What you can use instead of chapstick and recipes to make your own

Do you have any idea what's in your chapstick? Live Clear reports many chapsticks contain parabens, linked to breast cancer; BHT, a possible carcinogenic linked with reproductive toxicity; and chemical sunscreens that can alter sperm production in men and cause endometriosis in women.

Avoid these and other dangerous ingredients by making your own chapstick or using simple home remedy alternatives.

1. Shea butter. Found in your neighborhood drugstore, shea butter is a fabulous moisturizer rich in vitamins A, E, K, and F (fatty acids). Beauty Munsta recommends mixing essential oils like sweet orange or geranium into a jar of shea butter to create a delicious smelling substitute.

2. Butter. When you think about it, it makes sense, right? Butter is fatty, which means it is fabulously protective and highly moisturizing. Beauty Munsta says you'll be surprised by how soothing butter can be on chapped lips.

3. Coconut oil. This is a clear go-to. Beauty Munsta touts coconut oil for its cooling effect on chapped lips. If your jar is rock hard in the cool winter months, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds until the oil reaches a lusciously creamy consistency.

4. DIY lip scrub. Make a home remedy for chapped lips from 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil and 1/2 teaspoon brown or white sugar. Gently rub the scrub over chapped lips using circular motions. Rinse your lips with warm water, pat dry, and immediately moisturize with coconut oil. Livestrong says this is a final step after hydrating and stopping licking your lips to treating chapped chops.

5. Honey. The only danger with this home remedy is licking it off too quickly for it to work. According to Beauty Munsta, honey seals in moisture and has the added benefit of adding serious shine to your lips.

6. Castor oil. You're likely to have castor oil in your pantry. The thick density of castor oil makes it ideal for healing deep, painful cracks. Beauty Musta says a single drop can work wonders.

7. DIY lip rescue. Beautiful Healthy Mom uses organic honey, olive oil, and cocoa butter to make a healing lip rescue without beeswax or vaseline. The beauty of this recipe is that you're likely to be able to make it right now with ingredients you have at home. See the video below for more details.

8. Coconut oil lip balm. This easy recipe video from The Squishy Monster uses just two ingredients. Beeswax may seem like an obscure ingredient, but you can in fact find it in major retailers like Walmart and Walgreens. An expert tip from WhatsUpMoms is to add healing essential oils like peppermint and lipstick for a pop of color.

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