Embracing the power of natural ingredients can transform your skincare routine into a luxurious and effective self-care ritual.
This curated collection of DIY recipes focuses on creating soothing balms and salves that harness the goodness of nature for visibly healthier skin.
Discover simple, nourishing recipes designed to comfort, protect, and revitalize, bringing you closer to a natural glow..
Table of Contents
1. All-Natural Salve Base Recipe
Discover the versatility of this simple salve base, perfect for creating customized remedies for all your skin needs.
Crafted with organic beeswax, cocoa butter, and extra virgin olive oil, it's wonderfully gentle and protective.
This base is ideal for soothing rough patches, minor irritations, and can be easily enhanced with your favorite infusions or essential oils to suit specific concerns, leaving skin feeling soft and nourished..
Key Ingredients:
- Organic Beeswax
- Organic Cocoa Butter
- Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Benefits:
- Gentle and Protective
- Moisture Sealing
- Soothing for Sensitive Skin
- Customizable
Pro Tip: For a truly customized scent, infuse your carrier oil with herbs like calendula for healing or lavender for relaxation before making the salve base.
Get the Recipe: All-Natural Salve Base Recipe
2. Soothing Chickweed Salve for Irritated Skin
This simple DIY Chickweed Salve is a powerhouse for calming itchy, irritated skin.
Chickweed, known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, helps alleviate redness and discomfort from rashes, eczema, and bug bites.
It also provides a natural cooling effect and moisturizes dry, cracked skin, making it a gentle yet effective remedy for the whole family..
Key Ingredients:
- Chickweed
- Carrier Oil (e.g., Avocado Oil)
- Beeswax
Benefits:
- Soothes Itchy Skin
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Natural Cooling Effect
- Promotes Wound Healing
- Moisturizing
Pro Tip: For a softer salve consistency, use slightly less beeswax; for a firmer balm, increase it slightly.
Get the Recipe: Soothing Chickweed Salve for Irritated Skin
3. Nourishing Lemon Balm Salve
Experience the refreshing and soothing benefits of this Homemade Lemon Balm Salve.
Perfect for minor skin irritations, dry patches, and insect bites, this salve offers natural relief with a delightful lemony scent.
Its calming properties can ease discomfort, while it also acts as a wonderful natural moisturizer, leaving your skin feeling hydrated and revitalized..
Key Ingredients:
- Lemon Balm Leaves
- Carrier Oil (e.g., Olive Oil, Coconut Oil)
- Beeswax
Benefits:
- Soothes Minor Cuts and Scrapes
- Relieves Dry, Cracked Skin
- Provides Relief from Insect Bites
- Natural Moisturizer
Pro Tip: For an extra boost, consider adding a few drops of lavender or tea tree essential oil for enhanced skin benefits.
Get the Recipe: Nourishing Lemon Balm Salve
4. Restorative Headache Balm
Find natural relief from headaches and tension with this easy-to-make Headache Balm.
Formulated with soothing essential oils like copaiba, marjoram, and lavender, it helps relax tense muscles and ease discomfort.
The nourishing base of beeswax, olive oil, and coconut oil also keeps your skin soft and moisturized, making it a comforting balm for aches and pains..
Key Ingredients:
- Beeswax
- Coconut Oil
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Copaiba Essential Oil
- Marjoram Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Relieves Tension and Aches
- Promotes Relaxation
- Moisturizes Skin
- Supports Blood Flow
Pro Tip: For sinus headaches, try adding eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil to help open up sinuses.
Get the Recipe: Restorative Headache Balm
5. Creamy Shea Butter Body Balm
Indulge in this luscious Shea Butter Body Balm, designed to deeply moisturize dry skin.
Made with simple, all-natural ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, and nourishing oils, it's perfect for tackling winter dryness, soothing chapped lips, and conditioning hands and feet.
You can easily customize its scent with your favorite essential oils for a truly personal touch..
