This skin-protecting salve base recipe can do it all.
Need an extra gentle salve for baby? A bug balm for hiking and camping? An “ouchie salve” for scrapes, bumps, rashes, and cuts? A lip balm for chapped winter lips? A fragrant solid perfume?
This one salve base recipe can be fully customizable to make any of the above and many more. Once you learn how simple the base recipe is you will be making salves, balms, and perfumes for every occasion.
Salve Made With 100% Organic Food-Based Ingredients
I developed this salve base recipe with the sensitive in mind. I’m not likely to put any ingredients on my body that I wouldn’t put in my body. That’s why this salve is made with organic beeswax, organic cocoa butter, and organic extra virgin olive oil. These three ingredients are food-based, extra gentle, soothing, and protective.
Organic Beeswax
Beeswax is used in this salve base to bind the other oils and keep the salve firm and emulsified. Beeswax is naturally hydrating and protective. It is safe and gentle for all skin types and especially suited for itchy, dry, and sensitive skin.
Organic Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is the slow-pressed fat from the seeds of the cacao tree. It is rich and creamy and has a pleasant chocolaty aroma. Cocoa butter coats skin and helps to seal in moisture without a residual greasy feeling.
The Difference Between Raw and Roasted Cocoa Butter
Raw cocoa butter has a milder chocolate smell and is perfect for people who are sensitive to odors or who will be scenting their salves with infused or essential oils. Sometimes a more chocolaty scent is appreciated and complementary to a recipe. In that case, roasted cocoa butter has a deeper scent that works perfectly with those formulations.
Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil is the rich oil from the olive fruit. It has been used in food and cosmetic preparations for centuries. When applied to the skin it acts as a protectant against free radicals, adds antioxidants and vitamins that help repair damaged skin, and helps to prevent excess moisture loss.
Adding Herbal Oils to Your Salves and Balms
Essential Oils
Most people don’t realize just how strong essential oils really are. Practicing essential oil safety is essential!
I really love what Devon from Nitty Gritty Life has written about essential oil safety and I trust her knowledge on the subject completely. Read through her article for the best essential oil practices and her handy chart showing the different dilution levels. She advises using no more than 0.5% (for sensitive groups) to 5.0% (for short-term use) of essential oil to carrier oil. I’m personally even more reserved than that — especially with astringent oils like peppermint, lemon, or orange.
For reference, my following salve base recipe has about 7 ounces of carrier oil.
Infused Oils
Unlike essential oils, infused oils are a much safer option that can also be made easily in the comfort of your own home.
A simple method of infusing oil is as basic as macerating 1 ounce of fresh herb (1/2 ounce, dried), placing it in a bottle or jar, and filling it with 4 ounces of extra virgin olive oil. Leave this oil in a warm water bath for 12 to 24 hours. After fully infused, strain the oil through a sieve and use it in the following salve recipe.
Oil Infusion Ideas
Try infusing calendula flowers for a skin-healing infusion, lavender buds for a relaxingly scented salve, or rosemary for a circulation-stimulating balm.
There are many other great ways to infuse oil and I suggest finding a comprehensive book written by a knowledgeable herbalist!
Customizable Salve Recipe Ideas
Never add essential oils without first testing them (diluted to proper concentration) on your skin. Use the “essential oil safety” link and chart above to determine concentration levels.
I’ve included some of the variations that I have made in the last year and the graphics that I used to make labels.
Super Gentle Everyday Salve
To make a super gentle salve that is perfect for everyday use just follow the easy base recipe below without adding any essential oil or infused oil.
Maunka Honey “Ouchie Salve”
This customization of the basic salve recipe includes a little raw Manuka honey to speed healing of burns, scrapes, bites, and rashes.
- Follow the base recipe below using infused oil if desired.
- When the salve base is fully melted cool the mixture to 120℉.
- Add 70 grams (1/6 cup) Manuka honey and whisk quickly until the texture becomes that of a creamy body butter.
- Quickly use a rubber spatula to transfer the salve into three 4-ounce jars or tins.
Manuka Honey Salve Variation: Add 20 to 40 drops each: lavender, rosemary, and clary sage essential oils.
Solid Perfume
This customization of the basic salve recipe adds enough essential oil to make a lovely solid perfume.
Solid perfume makes an excellent gift or favor.
- Follow the base recipe below.
- When the salve base is fully melted remove it from the heat and add your essential oils.
- Pour the liquid salve base into six small 2-ounce tins and let cool completely.
Forest Spirit Solid Perfume Variation: Add 50 drops each: patchouli, atlas cedarwood, and frankincense essential oils.
Lip Balm and Chapstick
This customization of the salve recipe makes a wonderfully soothing lip balm or chapstick.
