Winter-Proof Your Skin With This Simple DIY Salve

If there’s one time of year that’s especially tough on our bodies, it’s wintertime. For example, you can get sick with a cold, struggle with dry skin and hair, or end up with wind-burned cheeks from being out in the cold. So today I’ll be showing you how to make a concoction that can help you avoid all of those issues (and more!) throughout the coming winter and beyond: a homemade moisturizing salve!

This salve is made up of beneficial and natural ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, and nourishing vitamin E. It’s plenty useful on its own, but you also have the option of making it more specialized by adding essential oils!

I’ll start by showing you how to make the base salve (or “naked salve,” as I like to call it), after which we’ll explore how you can enhance it with the addition of essential oils.

How To Make A DIY Moisturizing Salve (AKA “Naked” Salve)

Note: The recipe below will fill 4 small glass jars (4 ounces each). You can use any size jar you like — just be sure to evenly distribute the vitamin E oil between your jar(s) when you get to that step!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup organic olive oil
• 4 Tbsp beeswax pellets
• 1 tsp vitamin E oil, divided

Directions:

Firstly, heat the coconut oil, olive oil, and beeswax together in a double boiler. Keep in mind that if you don’t have a double boiler, then you can always set a bowl over a pan of simmering water! Stir occasionally until completely melted.

Pour or ladle the oil mixture into jars, then let the oil mixture cool for a minute or two.

Then divide the teaspoon of vitamin E oil evenly among your jars. If you’re adding essential oils to the salves, add them at this point. See below for salve-ready essential oil blends!

Give each one a final stir with a bamboo skewer, then let them cool and harden completely.

How To Use It

You can use this moisturizing salve to:

• Moisturize dry nasal passages
• Heal dry, cracked cuticles
• Treat chapped, wind-burned cheeks
• Moisturize dry or chapped lips
• Soothe insect bites and minor burns
• Soothe diaper rash

Enhance Your Salves With Essential Oils

As I mentioned previously, the “naked” salve is already useful on its own. But if you’re dealing with a specific ailment, you can make it even more useful by adding essential oils! Here are a few of my favorite salves to make, along with the oil blends I use to make them.

Note: The amounts listed below are meant to be added to 4 ounces of salve. If you’re making a full batch across four 4-ounce jars, you’ll want to add the amounts listed below to each of the four jars.

1. Pain Salve

• 50 drops Restore Essential Oil Blend

Apply it to the site of any aches and pains. This powerful blend of wintergreen and camphor targets everything from arthritis to headaches, Firbromyalgia, neuropathy, tennis elbow, bone spurs, carpal tunnel syndrome, menstrual cramps, jaw pain, restless leg syndrome, tendonitis, and more!

2. Sleep Salve

• 50 drops Slumber Essential Oil Blend

Apply to the bottom of your feet before bed for a peaceful night’s sleep. This calming blend of lavender and cedarwood eases tension, while also moisturizing your feet. Plus, vetiver and marjoram ground you for deep, restorative rest.

3. Respiratory Salve

• 50 drops All Clear Essential Oil Blend

Rub onto your chest and neck as a natural alternative to vapor rubs. Infused with eucalyptus and peppermint, this blend opens airways and eases coughs. Try a dab under the nose to keep you breathing easy all day.

4. Healing Salve

• 50 drops Defend Essential Oil Blend

Apply directly to minor cuts, scrapes, and bug bites for quick relief and healing. This potent blend of essential oils like cinnamon and eucalyptus fights infection, while peppermint cools and soothes. A must-have for natural, on-the-go healing!

5. Anti-Fungal Salve

• 50 drops Simple Clean Essential Oil Blend

Simple Clean isn’t just for sparkling homes – it’s also your secret weapon against fungal issues! Apply this to affected areas for natural anti-fungal relief. With potent oils like tea tree and cedarwood, it’s perfect for tackling athlete’s foot. Lemon and cypress add antiseptic benefits and a fresh scent.

How do you deal with wintertime dryness?