While you may not remember to moisturize any other time of year, now you’re probably grabbing the smooth stuff and rubbing it on every chance you get. However, sometimes a regular body lotion or moisturizer can’t tackle the side effects of the season’s suckiest symptoms. Enter salves. These healing balms can cure just about any crack, itchy patch, or bloody knuckle. Alternative meanings of “salve” are soothe, ease, and comfort, so you know these creams can handles the job. Here are a few of our favorite salves for alleviating the damage winter has inflicted on your face, elbows, hands, and, well, just about anywhere else.
Captain Blankenship Anchor Balm – $20
By keeping this salve in your bag or back pocket, you will be the go-to guy when friend’s knuckles be chappin’, captain. Fragranced slightly with lavender essential oil and fortified with shea butter and sweet almond oil, this salve is built to defend your digits against harsh winter weather, no matter where you adventure takes you. (Like, on a boat maybe?)
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve – $15
Maybe one of our favorite hand salves of all time, this potent product adsorbs quickly to penetrate deep and help protect without any greasy feel. Using thick avocado oil loaded with amino acid proteins; Vitamins A, D, E; and potassium, as well as moisture-rich sesame oil, this leaves your hands feeling awesome and without a heavy scent. No wonder it’s been a Kiehl’s customer favorite for years. We don’t see it losing rank anytime soon.
C.O. Bigelow Chemist No. 012 Rose Salve Tin – $5.50
Way before it was fashionable to make packaging appear old-timey, C.O. Bigelow just did. This little tin looks the way it does because it was designed in the late 1800s. This American-made, rose-scented salve has been around that long for a reason: it works.
Baxter of California Hydro Salve Hand Cream – $16
This Baxter of California products is a heavy-duty salve-meets-cream made especially for men’s tough hands. Botanically-based and paraben-free, rich shea butter delivers deep hydration while antioxidants fight off additional damage lurking out in the winter wilderness waiting to wreck your hands. Don’t be fooled by the name — this salve works just as hard on other spots needing attention, such as elbows, knees, and heels.
Burt’s Bees Hand Salve – $9
Packed with olive oil, this 100-percent natural balm is the perfect prescription for a cold winter’s night. It does wondrous things for parched hands and cuticles, even rough feet. Slather on to replace you normal winter hydrator of choice, or keep it on reserve to supplement your usual regimen in case of a dire dryness emergency. Either way, your hands will thank you after applying this miracle of nature.
Article originally published by Katie Dickens on January 11, 2016. Last updated by Barrett Wertz on December 21, 2017. Feature image courtesy of Baxter of California/Instagram.
