DIY Hand Salve: A Simple Recipe for Dry, Cracked Skin

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.