DIY LAVENDER SALVE: A SOOTHING BALM FOR SKIN AND MIND

Lavender salve is a versatile and effective topical remedy that can be easily made at home. It offers a range of benefits, including: Skin healing: Soothes irritation, moisturizes dry skin, and can help heal acne, scrapes, and eczema; Stress relief: The calming aroma of lavender is scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

Making lavender salve is surprisingly simple. If you’ve followed along with our previous tutorials on calendula or cannabis salve, you’ll find many familiar steps. However, lavender offers its own unique set of benefits. Let’s get started on creating your own soothing lavender salve!

What is Lavender Salve?

Not familiar with salve? Simply put, a salve is a healing solution applied to the skin, which can take the form of creams, ointments, or balms. Typically, salves are thick, shelf-stable, and contain nourishing oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, or sweet almond oil.

In addition to a base oil (or a blend of them), salves usually incorporate natural waxes or butters to help bind the ingredients and give them a semi-solid consistency at room temperature. Beeswax is a popular binding agent due to its availability, ease of use (especially in pastille form), and ability to create smooth, cohesive results.

If you prefer a vegan alternative to beeswax, check the ingredient list below for recommended substitutions. When you incorporate lavender-infused oil (or lavender essential oil) into a salve recipe, you create a delightful lavender salve, enriched with the medicinal benefits of lavender.

Lavender-infused oil vs. lavender essential oils

When you glance at the concise ingredient list below, you’ll notice our preference for a blend of homemade lavender-infused oil and a dash of lavender essential oil in our lavender salve recipe.

But what’s the difference? Lavender-infused oil is made by steeping dried lavender flowers in a carrier oil of your choice for a period of time. This process allows the natural essential oils from the lavender to be drawn out and infused into the carrier oil, which is then strained. In contrast, lavender essential oils, often found in small bottles, are produced through a distillation extraction process, which is typically done on a large industrial scale. While some hobbyists use small distillation stills at home, it’s not the most common method for making essential oils.

We love using lavender-infused oil because it utilizes our homegrown lavender and adds a personal touch along with an extra boost of natural lavender scent to the salve. However, if you prefer, you can also create lavender salve using plain oil and essential oils. If you’d like to make lavender-infused oil for this salve recipe, check out our instructions for preparing homemade lavender oil, and then return to the recipe once it’s ready!

The Health Benefits of Lavender

  • The soothing yet cheerful aroma of lavender is both calming and uplifting, making it a favorite for promoting relaxation. Scientific studies have shown that lavender can effectively reduce anxiety, stress, depression, and insomnia, helping individuals find peace in their daily lives.
  • Beyond its calming effects, lavender boasts powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, making it a versatile ingredient in natural remedies. It is well-known for deterring pest insects such as mosquitoes and flies, which is why many natural insect repellents include lavender in their formulations.
  • Additionally, lavender has remarkable healing capabilities. It can relieve pain and itching while promoting new cell growth, aiding in the repair of damaged skin tissue and healing wounds. In her book Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide, Rosemary Gladstar highlights lavender’s effectiveness in treating a variety of infections, including staph, strep, colds, flus, ringworm, and yeast infections. She also notes its ability to ease headaches and migraines, further showcasing its extensive benefits.
  • With its multitude of uses, lavender is not just a delightful fragrance; it’s a powerful ally in both physical and emotional well-being.

What can lavender salve be used for?

While lavender is often utilized in culinary and medicinal applications, its true gift lies in its ability to soothe our skin and nerves. You may have noticed that lavender features prominently in many natural skincare products, and it’s not just for its delightful fragrance! When applied topically, lavender can alleviate, heal, or treat a wide range of skin issues. Enter homemade lavender salve!

This versatile salve can be applied to irritated skin to reduce swelling, redness, and discomfort. It effectively addresses conditions such as rashes, bug bites, burns (including sunburn), acne, scrapes, eczema, stings, scars, and psoriasis. I find it particularly soothing after shaving, helping to prevent or treat razor burn, and it also calms the small rashes I sometimes get from brushing against certain plants in the garden.

Beyond treating ailments, homemade lavender salve is an excellent remedy for everyday issues like chapped lips, rough elbows and feet, or dry hands, providing essential moisture. After a long day of gardening, I love applying it to my dry, cracked cuticles!