Key Ingredients:
- Shea Butter
- Beeswax
- Coconut Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Vitamin E Oil (optional)
Benefits:
- Intense Moisturization
- Soothes Dry Skin
- Conditions Lips, Hands, and Feet
- Tames Flyaways
Pro Tip: Add citrus essential oils like lemon or grapefruit for an uplifting scent that can boost your mood.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Shea Butter Body Balm
6. Extreme Chapped Hand Salve
Combat extreme dryness with this deeply nourishing salve specifically designed for chapped hands.
This potent recipe aims to provide lasting relief and protection to your skin, working effectively to soothe and repair even the most distressed hands.
A little goes a long way with this concentrated formula, ensuring your hands feel soft and cared for..
Key Ingredients:
- Specific ingredients not detailed in provided snippet, but implied to be nourishing for hands.
Benefits:
- Soothes and Repairs
- Protects Against Dryness
- Deeply Nourishing
Pro Tip: Always perform a small spot test on your skin before widespread application to ensure no allergic reactions.
Get the Recipe: Extreme Chapped Hand Salve
7. 3-in-1 Beauty Balm: Cleanse, Mask, Moisturize
Simplify your routine with this versatile 3-in-1 Beauty Balm that cleanses, masks, and moisturizes.
Packed with anti-aging ingredients like rosehip seed oil and pomegranate seed oil, it nourishes and rejuvenates dry and aging skin.
This multi-tasking balm is a luxurious treat that leaves your skin feeling exceptionally soft, supple, and radiant..
Key Ingredients:
- Rosehip Seed Oil
- Pomegranate Seed Oil
- Marula Oil
- Mango Butter
- Camelina Oil
- Beeswax
Benefits:
- Cleanses Effectively
- Deeply Moisturizes
- Boosts Collagen Production
- Restores Elasticity
- Reduces Appearance of Age Spots
Pro Tip: For optimal absorption when using as a moisturizer, gently pat the balm onto damp skin after toning.
Get the Recipe: 3-in-1 Beauty Balm: Cleanse, Mask, Moisturize
8. Lip Balm for Cold Sores with Lemon Balm
Soothe and heal cold sores with this natural Lip Balm infused with the antiviral power of lemon balm.
Combined with nourishing beeswax and tallow, plus essential oils like melissa, peppermint, and tea tree, this balm offers effective relief from symptoms.
It deeply nourishes and protects your lips, helping to calm irritation and speed up healing..
Key Ingredients:
- Lemon Balm-Infused Olive Oil
- Beeswax
- Grass-Fed Tallow
- Melissa Essential Oil
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Antiviral Properties
- Soothes Cold Sore Symptoms
- Nourishes and Protects Lips
- Promotes Healing
Pro Tip: Use a clean Q-tip or applicator each time you apply to a cold sore to avoid contamination.
Get the Recipe: Lip Balm for Cold Sores with Lemon Balm
9. Soothing Sleep Salve with Lavender & Chamomile
Drift into a peaceful slumber with this calming sleep salve.
Infused with the gentle aromas of lavender and chamomile, this balm is designed to help you unwind naturally.
Its rich blend of coconut oil and beeswax nourishes the skin while the essential oils encourage relaxation.
A small amount massaged onto your wrists or temples before bed can make a world of difference for a restful night..
Key Ingredients:
- Lavender flowers
- Chamomile flowers
- Coconut oil
- Beeswax
- Cedarwood essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
Benefits:
- Promotes relaxation
- Supports restful sleep
- Moisturizes skin
Pro Tip: If you're short on time for infusing herbs, you can gently heat them with the oil in a double boiler for a few hours to speed up the process.
Get the Recipe: Soothing Sleep Salve with Lavender & Chamomile
10. Nourishing Dandelion Salve for Aches and Dry Skin
Harness the gentle power of dandelions with this deeply soothing salve.
Perfect for spring, this recipe uses dandelion-infused oil, shea butter, and beeswax to create a balm that’s wonderfully moisturizing for dry, cracked skin.
Its natural properties make it ideal for soothing tired muscles and joints, offering a touch of natural relief right from your backyard..
