Help Me Choose: Salve For My Skin

    Help Me Choose Herbal Salve

    What Is a Salve?

     

    Salves are semi-solid healing ointments used to nourish dry skin and soothe and heal minor irritations.

    If you are my age (over 65), you remember topical ointments and salves from the corner drugstore.

    Unfortunately, these ointments were made primarily from petroleum products, like petroleum jelly, and were not truly agents of healing.

    Natural Organic Healing Herbal SalvesChagrin Valley salves are made with USDA Certified Organic ingredients. It does not make sense to create a healing product with ingredients that contain GMOs and are sprayed with pesticides, irradiated, and fumigated.

    There are no artificial ingredients, no petroleum products, no synthetic preservatives or emulsifiers, and no synthetic fragrances.

    A salve is basically just something applied topically to heal the skin. They are semi-solid at room temperature but soften once applied to the skin, making them less messy than oils. Organic herbal salves work because they rely on the medicinal properties of nature.

    To make a basic salve, all you need is oil and beeswax. But the magical part of a great salve comes from the healing oils and/or the herbal infused oils we use to make them.

    As a skincare company we are not trying to treat medical conditions, the best we can hope for is to help ease some of the symptoms associated with them. Our recommendations are based on customer experience--not everything works for everyone and what works well for one person might be ineffective for someone else.

    If you have sensitive skin or are new to salves we recommend a patch test before general use.

    Herbs Have a Life-force of Their Own

    Slowly infusing herbs into oil transfers the healing properties, scent, and color to the oil, and is one of the oldest forms of medicine-making.

    We have many different salve formulations. The herbs, botanicals, and oils we use depend on the end result we are trying to achieve.

    Natural Organic Healing Herbal SalvesWhether you call them balms, salves, or ointments, Chagrin Valley organic salves are combinations of healing herbs, botanicals, and therapeutic soothing oils.

    Some salves contain pure essential oils for their healing and/or aromatherapeutic properties.


    We use our organic salves externally for minor skin irritations, insect bites, cuts, abrasions, healing scars, muscle and joint pain, stuffiness, chest congestion, stress relief, and more.

    A common question often asked is, "Which salve is the best?" You will notice from this "help me choose" page that although many salves have similar properties, some target very specific issues. Since your skin is unique to you--it is often difficult for us to choose just the right salve for you!

    Although it is not a salve, we have included our Healing Herbs Oil in this section. It is basically a salve without the beeswax.

    Read more about how we choose our herbs in "Skin Care from the Garden"

    All Purpose Healing Salves

    Calendula Salve

    Organic Calendula Salve CreamCalendula salve is a super soothing organic salve contains the healing herbs of Calendula, Chamomile, and Lavender.

    Best Uses:

    • Best all purpose salve
    • Minor skin irritations
    • Rashes
    • Minor burns
    • Tattoos
    • Vaginal lubricant (not to be used with latex condoms)
    • Extra dry skin, cracked hands and feet

     

    Sea Buckthorn Salve

    Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil Cream SalveSea Buckthorn Rosehips Salve is an organic salve, made with antioxidant rich, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbiological Sea Buckthorn, oil helps encourage tissue regeneration.

    Best For:

    • Acne, rosacea, dermatitis
    • Helps fade old scars
    • Promotes wound healing
    • Promotes healing of burns, including radiation and sunburn
    • Rosacea--helps kill demodex mites that often cause rosacea
    • Repair damaged and dry skin
    • Helps combat symptoms of aging

     

    Healing Herbs Oil

    Healing Herbs Oil is a combination of two incredible oils that promote healing The oils plus the infused healing botanicals are highly emollient, chocked full of antioxidants, and have anti-inflammatory properties.

    Best Uses:

    • Helps promote new tissue formation and encourage healthy new skin growth
    • Helps treat minor burns, irritated or damaged skin, rashes, and eczema
    • Helps heal scars and reduce the appearance of scars
    • Helps calm inflammation
    • Helps soothe very dry skin

     

    All Purpose Healing

     

    Rashes

    Tamanu Salve

    Natural Organic Unrefined Healing Tamanu OilTamanu Oil Salve uses the healing powers of Tamanu Oil that were discovered thousands of years ago when native Polynesians learned how to extract the thick green oil from the tamanu nut and called it a “sacred” gift of nature.