If you’re looking for a natural way to unwind, simply dab some lavender salve on your temples, neck, wrists, and under your nose, then take a few deep breaths. The calming aromatherapy properties of lavender can help you relax, enhance your meditation or yoga practice, or prepare for a restful night’s sleep. I keep a tin on my bedside nightstand and often reach for it in the middle of the night when my mind is racing.

Lavender oil is generally safe for children and babies, making homemade lavender salve ideal for addressing issues like diaper rash or cradle cap. In fact, one study even found that lavender oil may help alleviate colic! Just remember never to use undiluted essential oils directly on the skin, and always double-check the safety of your other salve ingredients for use with infants.

Finally, lavender salve can also assist in shrinking skin ulcers, softening the appearance of scars, and reducing the swelling and discomfort associated with varicose veins.

If you’re skeptical, take a look at these testimonials from our satisfied customers who have experienced remarkable results with our Homestead and Chill organic lavender salve. People have found relief from various skin issues, including cystic acne and persistent large rashes that resisted other treatments. I am genuinely delighted and humbled by this positive feedback. It reinforces my commitment to helping individuals lead their most naturally healthy lives—this is the very reason I started this journey!

Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the process of making your very own lavender salve! Here’s a simple guide to creating a soothing, effective salve at home.

HOMEMADE LAVENDER SALVE RECIPE

INGREDIENTS FOR LAVENDER SALVE

Lavender-Infused Oil: 1 cup (8 ounces)

  • OR 1 cup of your preferred carrier oil (like jojoba, olive, sweet almond, sunflower, or coconut oil) with additional lavender essential oils. To help you choose, check out our article on lavender oils, which details the unique benefits of various carrier oils.

Beeswax Pastilles: 3 to 4 tablespoons (approximately 1 ounce if using shaved, block, or other forms of beeswax)

  • Note: If you decide to add shea butter, you can use only 3 level tablespoons of beeswax. If you skip the shea butter, use 4 tablespoons of beeswax.
  • Vegan Alternatives: Consider soy wax or candelilla wax.

Lavender Essential Oils (EOs):

  • When using lavender-infused oil as your base, add about 20-25 drops of organic lavender essential oil per cup of oil for a delightful scent that isn’t overpowering.
  • If you’re using only essential oils, you can add up to 12 drops of lavender EOs per fluid ounce of carrier oil (up to 96 drops per cup). This is the maximum recommended amount based on a safe dilution ratio of 2%. It’s best to start with half that amount and adjust according to your scent preference.

Optional Ingredients:

  • Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter: 2 tablespoons
    • This adds rich moisture and essential nutrients to your salve.
  • Other Essential Oils: Add a few drops of complementary essential oils, such as chamomile, rose, pink grapefruit, lemon, rosemary, sweet orange, ylang ylang, bergamot, geranium, or sandalwood. Experiment with different blends to create a custom scent, each with its unique benefits.

    These ingredients come together to create a soothing and healing lavender salve perfect for various skin needs!

    Other Supplies Needed

    Double Boiler:

    • You can use a traditional double boiler or create a makeshift version. For example, place a smaller pot or a glass Pyrex or stainless steel bowl on top of a saucepan filled with water.
    • Using a double boiler is crucial to prevent overheating the volatile lavender essential oils, which can diminish their healing properties.

    Storage Containers:

    • Small glass jars or salve tins are needed for storing your finished product.
    • Common choices include 2-ounce amber glass jars for personal use or gifts, and larger 4-ounce jars. For easy shipping, consider using 2-ounce salve tins.

      Recipe Yield

      • The quantities provided will yield just over 1 cup of finished salve (approximately 10 ounces, or five 2-ounce tins).
      • Feel free to scale the recipe up or down as needed. A general guideline for salve is to use about 1 part beeswax/butter to approximately 4-7 parts oil. A higher beeswax-to-oil ratio results in a firmer salve, while using less beeswax creates a softer consistency.

