Last Updated on February 11, 2025 by Veronica Sparks
If you’re looking for natural, skin-nourishing alternatives to store-bought ointments, homemade balms and salves are an excellent choice. By making your own, you can control the ingredients and avoid unnecessary chemicals while embracing a lifestyle centered around natural living. Whether you’re treating minor cuts, soothing sore muscles, or relieving skin irritations, these DIY remedies offer a safe and effective way to care for your skin.
About Balms and Salves
Balms and salves have been used for centuries to promote healing and protect the skin. They are typically made with a combination of oils, waxes, butters, and medicinal herbs, providing a deeply moisturizing and healing effect. If you’ve ever wondered how to create your own homemade balms and salves, this guide will walk you through the essentials, from key ingredients to four of our favorite DIY recipes.
Related Article: Grow Healing Herbs! Best Medicinal Herb Garden Seed Kits and Their Holistic Applications
Balms vs. Salves: What’s the Difference?
The terms “balm” and “salve” are often used interchangeably, but there are some subtle differences between the two.
What is a Balm?
Balms are typically firmer due to a higher ratio of wax to oil, making them ideal for lips, cuticles, and other applications in smaller areas requiring a thicker consistency.
What is a Salve?
Salves, on the other hand, have a softer, more spreadable texture with a lower wax content, making them perfect for skin-healing and soothing purposes on larger areas.
Understanding the distinction between balms and salves helps you choose the right formulation based on your skincare needs. Whether you’re looking for a protective barrier or a deeply penetrating treatment, both options have their benefits.
Before diving into recipes, it’s essential to have the right tools and utensils. Here’s a basic list of what you’ll need:
- Double boiler or heat-safe bowl – Used to gently melt waxes and butters without burning them.
- Glass jars or tins – Store your finished products in airtight containers for longevity.
- Measuring spoons and cups – Ensure accurate ingredient ratios for the best consistency.
- Wooden or silicone stirrer – Prevents contamination and helps blend ingredients evenly.
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer – Useful for straining infused oils when using herbs.
- Pipettes or droppers – Handy for measuring essential oils precisely.
Having the right tools makes the process smoother and ensures your homemade balms and salves have the right texture and effectiveness.
Best Ingredients for Homemade Balms and Salves
The effectiveness of homemade balms and salves comes down to the quality of the ingredients used. By selecting nourishing oils, waxes, butters, and essential oils, you can create highly effective remedies tailored to your skincare needs.
Wax
Waxes provide structure and consistency to balms and salves. Here are some options to consider:
- Beeswax – The most common option, providing a protective barrier while allowing the skin to breathe.
- Soy wax – A vegan-friendly alternative with a slightly softer texture.
- Candelilla wax – A plant-based wax similar to beeswax but with a firmer consistency.
- Carnauba wax – A hard wax often used in combination with softer oils and butters for durability.
Oil
Oils form the base of balms and salves, delivering deep hydration and nourishment. Some excellent options include:
- Sweet almond oil – Lightweight and gentle, ideal for sensitive skin.
- Jojoba oil – Closely mimics the skin’s natural sebum, making it deeply hydrating.
- Argan oil – Rich in antioxidants, great for anti-aging and skin repair.
- Olive oil – A deeply moisturizing oil with antibacterial properties.
- Coconut oil – Offers antimicrobial benefits while keeping the skin soft.
- Avocado oil – Packed with vitamins that promote skin regeneration.
- Vitamin E oil – Helps preserve the salve while providing additional skin benefits.
Butters
Butters add richness and creaminess to balms and salves, enhancing their moisturizing properties:
- Shea butter – Highly nourishing, great for dry and damaged skin.
- Cocoa butter – Offers a smooth texture and helps improve skin elasticity.
- Mango butter – Lightweight but deeply moisturizing, excellent for sensitive skin.
Essential Oils
Essential oils enhance the therapeutic benefits of balms and salves. Popular choices include lavender (calming), tea tree (antibacterial), eucalyptus (cooling), and peppermint (soothing for sore muscles).
Related Article: How to Make Your Own Essential Oils: A Step-by-Step Guide
Medicinal Herbs
Infusing oils with medicinal herbs increases the healing properties of homemade balms and salves. Consider using:
- Bergamot – Antiseptic and soothing for irritated skin.
- Yarrow – Helps stop bleeding and speeds up wound healing.
- Comfrey – Supports skin regeneration and tissue repair.
- Chamomile – Reduces inflammation and soothes sensitive skin.