    Best For:

    • Fading stretch marks
    • Healing new scars
    • Reduces inflammation
    • Promotes wound healing
    • Promotes healing of burns, including radiation and sunburn
    • Promotes new tissue formation and encourages healthy skin growth to aid in healing

     

    Chickweed Salve

    Natural Chickweed Anti-itch SalveChickweed Salve is a great organic salve for itchy skin containing the healing herbs of Chickweed and Plantain.

    Best Uses:

    • Relieves itching**
    • Soothe and calm itchy, inflamed and irritated skin conditions
    • Helps dry skin and healing skin
    • First aid for relief from insect bites and stings

    **Salves and ointments should not be used on open or weeping skin with Poison Ivy or Poison Oak. The irritating oil (urushiol) in Poison Ivy and Poison Oak can be spread by oil based products.

    Once the area has dried, salves can be used to aid healing or relieve itching.

     

    Rashes

     

    Itching & Bug Bites

     

    Chickweed Salve

    Natural Chickweed Anti-itch SalveChickweed Salve is a great organic salve for itchy skin containing the healing herbs of Chickweed and Plantain.

    Best Uses:

    • Relieves itching**
    • Soothe and calm itchy, inflamed and irritated skin conditions
    • Helps dry skin and healing skin
    • First aid for relief from insect bites and stings

    **Salves and ointments should not be used on open or weeping skin with Poison Ivy or Poison Oak. The irritating oil (urushiol) in Poison Ivyand Poison Oak can be spread by oil based products.

    Once the area has dried, salves can be used to aid healing or relieve itching.

     

    Itching & Bug Bites

     

    Antibacterial, Antifungal

     

    Goldenseal & Myrrh Salve

    Natural Organic Skin Care & Hair Care MyrrhGoldenseal and Myrrh Salve uses the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties of lavender, goldenseal and myrrh to aid the healing process

     

    • Healing antiseptic ointment
    • Minor cuts
    • Fungal and bacterial infections
    • Minor burns
    • Contains Tea Tree oil - - known as the "first aid kit in a bottle"

     

    Antibacterial, Antifungal

     

    Minor Burns

    St. Johns Wort Salve

    Natural Organic St. Johns Wort Burn SalveSt. John's Wort Salve is a rich organic salve, containing the healing and soothing herbs of St John's Wort, Calendula, Chickweed, and Plantain, to help dry and damaged skin. Ida developed this salve to use during her radiation treatments for breast cancer.

    Best For:

    • Minor burns
    • Sunburn
    • Minor skin irritations
    • Rashes
    • Extra dry skin, cracked hands and feet

    Sea Buckthorn Salve

    Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil Cream SalveSea Buckthorn Rosehips Salve is an organic salve, made with antioxidant rich, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbiological Sea Buckthorn, oil helps encourage tissue regeneration.

    Best For:

    • Acne, rosacea, dermatitis
    • Helps fade old scars
    • Promotes wound healing
    • Promotes healing of burns, including radiation and sunburn
    • Rosacea--helps kill demodex mites that often cause rosacea
    • Repair damaged and dry skin
    • Helps combat symptoms of aging

    Tamanu Oil Salve

    Natural Organic Unrefined Healing Tamanu OilTamanu Oil Salve uses the healing powers of Tamanu Oil that were discovered thousands of years ago when native Polynesians learned how to extract the thick green oil from the tamanu nut and called it a “sacred” gift of nature.

    Best For:

    • Fading stretch marks
    • Healing new scars
    • Reduces inflammation
    • Promotes wound healing
    • Promotes healing of burns, including radiation and sunburn
    • Promotes new tissue formation and encourages healthy skin growth to aid in healing

     

    Healing Herbs Oil

    Organic Healing Herbs OilHealing Herbs Oil is a combination of two incredible oils that promote healing The oils plus the infused healing botanicals are highly emollient, chocked full of antioxidants, and have anti-inflammatory properties.

    Best Uses:

    • Helps promote new tissue formation and encourage healthy new skin growth
    • Helps treat minor burns, irritated or damaged skin, rashes, and eczema
    • Helps heal scars and reduce the appearance of scars
    • Helps calm inflammation
    • Helps soothe very dry skin

     

    Minor Burns

     

    Rosacea

     

    Sea Buckthorn Salve

    Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil Cream SalveSea Buckthorn Rosehips Salve is an organic salve, made with antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbiological Sea Buckthorn, oil helps encourage tissue regeneration.

