Sometimes even the heavy-duty moisturisers and oils in your skincare arsenal aren’t enough to soothe the dryness and cracked skin caused by cold weather, harsh winds, low humidity, and indoor heating. Rather than writing your skin off as a lost cause, try turning to a good multi-purpose salve, balm, or ointment.
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Though they’re definitely not the sexiest of skincare items (even the name has far less attraction than say, serum or lotion), restorative salves and balms have stood the test of time with formulas like Egyptian Magic and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream remaining bestsellers for decades. With a thicker consistency than a standard moisturiser, healing salves and balms are formulated with nourishing active ingredients designed to soothe and restore the skin, while locking in moisture and providing extra protection from the elements. So, for the sake of eradicating tight, dry, itchy, and sore skin this winter, these are the hardworking healing salves and balms you need to keep on hand.
1. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
A handbag staple for decades, don’t let the name of this one fool you; the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is more akin to an ointment or salve than a cream. As well as healing cracked, dry skin, it’s loved by beauty editors and makeup artists alike for its ability to tame flyaway hairs and wild brows, add shine to lips and cheeks, and protect skin from the elements.
2. Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm
A balm for the sensorially-inclined, Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm boasts the scent of a rose garden with the nourishing properties of wild rosehip oil, vitamin E, and shea butter. A true multi-tasker, it can be used as a restorative salve, rich cleanser or makeup remover, or a gentle exfoliant.
3. Lano Golden Dry Skin Miracle Salve
Safe enough for use on babies, the Lano Golden Dry Skin Miracle Salve combines the brand’s signature lanolin with manuka honey, vitamin E, and plant oils. As with all salves, it’s a multipurpose product, useful for healing patches of dry, scaly skin or applied all over the face as a restorative, moisturising mask.
4. Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream
A cure-all balm that’s been around for over 30 years, Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream uses just six hardworking, natural ingredients to heal an array of dry skin woes. It’s also the secret to achieving that glossy makeup look; try dabbing it onto eyelids or cheekbones.
5. Lucas’ Papaw Ointment
The result of a century-old recipe, Lucas Papaw’ Ointment is a tried-and-true staple. With antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, it’s perfect for use on cuts, minor burns, rashes, and chaffing.
6. The Great State Balm
Designed with being safe enough for use of babies, The Great State Balm works to heal cracked skin, nappy rash, chapped lips, and sensitive skin with a combination of nourishing plant oils (think jojoba, avocado, and coconut), shea butter, and beeswax.
7. Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
The antidote to dry, cracked hands, the Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve uses avocado and sesame oils to replenish moisture and forms a ‘glove-like’ protective barrier over hands. Ideal for manual labours – or simply those who frequently wash and sanitise their hands (i.e. everyone post-2020).
Words by AR Staff
Feature image courtesy of Ryan McGinley for Another Man
