DIY Moisturizing Hand Salve Recipe

Loads of dishes, gardening, cold weather <<< Whatever’s got your hands feeling chapped and dry, this easy hand salve recipe is just the TLC they need. It’s perfect for chalky skin and cuticles, and making it is literally a simple melt-and-pour process. Although it’s based on my calendula salve recipe, there are two important differences:

• You don’t need any herbs to make it (although you can use them if you want to)
• It’s a thicker, more intensive moisturizer than your typical salve

I’ve been applying it at night after I say goodnight to my littles, and once more at bedtime. I pop some cotton gloves on on my hands to keep my sheets clean, and by morning my dry hands are soft again. 

So, what is hand salve?

Basically, it’s a mixture of oil and beeswax that acts as a deeply moisturizing, protective emollient. In this recipe I’ve also incorporated unrefined shea butter because it’s naturally rich in vitamin E and adds thickness. 

You can use just about any oil you have in your kitchen or bathroom to make it – olive, avocado, almond, etc. If you have skin nourishing herbs like calendula, comfrey or plantain on hand for making tea or other herbal preparations, you can infuse them into your oil for extra TLC. 

Here are step-by-step instructions on making all three: 

• Calendula infused oil –  Gentle enough for babies and yet potent enough to draw the attention of researchers, calendula flowers are the “secret ingredient” behind many beloved face serums and lip balms.
• Comfrey infused oil – Sometimes called knitbone or All Heal, comfrey has been used for centuries to support bone and wound healing. It’s also often used in skincare products due to its moisturizing properties.
• Plantain infused oil – Plantain is sometimes called the “band aid” plant because – thanks to the presence of iridoids – it has a very soothing, anti-inflammatory effect on skin. It also contains allantoin, which supports skin healing.

Want More DIY Recipes?

Here are a few of my most popular ones:

3- Ingredient Pure Coconut Oil Soap – When it comes to soap, this is probably the easiest recipe you’ll ever make, and it can be modified for use as a very effective laundry soap.

Easy Homemade Deodorant – Summer-tested and husband approved, this recipe takes less than 5 minutes to make and WORKS!

Magnesium Body Butter – Magnesium is often called the “magic mineral” due to it’s ability to relax muscles, help with stress, support restful sleep, and ease growing pains for littles Unfortunately for some people, magnesium oil can cause an itchy or uncomfortable sensation when applied in undiluted form. In this recipe, I’ve blended it with coconut oil and beeswax to ensure that it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin.

This body butter recipe incorporates magnesium, which is often called the “magic mineral” due to its ability to relax muscles and support restful sleep.

Dandelion Salve Recipe – Rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids, this salve works beautifully as an all-purpose healing balm for cuts, scrapes, burns, bug bites, chapped skin and more. According to this study, both dandelion flower and leaf extracts protect against UVB-related photoaging and senescence (aging at the cellular level).

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