      Note on Quality Ingredients

      • When making salve, herbal oils, or other homemade body care products, it’s essential to use high-quality ingredients. Opting for certified organic options is even better.
      • Aim to create a healing medicinal product. For instance, use virgin, unrefined, cold-pressed oils whenever possible. Avoid lesser-quality oils that are extracted with solvents, which can introduce contaminants like hexane—known to be a neurological toxin.
      • Be cautious with non-organic essential oils; as the natural oils in the plant become concentrated in essential oils, so do any pesticides or contaminants present on the plant.

      Using high-quality, organic ingredients ensures that your lavender salve is not only effective but also safe for your skin. Enjoy the process of creating a natural remedy that promotes healing and well-being!

      INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING LAVENDER SALVE

      Prepare Storage Containers:

      • Have your salve tins, glass jars, or any storage containers ready for the lavender salve.

      Set Up Double Boiler:

      • In the top portion of a double boiler (or a makeshift double boiler), combine 1 cup of lavender-infused oil (or your chosen carrier oil) and 3 to 4 level tablespoons of beeswax (refer to the sliding scale notes above).
      • If you’re using it, also add 2 tablespoons of shea butter at this point.

      Add Water:

      • Fill the bottom portion of the double boiler with enough water so that the top bowl or pot is resting in the water. This helps create a gentle heat for melting.

      Heat the Mixture:

      • Place the double boiler on the stovetop and heat it over medium-low heat. It’s important to avoid overheating the lavender oil more than necessary to melt the beeswax.

      Melt and Combine:

      • Monitor the mixture closely and stir it routinely until the beeswax (and shea butter, if added) is completely melted. Once fully melted, stir to combine thoroughly.

      Remove from Heat:

      • Immediately take the mixture off the heat once everything is melted and well combined.

      Add Essential Oils:

      • After removing the salve from heat, add the lavender essential oils. Essential oils are volatile and dissipate quickly when exposed to high temperatures, so it’s important to add them at this stage. Whisk the mixture to ensure even distribution.

      Pour into Containers:

      • While the mixture is still hot, carefully pour the liquid lavender salve into your prepared containers. If it starts to solidify while you’re filling the containers, place it back on medium-low heat until it liquifies again.

      Cool and Harden:

      • Set the filled lavender salve containers aside with the lids off, allowing them to fully cool and harden.

      Enjoy Your Salve:

        • Once cooled and set, enjoy your homemade lavender salve for healthy, moisturized skin! Use clean fingers or a salve spoon to collect a small amount and apply as needed. Remember, a little goes a long way!

        Feel free to customize your salve with different essential oils or carrier oils to suit your personal preferences. Happy crafting!

        CONCLUSION

        I hope you’re feeling inspired and ready to create your own healing homemade lavender salve! It’s a personal favorite of ours and makes for a thoughtful gift for loved ones, whether for a special occasion or just because. For storage, keep your salve containers in a cool, dark place. I like to keep one accessible for daily use while storing the others in a cabinet. Homemade lavender salve can last for several years, although its medicinal potency may gradually diminish over time. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments below! And once you’ve made your own, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to share this post with others. Thank you for reading!

        12 BEST BRONZERS FOR FAIR SKIN

        Finding the right bronzer for fair skin can be difficult. You want a color that warms your skin without looking muddy or orange. This guide will introduce you to 12 of the best bronzers on the market, all formulated to enhance brighter skin. We’ll cover the best options for your skin type and desired look. Whether you’re looking for a subtle tan or a little definition, get ready to find your new holy grail bronzer!

        OUR TOP PICKS 

        SAIE SUN MELT BRONZER

        Saie Sun Melt Bronzer is a standout in the realm of bronzers, capturing the hearts of many with its creamy, skincare-infused formula. The bronzer effortlessly glides onto the skin, imparting a soft and natural finish that can be built up to achieve the desired level of glow. Its fair bronze shade is particularly praised for its suitability for fair skin tones, providing a subtle radiance without appearing too heavy or artificial. However, one drawback noted by users is the excessively secure lid, which poses a challenge during the opening process. Despite this minor inconvenience, the product’s performance seems to outweigh this issue for many consumers.

