Petrolateum jelly isn’t really something I want on my skin, or my children’s skin. It is a byproduct of the oil refining process; I can’t understand why we need to apply that stuff to our largest organ when there are perfectly beautiful and nourishing plant-based, natural ingredients available.
There are many products on the market that doctors have been known to recommend for sensitive, eczema-affected skin. Sadly, many of them contain petrolatum – which the EU lists as a probable human carcinogen, and parabens – which are strongly suspected to interfere with our hormones.
This super salve is PERFECT for any area on your body; face, lips, elbows, bums, ears, feet… It contains nourishing ingredients like coconut oil and Shea butter, and although I like lemon, lavender and melaleuca (tea tree) essential oils, you have permission to exercise your creative muscle and add whatever essential oils you please (try adding eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, and lemon for “Vapour Rub” replacement).
At the end of the day, the simpler you can make your skin care routine, the healthier you will be. And while your children may not appreciate the enormous efforts you’re going to for their health, they’ll thank you someday.
Super Salve Healing Balm
Makes: 200 g | 7.1 oz Prep time: < 10 min.
Ingredients
90 g | 3.2 oz carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil and sweet almond oil are popular choices)
45 g | 1.6 oz coconut oil (the type that solidifies)
30 g | 1.1 oz shea butter
15 g | 0.5 oz beeswax
20 g | 0.7 oz evening primrose oil
60 drops of essential oils
My choice of essential oils…
My favourite essential oils in this recipe are tea tree, lemon and lavender, but don’t be limited by my suggestions. Use oils that fit your budget, or those that you already have in your collection. Read here for more information.
Method
1. Add carrier oil, coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax to a glass bowl and heat until completely melted, using either a microwave or the double boiler method. (Double boiler method– place bowl on a pot of gently simmering water and stir frequently; Microwave method– heat in short bursts on low, stopping and stirring frequently). Remove from heat.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix until combined.
3. Transfer into
4. Place into the fridge or freezer to set (this will reduce the chance of graininess developing over time).
Thermal Appliance Method
1. Add carrier oil, coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax to thermal appliance bowl and melt: 4-5 minutes | approx. 70˚C (158˚F) | low speed. Extend time if required, until ingredients have completely melted.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix for 5-10 seconds on low/medium speed. Scrape down sides and repeat if required, until ingredients are combined.
3. Transfer into
4. Place into the fridge or freezer to set (this will reduce the chance of graininess developing over time).
To Use
Scoop a small amount of super salve and apply sparingly to areas as required.
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Krissy Ballinger
Author and Advocate for natural living
Krissy wants to see a world where people make conscious, educated decisions that honour both humans and habitat. With a background in education and health promotion, she devotes her time to passionately increase awareness on common and avoidable toxins, in everyday items like washing powder and deodorant, and to educate individuals on how they can easily reduce their daily exposure, through simple and realistic do-it-yourself ideas and recipes.
Krissy has sold over 40,000 copies of her natural DIY recipe books, including her award-winning book, Naturally Inspired - Simple DIY Recipes for Body Care and Cleaning, and her newly-released kids book, Make & Play - Natural DIY Recipes for Kids. She offers honest and gentle guidance, education and 100+ natural DIY recipes on her website.
Hi Krissy,
I have your book but just wondering which one of your recipes is good for a grazed elbow with a scab to prevent scarring? My daughter had a fall and large scab. I would like it to heal well. Any advice is appreciated.
Oh no, hope she’s ok. If it were me or my daughter, I’d apply the Super Salve or the Sunscreen (zinc is very healing).
Hi Krissy
Would this balm be suitable for eczema? Our son suffers from a bad eczema and we’d like to avoid giving him steroid cream. Our GP recommended the steroid cream and QV Intensive Cream. Although they do help heal and moisturise his skin, I really hate the ingredients in the QV cream and would like to find a better non-toxic alternative (no luck so far). I’d like to give this a go but am not familiar with essential oils. Are they safe for eczema sufferer and which ones should I go for?
Thanks so much!
Hi Susanna, I’m sorry to hear your son suffers so much 🙁 When it comes to eczema, I can only suggest that you seek advice from a practitioner that looks at the body holistically. Also, have you removed irritants from his life, like certain mainstream washing powders, softeners, fragranced products – they’re all notorious for aggravating eczema? Have you looked into gut health? So many things to consider. I listened to a podcast recently by the ATP Project (episode is on Stitcher, April 6, titled: Eczema – A detailed look from the inside and out!) and they suggest olive oil and honey to be incredibly healing for eczema. As for essential oils, they can be quite irritating so I’d be careful. Perhaps join my discussion group and see if you get some more guidance there (with over 20,000 people, I am sure you will – the topic has been discussed plenty of times, as has this recipe). Good luck. https://facebook.com/groups/theinspiredlittlepot
Hi Krissy,
Can I use jojoba oil instead of evening primrose only because I have this at home.
Kind regards
Thank you
You sure can 🙂
Thank you so much
After going through several different creams and ointments to help my son’s eczema I decided to try homemade and that’s when I came across Krissy’s Recipe and all I can say is, I’m so glad I did, it was a lifesaver, his eczema finally started to clear up ans another bonus was it cleared up my dermatitis ony hands.
Don’t think about it just do it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it earlier.
Krissy, wondering if there is a substitute for the evening primrose oil? i have all the other ingredients, and would love to make this to help my daughters hands. The become very dry, even to the point of cracking and bleeding, in winter, and if she eats too much wheat. Trying to reduce her wheat consumption, but it’s proving difficult during the current atmosphere (everyone home and a bit overwrought due to COVID-19)
Hi Erika, you can sub any of the liquid oils for another liquid oil of choice. Good luck x
Just wondering why you use evening primrose oil in the recipe??
I love its properties – rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, and aids in the healing process. You can sub it out for another carrier oil of choice.
Hi Krissy,
This may be a silly question but is it ok to make these and the cleaning recipes in my Thermomix that I use for our food?
Thanks
Hi Holly, I do – ALL. THE TIME!
Just clean it properly (more info here > https://krissyballinger.com.au/blog/cleaning-up-after-diy/ )
Can I substitute FCO with castor oil? Not sure if they’ll have the same consistency, have heard castor oil is good for eczema.
Yes you can. Castor is thicker so the consistency will change a little but it won’t be a problem.
Hi krissy.
I am Isabella٫ a young girl and trying to be like you. We are trying to make a business . I dont know where to start . PLEASE HELP!!!!
-Isabella?
Hello Isabella. This info may help you > https://krissyballinger.com.au/blog/inspired-to-sell-your-diy-goodies/
Good luck!
Krissy
Hi Krissy,
Would this be suitable to use as a nappy or nipple balm for new mum and baby?
I know lots of people who use it for those purposes. I would still wipe/wash it off before feeding though. You might want to look into the Booty Balm for a nappy cream recipe > https://krissyballinger.com.au/recipes/baby-booty-balm/
Hey! Wondering what the shelf life on this and similar products would be?
Hey 🙂 At the bottom of every recipe I have recommended reading for
info like this. Here’s the link for you > https://krissyballinger.com.au/recipes/recommended-reading-for-diy-recipes/ It depends on so many factors!