Moisturizing Hand Salve Recipe

DIY Hand Salve Recipe for Dry Hands (and Feet)

Homemade salves in tins

Tired of dealing with dry, cracked hands from everyday chores? It's time to take matters into your own hands with a simple solution: homemade hand salve. Skip the store-bought products filled with unknown chemicals and craft your own nourishing blend using natural ingredients. Let's explore a range of skin-friendly herbs to help soothe, moisturize, and heal your hardworking hands; give your hands the care they deserve.

There are a variety of herbs that offer moisturizing, skin soothing, and healing properties. I have included a list of herbs to consider using in making your own moisturizing salve, but if you do not have any of these on hand, try making a salve with just oil, beeswax, and skin-nourishing essential oils such as lavender, patchouli, frankincense, German chamomile, cedarwood, sandalwood or vetiver.

bowl of vibrant calendula blossoms

Skin Nourishing Herbs

Calendula: Soothes inflammation, promotes wound healing, and moisturizes dry skin

Common Yard Daisies: Contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to soothe irritated skin and promote healing

Kelp: Rich in vitamins and minerals that nourish and hydrate the skin, improving its overall health and appearance

Lavender: Calms and soothes irritated skin, reduces redness, and has antimicrobial properties that can help prevent infection

Licorice Root: Contains compounds that can brighten the skin, reduce inflammation, and soothe irritation, while moisturizing the skin

Linden: Has demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective for soothing sensitive skin

Mallows (common mallow, hollyhock, marshmallow, hibiscus): Contain mucilage, and have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help soothe and hydrate dry, irritated skin

Olive Leaf: Rich in antioxidants, with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which can help protect the skin from damage and soothe inflammation

Peach Leaves: Are mildly demulcent and mildly astringent with antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties, great for moisturizing and soothing skin affected by allergies.

Plantain: Has soothing, anti-inflammatory effects on the skin while also offering demulcent and skin-healing properties.

Purple Dead Nettle: Contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, offering soothing relief of the skin.

Rosemary: Stimulates circulation, tightens and tones the skin, while also moisturizing the skin.

Tulsi (holy basil): Contains anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties while also hydrating the skin to produce soft, nourished skin.

Violet: Known for its lymph-moving abilities, violet also offers soothing of the skin with its antioxidants and demulcent properties

fresh peach leaves

What is a salve?

Salves are sometimes also referred to as ointments or balms. Salves are a semi-solid topical preparation made with oil and beeswax. Unlike store-bought skincare products, homemade salves are free from harmful synthetic chemicals, giving you complete control over what goes onto your skin. Salves have a variety of uses, such as soothing irritated skin, calming bites or stings, moisturizing, healing wounds, vapor rub, lip balm, or solid perfume. The first salve I made was a hand moisturizer for my daughter, and we have both been hooked ever since.

Oil

You can use plain oil or opt for an herb-infused oil for added benefits and enjoyment. You can use any oil, or combination of oil or butter you like, such as almond oil, argan oil, avocado oil, baobab oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, kpangnan butter, mango butter, or olive oil. Each oil or butter offers different properties, so have fun experimenting with different combinations. But when getting started, you may prefer to use whichever oil you have readily available in your cupboard.

Herb Infused Oil

I prefer to make my infused oils with dried or partially wilted plants as water in oil promotes mold growth. More often than not I will use the folk method (eyeballing to fill the jar 1/2-2/3 full of herbs) and do a slow infusion over about a month. I recommend cutting your herbs into small pieces, or even powderizing them so that there is more surface area of herb interacting with oil, allowing for more infusion potential. For more information on how to make an herbally infused oil, you can check out my article, Herbal Infused Oils - Why and How.

beeswax pastilles

Moisturizing Hand Salve Recipe

• 2 parts licorice root

• 1 part lavender flowers and leaves

• 1 part rosemary leaves

• almond oil or olive oil

• beeswax

• lavender- frankincense essential oil (optional)

1. Fill a mason jar halfway to two-thirds full with the herbs.

2. Add enough oil to cover the herbs, leaving some space at the top of the jar.

3. Label and seal the jar, then set it aside for 4-6 weeks for slow infusion, or use a double boiler to gently heat the mixture for several hours.

4. Once the oil is infused, strain off the herbs.

5. In a double boiler over low-medium heat, melt the beeswax. You can heat the beeswax with some or all of your infused oil, or wait to add the oil until the beeswax is melted. Use minimal heat and time to prevent degradation of the oils.

6. If adding essential oils, allow the melted beeswax-oil blend to cool slightly before adding them. For a 0.5% dilution, add up to 24 drops of essential oil per cup; for a 1% dilution, add up to 48 drops per cup; for a 2% dilution, add up to 96 drops per cup. Stir well to disperse the essential oils.

7. Pour the mixture into salve tins or small jars. Be sure to label your final product with the ingredients and date you made it.

8. For easier clean-up after melting beeswax, wipe the container with a paper towel before the wax hardens. If the wax hardens, reheat it to remelt it. Clean the container with soap and hot water afterward.

Experiment and Enjoy!

Now that you have the basics of creating your own hand salve, it's time to let your creativity run wild! Don't be afraid to switch up the herbs, proportions, or essential oils to suit your preferences or address specific skin concerns. Maybe you want to infuse some vibrant violet for its soothing properties or add invigorating peppermint essential oil for an energizing twist. The possibilities are endless!

Embrace the process and have fun experimenting with natural ingredients in your skincare routine. Your hands (and feet) will thank you for the extra love and care.

Happy crafting!