Key Ingredients:
- Dandelion flowers
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Shea butter
- Beeswax
Benefits:
- Soothes dry skin
- Relieves muscle aches
- Anti-inflammatory
Pro Tip: Ask permission before foraging dandelions from someone's yard, and always be sure they haven't been sprayed with any harmful chemicals.
Get the Recipe: Nourishing Dandelion Salve for Aches and Dry Skin
11. Invigorating Menthol & Eucalyptus Muscle Balm
Soothe tired muscles with this wonderfully refreshing menthol and eucalyptus balm.
It's designed to cool and comfort your body after a workout or a long day.
The blend of sweet almond oil, babassu oil, and beeswax creates a smooth texture, while menthol crystals and eucalyptus essential oil offer a truly invigorating sensation..
Key Ingredients:
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Babassu Oil
- Beeswax
- Menthol Crystals
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Blue Tansy Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Cooling sensation
- Soothes tired muscles
- Refreshing aroma
Pro Tip: Menthol crystals offer a cooling sensation that can also help ease congestion when inhaled.
Get the Recipe: Invigorating Menthol & Eucalyptus Muscle Balm
12. Calming Magnesium Balm for Daily Wellness
Incorporate essential magnesium into your routine with this easy DIY balm.
It's a simple way to nourish your body transdermally.
Combining magnesium oil with moisturizing shea butter, avocado oil, and beeswax, this balm feels wonderfully rich and smooth on the skin.
A touch of essential oil makes it even more comforting..
Key Ingredients:
- Magnesium oil
- Avocado oil
- Shea butter
- Beeswax
- Essential oil (lavender/Roman chamomile recommended)
Benefits:
- Transdermal magnesium
- Moisturizing
- Soothing
Pro Tip: You can easily make your own magnesium oil by dissolving magnesium flakes in hot water.
Get the Recipe: Calming Magnesium Balm for Daily Wellness
13. Powerful Oregano Salve for Skin and Muscles
Discover the potent benefits of oregano in this versatile homemade salve.
Known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this balm is a must-have for your natural remedy collection.
It's excellent for soothing skin irritations, minor cuts, and even sore muscles, leaving your skin feeling nourished and protected..
Key Ingredients:
- Oregano
- Carrier oil (grapeseed recommended)
- Beeswax
- Oregano essential oil
Benefits:
- Antibacterial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Soothes skin irritations
- Relieves muscle aches
Pro Tip: Always perform a patch test if you have sensitive skin, as oregano can be quite potent.
Get the Recipe: Powerful Oregano Salve for Skin and Muscles
14. All-Natural DIY Headache Balm
Find sweet relief with this all-natural DIY headache balm.
Instead of a roller, this solid balm is easy to carry and apply directly to tension points.
A thoughtful blend of coconut oil, sweet almond oil, beeswax, and a mix of calming essential oils like frankincense, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, and basil work together to soothe discomfort..
Key Ingredients:
- Coconut oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Beeswax
- Frankincense essential oil
- Rosemary essential oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Basil essential oil
Benefits:
- Soothes tension
- Calming aroma
- Convenient balm form
Pro Tip: If you don't have a double boiler, a glass bowl set over a pot of simmering water works perfectly.
Get the Recipe: All-Natural DIY Headache Balm
15. Soothing Lemon Balm Salve for Skin and Sores
This lemon balm salve is a gentle yet powerful ally for your skin.
Known for its antiviral and calming properties, it's especially effective for soothing cold sores, bug bites, and other skin irritations.
The blend of lemon balm infused oil and beeswax creates a nourishing balm that helps calm, heal, and protect your skin..
Key Ingredients:
- Dried lemon balm leaves
- Carrier oil (avocado or jojoba recommended)
- Beeswax
- Lysine powder (optional)
- Essential oils (optional)
Benefits:
- Antiviral properties
- Soothes skin irritations
- Calming effect
- Aids healing
Pro Tip: You can use the chewed or crushed fresh lemon balm leaves directly on bee stings and bug bites for quick relief.