        CHARLOTTE TILBURY AIRBRUSH BRONZER

        Undoubtedly, {Charlotte Tilbury}’s Airbrush Bronzer in the shade fair stands out as the ultimate choice for fair skin tones. Renowned for its exceptionally smooth texture, it effortlessly blends to deliver a matte finish that appears entirely natural. Whether seeking a subtle hint of warmth or precise contouring, this bronzer caters to all preferences. Notably, its compatibility with any foundation further enhances its appeal, ensuring seamless integration into any makeup routine. Enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid, the formula not only imparts a soft-focus glow but also nourishes the skin. For optimal results, a powder brush application promises a beautifully diffused and delicately sun-kissed effect.

        RARE BEAUTY WARM WISHES EFFORTLESS BRONZER STICK

        This delightful chubby stick offers convenient application, effortlessly gliding onto the skin with ease. Focusing on areas naturally kissed by the sun—such as the forehead, nose, chin, and cheekbones—enhances its effect. Whether blended with warm fingertips or buffed with a brush, its creamy texture transforms into a powdery finish upon application, ensuring longevity throughout the day. This attribute is particularly crucial for fair skin, where any patchiness would be distinctly visible. Overall, its satisfying simplicity and user-friendly nature make it a joy to incorporate into any makeup routine.

        UNDONE BEAUTY WATER BRONZER

        At first glance, one might question why this deep-toned chubby stick made it onto the list of bronzers for fair skin. However, don’t be deterred by its darker appearance—upon application, a single swipe unveils a subtle tan hue that seamlessly melds with even the fairest of complexions. The Water Bronzer boasts a unique formula: water-based and enriched with coconut water for an amplified radiance. Its lightweight texture feels refreshing on the skin and requires minimal effort to blend seamlessly. Personally, I’ve found that gently tapping it onto the high points of my face with my fingertips yields the most natural-looking results. With four shades available and a compact size of 0.19 oz, this bronzer offers a refreshing take on achieving a sun-kissed glow for fair skin tones.

        MILK MAKEUP MATTE BRONZER (6G)

        Bringing the essence of summer in a convenient stick form, {Milk Makeup}’s bronzer in the shade baked promises a beach-ready glow without the risk of sunburn. Boasting a velvety smooth texture, it’s enriched with a blend of hydrating ingredients including mango butter, peach nectar, and avocado oils, promoting a healthy and dewy complexion. Simply swipe on and blend effortlessly with fingertips or a complexion brush to achieve an all-over sun-kissed radiance.

        ILIA NIGHTLITE BRONZING POWDER

        The NightLite Bronzer by ILIA is a great choice for fair skin. It’s easy to use because you can make it lighter or darker depending on how much you apply. This means you can get a nice sun-kissed look without putting on too much, which can happen with fair skin. The texture is smooth and blends well, making it good for making your face look more defined naturally. What’s special about this bronzer is that it gives a little shine without looking too matte. This shine makes your skin look more lively, like when the sun hits it. Overall, it’s a good option for fair skin because it’s easy to use and gives a natural glow.

        HOURGLASS COSMETICS AMBIENT LIGHTING BRONZER

        Want to know how celebrities get their glowing, bronzed skin? Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Bronzer is the key. Celebrity makeup artist Aaron Berry loves this product for its amazing results every time. It’s like a mix of bronzer and highlighter, giving you a beautiful, glowing look. Hourglass uses their famous Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder and adds bronze color to make this special formula. You can use this bronzer like any other, but Berry suggests putting it on your cheekbones and nose bridge for extra shine and dimension. With Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer, getting that stunning celebrity glow is simple and effortless.

        PATRICK TA MAJOR SCULPT CRÈME CONTOUR & POWDER BRONZER DUO

        The Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo is a handy product that helps shape and warm up your face all in one. It comes with both cream and powder, made for people who want defined features and a nice glow. The cream contour is smooth and easy to blend, giving natural-looking shadows to different skin tones. It comes in shades with cool undertones, which are good for fair to deep skin tones with cool or neutral preferences.

        The powder bronzer is talc-free and adds warmth and depth to your face. It comes in a bunch of shades with both cool and warm undertones, so you can find the perfect match. This duo is great because it combines cream contour and powder bronzer, saving you from buying separate products. Plus, both the cream and powder can be built up for a subtle or more dramatic look.

