How to Make Salve or Balms 101: Simple Flexible Recipe

Are you interested in making homemade salves or balms? Then you’ve come to the right place! Read along to learn the basics to make salve or balm with a simple and flexible recipe. We’ll talk about the difference between salves and balms, wax-to-oil ratios, and various oils or waxes you can use – including vegan options. Finally, I’ll share how to customize and enhance a basic balm or salve recipe by using herb-infused oils or optional ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter, and essential oils. 

Luxurious lavender salve, calming calendula salve, radiant rosehip balm, cooling comfrey chickweed balm, luscious lip balms… After you read this guide and grasp the basics, the options of what you can create are truly endless! Bonus: making salve and balms is far easier than you likely imagine. You can find a printable version of the recipe at the end of this post.

What’s the difference between a salve and a balm?

Topical salves and balms are very similar overall. They’re both made by combining oil and some sort of wax and/or butter (beeswax being the most common) as a stiffener, resulting in a semi-solid but spreadable mixture to apply to your skin. Balms and salves are so similar, many herbalists and DIYers use the two terms and recipes fairly interchangeably (myself included). 

Technically, the main difference between a balm and a salve is that salves are slightly more soft, while balms are a bit more firm. Therefore, homemade balm recipes usually have a higher wax-to-oil ratio to achieve a firmer end product, while salve recipes have lighter wax in comparison. Balms are better at creating a natural, long-lasting barrier on the skin and locking in moisture, while spreadable salves are excellent for moisturizing skin or treating specific conditions.

The firmer texture means balms can come in a wider range of packaging, including lip balm tubes or cardboard push-up tubes, while soft salves are usually best stored in a tin, glass jar, or other wide shallow container you can dip into. And in case you’re curious, an ointment is simply an even softer, more oily version of a salve. 

Supplies Needed to Make Salve or Balms

• Herbal oil or plain oil of choice such as olive oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil (explored more to follow)
• Beeswax or alternative natural wax
• Optional ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, vitamin E oil, or essential oils 
• A double boiler, which allows the salve ingredients to heat and melt evenly without overheating or burning. Consider this modest double-boiler, this large one, or this top melting pot you can set over an existing pot – which also has a handy pour spout! You can also make a DIY double boiler by nestling a smaller pot or heat-safe bowl inside a slightly larger pot. 
• Measuring cups and/or digital kitchen scale
• Storage containers such as salve tins (1 ounce or 2 ounce tins), small glass jars (I love these 2 ounce amber jars or 4 ounce cobalt jars), lip balm tubes, or other suitable container.
• A small heat-safe pitcher, glass measuring cup with pour spout, or confectionery funnel for filling containers.

Understanding Salve and Balm Wax-to-Oil Ratios

• To make a salve or balm, simply heat 1 part beeswax with 3 to 5 parts natural oil of choice in a double-boiler until combined (see detailed instructions below). For example, ¼ cup of beeswax pastilles or shavings and about 1 cup of oil, or 1 cup of beeswax for every 3 to 5 cups of oil. 
  

• 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. Any additional oil beyond that, the salve will fail to properly set up or stiffen.
  
  
• To measure by weight and ounces, use a 1:8 ratio such as 1 oz beeswax (1/4 cup) to 8 fluid ounces of oil for a standard salve. This is particularly helpful if you’re working with beeswax blocks or chunks.
  
  
• Scale the recipe up or down as needed while maintaining the recommended ratios. Note that other types of natural waxes require slightly different ratios than beeswax, explored in the “alternative wax” discussion to follow. 
  

• Keep in mind that adding additional ingredients like butters will also influence the texture. For example, we generally use a 1:4 ratio for salves but also add shea butter, which softens it up a bit. Lip balm recipes almost always include a butter component (like our lip balm recipe with cocoa butter). 

Basic Homemade Salve Recipe

• 1 cup (8 ounces) of oil, plain or herb-infused. Use ¾ cup for a firm balm (1:3 ratio) or up to 1.25 cups for a softer salve (1:5 ratio)
• ¼ cup (1 oz) beeswax pellets or pastilles
• Optional: 1 to 2 Tbsp shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter
• Optional: Up to 1 tsp of essential oils (100 drops maximum) for a very strong-scented salve. I recommend using ¼ to ½ that amount or less. Lavender, roman chamomile, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint are a few popular options. We like to use certified organic essential oils from Plant Therapy.
• Optional: ½ tsp of vitamin E oil

This recipe makes just over 1 cup of finished salve – around 10 ounces, or five 2-ounce jars.

Next let’s explore the various types of oils, herbal oils, waxes, and optional ingredients used to make salve or balm. Or, feel free to skip straight to the salve-making instructions to make salve here.