    Best For:

    • Acne, rosacea, dermatitis
    • Helps fade old scars
    • Promotes wound healing
    • Promotes healing of burns, including radiation and sunburn
    • Rosacea--helps kill demodex mites that often cause rosacea
    • Repair damaged and dry skin
    • Helps combat symptoms of aging

     

    Healing Herbs Oil

    Healing Herbs Oil is a combination of two incredible oils that promote healing. The oils plus the infused healing botanicals are highly emollient, chocked full of antioxidants, and have anti-inflammatory properties.

    Best Uses:

    • Helps promote new tissue formation and encourage healthy new skin growth
    • Helps treat minor burns, irritated or damaged skin, rashes, and eczema
    • Helps heal scars and reduce the appearance of scars
    • Helps calm inflammation
    • Helps soothe very dry skin

    See more products for Rosacea

     

    Rosacea

     

    Scars


    Tamanu Oil Salve

    Tamanu Oil Salve uses the healing powers of Tamanu Oil that were discovered thousands of years ago when native Polynesians learned how to extract the thick green oil from the tamanu nut and called it a “sacred” gift of nature.

    Best For:

    • Fading stretch marks
    • Healing new scars
    • Reduces inflammation
    • Promotes wound healing
    • Promotes healing of burns, including radiation and sunburn
    • Promotes new tissue formation and encourages healthy skin growth to aid in healing

    If using Tamanu for fresh surgical scars please check with your healthcare provider.

     

    Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil Cream Salve

    Sea Buckthorn Salve

    Sea Buckthorn Rosehips Salve is an organic salve, made with antioxidant rich, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbiological Sea Buckthorn, oil helps encourage tissue regeneration.

    Best For:

    • Acne, rosacea, dermatitis
    • Helps fade old scars
    • Promotes wound healing
    • Promotes healing of burns, including radiation and sunburn
    • Rosacea--helps kill Demodex mites that often cause rosacea
    • Repair damaged and dry skin
    • Helps combat symptoms of aging

     

    Healing Herbs Oil

    Organic Healing Herbs OilHealing Herbs Oil is a combination of two incredible oils that promote healing The oils plus the infused healing botanicals are highly emollient, chocked full of antioxidants, and have anti-inflammatory properties.

    Best Uses:

    • Helps promote new tissue formation and encourage healthy new skin growth
    • Helps treat minor burns, irritated or damaged skin, rashes, and eczema
    • Helps heal scars and reduce the appearance of scars
    • Helps calm inflammation
    • Helps soothe very dry skin

     

    Scars

     

    Eczema & Psoriasis


    Tamanu Oil Salve

    Tamanu Oil Salve uses the healing powers of Tamanu Oil that were discovered thousands of years ago. Over the years, it oil has been recommended for various skin issues such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, burns and dried cracked skin.

    Best For:

    • Fading stretch marks
    • Healing new scars
    • Reduces inflammation
    • Promotes wound healing
    • Promotes healing of burns, including radiation and sunburn
    • Promotes new tissue formation and encourages healthy skin growth to aid in healing

    Sea Buckthorn Salve

    Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil Cream SalveSea Buckthorn Rosehips Salve is an organic salve, made with antioxidant rich, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbiological Sea Buckthorn, oil helps encourage tissue regeneration.

    Best For:

    • Acne, rosacea, dermatitis
    • Helps fade old scars
    • Promotes wound healing
    • Promotes healing of burns, including radiation and sunburn
    • Rosacea--helps kill demodex mites that often cause rosacea
    • Repair damaged and dry skin
    • Helps combat symptoms of aging

     

    Calendula Salve

    Organic Calendula Salve CreamCalendula salve is a super soothing organic salve contains the healing herbs of Calendula, Chamomile, and Lavender.

    Best Uses:

    • Best all purpose salve
    • Minor skin irritations
    • Rashes
    • Minor burns
    • Tattoos
    • Vaginal lubricant (not to be used with latex condoms)
    • Extra dry skin, cracked hands and feet


    See more products for Eczema & Psoriasis

     

    Eczema & Psoriasis

     

    Muscle & Joint Pain

    Warming Muscle Salve

    Cayenne Pepper Muscle SalveWarming Muscle Salve is a penetrating organic salve made with pain relieving arnica, healing St. John’s wort and warming cayenne pepper.

    Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a natural anti-inflammatory that blocks a neurotransmitter that transmits pain signals from the nerves to the central nervous system.

