--- title: Herb-Infused Kokum Butter Salve for Dry Skin description: Looking for a deeply moisturizing salve? This homemade herb infused kokum butter and essential oil moisturizer will help soften and restore radiance to dry skin. --- [Mountain Rose Herbs Blog ](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com) # [Herb-Infused Kokum Butter Salve for Dry Skin](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-infused-kokum-butter-salve-for-dry-skin) Written by [Stacy- Guest Writer](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/author/stacy) | September 19, 2018 My recent discovery of [kokum butter](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/kokum-butter/profile) set me ablaze in the kitchen! Happily experimenting with various ways to use it, I’ve concluded that it is [perfect for dry skin](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-infused-kokum-butter-salve-for-dry-skin?hs_amp=true#butter). If you’ve never used [kokum butter](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/kokum-butter/profile), it’s similar in firmness to [cocoa butter](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/raw-cocoa-butter-wafers/profile), but a little flakier. Many consider it a good [substitute for cocoa butter](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/kokum-butter/profile) because of its uniform triglyceride composition. It can be used to thicken many homemade cosmetics including body butters, creams, [lotions](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/silky-rose-face-body-lotion?hsLang=en-us), and [lip balms](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/craft-lip-balm?hsLang=en-us). [Kokum butter](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/kokum-butter/profile) has a mild scent (it doesn’t smell like much at all), which is helpful when highlighting a particular aroma in your homemade creations (such as an [essential oil](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/aromatherapy/essential-oils) or [herb](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/herbs-spices/bulk)). This is where kokum butter comes in handy as a replacement for cocoa butter, since cocoa butter tends to overpower other scents. Of all the products I’ve made with kokum butter, my absolute favorite is [herbal-infused dry skin salve](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-infused-kokum-butter-salve-for-dry-skin?hs_amp=true#butter). It soothes dry patches around the elbows and knees, makes a great moisturizer for hard-working hands, and is perfect for massaging tired feet. I’m excited to share the recipe with you today! This [DIY salve ](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/diy-herbal-salves?hsLang=en-us)recipe utilizes the deep moisturizing properties of kokum butter and pairs them with [organic plant oils suitable for dry skin](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/ingredients/carrier-oils). The first step in making this salve is creating an [herb-infused oil](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-infused-kokum-butter-salve-for-dry-skin?hs_amp=true#oil) with [organic calendula](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/calendula-flowers/profile) and [organic lavender flowers](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/lavender-flowers/profile). If you’re in a hurry, the infusion can be omitted (see the Pro Tips for how to process in this case). [Tamanu oil](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/tamanu-oil/profile) is an important part of this recipe, but it has a strong herbaceous aroma (which I personally enjoy!). If you'd prefer a milder fragrance, use [organic plantain herbal oil](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/plantain-herbal-oil/profile) instead. Lastly, [organic helichrysum](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/helichrysum-essential-oil/profile) and [organic lavender essential oils](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/lavender-essential-oil/profile) are added to help soothe the skin. This salve is wonderful without the essential oils, but including them gives the salve a bit more oomph. Feel free to substitute with your favorite skin-safe [organic essential oils](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/aromatherapy/essential-oils), but be sure to create a dilution of no more than 2% essential oil-to-carrier and avoid using [phototoxic essential oils](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/essential-oil-safety?hsLang=en-us). Check out our [guide to essential oil dilutions and conversions](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/dilutions-conversions?hsLang=en-us) to learn more. [****](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/kokum-butter/profile) ## Herb-Infused Kokum Body Butter with Essential Oils *Yields 4 ounces.* **Ingredients** Herb-Infused Oil - 1 Tbsp. [organic dried calendula flowers](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/calendula-flowers/profile) - 1/2 Tbsp. [organic dried lavender flower](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/lavender-flowers/profile)[s](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/olive-oil-organic-extra-virgin/profile) - 3 Tbsp.[ organic extra virgin olive oil](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/olive-oil-organic-extra-virgin/profile) Salve - 1/8 cup [kokum butter](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/kokum-butter/profile) - 1/8 cup plus 1 tsp. [beeswax pastilles](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/beeswax-pastilles/profile) - 3 Tbsp. [homemade herb-infused oil](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-infused-kokum-butter-salve-for-dry-skin?hs_amp=true#oil) or [organic calendula herbal oil](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/calendula-herbal-oil/profile) - 1 Tbsp. [organic unrefined coconut oil](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/coconut-oil-unrefined/profile) - 1 Tbsp. [organic tamanu oil](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/tamanu-oil/profile) or [organic plantain herbal oil](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/plantain-herbal-oil/profile) - 25 drops [organic lavender essential oil](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/lavender-essential-oil/profile) - 4 drops [organic helichrysum essential oil](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/helichrysum-essential-oil/profile) - [Tins](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/containers/tins) or [jars](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/containers/herb-jars) - [Cheesecloth](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/cheese-cloth/profile) - [Funnel](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/funnels-stainless-steel-set-of-3/profile) - [Double boiler](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/double-boiler-insert/profile) **Directions** 1. Place calendula and lavender flowers and olive oil in a double boiler. Warm over very low heat for at least one hour. Check out this handy [guide to herbal-infused oils](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/making-herbal-infused-oils?hsLang=en-us) for detailed infusion directions. 2. Remove from heat and allow to cool. 3. Strain through funnel lined with cheesecloth into a bowl or large glass measuring cup. Set aside. 4. Place kokum butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in double boiler. Heat gently until melted. 5. Add tamanu oil (or plantain herbal oil) and herb-infused oil (or calendula herbal oil). Stir to combine. 6. Remove from heat. Allow to cool for 2 minutes. 7. Add essential oils. Stir to distribute evenly. 8. Quickly pour into containers. 9. Let salve cool completely before closing lid. 10. Be sure to [add a label](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/labeling-handcrafted-goods?hsLang=en-us)! 11. Store salve in cool dark place. Pro Tips: - If skipping the infusion, begin by melting kokum butter, beeswax, and coconut oil in double boiler. Next, add olive oil (or pre-made [calendula herbal oil](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/calendula-herbal-oil/profile)) and tamanu oil (or plantain herbal oil). Stir to combine. Proceed with steps 5 through 9 above. - This salve can be used year-round. It’s great for dry skin that appears in winter and wonderful for occasional skin irritations that accompany gardening and other spring/summer activities.   If stored in a cool, dark place, this salve will keep for 12 months. I hope you enjoy this salve as much as I do! For more DIY tutorials check out my site [nofussnatural.com](https://nofussnatural.com/).   ### Would like to try your hand at whipped body butter? ## [Try this DIY Whipped Body Butter Recipe](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/shea-whipped-body-butter-recipe?hsLang=en-us)   **You may also be interested in:** - [Vegan Calendula Salve Recipe](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/healthful-calendula?hsLang=en-us) - [Gardener's Salve Recipe](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/healthful-calendula?hsLang=en-us) - [Calendula Uses and Infused Oil Recipe](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/healthful-calendula?hsLang=en-us)   [View full post](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-infused-kokum-butter-salve-for-dry-skin) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Stacy- Guest Writer" }, "dateModified" : "2019-11-05T21:47:16.366Z", "datePublished" : "2018-09-19T21:17:00Z", "headline" : "Herb-Infused Kokum Butter Salve for Dry Skin", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 325, "url" : "https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/KokumBodyButter_Header%202.jpg", "width" : 800 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-infused-kokum-butter-salve-for-dry-skin", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 60.0, "url" : "https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/MRHLogo_Color_TransparentBackground-1.png", "width" : 161.9469 }, "name" : "Our Blog" } } ```