Homemade Salve or Balm Ingredients 

Oil of choice

To make a salve or balm, you can use any high-quality natural oil you prefer – or a combination of two or more! Sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil are some of my favorites. Olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil are also popular choices. Using coconut oil that is solid at room temperature will increase the overall firmness of your salve, while fractionated (liquid) coconut oil will behave like any other oil.  

Hop over to this article to explore 11 carrier oil options for skin care, including the unique benefits, characteristics, and comedogenic ratings of each one. Use these oils as-is or infused with herbs first (explained below). For the most healthy and healing salves, I suggest using cold-pressed, virgin, and organic oils whenever possible.

Beeswax 

Beeswax is the most common type of wax used to make salves or balms. It’s readily available, easy to work with (especially beeswax pastilles or pellets) and creates an ideal smooth salve or balm texture. Even better, studies show that beeswax is naturally antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and has the ability to both soothe and protect the skin while locking in moisture!

Alternative (vegan) wax alternatives for salve or balms

Beeswax aside, you can make salves or balms with other natural plant-based waxes too. For instance, soy wax, carnauba wax, or candelilla wax are popular vegan wax options to make herbal salves or balms. However, this may take a little experimentation on your part since they have different textures and therefore may yield different results than beeswax. 

• Soy wax is an especially easy and direct swap for beeswax (1:1) in any salve recipe. I recommend using organic soy wax if possible, since conventional soy is notoriously pesticide-intensive. Also be sure to choose cosmetic-grade or food grade soy wax, not one designed for candle making or crafts only.
  
  
• Candelilla wax is more firm than beeswax, so use slightly less candelilla in your salve recipe (try 1 part candelilla wax to 5 or 6 parts oil). Note that products made with candelilla are more prone to cracking. It also has a very high melting point, so will likely be the last ingredient to melt in your pot.
  
  
• Carnauba wax is the firmest of them all, and even more prone to cracking. Try 1 part carnauba wax for every 6 to 8 parts oil to create a smooth, spreadable salve and a 1:5 ratio for a firmer balm. Carnauba makes the best salve or balm texture when combined with plant-based butters like shea or cocoa butter. 

Optional Ingredients

Herb-infused oil

Plain, high-quality carrier oils like sweet almond, olive or jojoba oil will nourish and moisturize skin on their own. However, you could also infuse dried herbs in oil before making salve to combine the healing and therapeutic benefits of both! I love incorporating homegrown goodies in our herbal salves.

Dried lavender, chamomile, rosemary, calendula, hemp, comfrey, yarrow, chickweed, rosehips or rose petals are a few excellent choices – and all bring their own unique properties to the herbal salve or balm! If you’re new to herbs and want to learn more about the uses and benefits of each one, I highly recommend this Beginner’s Guide to Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar.

To make herb-infused oils, you can either passively steep dry herbs in oil for several weeks (the no-heat method) or lightly heat fresh or dried herbs in oil on the stovetop or in a crockpot for more immediate results. I prefer the slow no-heat method, which best preserves the medicinal compounds in the herbs but does take more patience and planning in advance. 

Learn how to make herbal oils here. After straining, you can use the herb-infused oil alone in a balm or salve recipe, or in addition to another plain carrier oil (as long as you maintain the recommended wax-to-oil ratio). 

Butters: Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, and Mango Butter

Plant-based butters can make salves and balms extra smooth, creamy, and nourishing! However, using too much can negatively influence the consistency of your finished product, such as making it too soft, grainy, or crack as it dries. Using the basic salve recipe I shared above, start with just a small amount of butter (about 1 or 2 tablespoons butter per cup of oil) and then experiment and adjust as needed. 

• Shea butter is highly moisturizing and rich in vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and polyphenols. Studies confirm that shea butter has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and antioxidant properties. It also helps with skin barrier repair. Shea butter has a high melting point, so it may be the last to completely melt in your double-boiler.
  
  
• Cocoa butter is a rich moisturizer that replenishes the skin’s natural protective barrier, sealing in long-lasting moisture. Like shea butter, cocoa butter is loaded with fatty acids, minerals, polyphenols and antioxidants. When used in salves and balms, cocoa butter also tends to absorb into skin nicely rather than feeling greasy.
  
  
• Mango butter contains similar good fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that shea and cocoa butter provide. Yet Mango butter is incredibly high in Vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant in skincare that helps to stimulate collagen production, and prevent or correct sun damage and premature aging. It’s also highly hydrating!

Vitamin E Oil

I often like to add vitamin E oil to my homemade salves and lip balm, just for a little extra oomph of goodness. With high levels of antioxidants and the ability to both protect skin and ameliorate a wide variety of skin issues, Vitamin E is a known powerhouse in natural skincare and cosmetics. Like essential oils, pure Vitamin E oil is highly concentrated. A little goes a long way! A salve or balm recipe with no more than 0.5% to 1% vitamin E oil is plenty (about ½ tsp of vitamin E oil per cup of oil). 

