When skin is cracked, dry, or otherwise irritated, you might be reaching for something rich and moisturizing to help soothe it. But before you do, take a beat to determine whether what you need is a salve vs. a balm or an ointment. Because though ointments, salves, and balms are similar, they have very distinct characteristics that make them better-suited to some skin concerns over others.
If you’re as passionate as we are about the nuances between salves, balms, and ointments-or just want to know what the real difference is between a salve and balm-keep reading. We’re sharing details on each of the three product types below, plus take a look at some of our fave products to help soothe dry skin patches.
What Is an Ointment?
According to the NIH, ointments-also called unguents-are topical formulations that help to heal rashes, scrapes, and other skin issues, including eczema. They generally possess a semi-solid state and exhibit an apparent oily or greasy sensation, due to their low water concentration and high occlusive ingredient concentration, such as petrolatum and lanolin.
The CeraVe Healing Ointment is one of our top choices to help soothe and protect dry, irritated skin. This lanolin-free formula contains a nice raft of hyaluronic acid to hydrate, barrier-loving ceramides, and petrolatum. Apply this non-greasy ointment to both your body and face for more comfortable, smoother-feeling skin with time.
Note that these are also prescription ointments available via a doctor’s prescription for more persistent or long-lasting skin concerns. If over-the-counter ointments aren’t helping very much, it might be worth asking your doctor if there is anything else they could recommend to help address your skin concerns.
What is a Salve?
Broadly speaking, salves are employed to salve-meaning remedy-something: dry skin, irritation, etc. These formulations are pretty similar to ointments, and the terms salve and ointment are often used interchangeably. However, while ointments tend to be relatively utilitarian, salves often feature herbal emollients or essential oils, such as lavender essential oil or eucalyptus essential oil. They’re also solid at room temperature, whereas ointments have a slightly creamier consistency.
When it comes to choosing between salve vs. ointment, consider what you’re using the product for. Ointments can be used all over-in other words, with slugging-whereas salves are generally designed for a specific area. And if you think, well, what is a salve used for, the answer is pretty much anything from dry elbows to chapped lips.
Take, for instance, the dryness of one’s hands during winter; for such cases, Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve comes into play. The thick, rich formula leads a cast of avocado oil, sesame seed oil, and shea butter, forming a glove-like barrier to help shield dry hands from environmental stressors and lock in moisture. Slather on a thick layer before bed and slip on some gloves if your hands are super dry for a sort of DIY overnight hand mask.
Salves also come in really handy for those keen to heal chapped lips. The Aesop Cedar and Citrus Lip Salve is a blend of various nourishing vegetable-derived emollients that help nourish and smooth dry lips. Bonus: the formula’s oil-gel texture leaves behind a pretty, yet subtle sheen.
What is balm?
Balms are variously solid or semisolid moisturist products consisting mainly of emollient oils and waxes. Like salves, these are commonly used for soothing dry or dehydrated skin. Some may also help smooth out the skin-the lip balms will be a great example of this. That said, there’s no singular formula for balms, so different products have different properties. Some “melt” into a more fluid, spreadable texture when applied onto the skin. Others-such as cleansing balms-are already fairly spreadable despite their semi-solid consistency.
When choosing a balm to incorporate into your regimen, think about your skin type, concerns, and what you want to accomplish. The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Barrier Balm is one of our favorite formulas for all skin types. This specialty formulation with squalane and pro-ceramides provides instant hydration to the skin and strengthens the skin barrier. Additionally, the portable package makes it easy to apply on-the-go-you can even swipe it onto dry patches over your makeup.
If you have very dry or chapped skin, try La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 For Dry Skin Irritations. Chock-full of nourishing ingredients such as shea butter and panthenol, aka vitamin B5, that help hydrate, soothe, and protect rough and dry skin with no greasy feel.
Last but not least, if you’re looking for something really luxurious, try SkinCeuticals Hydra Balm. This soothing formula deeply hydrates and helps lock in moisture to give dry, sensitive skin a look and feel that’s much improved.
What is salve?
Broadly speaking, salves are used to salve-so to speak-anything from dry skin to irritation. These formulations are pretty similar to ointments, and the terms salve and ointment are often used interchangeably. However, while ointments tend to be relatively utilitarian, salves often feature herbal emollients or essential oils, such as lavender essential oil or eucalyptus essential oil. They’re also solid at room temperature, whereas ointments have a slightly creamier consistency.
The best tack when considering salve vs. ointment is to factor in what you’re using the product for. Ointments can be used all over-like with slugging-while salves are generally designed for a specific area. And if you’re wondering what is a salve used for, the answer is pretty much anything, from dry elbows to chapped lips.
So, if you’re someone who has to deal with dry hands all the time-in the winter, for instance-you would be going in for something like the Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. This thick, rich formula stars with avocado oil, sesame seed oil, and shea butter, forming a glove-like barrier that helps to shield dry hands from outside stressors and lock in moisture. Slather on a thick layer before bed if your hands are super dry, and slip on some gloves for a sort of DIY overnight hand mask.
Salves also make wonderful treatments for those in dire need of soothing chapped lips. Aesop’s Cedar and Citrus Lip Salve boasts a complex blend of soothing vegetable-derived emollients that help nourish and smooth dry lips. Bonus: the formula’s oil-gel texture imparts a pretty-but-subtle shine upon application.