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Dry or rough skin can be frustrating to deal with. Making a homemade skin salve with simple, natural ingredients is a great way to keep your skin feeling soft and nourished.

A homemade skin salve in a metal skin with several pieces of dried lavender next to it.
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This is one of the first salves I ever made. Back when I first started experimenting with homemade skincare, I wanted something simple yet effective. Something I could throw together with ingredients I already had.

I remember standing in my kitchen, melting beeswax and oil on the stove, wondering if it would actually come together the way I hoped. It did, and I was hooked.

Since then, I’ve tweaked the recipe a bit, but the heart of it has stayed the same. An all-purpose salve that’s easy to make and great to have on hand.

Of course, since then, I’ve made several other salves, including my newest, a dandelion salve recipe made with homemade dandelion oil.

Homemade Salve Ingredients

Directions:

  1. Melt shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in a double boiler.
  2. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  3. Stir in raw honey and essential oils.
  4. Transfer to storage tin.
  5. Allow it to harden with the lid off.
  6. Apply to the area of concern.

Don’t forget to print off your free printable label. It can be found in the online resource library

Recipe Tips

  • All skin types are different. As a result, you must perform a patch test first before using this product.
  • If you don’t have a double boiler, you can easily make your own by placing a heat-resistant bowl over the top of a saucepan of water and bringing it to a boil.
  • This will be enough to fill two containers, depending on the size you use. 
A small tin of homemade skin salve on a white vanity.

Recipe FAQs

Can I leave out the essential oils?

Yes! You can absolutely omit the essential oils. The natural scent of shea butter gives the salve a light, pleasant fragrance on its own.

Where should I store this salve?

Homemade salves should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain their quality.

How do you make this less greasy?

Adding a small amount of arrowroot powder or cornstarch can help reduce the greasiness.

If you tried this Homemade Skin Salve Tutorial or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

4.84 from 159 votes

Homemade Skin Salve

Prep: 5 minutes
Active: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Yield: 2 tins
If you love making your own skincare, this homemade salve is a must-try. It’s made with rich butters and nourishing oils, creating a smooth, spreadable texture that melts into the skin.

Equipment

  • shallow storage tin
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Ingredients 

  • ½ cup shea butter
  • ½ cup coconut oil
  • ¼ cup beeswax
  • 1 tablespoon raw honey
  • 10 drops lavender
  • 8 drops frankincense
  • 5 drops tea tree
  • 5 drops geranium

Instructions 

  • Melt shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat.
  • Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  • Stir in honey and essential oils.
  • Once ingredients are well combined, transfer the salve to metal storage tins.
  • Allow the salve to harden completely before securing the lid.
  • Apply to the area of concern.

Video

Notes

Always perform a patch test first before using any new product.
This will be enough to fill two containers, depending on the size you use. 
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!
This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, I’m so glad you’re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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4.84 from 159 votes (156 ratings without comment)

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61 Comments

  1. Hannah Jenkins says:

    My 7 month old baby boy is dealing with the eczema/asthma and has along the same story pneumonia several times rsv @ 3 months old almost a wk stay in the hospital. Very frustrating he was perfectly fine till after all this now his allergies eczema is really bad. Thank you so much Laura definitely going to do this 😊

    1. lauraascher says:

      Awww I am so sorry you are dealing with this! It is no fun! Thankfully, after implementing the GAPS diet, using essential oils, and a few supplements we have reversed everything. It took us two years but it was so worth the extra work!

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    1. Sandra says:

      Hi Laura,
      Great video and blog! I only have lavender and geranium essential oils at home, are the other two essential oils strictly necessary to make this salve effective? If yes, I will purchase them. I have amber glass containers, will that work? Or should I get the tin containers? Thank you!

      1. Laura says:

        All the essential oils make it most effective but you can make it with what you have and see how it works for you!