    When choosing which sore muscle salve to use, Warming Cayenne or Cooling Menthol, it is simply trial and error. The best question to ask yourself is... what helps alleviate your pain better, heat or cold.

    Best For:

    • Excites heat sensors in the skin
    • Provides a warm feeling to the skin and underlying tissue layers
    • Stimulates circulation
    • Helps temporarily relieve pain from sore muscles, stiff joints, arthritis and nerve pain (neuralgia)
    • Can also be used before exercising to warm and loosen muscles and joints

    When choosing which sore muscle salve is best for you, Warming Muscle with cayenne or Cooling Menthol, the best question to ask yourself is... what helps alleviate your pain better, Heat or Cold.

     

    Cool Menthol Salve

    Cool Menthol Mint Sore Muscle Salve

    Cool Menthol Salve is a great multipurpose organic salve that may help with heavy congestion, aching muscles and joints or mind and body fatigue. Menthol stimulates cold sense receptors in the skin and nose causing a cooling sensation when applied topically or inhaled.

    Best For:

    • Easing the sensation of pain by stimulating cold sensors in the skin (similar to a cold pack) which refreshes tense muscles and cools sore joints
    • The blast of cooling vapors stimulates the body and senses to help relieve exhaustion and fatigue
    • More intense congestion relief than our Breathe Easy Salve
    • The cooling sensation helps airways feel open to make cold sufferers feel more comfortable

    Also try these organic products!

    Sore Muscle Congestion Blend Bath Salt

    Sore Muscle Congestion Blend Bath & Massage Oil

    Sore Muscle Warming Lotion Body Candle

     

    Muscle & Joint Pain

     

    Cold, Sinus, & Congestion


    Breathe Easy Salve

    Eucalyptus Congestion SalveBreathe Easy Salve has carefully selected organic essential oils that provide aromatherapy for stuffiness from dry heat, colds or allergies.

    Best For:

    • The convenient tin of organic salve to use whenever you feel minor congestion
    • Energizing essential oil blend revitalizes to help relieve exhaustion and fatigue
    • For severe congestion try our Cool Menthol Salve!

     

    Cool Menthol Salve

    Cool Menthol Mint Sore Muscle SalveCool Menthol Salve is a great multipurpose organic salve that may help with heavy congestion, aching muscles and joints or mind and body fatigue. Menthol stimulates cold sense receptors in the skin and nose causing a cooling sensation when applied topically or inhaled.

    Best For:

    • Easing the sensation of pain by stimulating cold sensors in the skin (similar to a cold pack) which refreshes tense muscles and cools sore joints
    • The blast of cooling vapors stimulates the body and senses to help relieve exhaustion and fatigue
    • More intense congestion relief than our Breathe Easy Salve
    • The cooling sensation helps airways feel open to make cold sufferers feel more comfortable

    Also try these organic products!

    Breathe Easy Shower Mist

    Breathe Easy Aromatherapy Essential Oil Roll On

    Congestion Relief Bath & Facial Tea

    Sore Muscle Congestion Blend Bath Salt

    Sore Muscle Congestion Blend Bath & Massage Oil

     

    Cold, Sinus & Congestion

     

    Tattoo Care

    Calendula Salve

    Organic Calendula Salve CreamCalendula salve is a super soothing organic salve contains the healing herbs of Calendula, Chamomile, and Lavender.

    Best Uses:

    • Best all purpose salve
    • Minor skin irritations
    • Rashes
    • Minor burns
    • Tattoo care
    • Vaginal lubricant (not to be used with latex condoms)
    • Extra dry skin, cracked hands and feet

     

    Tattoo Care

     

    Diaper Rash & Cradle Cap


    Baby Me! Baby Bum Salve

    Natural Organic Myrrh Baby SalveBaby Me! Baby Bum Salve gentle healing herbs, antifungal wildharvested myrrh, and anti-inflammatory evening primrose oil provide effective gentle protection and help soothe and calm baby's sensitive skin.

    Best For:

    • Our "go-to" salve to help with diaper rash
    • Cloth diaper safe
    • May help with cradle cap
    • Great for minor cuts and scrapes

    Also try our organic Baby Me! Baby Body Balm

    Discover More Read Help Me Choose Organic Baby Skin Care

    See our whole line of Organic Baby Skin Care Products

     

    Diaper Rash & Cradle Crap

     

    Cuts & Scrapes

    Goldenseal & Myrrh Salve

    Goldenseal & Myrrh Salve uses the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties of lavender, goldenseal and myrrh to aid the healing process

    Best For:

    • Healing antiseptic ointment
    • Minor cuts
    • Fungal and bacterial infections
    • Minor burns
    • Contains Tea Tree oil - - known as the "first aid kit in a bottle"

    Sea Buckthorn Salve

    Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil Cream SalveSea Buckthorn Rosehips Salve is an organic salve, made with antioxidant rich, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbiological Sea Buckthorn, oil helps encourage tissue regeneration.

