DIY Elderflower Salve Recipe without Beeswax

DIY elderflower salve is a true treat for the skin! The nourishing herbal salve is deeply moisturizing and can help to ease many skin issues. The homemade slave recipe is made with natural, skin-loving ingredients and has a lovely floral scent. The easy skin care recipe shows how to make a healing salve without beeswax. Included are tips for preparing an elderflower infusion, using and storing the soothing balm, plus free printable labels.

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DIY elderflower salve recipe without beeswax – Easy herbal salve recipe

My DIY elderflower salve recipe is easy (takes just 10 minutes active time) and loaded with nourishing ingredients that will make your skin soft, supple, and glowing. The homemade slave is formulated with elderflowers and hydrating oils, which soften the skin, improve elasticity and fight the signs of ageing.

The multipurpose salve is suitable for all skin types and almost all areas of the body. The herbal salve recipe provides moisturisation, but it can also soothe irritation, insect bites, lacerations, and sunburns.

We’ll discuss the benefits of elderflower in skincare and learn to prepare elderflower infused oil. I also show how to make salve without beeswax. Sounds good? Let’s do it!

Elderflower benefits for skin

Is elderflower good for skin? Yes, elderflower is good for the skin and can enhance the complexion and skin health. The herb is packed with healthy nutrients, such as vitamins (A, B, C, and E), fatty acids, antioxidants, and bioflavonoids.

The blossom is said to have anti-inflammatory, conditioning, and anti-wrinkle properties that soften and smooth the skin and calm irritations. Additionally, the flower also carries astringent, toning, and gentle detoxifying qualities, which can potentially improve skin texture and even the skin tone.

Considering these qualities, elderflower is not only a great ingredient for this skin healing slave, but would also be an excellent addition for a facial toner and moisturizer.

Should I use dried or fresh elderflower?

Both will work for this homemade salve recipe. If you have access to fresh elder blossom in the few summer weeks that it’s in bloom, you may use it. However, I found that dried elderflowers produce a stronger fragrance, and the herbal infusion will be stronger.

Where to buy elderflower

Dried elderflower can be ordered online from herbal shops. I also found the product on Amazon. You can also look for elderflower tea in the tea aisle, which can be cheaper than buying online. Try to find pure elderflower without any additional ingredients.

How to make elderflower salve

How do you make homemade salve? Making DIY salve is a 2-step process: First, we prepare an elderflower infusion. The elderflower infused oil is then mixed with the other ingredients to create the homemade salve.

Elderflower infusion recipe

This elderflower infusion recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes, and a good amount of that is hands-off time (weigh out the other salve ingredients while you wait).

Here is how to make the elderflower infusion:

• Fill a small pot with water and bring to a mild simmer. Add the coconut oil, baobab oil, squalene oil and elderflower. Warm for 20 minutes. Heat at the lowest possible temperature to avoid burning the oils or herb and add more water if necessary.
• Strain the oil through a coffee filter or a fine-mesh tea infuser to remove the solids and discard the elder blossoms.

I used a melting pot for this, but a Turkish coffee pot or 8-oz mason jar would also work.

Herbal salve recipe

Once you have the elderflower oil infusion, the homemade salve takes just 5 minutes to make! Here’s how:

• Place the candelilla wax and shea butter in a heatproof bowl and melt in the water bath. Stir occasionally to speed up the process.
• Once melted, take off the heat and add the elderflower infused oil. Stir until well combined.
• Pour the mixture into a tin or glass jar.
• Let cool for 1 hour or until solid.

Elderflower salve ingredients

We already discussed the skincare benefits of elderflower. Now let’s have a brief look at the other ingredients.

Baobab oil

Baobab oil is pressed from the seeds of the baobab tree, a plant native to Africa. The oil is a rich source of vitamins, omega fatty acids and trace minerals, including magnesium and calcium. The antioxidants present in baobab oil protect the skin from oxidative damage by free radicals.

Baobab oil has excellent regenerative qualities, it supports the skin’s moisture barrier and helps to combat lines and wrinkles. The omega fatty acids provide anti-inflammatory properties that soothe irritation and eczema.

Squalane oil

Squalane is a naturally occurring substance, produced by our bodies, which moisturises and creates a protective layer on the skin. With age, production of squalane declines, which you can combat by adding squalane oil to your skin care.

