What is a Salve and how does it differ from Petroleum Jelly?

If you’ve ever dealt with dry patches, cracked lips, irritated skin, or those stubborn areas that just won’t soften…meet your new best friend: the salve.

Salves may sound old-fashioned, but trust us, they’re having a serious glow-up. Let’s break down what a salve actually is, what it’s best for, where it fits into your skincare routine, and why our salve goes far beyond basic options like petroleum jelly.

What Is a Salve, Anyway?

A salve is a rich, semi-solid skincare product designed to protect, moisturise, and support skin healing. Traditionally made with oils and waxes, salves are thicker than creams and lotions, making them perfect for areas that need extra love.

Think of a salve as:

• A protective shield
• A deeply nourishing treatment
• A skin-soothing multitasker

What Is a Salve Best For?

Salves shine when your skin needs intensive care, especially for:

• Dry or cracked hands, lips, heels, and elbows
• Sensitive or irritated skin
• Weather-stressed skin (cold, wind, sun exposure)
• Locking in moisture overnight

Because salves are occlusive (they seal moisture in), they’re amazing at preventing trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), the fancy term for moisture escaping your skin.

Where Does a Salve Fit into Your Routine?

Salves are usually your final step, the protective hug at the end of your skincare routine.

How to use it:

1. Cleanse your skin
2. Apply serums or creams (if using)
3. Finish with a thin layer of salve to seal everything in

Pro tip: Salves are perfect as an overnight treatment or for targeted areas throughout the day.

Petroleum Jelly vs. Salve: What’s the Difference?

We often compare salves to petroleum jelly because both are designed to protect the skin by locking in moisture but the way they care for your skin is where the difference lies. Petroleum Jelly is a household staple for a reason, it works. But it’s important to understand how it works and what it doesn’t do.

Petroleum Jelly: The Basics

• Forms a strong occlusive barrier
• Prevents moisture loss
• Protects minor cuts and irritated skin
• Inert, non-reactive, and hypoallergenic

Pros:
✔ Simple, effective, affordable
✔ Excellent moisture barrier
✔ Very stable and long shelf life

Cons:
✖ Doesn’t add moisture - only locks in what’s already there
✖ No nutrients, antioxidants, or skin-healing actives
✖ Derived from petroleum, not plant-based

Petroleum Jelly is purely protective, not nourishing.

Why Our Salve Is More Than Just a Barrier

Our salve is designed to do what petroleum jelly can’t: nourish, soothe, and actively support skin health while still protecting it.

Ingredient Deep Dive (The Good Stuff)

Moisturisers & Nourishers

• Shea Butter - Deeply moisturising, rich in fatty acids
• Sweet Almond Oil - Softens skin, vitamin E rich
• Sunflower Seed Oil - Supports the skin barrier, anti-inflammatory
• Castor Oil - Helps retain moisture and smooth skin
• Glycerin - Draws moisture into the skin

Protective Plant Waxes

• Candelilla Wax & Carnauba Wax - Create a gentle, breathable occlusive layer

Soothing & Healing Botanicals

• Calendula (Marigold) - Calms irritation and supports skin repair
• Green Tea - Antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory

Aromatherapy & Freshness

• Orange Oil & Naturally Occurring Plant Compounds - Light, uplifting scent with mild antimicrobial benefits

What Makes Our Salve “Better”?

Here’s where our salve really shines:

Nourishment + Protection
Unlike petroleum jelly, which only seals, our salve feeds the skin while protecting it.

Plant-Derived Ingredients
A botanical, skin-loving alternative for those who prefer natural formulations.

Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Support
Green tea and calendula help calm irritation and support healing.

Complete Hydration System
Glycerin pulls moisture in, while plant waxes lock it in, giving hydration from every angle.

Naturally Fresh & Functional
A gentle citrus aroma with light antimicrobial benefits, no heavy synthetic fragrance.

The Bottom Line

• Petroleum Jelly: Fantastic at creating a simple moisture barrier. Safe, effective, and purely protective.
• Our Salve: A holistic skincare solution - moisturising, nourishing, soothing, antioxidant-rich, and protective all in one.

If your skin needs more than just a seal - if it needs comfort, care, and repair - a salve is your new skincare essential.

Your skin will thank you