Are you looking for a natural solution for dry skin? Crafting a beeswax salve recipe might be the answer you've been searching for.
Learn how to craft your own simple herbal salve recipe, a natural and effective alternative to storebought remedies.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
If you've been following our site for a while, you know that my girls and I have been experimenting with homemade recipes for natural health and beauty products. We've experimented with sugar scrubs, herb-infused oil recipes, and even calendula salve for chickens. And we've learned so much about the medicinal properties of different herbs as well as ingredients like coconut oil, beeswax, and essential oils.
Recently, facing winter at our off-grid home in the Canadian subarctic, I desperately needed a home remedy for my extremely dry hands and feet. I'm familiar with the benefits of natural ingredients like coconut oil, beeswax, and essential oils, so I just needed to find the best way to combine them into an herbal hand salve.
It took a few tries, but I'm really pleased with the final product. Now, I have a homemade salve that nourishes my skin and uses my favorite essential oils. Even better, this is a great recipe for treating minor skin conditions such as burns, cuts, scrapes, and more.
Understanding Salves
Salves have been around for ages. In fact, our first aid kit likely included lavender salve, balm of gilead, which is a salve made with poplar buds, and eucalyptus salve. It's my answer to storebought Vicks.
A salve is a thick, protective ointment made from oils and waxes. It's designed to promote healing and provide a barrier against external irritants. Salves often depend on natural oils and ingredients with healing properties, such as:
Coconut oil: Reduces inflammation and promotes wound healing with its antibacterial properties.
Beeswax: is a natural barrier to protect the skin while offering antimicrobial benefits.
Essential oils: Depending on the different properties of the various oils you could choose, they provide additional healing benefits, such as antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects.
The Difference Between Salves and Balms
While both salves and balms nourish and heal the skin, there are key differences in their composition and consistency. Salves typically have a softer consistency, using less beeswax and more herbal oils than balms. This makes salves easier to apply to the skin.
Balms, on the other hand, contain a higher ratio of beeswax. This creates a thicker texture ideal for forming a protective layer on the skin.
Why I Include Witch Hazel
When my hands are dry, they crack and bleed. And then I find they get easily irritated. So, I chose to add witch hazel to my beeswax salve recipe.
As a natural astringent, witch hazel soothes irritations, reduces inflammation, and helps the skin heal. It's a good idea to keep a bottle in your home remedy or apothecary cabinet.
Simple Homemade Beeswax Salve Recipe
⬇️Want the printable recipe card? It's at the bottom of this post.⬇️
This is a very simple recipe. Tailor the basic salve recipe to your specific needs and create your own medicinal herb salve by changing the essential oils.
Remember to follow Here's an easy beeswax salve recipe that serves as a great base recipe.
Ingredient List
Here's what you'll need to make this simple homemade beeswax salve. Gather your ingredients before you start.
- ½ cup high quality coconut oil
- ½ cup pure beeswax pellets
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel
- 10 drops good quality lavender essential oil
- 5 drops frankincense essential oil
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- Small lidded containers or mason jars
Make sure to use the best quality essential oils you can find. We've had good luck with oils from Young Living, DoTerra, and Saje.
Directions for Making Healing Beeswax Salve
These directions are for the double boiler method on a stove top but the first time I made it I used a microwave.
1. Combine beeswax pellets and the coconut oil in a double boiler or a heat-safe microwaveable bowl.
2. Heat for 1 minute, stir, then repeat in 30-second increments until entirely melted.
3. Stir in the witch hazel and essential oils, mixing well for about one minute.
4. Pour the mixture into two 4-ounce mason jars or several small tins. Cool completely before sealing.
This beeswax salve recipe makes just over 8 oz., enough to put a small amount in several tiny tins or lip balm tubes.
Store your homemade salve in a mason jar in a cool, dry place.
Herbal Beeswax Salve FAQs
Do you have questions about how to make your own healing salve at home? Leave them in the comments section below.
How long does homemade beeswax salve last?
Homemade beeswax salve can last up to a year when stored correctly in a cool, dry place. The antimicrobial properties of beeswax and essential oils help to preserve the salve and maintain its effectiveness.
Can I use other essential oils in my salve?
Yes, you can customize your own salve with different essential oils based on your needs. Tea tree oil is an excellent addition for its antibacterial properties, while sweet almond oil can be used as a carrier oil to dilute essential oils and add extra moisture.
What can I use if I don't have coconut oil?
You can substitute coconut oil with other carrier oils like jojoba, sweet almond, or organic olive oil if it is unavailable. Each oil offers its own unique properties and benefits, so choose one that best suits your skin's needs. If you prefer a softer salve, reduce the amount of beeswax slightly.
Making your own beeswax salves is simple and rewarding. You can create a versatile and effective remedy for everyday skin issues by choosing natural ingredients known for their healing properties. Customize your salve to meet your specific needs and enjoy the benefits of a natural, homemade healing salve.
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Homemade Beeswax Salve Recipe
Discover how to make a homemade beeswax salve recipe for dry skin relief, using natural ingredients like coconut oil and witch hazel.
Materials
- ½ cup Coconut oil
- ½ cup Beeswax pellets
- 1 Tablespoon witch hazel
- 10 drops of Lavender essential oil
- 5 Frankincense essential oil
- 10 drops of Lemon essential oil
- Small lidded containers or tins
Tools
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Mixing bowl
- Double boiler (optional)
Instructions
- Combine coconut oil and beeswax pellets in a double boiler or a heat-safe microwaveable container.
- Heat for 1 minute, stir, then repeat in 30-second increments until it's fully melted.
- Stir in essential oils and witch hazel, and stir well for a full minute to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Pour into tins or containers.
- Allow to completely cool and harden, refasten the lid, and store in a cool dry place.
Notes
This recipe makes just over 8 oz., so you have a good idea of how much you need. I made 4 full containers of the metal tins in the picture. You could also carefully pour the mixture into lip balm tubes and carry them around for a portable first aid kit!
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