Essential Oils

Essential oils (EOs) can bring a lot to a homemade salve or balm. Obviously, essential oils smell nice! Most natural herb-infused oils don’t have much of an aroma, so adding a few drops of essential oils can really elevate the final product. 

Essential oils also offer unique therapeutic benefits when used topically. For instance, chamomile and lavender essential oils are excellent at calming nerves and skin issues, while refreshing peppermint and eucalyptus oils are uplifting, antibacterial, and can help clear sinuses. Learn more about each of their benefits here.

Essential oil precautions

It’s important to remember that essential oils are very concentrated and must be thoroughly diluted before they’re safe to use directly on skin. The recommended maximum concentration or dilution rate for most EOs is 2-3%, or about 1 tsp (100 drops) of essential oils per cup of regular oil for adults, and often even less for kiddos.

However, remember that’s the maximum recommendation – and would result in a very strongly scented salve or balm! We prefer more natural, mellow products and usually use a quarter of that, or less. 

Avoid using phytotoxic essential oils in topical salves and balms, including lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, mandarin, lime, and bitter orange – they can cause skin to burn easily in the sun. (Sweet orange is not phytotoxic). Strong amounts of “hot” oils like cinnamon, lemongrass, clove, oregano, and cassia may be irritating for those with sensitive skin.

Also note that most essential oils are toxic to pets, with the exception of lavender, frankincense, chamomile, and rosemary.

Which essential oils are best for salve and balm?

Common essential oils used in homemade salves and balms include: lavender, sweet orange, roman chamomile, peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, geranium, sandalwood, cedarwood, jasmine, rose, lemongrass, clary sage, frankincense, ylang ylang, vanilla, and rosemary. Use one scent alone, or try mixing two or three. 

Tip: Balance sweet, woody, or floral scents with a more bright, herbaceous or citrusy scent, such as lavender + eucalyptus or rosemary, chamomile + lemongrass, sandalwood or cedarwood + peppermint, or jasmine + sweet orange. 

Working with essential oils and scenting salves is a craft of its own! It can take some experimentation to find the right amount and blend of oils to meet your desired results. Therefore, I suggest to start small: with a small batch of salve, and a light amount of just one or two types of essential oils. Gradually adjust as needed.

Instructions to Make a Homemade Salve or Balm

Last but not least, here is how to make a salve or balm in 6 easy steps. Have all your supplies clean and ready before starting. You’ll want to work fairly quick once the mixture melts!

1. Measure and/or weigh the oil, wax, and optional butter and add it to the top portion of a double boiler. Be sure to put water in the lower portion of the double boiler; enough so the bottom of the top pan is resting in water.
   
   
2. Heat the ingredients over medium-high heat until all of the ingredients are completely melted and combined. Stir occasionally. Do not cover the pot while heating; any condensation (water) can negatively impact the salve or balm.
   
   
3. Turn off the stove and remove from heat before adding essential oils and/or vitamin E oil. Essential oils are very volatile by nature, and thus will quickly dissipate on high heat.
   
   
4. While it’s still hot, carefully pour the liquid into storage containers of choice. If you have one handy, it can be easiest to transfer the melted mixture into a heat-safe pitcher, confectionery funnel, or glass measuring cup with pour spout (in batches if needed) and then use that to fill the containers.
   
   
5. If the mixture starts to harden before you’re finished pouring, simply return to heat to re-melt.
   
   
6. Once the balm or salve has completely cooled and hardened, add lids or caps and labels. This will take several hours or potentially overnight.
   

Clean Up Tips

For the easiest clean up, immediately wipe the pan out with a paper towel. If the wax residue starts to harden inside, lightly heat the pan to help it melt once again. Otherwise, it should all wash right out with hot soapy water. We also repurpose the already-hot water from the bottom of the double-boiler to wash the top portion.

And that’s a wrap!

I hope you enjoyed this lesson on how to make homemade salves and balms, and feel prepared and empowered to do so. Like I said, the options are truly endless once you get your feet wet and feel confident to get creative. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below, and leave a review once you give it a try! Thanks for tuning in today.

If you’re interested in straightforward guides to make specific salves and other natural products, check out these related tutorials:

• How to Make Calendula Salve for Healthy Skin
• Soothing Homemade Lavender Salve Recipe
• How to Make Cannabis Salve (including CBD)
• DIY Natural Lip Balm Tutorial
• How to Make Medicinal Herbal Infused Oils, Two Ways
• DIY Bath Salts Recipe: Natural Beautiful Soaking Salts