Just like our face and body, our hands deserve almost the same level of care and attention. Soft, well-moisturised hands not only feel good but also reflect overall personal hygiene and grooming, leaving an everlasting impression on people. But then, our hands are constantly exposed to water, soap, sun, heat, and sometimes cold weather. Stripping the skin's natural oils is common. For those who wash hands frequently or use hand sanitiser, this habit can cause extreme dryness, especially in winter. This is why hand moisturisation becomes inevitable, be it to restore hydration, maintain the skin’s barrier, or prevent dryness and irritation. Well-moisturised skin is less prone to conditions like eczema and dermatitis as well. This short read explores natural remedies for cracked, dry, and dull hands and the benefits of using them frequently or using hand sanitiser. This habit can cause extreme dryness, especially in winter. This is why hand moisturisation becomes n-toxic and herb-based hand salve.
Why Are Hand Salves Used?
To promote healing of minor abrasions and improve overall skin health, many herbal emollients are available in the market. Some of these natural ointments made from medicinal herbs, oils, and beeswax (or other natural waxes), also called hand salves, are commonly used to soothe, protect, and heal the skin, which may have been exposed to harsh conditions. Here is how herbal hand salves benefit us:
Moisturises Dry Or Cracked Skin
Oils like olive, coconut oil, or jojoba, and waxes in salves deeply hydrate the skin and help with skin affected by dryness, weather, or frequent handwashing.
Soothe Irritation And Inflammation
Many herbs have anti-inflammatory properties, calming redness, itching, or rashes. Moreover, the wax layer seals moisture in and keeps environmental irritants out, besides speeding up the healing of cuts, scrapes, or abrasions.
Reduce Pain Or Skin Soreness
Some herbs, like arnica, used in salves, can reduce pain or bruising when applied topically. Antibacterial herbs in them can also help prevent infection or itching.
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Common Herbs And Their Benefits For Hands
Check out what specific herbs are used in hand salves and how they help to promote skin healing:
Calendula
- It is an anti-inflammatory herb
- Speeds healing of cuts, burns, and cracked skin
- Gentle and ideal for sensitive skin
Chamomile
- Soothes irritation
- Calms redness of the skin
- Helps with eczema and rashes
Lavender
- It is an antibacterial herb
- Provides calming scent
- Aids healing and reduces pain and irritation
Arnica
- Reduces inflammation and eczema of the skin
- Decreases pain caused by infection or swelling
St. John’s Wort
- It is an anti-inflammatory and nerve-soothing herb
- Helps with nerve pain or irritated skin
Also Read: What is Lip Oil? 5 Amazing Benefits And How To Use It For A Luscious, Glossy Pout
When To Use Hand Salves?
The following situations need an application of a hand emollient or a salve:
- After gardening or manual labour
- During winter or dry weather
- For eczema or dermatitis
- On chapped knuckles or cuticles
- Before bed, to let it get absorbed overnight
DIY Herbal Hand Salve Recipe
In case you are wondering how to make a hand salve at home and how to go about choosing herbs based on specific skin concerns, here is a simple DIY herbal hand salve recipe along with guidance:
Ingredients:
•1 cup carrier oil to infuse the herbs and moisturise the skin. Olive, jojoba, or sunflower oil is an ideal one
•1/2cup beeswax to solidify the salve and lock in moisture
•1/2 cup dried herbs for their healing properties. Calendula or chamomile are good options
•10 to 15 drops of essential oil to add scent and boost benefits. Lavender and tea tree are great options
Method:
•Infuse the herbs in oil
•Place dried herbs in a clean, dry jar
•Cover completely with oil
•Let it sit in a sunny window for about four weeks, shaking daily or you can eat the oil and herbs in a double boiler for three hours for a quicker option
•Strain the Oil
•Use cheesecloth to remove herbs and squeeze all the oil
•Melt beeswax
•In a double boiler, combine the herb-infused oil and beeswax
•Heat gently until beeswax is fully melted
•Add essential oils after removing them from the heat
•Pour into a glass jar and let it harden
•Your all-natural hand salve is ready, but it should be stored in a cool place
•It can be used for six to eight weeks if stored properly
(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile: Preeti Sharma
Preeti Sharma has a master’s in electronic media and mass communication and certification in short-term writing from Florida. With close to a decade of experience, she specializes in crafting engaging blogs on beauty, veterinary care, and healthy cooking. Preeti is proficient in video editing tools and produces captivating and informative content across multiple platforms.
References:
Regular use of a hand cream can attenuate skin dryness and roughness caused by frequent hand washing
Günter Kampf, Joachim Ennen
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1397860/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196655317307678
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