Miracle Salve Recipe with Free Printable Labels - Primally Inspired (2024)

FAQs

How do you make the perfect salve? ›

Understanding Salve and Balm Wax-to-Oil Ratios

A 1:3 wax-to-oil ratio will create a firm balm, a 1:4 ratio is great for a standard salve, and a 1:5 wax-to-oil ratio creates a soft, spreadable salve. You could even use a 1:6 ratio, which will result in an extra soft, gooey salve.

Mixing Your Salve

I typically make my salve with an oil to beeswax ratio of 3:1 or 4:1, which results in a thick but still easily spreadable texture. For example, in my latest batch I had about 100 mL of melted beeswax so I added about 300 mL of oil.

Place beeswax in a double boiler and gently warm over low heat until the beeswax melts. Add herbal oils and stir over low heat until well-mixed. Remove from heat and add the essential oil(s). Quickly pour warm mixture into prepared tins, glass jars, or lip balm tubes and allow to cool completely.

For instance, if your salve is too hard, melt it down and stir in more carrier oil until you reach the desired consistency. Conversely, if your salve is too runny, add more beeswax or hard butter (e.g., cocoa butter) to thicken it up.

There are many base oils that you can use to make homemade salve/lotion bars with beeswax and essential oils. Here are some of the most popular ones: Coconut oil: This oil is solid at room temperature and melts easily on contact with the skin. It's rich in fatty acids that help to moisturize and nourish the skin.

Once the beeswax has melted, add 8 fl oz (1 cup) of infused oil (add more or less depending on how hard or soft you want your salve; see the tips below for more). Remove from heat. Let slightly cool, then add 50-80 drops of essential oils and vitamin E (1mL or ~25 drops, if using).

For moisturizing and nourishing dry skin: A combination of beeswax, coconut oil, and lavender essential oil is a great option. Beeswax and coconut oil work together to hydrate and nourish the skin, while lavender essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe dry, irritated skin.

What is the best wax for salve? ›

Because I prefer my salves on the harder side, I often like to use carnauba wax. This vegan wax is one of the hardest natural waxes available, and once dry it's extremely durable with a glossy finish.

Why add coconut oil to beeswax candles? Coconut oil has a great ability to hold and throw fragrance, which means that when it is added to beeswax, it can give off more scent quicker than if beeswax was used alone.

You'll find divine nourishment for your hair, hands and body in this super-enriched emollient formula bursting with Pumpkin Seed Oil, Olive Oil, Wheat Germ, Bee Pollen and Beeswax. After you try this, you'll be a believer, too.

For a salve, use a 1:4 wax-to-oil ratio (up to 1:6) such as 1/4 cup beeswax for every 1 cup of oil. Heat wax and oil together in a double-boiler until fully melted, then quickly and carefully pour into storage containers of choice (tins, small glass jars, etc).

Melt coconut oil and beeswax over a double boiler. Transfer to a blender and add witch hazel, lavender oil, and tea tree oil. Blend 30 seconds. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Salves tend to be more oily and thinner in consistency, while balms are more thick and waxy. Salves can be better for moisturizing dry skin or treating specific conditions, while balms are better at sealing in moisture and creating a barrier against environmental irritants for general skincare.

Basically, the issue is crystallization. When a butter or wax is not sufficiently heated and/or not quickly cooled down, it oxidizes and forms granules or crystals.