- Cleavers – Detoxifying and gentle for eczema-prone skin.
- Calendula – A well-known herb for healing cuts, burns, and rashes.
- Thyme & Oregano – Powerful antibacterial properties for infection prevention.
4 of Our Favorite Homemade Balms and Salves
Now that you know the key ingredients, here are four homemade balms and salves to try:
1. Homemade Neosporin for Cuts and Scrapes
This homemade antibiotic ointment serves as a natural alternative to commercial antibacterial balms like Neosporin. Infused with healing herbs and essential oils, it promotes faster wound healing and reduces the risk of infection.
Homemade Antibiotic Ointment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Your homemade herb-infused oil
- 5 ounces Beeswax pellets
- 50 drops Tea tree essential oil (about 1/2 teaspoon)
- 25 drops Vitamin E oil
- 20 drops Lavender essential oil
- 10 drops Lemon essential oil
Instructions
- In a small pot, combine the beeswax pellets and herbal oil. Heat over very low heat until the beeswax is completely melted.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for a minute or two. This slight cooling helps to preserve the potency of the essential oils.
- Stir in the tea tree oil, vitamin E oil, lavender oil, and lemon oil using a wooden spoon. Make sure the oils are thoroughly mixed.
- Pour the mixture into a small sterilized container and allow it to cool until solid.
- Once solid, add a lid to the container and label it with the contents and the date. Store your homemade antibiotic ointment in a cool, dark place where it will keep for up to two years.
2. Lemon Balm Salve for Skin Irritations
Lemon balm contains antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent remedy for cold sores, bug bites, and general skin irritations.
Lemon Balm Salve
Ingredients
- 1 cup Lemon balm leaves (dried)
- 1/4 cup Carrier oil (olive oil, grapeseed oil, almond oil, etc.)
- 1/4 cup Wax (beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, etc.)
Instructions
- Blend lemon balm leaves with carrier oil.
- Heat in a double boiler on low heat for two hours to infuse.
- Strain, return to the pot, and add wax.
- Heat until added ingredient melts completely.
- Transfer to a sealable glass container to cool.
- Store for up to 6 months for topical treatments.
3. Chamomile Salve for Sore Muscles
Chamomile is renowned for its calming properties, making this salve perfect for soothing tired or sore muscles. Combined with essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus, it offers a relaxing and pain-relieving effect.
Chamomile Salve
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Chamomile leaves and flowers (dried)
- 1 cup Carrier oil (avocado oil, olive oil, etc.)
- 1 tbsp Wax (beeswax, soy wax, etc.)
- 10 drops Chamomile essential oil
Instructions
- Blend chamomile leaves and flowers with carrier oil.
- Heat in a double boiler on low heat for two hours to infuse.
- Strain, return to the pot, and add wax.
- Heat until added ingredient melts completely.
- Transfer to a sealable glass container to cool.
- Add chamomile essential oil and mix.
- Store for up to 6 months for topical treatments.
4. Homemade Burn Salve
This salve is designed to treat minor burns and sunburns, combining these skin-healing ingredients:
- Honey – Natural antibacterial and moisturizing agent.
- Olive oil – Deeply hydrating and anti-inflammatory.
- Lavender oil – Promotes healing and reduces scarring.
- Beeswax – Forms a protective barrier on the skin.
- Aloe vera – Soothes and cools burns.
- Essential oils – Further enhance the healing process.
Homemade Burn Salve
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Honey (raw, organic preferred)
- 2 olive oil Olive oil (extra virgin for best results)
- 1 tbsp Wax (beeswax, soy wax, etc)
- 1 tbsp Aloe vera gel (pure, without additives)
- 10 drops Lavender essential oil
- 5 drops Tea tree essential oil (optional, for extra antibacterial benefits)
Tips for Making a Homemade Salve or Balm
- Use high-quality ingredients – Opt for organic oils, butters, and waxes to ensure purity and effectiveness.
- Store properly – Keep your balms and salves in airtight containers away from heat and sunlight to extend their shelf life.
- Test before use – Always do a patch test to check for allergic reactions, especially when using essential oils.
- Experiment with textures – Adjust the ratio of wax to oil to create the consistency that suits your needs best.
Start Making Your Homemade Balms and Salves Today!
Making your own homemade balms and salves is a rewarding way to embrace natural living while taking care of your skin. With the right ingredients and a little creativity, you can craft effective remedies tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re treating wounds, soothing sore muscles, or nourishing dry skin, these DIY solutions offer a simple and chemical-free approach to skincare.