    Best For:

    • Acne, rosacea, dermatitis
    • Helps fade old scars
    • Promotes wound healing
    • Promotes healing of burns, including radiation and sunburn
    • Rosacea--helps kill demodex mites that often cause rosacea
    • Repair damaged and dry skin
    • Helps combat symptoms of aging

    Baby Me! Baby Bum Salve

    Natural Organic Myrrh Baby SalveBaby Me! Baby Bum Salve gentle healing herbs, antifungal wildharvested myrrh, and anti-inflammatory evening primrose oil provide effective gentle protection and help soothe and calm baby's sensitive skin.

    Best For:

    • Our "go to" salve to help with diaper rash
    • Cloth diaper safe
    • May help with cradle cap
    • Great for minor cuts and scrapes

     

    Cuts & Scrapes

     

    Relaxation

    Sweet Dreams Salve

    Sweet Dream Relaxation LavenderSweet Dreams Salve is an organic salve with tranquil organic aromatherapy and an infusion of comforting herbs to soothe your nerves and calm your thoughts.

    Best For:

    • Quieting your thoughts and clearing your mind
    • Does not make you sleepy, simply helps decrease stress so you relax and sleep naturally!
    • Just before bedtime apply to your forehead and temples
    • Add a dab under your nose
    • Carry the convenient little tin with you to use during the day when feeling uneasy or stressed

     

    Here are a few more organic products that help promote relaxation:

    Tranquil Spirit Aromatherapy Essential Oil Roll On

    Lavender Rosemary Shower Mist

    Tranquil Spirit Bath Salt

    Sweet Dreams Stress Relief Bath Tea

    Tranquil Spirit Bath & Massage Oil

     

    Relaxation

     

    Sore Nipples

    Nipple Balm Salve

    Natural Organic Breastfeeding Nipple BalmNipple Balm Salve is a safe, soothing organic breastfeeding balm for mom. The skin on your nipples is very sensitive and the early days of breastfeeding can sometimes mean sore, chapped or cracked nipples.

    Best For:

    • naturally healing sore or chapped nipples
    • safe for babies, so no need to wash it off before nursing!
    • great for jogger’s nipples too!

    Sore Nipples

     

    Dry Cracked Feet

    Minty Feet Salve

    Peppermint Foot SalveMinty Feet Salve rejuvenates sore, tired, dry feet and helps soothe and help heal dry, rough, cracked heels and feet.

    Best For:

    • Cooling, refreshing essential oils known for their antibacterial and antifungal properties may help with foot fungus
    • A great salve for a foot massage to help relieve tension and aching feet

     

    Other Organic Foot Products to try:

    Coconut Lime Hand & Foot Polish

    Salts & Herbs Foot Soak

    Loofah Pumice Foot Soap

     

    Dry Cracked Feet

    *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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    Allergies

    People with severe allergies—please note: If you have severe anaphylactic-type reactions to ANY of the ingredients in ANY of our products, please do not buy our products. We have dedicated soap rooms and product rooms that are kept meticulously clean, but we cannot guarantee against possible cross-contamination of individual ingredients.

    Chagrin Valley Soap & Craft is not responsible for any individual reaction to any particular ingredient. Each product description on our website includes a complete list of ingredients. People with sensitivities to any listed ingredient should not use the product. In case you are in doubt always try an allergy patch test and if at any time irritation occurs, discontinue use of the product.

    Medical Disclaimer

    The content and information on this website, provided by The Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Company, is for educational purposes only and is in no way intended and should not be construed as medical advice to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The information regarding folklore or health-related benefits of certain ingredients is for educational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to prescribe or be taken as medical advice.

    The information provided is not meant to substitute the advice provided by your personal physician or other medical professionals. Do not use the information found on this website to self-diagnose any medical conditions or treat any health problems or diseases. If you have medical concerns regarding yourself or your family you should seek the advice of qualified, licensed health professionals. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

    This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

    Read our Full Medical Disclaimer.