Ointments, Salves, and Balms what’s the difference?
An ointment is an oil-based preparation that is used for topical therapeutic purposes, meaning it will have some type of healing action on the body.
Salves and balms are both types of ointments, and they are both a mixture of plant oils and some type of wax, usually bee’s wax. They are made without water which allows them the ability to be created without preservatives and without the fear of mold, bacteria, or fungus growth. When water is present, microbial growth becomes a strong probability over time- hence the reason preservatives in skincare are not a bad thing but a necessity.
A salve is softer and tends to be a higher ratio of oil to wax, and a balm is more solid with a higher ratio of wax to oil. Herbs and herbal infusions, as well as essential oils, can also be incorporated into either of these preparations. Salves being softer tend to generally be used for massage purposes, muscle aches, or for use on a wound. (Think putting Neosporin on a bandage. A balm is great for skin protection and sealing in moisture. (Think lip balm). Additional emollient (soother or softener) ingredients can be added to balm-such as shea butter or mango butter.
Reasons a balm is a treat for your skin, especially in the fall and winter:
- Support for the lipid barrier on the surface of the skin. Also known as the acid mantle, this invisible film is responsible for a healthy skin microbiome. This layer protects the skin from foreign invaders like pathogenic bacteria. It is our first line of defense on the outside of our skin. If the skin is red, inflamed, or has a rough texture, the acid mantle is probably compromised.
- Seal in moisture. Another important job of the lipid barrier is to seal in moisture. This oil-based film coats the skin and does not let the water evaporate out. If the skin is dehydrated, lacking water, the acid mantle could use a little support in the form of a balm as it rebuilds its self. This is a special treat for parched skin!
- Night repair. As we sleep, our skin is in recovery mode, the deeply moisturizing and softening properties of a balm are perfect for this time! The Night Balm: Infinite Cellular Repair is fantastic for age management or graceful aging because it contains ingredients that support a youthful appearance. (See below).
- Protection from cold and windburn. If you are heading up skiing, or even just planning to spend any time outside in the elements during the winter, a balm can be incredibly helpful to protect the delicate skin. It forms a layer of protection over the face like a lip balm would on the lips!
- After sun recovery. The ingredients in the Laurel Night Balm help to repair the skin after too much sun exposure. Fighting the effects of oxidative stress with its incredibly high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties!
To use a face balm:
- Remember that this is a preparation of oil, butters, and waxes. If they heat up and cool down, separation may occur. Keep them in a cool or room temperature place. If separation occurs (you may see pieces of the wax ball up in the container), that's okay! It's not ruined. You can still put a small amount in your hands and rub them together and it will emulsify again.
- Add a bit of liquid to your hands to improve spreadability of the balm. The best way to do this is to spritz a bit of a hydrating tonic, or a clarifying tonic into your hands with a pea size amount of the balm. Emulsify or rub together in your hands and then apply to your face. If you do not want to use a tonic, you can apply this when your face is still damp from cleansing.
- Your skin may feel uber moisturized and dewy. This will absorb!
