Apricot Kernel Nose Balm
A small soft balm for a cold-season nose: apricot kernel oil is light and unfussy, beeswax gives it staying power, and shea butter cushions skin rubbed thin by tissues.
You will need
- 1 tbsp apricot kernel oil
- 1 tsp beeswax pastilles
- 1 tsp shea butter
The ritual
- Melt the beeswax and shea butter over barely simmering water until clear.
- Stir in the apricot kernel oil away from the heat.
- Pour into a tiny tin or lip pot and leave to set for thirty minutes.
- Dab a little around the nostrils and under the nose with a clean fingertip.
- Reapply after each round of blowing your nose, not once a day.
Why these ingredients
- 1 tbsp apricot kernel oil
- A light oil that sinks in fast, which matters on a face where a heavy, greasy balm would show all day.
- 1 tsp beeswax pastilles
- Holds the balm on skin that gets wiped constantly, so one dab survives more than a single tissue.
- 1 tsp shea butter
- Cushions the raw, thin-feeling corners where the tissue keeps landing, and gives the balm its soft texture.
Easy swaps
- 1 tbsp apricot kernel oil → sunflower or jojoba oil if nut-family oils are out.
- 1 tsp beeswax pastilles → candelilla wax at half the amount.
- 1 tsp shea butter → cocoa butter, or a little more oil for a softer pot.
Keep it clean
Mix with freshly washed hands and clean, dry bowls and spoons. If a recipe is stored, use a jar or bottle washed in hot soapy water and dried completely, and never dip wet fingers into the batch.
Storage & when to let go
Keeps four months in a sealed tin. Use a clean fingertip each time, since a pot carried about during a cold picks up plenty.
What to expect — honestly
The corners of your nose feel cushioned rather than raw, and blowing it stops stinging quite so much. That is comfort while a cold runs its course. It will not shorten the cold or stop the skin flaking once it has started.
Common questions
Is it safe this close to my nose?
On the skin around the nostrils, yes. Do not push balm up inside the nose, which is a different thing entirely and not one for a home mix.
Can children use it?
Over the age of one, a little on the outside of the nose is fine. Patch test first and keep it well away from their eyes and mouth.
This recipe is shared for general cosmetic enjoyment, not medical advice — see how we research and write in our editorial policy and the full safety guide.