- Follow the base recipe below using roasted cocoa butter.
- When the salve base is fully melted remove it from the heat and add your essential oils (up to 1%) if desired.
- Pour the liquid salve base into twenty-four 1/2-ounce tins or fifty empty chapstick containers and let cool completely.
Chocolate Orange Chapstick Variation: Add 20 drops of sweet orange essential oil.
Bug-Off Bug Balm
This customization of the salve recipe makes a bug balm that is sure to keep biting critters away!
- Follow the base recipe below using an appropriate infused oil if desired.
- When the salve base is fully melted remove it from the heat and add 150 drops of bug repelling essential oil (some of these include cedarwood, lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, geranium, lemongrass, lemon eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, tea tree, thyme, and clove).
- Pour the liquid salve base into six 2-ounce tins and let cool completely.
Bug-Off Bug Balm Variation: Add 150 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil.
An extra gentle salve base recipe that is easily customizable for making herbal salves, balms, chapsticks, and perfumes. Never add essential oils without first testing them (diluted to proper concentration) on your skin. Use the "essential oil safety" link and chart above to determine concentration levels. For reference, this salve base recipe has about 7 ounces of carrier oil. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Organic Salve Base Recipe – Three Ingredients and Extra Gentle
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Recommended Products
Homemade Health and Beauty Products
Try a few of my other DIY health and beauty product recipes!
Mandi M
Monday 8th of January 2024
Hello! Have you tried using this base recipe into a magnesium balm? Would love any guidance or suggestions.
Butter For All
Wednesday 24th of January 2024
Hi Mandi!
I have not, but I love the idea. I think I'd probably make the salve, and when it's just starting to cool, whip in some magnesium oil. Maybe start with a small batch to try it and see if it stays emulsified!
Best of luck,
Courtney
Diane
Thursday 28th of December 2023
It’s a plan to start making my own salves. However I was just wondering if storing the mixture in larger containers are permissible. I have (or can get) four ounce clear mason jars. I’ve looked at recipes where the mixtures are stored in tins, two or four ounce amber or cobalt jars. Is there a reason for tins and colored jars? Does size for storage matter?
Butter For All
Tuesday 20th of February 2024
Hi Diane, I apologize for the slow response on this comment sometimes comments can get lost in the mix. Storing the salve in a large container is totally fine, just know that it sets up pretty firm. You could try whipping it while it's still warm so that it would have a softer texture and be easily scoopable. Otherwise if you pour the hot Salve directly into a jar it's going to set up firm with a nice smooth top. For long-term storage a colored glass jar or other container that does not allow light in will help keep the salve from degrading. This is especially important if you have delicate oils like calendula oil added to the recipe. I'd love to know how the recipe worked for you, if you've tried it feel free to leave me a comment letting me know! In good health, Courtney
Beatrix
Wednesday 19th of October 2022
Love the recipes! How can I make my own skin moisturizer with just pure beeswax and extra virgin cold pressed olive oil plus vitamin E that won't be harmful to our little Shih Tzu dog and our cat if accidentally ingested when the lick my hands?
Butter For All
Thursday 27th of October 2022
Hi Beatrix,
You can make it just like the salve and add the vitamin E at the end when you would add essential oils.
Susan
Wednesday 27th of April 2022
Thank you .. good recipe and scent suggestions. I have been making the classic 1:1 ratio of olive oil and cocoa butter for years but sometimes the cocoa butter crystallizes out of the product (little spheres of cocoa butter that have to be melted in your hands). Perhaps the beeswax prevents this from happening.
Butter For All
Saturday 30th of April 2022
Hi Susan!
The beeswax will definitely keep that from happening. Hope you'll give it a try!
Courtney
Lily-Rose
Wednesday 2nd of February 2022
Hi, is this is super hard balm? I'm wanting to be able to easily remove some balm to apply on body... should I change the ratios at all?
Lily-Rose
Tuesday 15th of February 2022
Or even equal ratios of 1 cup coco oil, 1 cup beeswax, 1 cup olive oil. I know the coco oil solidifies but in hot areas it starts to soften
Lily-Rose
Tuesday 15th of February 2022
@Butter For All, hi thanks. How does, 1 cup of coconut oil, 1 cup beeswax and 3/4 olive oil sound? Would that be a less harder balm?
Butter For All
Thursday 3rd of February 2022
Hi Lily-Rose,
Yes, it is pretty solid at room temperature. It requires a bit of melting between your palms before using. For a softer salve you can decrease the beeswax and cocoa butter to 1/2 cup each, or increase the olive oil to 1 cup. It just depends bon how much product you want to make!
Hope that helps!
Courtney