In the world of skincare, the power of natural ingredients is being rediscovered, and one of the most effective, nourishing combinations comes from our Soothing Balm that blends lard, jojoba oil, and a variety of healing botanical extracts. This unique balm offers a comprehensive solution for those seeking relief from dry, irritated, or sensitive skin.
Lard has long been a staple in traditional skincare, known for its deeply moisturising and healing properties. When combined with jojoba oil, vitamin E, and a carefully selected array of plant extracts like calendula, chamomile, lion’s mane, and marshmallow leaf, our Soothing Balm becomes a powerhouse of hydration, skin protection, and soothing benefits. In this post, we’ll explore how each of these ingredients works together to offer your skin the care it deserves.
The Healing Power of Lard
The key ingredient in our Soothing Balm is lard, a nutrient-rich fat derived from pigs. While lard has been used in skincare for centuries, it’s making a comeback due to its outstanding benefits for the skin. Lard is packed with oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid—fatty acids that help moisturise, repair, and protect the skin’s natural barrier.
When applied topically, lard is highly effective in locking in moisture and preventing water loss, which makes it ideal for dry and chapped skin. Additionally, the fatty acids in lard penetrate deep into the skin, promoting elasticity and giving the skin a soft, smooth texture. The result? Skin that feels hydrated, nourished, and protected from the elements.
Jojoba Oil: The Perfect Moisturizer
Next up is jojoba oil, a liquid wax ester that closely resembles the natural oils produced by our skin, known as sebum. Jojoba oil is non-greasy and is readily absorbed, making it an excellent moisturizer for all skin types, including oily and sensitive skin.
Because jojoba oil mimics the skin’s natural sebum, it helps balance oil production, hydrate without clogging pores, and regulate moisture levels. It's particularly beneficial for soothing irritated or inflamed skin, making it a perfect complement to the nourishing and protective qualities of lard.
Jojoba oil is also rich in vitamin E, which is known for its antioxidant and healing properties, helping to protect the skin from free radicals, reduce the appearance of scars, and support skin repair.
The Power of Plant Extracts
The healing properties of our Soothing Balm don't stop at oils and fats—it also incorporates a variety of whole plant botanical extracts, that are infused in-house, directly into the lard. Each botanical offers a unique soothing, anti-inflammatory, and healing benefit. Let’s look at the key plant extracts in this balm:
1. Calendula Extract
Calendula (also known as marigold) is a well-known healing herb celebrated for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Calendula extract is often used in skincare to treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin. It helps to calm irritation, reduce redness, and promote the healing of damaged skin.
Calendula is also rich in flavonoids, which act as natural antioxidants, helping to fight free radicals and prevent skin aging. It provides additional moisture to dry skin while speeding up the healing of minor cuts, burns, and wounds.
2. Chamomile Extract
Chamomile is renowned for its ability to soothe and calm the skin. It is used to reduce inflammation, redness, and skin irritation. It’s especially helpful for sensitive skin and conditions like rosacea and eczema.
Chamomile contains bisabolol, a compound that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps reduce irritation, swelling, and redness, while also providing a relaxing, calming effect on the skin. Chamomile extract also works to hydrate and soften the skin, making it an excellent addition to any soothing balm.
3. Lion’s Mane Extract
Lion’s mane mushroom is an adaptogenic herb known for its cognitive and skin benefits. In skincare, lion’s mane extract is valued for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to support skin regeneration. Rich in polysaccharides, it helps promote collagen production and supports the skin's natural ability to heal and repair.
Lion’s mane also has antioxidant benefits, helping to protect the skin from environmental stressors. By promoting the production of new skin cells, it can aid in the recovery of damaged or irritated skin and improve overall skin texture.
4. Marshmallow Leaf Extract
Marshmallow leaf extract is a well-known skin soother that helps reduce inflammation and calm irritated skin. It is rich in mucilage, a gel-like substance that provides deep hydration and creates a protective barrier on the skin. This makes marshmallow extract ideal for dry, inflamed, or sensitive skin.
Marshmallow leaf is also known for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which support skin healing and protection. It enhances the balm’s ability to hydrate and soothe, while helping to prevent moisture loss and maintain skin softness.
The Benefits of Using our Soothing Balm
Here are the top benefits you can expect from incorporating our balm into your skincare routine:
1. Deep Hydration and Moisture Lock
The combination of lard and jojoba oil provides long-lasting hydration, making this balm perfect for treating dry, cracked, or flaky skin. It helps lock in moisture and prevents water loss, leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth, and supple.
2. Soothes Inflammation and Reduces Redness
Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of calendula, chamomile, and marshmallow extract, this balm is ideal for calming irritated or sensitive skin. Whether you’re dealing with eczema, rosacea, or simply dry, inflamed patches, this balm will help reduce redness and irritation while promoting faster healing.