The squalane oil I used in this recipe is derived from olives. The oil is lightweight and doesn’t feel greasy. Since it’s so similar to the body’s own, the oil penetrates deeply and provides excellent, long-lasting moisturization. The oil also levels out oil production and can reduce acne and skin irritation.

Raw shea butter

Shea butter is extracted from the nuts of the West African shea tree. The butter absorbs quickly into the skin and is known for its moisturizing effects. It’s excellent for refatting and restoring the skin lipids as the ingredient contains ample amounts of different fatty acids.

The plant butter contains vitamins A and E, which aid anti-ageing by promoting antioxidant benefits, and plant esters, that have been found to be anti-inflammatory. Shea also encourages cell regeneration and may boost collagen production.

Raw shea butter has a distinct smell not everyone loves. If it bothers you, use refined shea butter, avocado butter, mango butter, or cupuacu butter.

Fractionated coconut oil

Fractionated coconut oil is the third oil I used in this healing salve recipe. The oil is ultralight, deeply hydrating, gives a natural glow and keeps your skin soft. Coconut oil also has antibacterial properties, which aid with wound healing, such as lacerations and minor cuts.

To simplify the recipe, it’s also possible to prepare the salve with just 1 oil rather than a blend.

Herbal salve without beeswax

I wanted to create a vegan salve recipe without beeswax and added candelilla wax to my salve formulation. Other vegan wax options include carnauba wax, soy wax, bayberry wax, or berry fruit wax.

If you prefer to make a beeswax salve, simply prepare the recipe with the same amount of beeswax. Regular yellow beeswax or white beeswax will work.

How to use DIY elderflower salve

How do I use homemade salve?

Follow these simple steps to use the DIY elderflower salve:

Remove a small of amount slave from the container. A cosmetic spatula or small spoon are my tools of choice to remove herbal salve from the container.

Massage the salve into the skin using gentle, circular motions. Allow the salve a few moments to absorb into the skin.

The salve is very nourishing and a little goes a long way with this homemade skincare product. A small, hazelnut-sized dollop is enough to cover a large area (e.g. both hands or 1 lower leg.)

For the best moisturisation, apply a moisturiser, body lotion, or hand cream first. Then follow up with a salve to lock the moisture into the skin.

Since the salve formulation doesn’t contain water, we don’t have to add a preservative. When taking out product, be careful not to introduce water as it could spoil the salve accidentally.

What is salve good for?

What does salve do? You can use this all-purpose slave recipe on all body parts that need extra nourishment. Think dry skin patches, especially knees, elbows, feet, and heels. The salve is helpful to restore skin elasticity and softness, and helps to reduce transdermal water loss by locking moisture in the skin.

The product is also beneficial as hand salve recipe. I work as a florist, and my hands dry out quickly due to the constant exposure to water. Before going to bed, I first apply my hand cream and cuticle oil, and then I slather the salve on as an overnight hand pack. (I recommend wearing cotton gloves to protect your sheets.)

The salve can also soothe skin irritation and redness. The salve will calm insect bites and (sun)burns, and help to heal scratches and abrasions. It can also ease the appearance of eczema and bring a soft feel back to dry, cracked skin.

Can you use the salve on your face?

That depends on your skin type. Shea butter and squalane oil are 0 on the comedogenic scale and don’t clog bores. Baobab oil and fractionated coconut oil are a 2, which means there’s a low chance of clogging pores.

I use the salve as a lip balm (it’s really wonderful to repair chapped, dry lips) and eye cream to treat the delicate skin around my eyes. Since the salve is very rich, I avoid the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) but I apply small amounts to my cheeks if I have dry spots.

Shelf life and storage instructions

How do I store this homemade salve recipe?

For the best shelf life, store the elderflower salve in a cool and dry location. The oils, shea butter, and wax are temperature sensitive. Heat above room temperature will melt the salve and can inhibit the pleasant scent.

You also want to make sure that no water enters the container. This helps to preserve the soothing salve recipe and keeps bacteria out.

How long does salve last?

The shelf life of the homemade elderflower salve is 2 years if made with fresh materials. Coconut oil, baobab oil, squalane oil, and shea butter a very shelf stable cosmetic ingredients. Candelilla wax has almost indefinite shelf life. Otherwise, use the ingredient with the shortest expiry date to determine the shelf life.

Over to you!

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Irena xx