Get the Recipe: Soothing Lemon Balm Salve for Skin and Sores
16. Multipurpose Herbal Salve Base
This guide provides a foundational recipe for creating versatile herbal salves.
By combining infused oils with beeswax, you can create a nourishing balm perfect for a variety of skin needs.
Whether you're targeting dryness, inflammation, or seeking simple skin hydration, this easy-to-make salve is a wonderful addition to your natural skincare arsenal..
Key Ingredients:
- Infused oil
- Beeswax
- Essential oils (optional)
- Vitamin E oil (optional)
Benefits:
- Skin hydration
- Nourishing barrier
- Versatile base
- Long shelf-life
Pro Tip: Test the consistency of your salve by placing a drop in the freezer for a few minutes before it fully hardens.
Get the Recipe: Multipurpose Herbal Salve Base
17. Goldenrod Salve for Muscles and Skin
Discover the healing touch of goldenrod with this effective multipurpose salve.
Its name, meaning 'to make whole,' reflects its beneficial properties.
This balm is wonderful for soothing sore muscles, achy joints, and minor injuries due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
It also works beautifully to heal and soothe the skin, making it a fantastic 'boo boo balm' for kids and great for chapped lips..
Key Ingredients:
- Goldenrod
- Olive oil
- Cacao butter
- Beeswax
- Rosemary essential oil (optional)
Benefits:
- Reduces pain and swelling
- Soothes skin
- Promotes healing
- Moisturizing
Pro Tip: Using dried or wilted herbs helps prevent your infused oil from going rancid.
Get the Recipe: Goldenrod Salve for Muscles and Skin
18. Herbal Burn Salve with Plantain, Calendula, and Lavender
This quick-to-make herbal salve is a lifesaver for burns! It features calendula for healing, plantain for wound care, and soothing lavender essential oil.
The blend of coconut oil and beeswax creates a nourishing balm that helps skin recover and minimizes scarring, leaving it feeling comfortable and cared for..
Key Ingredients:
- Coconut Oil
- Dried Plantain
- Dried Calendula
- Beeswax
- Lavender Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Skin Healing
- Soothing
- Minimizing Scarring
Pro Tip: Cool any burn immediately under cool running water for at least 10 minutes before applying any salve.
Get the Recipe: Herbal Burn Salve with Plantain, Calendula, and Lavender
19. Dandelion Salve for Dry Skin and Muscle Soreness
This simple, three-ingredient dandelion salve is a powerhouse for dry, cracked skin and achy muscles.
Dandelion's natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties work wonders to soothe discomfort.
It's a wonderfully moisturizing balm that leaves skin feeling soft and revitalized..
Key Ingredients:
- Dandelion Oil
- Beeswax
- Carrier Oil (e.g., Olive Oil, Coconut Oil)
Benefits:
- Moisturizing
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain Relief
Pro Tip: For a lip balm version, simply add a bit more beeswax to firm up the mixture.
Get the Recipe: Dandelion Salve for Dry Skin and Muscle Soreness
20. Calendula Salve for Irritated and Itchy Skin
This homemade calendula salve is a gentle hero for irritated and itchy skin conditions like eczema.
Calendula's amazing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties calm redness and soothe irritation.
It’s a wonderfully nourishing balm that helps skin feel happy and healthy again..
Key Ingredients:
- Infused Calendula Oil
- Beeswax Pellets
- Essential Oils (optional)
Benefits:
- Itch Relief
- Reduces Inflammation
- Soothing for Sensitive Skin
Pro Tip: Add a few drops of lavender or tea tree essential oil for extra soothing and calming benefits.
Get the Recipe: Calendula Salve for Irritated and Itchy Skin
21. Bug Bite Balm with Nettle, Plantain, and Calendula
This DIY bug bite balm is a fantastic natural remedy for soothing itchy bites and stings! It combines the powers of stinging nettle, plantain, and calendula to calm irritation and promote healing.
The result is a non-toxic, effective balm that brings quick relief and helps skin recover beautifully..