3. Skin Healing and Repair
The antioxidants and healing compounds in the balm support the skin’s natural repair process. Vitamin E, lion’s mane, and calendula work together to promote the healing of damaged skin, helping to reduce the appearance of scars, cuts, and minor abrasions.
4. Restores Skin’s Natural Barrier
The balm helps to restore and protect the skin’s natural barrier, which is essential for preventing moisture loss and shielding the skin from environmental damage. Lard, jojoba oil, and marshmallow leaf create a protective layer that helps maintain skin hydration and prevents external irritants from penetrating the skin.
5. Gentle and Non-Irritating
This balm is suitable for even the most sensitive skin types. The gentle nature of the botanical extracts and the non-comedogenic nature of jojoba oil make this balm a safe choice for those with reactive skin or conditions like acne, eczema, or psoriasis.
6. Nourishing and Anti-Aging
The fatty acids in lard, the antioxidants in vitamin E and chamomile, and the collagen-boosting properties of lion’s mane make this balm a nourishing treatment for aging or mature skin. It helps improve skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and promote a smoother, more youthful complexion.
How to Use Soothing Balm
To reap the full benefits of this balm, here’s how to use it effectively:
1. Apply to Dry or Irritated Areas
Use the balm on areas that need extra moisturisation, such as elbows, knees, feet, or hands. Apply a small amount to the skin and gently massage it in for deep moisture and soothing relief.
2. Use as a Healing Salve
For cuts, scrapes, or other minor skin injuries, apply the balm directly to the affected area. Its healing ingredients will help speed up the recovery process and reduce scarring.
3. Soothe Inflammation
If you're dealing with red, itchy, or inflamed skin—whether from conditions like eczema or sunburn—this balm can help calm the irritation. Apply a thin layer to the affected area and let it absorb.
4. Overnight Treatment
For extra hydration and healing, apply a thicker layer of the balm before bed, especially to areas with dry patches or cracked skin. The balm will deeply nourish and repair your skin overnight.
You can also incorporate our Soothing Balm into your daily skin care routine:
- Cleanse your skin with Ghee Cleansing Oil, or plain warm water: Start by cleansing your face to remove dirt and impurities.
- Hydrate with Floral Toner: Spritz your face to add hydration back into your skin cells and help promote skin barrier health.
- Apply Barrier Repair Serum (optional): If your skin barrier is needing a little bit of love, such as extra dryness, sensitivities or redness, add Barrier Repair Serum into your routine.
- Apply Soothing Balm: Scoop a small amount of the balm and gently massage it into the skin. Apply it to areas that need extra hydration or rejuvenation, such as your face, neck, hands, or any dry patches.
FAQs: Soothing Balm for Dry and Sensitive Skin
1. What makes lard a good ingredient for skincare?
Lard is rich in fatty acids like oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid, which help moisturise, protect, and repair the skin's natural barrier. It help to hydrate by locking in moisture, making it especially beneficial for dry or cracked skin.
2. Can this balm be used for all skin types?
Yes! Soothing Balm is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and oily skin. Lard mimics the skin’s natural oils, making it non-comedogenic and effective for balancing oil production while providing hydration.
4. What skin conditions can this balm help with?
Soothing Balm is ideal for soothing and repairing skin affected by conditions such as eczema, rosacea, dry patches, sunburn, acne, dermatitis and psoriasis. It can work as an amazing nappy balm, as well as body moisturiser for babies. Its anti-inflammatory and healing ingredients help reduce irritation, redness, and promote skin regeneration.
7. How often should I use the balm?
You can use the balm as often as needed. For best results, apply it to dry or irritated areas twice a day, or more frequently if you have very dry skin. For healing purposes, it can be applied up to 3-4 times a day to areas with cuts, scrapes, or inflammation.
8. Can this balm help with scars or stretch marks?
Yes, the balm can help improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks over time. The combination of vitamin E, antioxidants, and collagen-boosting properties from ingredients like lion’s mane extract support skin healing and regeneration, reducing the appearance of scars and promoting smoother skin.
9. Is this balm suitable for use on children or babies?
Yes, this balm is gentle enough for use on children or babies, especially for dry skin, nappy rash, or minor skin irritations. However, if your child has known allergies or extremely sensitive skin, it’s always best to perform a patch test first.
Conclusion: The Natural Healing Balm Your Skin Deserves
Our Soothing Balm combines the best of nature’s moisturising fats and healing botanicals, creating a deeply nourishing and protective product that works wonders on dry, sensitive, and irritated skin. With ingredients like jojoba oil, calendula extract, chamomile extract, and lion’s mane extract, this balm offers more than just hydration—it helps promote healing, reduce inflammation, and restore your skin’s natural balance.
For anyone looking for a gentle yet effective solution to their skincare needs, this balm is a must-have in your routine. It’s a true testament to the power of whole, natural ingredients and the healing potential they offer for your skin.