Dry, itchy skin Help is Here

I used to be a classroom teacher and frequently washed my hands. Young kids, as you know, often forget to use tissues when they sneeze and frequently neglect to wash their hands after using the bathroom. So, I made it a habit to wash my hands regularly to stay healthy.

But then my hands turned dry, red, and itchy, to the point of waking me up at night! It became a struggle to balance hygiene with the skin irritation caused by all the washing. I started looking into different moisturizers and ways to protect my skin while keeping my hands clean.

What was a gal to do?

I had just made Great Grandma's Healing Salve in my kitchen the night before. I loved the process of stirring and combinging healing ingredients that were all natural and wouldn't cause issues with my own daughter and her sensitivities.

So, why not make something for my dry hands? It was a weekend and I loved to get creative.

I grabbed some dried lavender I had saved from the summertime. I looked up how to infuse it into oils and then made my first batch of balm for my hands. Then, the following week, tried a different formula, using organic ingredients, of course. And, again and again I made batches trying to get the best results for my dry hands. 

I brought the samples to my school and encouraged my students, teachers, and the school secretary, Randi, to give them a try. Since it was winter in Ohio, a time when everyone had dry hands, many eagerly participated in the trials. The excitement in the air made the experience even more enjoyable as we shared our thoughts on the different batches.

I attempted to create the infusion without using the actual plant components, relying solely on essential oils instead. However, the outcome was far from what I expected. The aroma was noticeably different, lacking the depth and authenticity of the original plant scent. Additionally, the texture and consistency were "off," and the balm became less rich and vibrant. Overall, the fragrance felt unbalanced and somewhat artificial, leaving me (and others) disappointed with the results.

Many batches later, Lavender Balm was born!!! And, it's been my best seller ever since.