Key Ingredients:
- Stinging Nettle
- Plantain Leaves
- Calendula Petals
- Beeswax
- Carrier Oil
Benefits:
- Anti-itch Relief
- Soothes Stings
- Promotes Healing
Pro Tip: For a vegan option, substitute candelilla wax for beeswax.
Get the Recipe: Bug Bite Balm with Nettle, Plantain, and Calendula
22. Meadowsweet & Calendula Aches and Pains Salve
This comforting salve is crafted with meadowsweet and calendula, known for their anti-inflammatory and skin-rejuvenating powers.
It's perfect for soothing sore feet, hands, or shoulders, and deeply nourishes rough, cracked skin, leaving it feeling soft and comforted..
Key Ingredients:
- Dried Meadowsweet
- Dried Calendula
- Olive Oil
- Beeswax
- Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Soothes sore muscles and skin
- Nourishes dry, cracked skin
Pro Tip: Add a few drops of Roman Chamomile essential oil for an extra relaxing aroma and effect.
Get the Recipe: Meadowsweet & Calendula Aches and Pains Salve
23. Calendula & Rose Winter Salve-ation
Embrace winter with this wonderfully moisturizing and anti-inflammatory salve.
It features nourishing calendula and rose, combined with coconut oil to deeply hydrate dry skin.
Grapefruit essential oil adds a bright, uplifting scent, making it a delightful treat for your skin..
Key Ingredients:
- Coconut Oil
- Dried Lavender
- Dried Calendula
- Dried Rose
- Beeswax
- Grapefruit Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Moisturizing
- Soothing
- Anti-inflammatory
Pro Tip: Using more beeswax will result in a firmer salve, while less will create a creamier texture.
Get the Recipe: Calendula & Rose Winter Salve-ation
24. Warming Ginger Pain Salve
This invigorating salve harnesses the warming properties of ginger to provide comforting relief for aches and pains.
It's a simple yet effective blend that can help soothe tired muscles and joints, leaving you feeling more comfortable and relaxed..
Key Ingredients:
- Ground Ginger
- Carrier Oil (e.g., rice bran, almond, sunflower)
- Beeswax
Benefits:
- Warming
- Pain relief
- Soothes aches and strains
Pro Tip: For a vegan option, swap the beeswax for candelilla wax, using about half the amount.
Get the Recipe: Warming Ginger Pain Salve
25. Respiratory Support Pine Needle Salve
Breathe easier with this woodsy pine needle salve.
Infused with the essence of pine, it's designed to support your respiratory and immune systems.
The blend of pine needle oil, shea butter, and beeswax creates a wonderfully soothing balm that smells like a walk in the forest..
Key Ingredients:
- Pine Needle Infused Oil
- Beeswax
- Shea Butter
- Essential Oils (e.g., Black Spruce, Arborvitae, Eucalyptus)
Benefits:
- Respiratory support
- Immune support
- Soothing
Pro Tip: Try essential oil combinations like Black Spruce + Arborvitae for a deeply woodsy respiratory boost.
Get the Recipe: Respiratory Support Pine Needle Salve
26. Yarrow Salve for Cuts and Irritations
This potent yarrow salve is a traditional remedy for minor skin issues.
Known for its ability to help stop bleeding and calm irritation, it's perfect for cuts, scrapes, burns, and rashes.
It’s a must-have for any natural first aid kit, offering gentle yet effective skin support..
Key Ingredients:
- Yarrow Leaves
- Olive Oil
- Beeswax
Benefits:
- Wound healing
- Soothes skin irritation
- Stops minor bleeding
Pro Tip: Yarrow leaves are great for camping and hiking; a simple poultice can be made by chewing them for immediate relief on minor wounds or bites.
Get the Recipe: Yarrow Salve for Cuts and Irritations
27. Tallow Drawing Salve for Deep Issues
This powerful drawing salve is designed to pull toxins, infections, and foreign substances from deeper wounds.
Made with nourishing tallow, activated charcoal, and bentonite clay, it’s ideal for stubborn splinters, boils, or infected areas, helping to bring them to the surface for cleaner healing..
