DIY Homemade Bug Bite Balm for Kids

As summer rolls in, Moms’ of young children are looking for natural, DIY remedies - that they can make at home -  to keep their children comfortable and happy. For many, summer means getting bitten by bugs, like mosquitos, flies and spiders.  And that means, itchy, inflamed skin that can make your little ones miserable. 

Fortunately, there are soothing and simple, plant-based solutions you can create at home to make these pesky bites feel like they’ve disappeared. In this blog post, let’s guide you through a simple homemade bug bite balm recipe that uses 100% natural carrier oils, waxes, and essential oils. This easy-to-make bug bite balm recipe for kids is perfect if you are looking for natural remedies for your kids, and want to feel confident using the safest botanical ingredients.

This bug bite balm recipe using essential oils not only instantly soothes itchiness but also helps make the puffiness go away, promoting faster healing. By harnessing the power of these specific natural ingredients, you can make sure your children will feel immediate relief while avoiding the harsh chemicals often found in over-the-counter products. 

Keep reading to see the specific ingredients you'll need and step-by-step instructions to create this soothing, effective bug bite balm. Get ready to help your kids really enjoy the outdoors without being completely distracted from itching!

Here is what you’ll need to make your DIY Bug Bite Balm recipe for kids using Essential Oils: 

●       5 one ounce aluminum salve tins or glass jars - you will need these to pour your salves into once you make them. Like these.

●       Heat source, like an electric hotplate or your kitchen stove top - you need this to help slowly melt all the ingredients together.

●       Double boiler or bain-marie - you need to gently “cook” all the ingredients.  A double boiler, or bain-marie is a kind of kitchen pot that uses steam to gently warm ingredients. The bottom pot holds about an inch or 2 of water, and is placed directly on the heat source. A special double boiler pot has ridges around the edges of the pot that can easily stack another pot on top of it, allowing the steam from the bottom pot to gently warm the ingredients in the upper pot.  If you don’t have access to this special double boiler pot, you can use a set up that’s called a bain-marie, where you place a glass or metal bowl over the bottom pot so that the steam from the pot can warm the ingredients in the bowl.  The whole point of a double boiler or bain-marie is not to heat the ingredients directly, but to use steam instead. Here is what one looks like.

●       Mixing tools, like a stainless steel spoon, or disposable wooden sticks, like popsicle sticks.

●       Various small glass bowls, measuring cups and spoons to place your ingredients in.

●       A digital scale that can measure amounts to .00, and has a “tare” feature and can easily switch between grams and ounces.

●       Paper Towel

●       Oven Mit

●       Parchment Paper

●       Blank address labels, or stickers to apply to each jar as your label.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make 5-ounce homemade Bug Bite Balm for Kids:

●       ½ ounce of beeswax, we recommend using beeswax pellets so you can get a more accurate measurement.  We use beeswax in the recipe because beeswax gives the salve its nice creamy texture, and feels soft and protective on the skin.

●       2 ounces of Tamanu Carrier Oil. We are using Tamanu Oil in this recipe because it has been shown to not only make the skin feel stronger and better protected, but it is also loaded with molecules that fight back swelling, irritation while supporting the skin to recover.

●       2 ounces of Jojoba Carrier Oil.  We are using Jojoba Oil in this recipe because it offers a smooth and nourishing experience and doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy or oily.

●       1 tsp of Vitamin E Carrier Oil.  We are adding this to our recipe because Vitamin E is a great antioxidant and can help your salve stay fresher longer. Plus it has so many skin benefits like promoting our skin to repair itself.

Here are the Essential Oils for salves:

●       10  Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

●       8 drops of Palmarosa Essential Oil

●       20 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil

●       20 drops of Patchouli Essential Oil

●       10 drops of Geranium Essential Oil

Here is how you make it:

1. Thoroughly clean and disinfect a counter or table top in your kitchen, and line a 18 inch area with parchment paper
2. Open up all the jars and tins you’ll be using, and set them on top of the parchment paper.
3. Using your digital scale, measure out the beeswax and set aside
4. Measure out the Tamanu Carrier Oil, Jojoba Carrier Oil and Vitamin E and mix them together in a separate measuring cup and set aside.
5. In a small glass cup, or bowl, or measuring cup, mix together all the essential oils and set aside.
6. Fill the bottom pot piece of your double boiler with 1 to 2 inches of water and warm over your heat source until it starts to steam.
7. Place the top piece of your double boiler pot, or set up a bowl like a bain-marie so it rests above the steaming water in the bottom pot.
8. Add the wax to the top pot, or bowl and let it melt thoroughly.
9. Once it is melted, add the blended Carrier Oils and stir thoroughly over the heat until everything is melted and well incorporated
10. Turn off heat, and using your oven mit, lift the top pot, or bowl, off the bottom pot and wipe the sides and bottom dry with your paper towel, so no water is left dripping.
11. Add your essential oil mixture to the melted mixture and stir well.
12. Carefully pour the mixture into each jar or tin and cap quickly.
13. Let the salves set on your table or counter top for at least 4 hours.
14. Label each jar or tin: Now it's ready to use!

How to use your homemade Bug Bite Balm

In conclusion, making your own homemade bug bite balm with essential oils and carrier oils is a natural, effective way to soothe your children's itchy and inflamed skin. By using safe, plant-based ingredients, you can ensure fast, gentle relief without harsh chemicals. 

To use, simply apply a small amount of the balm directly to the bug bite, gently massaging it into the skin. This will help reduce itching and inflammation, while instantly giving quick comfort for your little ones. Keep this balm handy throughout the summer for immediate relief, allowing your kids to enjoy their outdoor adventures itch-free and happy.