        FENTY BEAUTY CHEEKS OUT FREESTYLE CREAM BRONZER

        Fenty Beauty has made a big impact by offering makeup shades for all skin tones, from deep to very pale. Their Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer works well for everyone, no matter their skin type. It comes in a wide range of shades to match all skin tones. If you have fair skin, this cream bronzer is a great choice because it’s easy to blend and gives a nice glow. What’s great is that it’s sheer and glossy, but still has strong color, so you only need a little bit. You can choose your shade based on your skin tone (fair or light) and also your undertone (cool, neutral, or warm). If you’re not sure about your undertone, try holding gold and silver jewelry next to your skin. If gold makes your skin look brighter, you’re warm-toned, and if silver does, you’re cool-toned.

        CHANEL GLOW BRONZING CREAM

        The Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream stands out as a luxurious option for achieving a natural and radiant complexion. Its cream-gel texture is lightweight and blends seamlessly into the skin, offering a smooth and effortless application. Unlike some powder bronzers that can look cakey, this formula ensures a flawless finish.

        This bronzer focuses on imparting a subtle, sun-kissed glow rather than heavy contouring, thanks to its very subtle golden shimmer. It adds warmth and dimension to the skin, enhancing its natural radiance without appearing overly dramatic. Moreover, the formula is lightweight and buildable, allowing users to customize the intensity according to their preferences. Whether aiming for a subtle glow or a more defined sculpted look, this bronzer adapts easily to individual needs.

        TOO FACED SOLEIL BRONZER – MILK CHOCOLATE 8G

        Too Faced Soleil Bronzer in Milk Chocolate is a great option for fair to light skin tones looking for a natural-looking bronzer. This matte bronzer, infused with real cocoa powder (you might even catch a yummy scent!), delivers a hint of warmth that mimics a subtle sun-kissed glow. The formula is smooth and blends easily, allowing for buildable coverage so you can control the intensity.  Whether you want a light dusting for a barely-there tan or a touch more definition, the Milk Chocolate shade avoids looking muddy or orange on fair skin. Plus, the bronzer comes in a handy 8g size, perfect for tossing in your makeup bag for on-the-go touch-ups.

        BENEFIT HOOLA MATTE BRONZER

        Benefit’s Hoola Matte Bronzer is a cult-favorite for a reason. This award-winning powder bronzer delivers a universally flattering, matte finish that’s ideal for fair to deep skin tones. The shade leans cool-toned, which helps to avoid any unwanted orange cast, and the silky-soft formula blends beautifully for a natural, sculpted look.  Hoola Bronzer comes in four shades, allowing you to find your perfect match: Hoola for light to medium skin tones, Hoola Lite for the fairest complexions, Hoola Toasted for medium to deep skin tones, and Hoola Caramel for deeper complexions.  Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer is a great choice for beginners and makeup veterans alike, offering a buildable formula that lets you achieve a subtle sun-kissed glow or a more defined contour.

        HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SHADE OF BRONZER FOR FAIR SKIN

        Choosing the right bronzer shade for fair skin can be tricky, but with a few key considerations, you can find the perfect match to enhance your natural beauty! Here’s what to keep in mind:

        Undertone: This is crucial. Fair skin can have cool, warm, or neutral undertones. Look for your veins on your wrist. Cool undertones will have bluish veins, warm undertones will have greenish veins, and neutral will be a mix of both or difficult to distinguish.

        Shade Depth: Go for a bronzer only one to two shades darker than your actual skin tone. Avoid anything too dark or orange, as it can look unnatural on fair skin.

        Formula: Consider your skin type and desired finish. Powder bronzers are great for beginners and offer a matte finish. Cream bronzers are more blendable and ideal for dry skin, while gel-based formulas offer a sheer, dewy finish.

        Here’s a quick guide to choosing a bronzer shade based on your undertone:

        Cool Undertone: Opt for bronzers with cool or taupe undertones to avoid appearing muddy. Think ash brown or shades with a hint of pink.

        Warm Undertone: Look for bronzers with golden or peachy undertones to complement your warm complexion.

        Neutral Undertone: You have the most flexibility! You can choose cool, warm, or even neutral-toned bronzers depending on the look you’re going for.

        CONCLUSION

        With the abundance of bronzers available, choosing the right one for fair skin may seem daunting. However, fear not! This guide has examined a range of options, including luxurious cream formulas and versatile powder duos. Remember to add a touch of blush for a flawless finish, and you’ll achieve the perfect look effortlessly.