Key Ingredients:
- Grass-fed Tallow
- Beeswax
- Activated Charcoal
- Bentonite Clay
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
Benefits:
- Draws out toxins and infections
- Helps remove splinters
- Supports deep wound healing
Pro Tip: The activated charcoal and bentonite clay can stain, so cover wounds well with a bandage and be mindful of clothing.
Get the Recipe: Tallow Drawing Salve for Deep Issues
28. Soothing Jewelweed Anti-Itch Salve
Discover the natural magic of jewelweed with this soothing salve! It's a fantastic remedy for calming itchy skin, especially from poison ivy, oak, or stinging nettle.
Its anti-itch properties provide quick relief, leaving your skin feeling comfortable and happy..
Key Ingredients:
- Jewelweed Leaves
- Olive Oil
- Beeswax
Benefits:
- Anti-itch
- Soothes poison ivy/oak
- Calms stinging nettle irritation
Pro Tip: Make this salve before heading out on hikes or camping trips for instant relief from nature's little irritations.
Get the Recipe: Soothing Jewelweed Anti-Itch Salve
29. Herbal Drawing Salve for Stubborn Issues
When you need a little extra help for stubborn splinters, boils, or insect bites, this herbal drawing salve is a game-changer.
It uses comfrey and plantain to help heal minor wounds, combined with activated charcoal and kaolin clay to gently draw out impurities and speed healing..
Key Ingredients:
- Comfrey
- Plantain
- Activated Charcoal
- Kaolin Clay
- Carrier Oil
- Beeswax
Benefits:
- Draws out impurities
- Soothes insect bites
- Helps with splinters and boils
Pro Tip: Tea tree oil is a great addition for its antibacterial properties and to help speed healing.
Get the Recipe: Herbal Drawing Salve for Stubborn Issues
30. Calendula Salve for Nourishing Skin
This golden calendula salve is a true skin-loving treasure.
Packed with the soothing and healing power of calendula petals, it's perfect for dry, sensitive skin, minor cuts, scrapes, and even diaper rash.
It’s wonderfully nourishing and promotes gentle skin repair..
Key Ingredients:
- Calendula Petals
- Carrier Oil (e.g., olive, almond, sunflower)
- Beeswax
- Shea Butter (optional)
- Essential Oils (optional)
Benefits:
- Soothing
- Nourishing
- Promotes healing
- Gentle for sensitive skin
Pro Tip: Add lavender essential oil for extra calming and healing benefits, or use Vitamin E oil for preservation.
Get the Recipe: Calendula Salve for Nourishing Skin
31. Calendula & Lemon Balm Healing Salve
This beautiful salve blends the healing powers of calendula and lemon balm.
It's perfect for soothing insect bites, rashes, and for repairing cuts and scrapes.
Lemon balm is fantastic for cold sores, while calendula excels at calming eczema, making this a versatile skin healer..
Key Ingredients:
- Calendula Infused Oil
- Lemon Balm Infused Oil
- Beeswax Pastilles
Benefits:
- Antibacterial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Soothes bites and rashes
- Repairs cuts and scrapes
Pro Tip: If you prefer, you can substitute comfrey-infused oil for the lemon balm oil to create a Calendula Comfrey Salve.
Get the Recipe: Calendula & Lemon Balm Healing Salve
32. Comfrey (Knitbone) Salve for Muscle Aches
Known as 'knitbone', this powerful comfrey salve is exceptional for ailments without broken skin.
It’s your go-to for soothing sore muscles, bruises, sprains, and joint pain.
Its trans-dermal healing properties are amazing for deep tissue comfort..
Key Ingredients:
- Comfrey Infused Oil
- Beeswax Pastilles
Benefits:
- Soothes sore muscles
- Aids in recovery from bruises and sprains
- Relieves joint pain
Pro Tip: Comfrey is best used on ailments without open wounds, as it can speed healing so effectively it might close the skin too quickly over an infection.
Get the Recipe: Comfrey (Knitbone) Salve for Muscle Aches