don't need emulsifiers. However, if your formula contains water-soluble actives, you'll need an emulsifier to mix oil and water phases.

6. Preservatives (0.5-2%): In anhydrous balms, preservatives may not be necessary. But if there is any chance water could be introduced (from fingers dipping into the balm), it's better to be safe and include a broad-spectrum preservative. Examples include phenoxyethanol or ethylhexylglycerin.

7. Additional Ingredients (0-5%): This might include antioxidants, essential oils for fragrance, or other skin-beneficial extracts.

Eye balms are usually thicker than creams or serums, providing intense hydration for dry skin. They often contain ingredients like oils and butters to deeply moisturize and nourish the skin.