DIY Hand Salve Recipe for Dry Hands
You’re in the middle of a long day at work, and your hands are feeling dry and rough. You’ve tried using hand cream, but it seems to disappear within minutes and doesn’t do much to help. So you start wondering if there’s a DIY hand salve recipe that could help.
What makes a good hand salve recipe? A good hand salve recipe for dry hands is one that is easy to make, uses ingredients you likely have on hand, and helps soothe and hydrate dry hands. Shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax are all excellent ingredients for a DIY hand salve. They are hydrating, help protect against moisture loss, and possess anti-inflammatory properties. If you have very dry hands, you may want to add a few drops of an essential fatty acid oil, such as jojoba or rosehip seed oil to your hand salve recipe.
If you're looking for a hand salve recipe that's easy to make and uses ingredients you likely have on hand, consider the recipe and guide in this article.
DIY Hand Salve Recipe for Dry Hands Step-By-Step
Dry hands can be a real problem, especially in the wintertime when the air is dry, and your hands are constantly exposed to the elements. This hand salve recipe we are sharing is not only easy to make but very simple and only requires a few ingredients.
To make a hand salve at home, you will need:
1/2 cup shea butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tablespoons beeswax
2 drops of essential oil (optional)
Supplies needed to make hand salve:
Double boiler
Cheesecloth or strainer
Clean, dry glass jar with a lid or salve tins
Instructions:
Combine the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in a double boiler. Heat over low heat until the oil is warm. Do not boil.
Cook until the ingredients have melted and are well combined.
Carefully pour the melted shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax mixture into a clean, dry glass jar.
Add an essential oil of your choice (optional), and stir well to combine.
Seal the lid on the jar and store it in a cool, dark place.
Cover with a tight-fitting lid and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months
This recipe should take about 15-20 minutes to make and will yield around 8-10 ounces.
TIP: If you're using salve tins after the hand salve has cooled completely, use a spoon to fill each tin about two-thirds of the way full. Allow the hand salve to set overnight.
Best Hand Salve Recipe Ingredients
There are a few key ingredients you'll want to use in your hand salve recipe to create a salve that is hydrating, protective, and anti-inflammatory.
Shea Butter - Shea butter is an excellent ingredient for dry skin. It's rich in vitamins and fatty acids, which help to nourish and protect the skin.
Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is another great ingredient for dry skin. It helps to lock in moisture and prevents water loss.
Beeswax - Beeswax is a natural emulsifier and thickener. It helps to create a barrier on the skin that seals in moisture.
Essential Oils - Essential oils can be added to your hand salve recipe for their scent and/or therapeutic benefits. Some good essential oils to use for dry skin are lavender, geranium, and clary sage.
Check out our lemon balm salve recipe which uses the natural essential oils from lemon balm leaves. It’ smells great and it’s perfect for those who like minty or woodsy aromas.
What Are Common Hand Salve Recipes?
There are many hand salve recipes that can help to soothe and protect dry hands. In this section, we will discuss three of the most common hand salve recipes, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Burt's Bees Hand Salve Recipe
Burt's Bees hand salve is a natural option that is made with ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin E. It is free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and petrolatum.
Additional benefits:
The hand salve is known for its ability to penetrate the skin and provide long-lasting hydration deeply
It also has a light scent that many people find appealing
Burt's Bees hand salve is available in a variety of sizes, making it perfect for taking on the go
The main drawback of the Burt's Bees hand salve is that it is not vegan-friendly, as it contains beeswax. Additionally, it can be a bit pricey compared to other options.
Calendula Hand Salve Recipe
This hand salve is our favorite because it's easy to make, it's affordable, and it works great! The ingredients are all-natural, and the salve is perfect for keeping your hands soft and hydrated.
A good DIY calendula hand salve recipe would include ingredients like dried calendula flowers, carrier oil, beeswax pastilles, and a vitamin E capsule.
If you would like to learn how to make this, we have an entire article on how to make homemade calendula salve here on our website.
While this hand salve is easy to make and affordable, it does have a few drawbacks. First, it can be a bit greasy if you apply too much. Second, the scent of the herbs can be a bit strong for some people. Finally, it's not the best choice if you're looking for a waterproof salve.
Gardeners Hand Salve Recipe
If you're like me, your hands are constantly dry, especially in the winter. I've tried every hand cream out there, but nothing seems to work for long. So I decided to make my own hand salve recipe using natural ingredients from my garden. And it works like a charm!
The best thing about this hand salve is that it's made with all-natural ingredients. So it's good for your hands and won't cause any irritation.
What You'll Need:
1 cup Plantain herbal oil
1 tablespoon (or equivalent) Cocoa butter
1 oz Beeswax by weight
Essential oils of your choice
Double boiler
Tins for storing finished salve
Labels for identifying finished salve
Instructions:
Fill your double boiler and melt the oil, butter, and beeswax together, stirring with a chopstick to help the beeswax melt.
Once melted, pour into your designated tins (4-5 2 oz tins work well for this amount).
Wait 10 minutes for the salve to cool.
Add 5 or so drops of your chosen essential oils to each tin.
Drawbacks (if any): The only drawback to this recipe is that it is a bit messy. You will have to wash all your kitchen equipment with very hot water to melt the beeswax off of it.
Similarly, when applying the salve, the palms of your hands will become a bit greasy for about 10 minutes until the salve is fully absorbed. It is worth it to have your very own inexpensive hand salve whenever and wherever you need it though!
Conclusion
Hand salves are a great way to protect and nourish dry hands. They can be made with natural ingredients, like beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils. There are many different recipes for hand salves, so you can find one that fits your needs.
If you're looking for an all-natural hand salve that will help to soothe and protect your dry hands, then we recommend checking out our Khela Herbs salve. Our salve is made with natural ingredients perfect for keeping your hands hydrated and soft all winter long. You can purchase our hand salve in our shop today!
DIY Hand Salve Recipe Related Questions
Can you make a hand salve without beeswax?
Yes, you can make a hand salve without beeswax. There are many recipes available that use plant-based ingredients, like shea butter or cocoa butter, as a replacement for beeswax. You can also find recipes that don't use any thickening agent at all.
Can you mix coconut oil and beeswax in a hand salve recipe?
Yes, you can mix coconut oil and beeswax together in a hand salve recipe. This combination will create a thick, creamy salve that is perfect for dry hands.
How much essential oil do I add to a hand salve recipe?
The amount of essential oil you add to a hand salve recipe will depend on the size of the batch and the strength of the oil. We recommend starting with a few drops and then increasing the amount until you reach your desired scent.
Why is my salve separating?
If your salve is separating, it is likely because the ingredients are not fully emulsified, or there is water in your ingredients. You can try heating the mixture and stirring until it comes back together. Alternatively, you can add a little bit of beeswax to help bind the ingredients together.