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Herbal oils and salves for dry, cracked and weather-worn skin

For the deep midwinter kind of dry, reach for occlusion, not a light lotion. Comfrey and beeswax are the workhorses on this page — rich, dark and slow to absorb on purpose, because that is what split hands and cracked heels actually need.

These are barrier products, not a treatment for a skin condition. If cracking is severe, painful or not improving, see a healthcare practitioner.

Dry, cracked skin Sensitive & reactive skin Aches & sore muscles Baby & pregnancy Beard & shave Bath & bedtime

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Layer, don't just apply

On genuinely cracked skin, oil first, salve on top, then socks or gloves overnight. The oil carries plant compounds in; the salve seals moisture behind it. One or the other alone works more slowly.

When to see someone instead

If a crack is deep enough to bleed, looks infected, or isn't improving after a week of consistent care, that is a job for a healthcare practitioner, not a salve.

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