Making your own personalized, scented moisturizing salve is very easy. In the above video, I’ve demonstrated step by step how to make this great product. I’m very self-conscious about being on video, so be gentle!
DIY Moisturizing Salve
Adapted from Crunchy Betty (who was in turn inspired by Li’l Bit Farms)
Equipment:
- double boiler (or makeshift double boiler like mine – a pan with canning lids in it that a pot rests upon)
- wooden or metal spoon
- pint jar or alternate lidded containers
- wet and dry measuring cups
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup beeswax
- 1/2 cup cold-pressed coconut oil
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup black walnut hulls powder (optional)
- essential oils in your favorite scents and combinations (optional)
- water (for the double boiler)
Essential Oils:
Aaron has really enjoyed a soap I bought him from Seattle Sundries for Christmas – it’s called the Sasquatch Soap. For Father’s Day, I’ve made him this moisturizing salve with 35 drops of cedarwood essential oil, 25 drops of lemon essential oil, and 20 drops of tea tree oil. It’s not the same as the soap, but it’s close enough! He approves.
For my weeding party, I made a half batch with 30 drops of lemon essential oil and then the scent of the olive oil. It was really too light, so I’d suggest 50.
Steps:
1. Gather all of your ingredients and equipment and place them near your stovetop.
2. Set up your double boiler with water and turn the heat to a low medium. When the water starts to bubble lightly, it’s ready. The beeswax will melt near 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and it has the highest melting point.
3. Place 1/2 cup of beeswax into the pot and stir until it is all melted.
4. Add 1/2 cup of coconut oil, being careful not to splash yourself. Stir until melted.
5. Pour in 1 cup of extra-virgin olive oil. When it hits the beeswax and coconut oil mixture, it will look cloudy and somewhat congealed. Stir until it melts.
6. Optionally, add the black walnut hulls powder and stir. Turn off the heat.
7. Optionally, add essential oils for scent and stir. You can use a lower quality essential oil if you are just looking for the scent, or use a higher quality essential oil if you are looking for therapeutic benefits. In you want the latter, Mountain Rose Herbs has a nice list of places to receive more education.
8. Last, pour the mixture into your pint jar or alternate containers and let cool. This sets within two hours, depending on the temperature of your home.
Another alternative is to replace the extra-virgin olive oil with another carrier oil with an herbal infusion. Watch this video for more information on how to make an herbal infused oil. You can also check out Crunchy Betty’s post on making healing salve with herbal infused oil.
As a last note, I know that in America I’m supposed to pronounce it “sav,” but I’m rebelling. I pronounce the first “r” in February and the “d” in Wednesday, too.