Choosing the right oils and butters can turn your anhydrous product into a balm. For instance, choosing an oil high in phytosterols like sesame seed, soy bean, or apricot kernel oil might help with inflammation. Choosing olive oil might help with post-sun exposure. Or choosing an oil high in Vitamin E, like wheat germ oil,...

We’ve taken a look at whipped butters and lotion bars, so let’s take a look at another type of anhydrous product – the balm. What exactly is a balm? It is a “medicated topical preparation for application to the skin…(that is) rubbed in” (from Wikipedia). Obviously I won’t be making any claims for the products...