Herbs from the Garden for Your Skin: DIY Infused Oils & Salves
If you’ve ever stepped into your garden and felt an instant shift—your shoulders soften, your breath deepens, and the world feels a little more manageable—you already understand the magic of herbs. They’re not just “plants.” They’re caretakers. Healers. And for those of us trying to live closer to the land, they’re one of the simplest and most affordable ways to support healthy, resilient skin.
At In Harmony Farms, we believe that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it. And in our sister line, Slap A Hippie, we let that philosophy run a little wild with botanically-powered, nutrient-dense skincare. Today, we’re bringing you behind the scenes—and into your own backyard—to show you how to use garden herbs to create infused oils and salves that actually work. No fluff. No complicated steps. Just honest, earth-made skincare.
Why Garden Herbs Belong in Your Skincare Routine
Herbs are often underestimated because they’re familiar. But the “everyday” herbs you grow—calendula, lavender, chamomile, plantain, mint, rosemary—carry some of the most skin-supportive compounds on the planet.
Many herbs contain:
- Flavonoids for soothing inflammation
- Tannins for tightening and toning
- Volatile oils for antibacterial and calming benefits
- Mucilage for hydration and barrier repair
- Resins for wound healing
These compounds work together to nurture skin that is dry, irritated, sensitized, acne-prone, or simply tired from the daily hustle.
This is exactly why you’ll find herbs woven throughout Slap A Hippie products—from the The Mane Tamer Conditioner to the Udder Bliss Tallow Moisturizer. The earth knows what it’s doing. We simply follow the script.
Top Herbs to Grow and Use for Skin Health
You don’t need a massive garden to grow a powerful apothecary. Start with a few herbs that pull double duty—good for skincare and good in the kitchen.
Calendula (The Golden Healer)
Calendula is one of the most skin-loving herbs you can grow. Rich in carotenoids, resins, and antioxidants, it supports cell turnover, reduces redness, and helps heal minor wounds and chapped skin. It’s the star of many salves.
Plantain (Nature’s Band-Aid)
If you’ve got a yard, you’ve got plantain. This humble “weed” pulls toxins from the skin, soothes bug bites, supports healing, and calms irritation. It’s a must for outdoor families.
Lavender (The Calming Powerhouse)
Lavender is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and well-loved for its grounding scent. Perfect for anything meant to soothe—after-sun care, bedtime salves, facial oils, or general irritation.
Chamomile (Gentle but Mighty)
Great for anyone with sensitive or easily reactive skin. Chamomile helps reduce redness, calm eczema flare-ups, and soften the appearance of fine lines.
Rosemary (Stimulating & Clarifying)
Use rosemary for improving circulation, clarifying oily skin, or creating invigorating herbal oils ideal for sore muscles.
Comfrey (For Repair & Recovery)
Comfrey contains allantoin—a compound that supports skin regeneration and helps repair damaged tissue. Use it sparingly and wisely; a little goes a long way.
How to Harvest & Prepare Herbs for Skincare
Before making anything, you’ll want your herbs clean, dry, and ready.
Harvesting Tips
- Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried
- Choose bright, healthy leaves and flowers
- Avoid herbs that have been exposed to chemicals, road spray, or pets
Drying Your Herbs
You can use fresh herbs in oils, but drying reduces the risk of moisture-related spoilage.
Dry herbs by:
- Laying them on a screen in a cool, ventilated space
- Hanging them in small bundles
- Using a dehydrator on the lowest setting
Herbs are fully dried when they crumble easily.
DIY Herbal Infused Oils: The Foundation of Natural Skincare
Infused oils are the base of many balms, salves, and creams—whether you’re making your own or buying something crafted with intention. In fact, herbal oils are a core part of Slap A Hippie’s formulations because they deliver nutrients in a bioavailable, skin-loving way.
You can make infused oils with almost any skin-friendly carrier oil. Some favorites include:
- Olive oil – rich and nourishing
- Jojoba oil – closest to the skin’s natural oils
- Sweet almond oil – gentle and vitamin-rich
- Grapeseed oil – lightweight and ideal for acne-prone skin
- Tallow-infused oils – deeply restorative and used in several Slap A Hippie products for a reason
The Slow Infusion Method (Best for Beginners)
This method preserves the potency of your herbs without risk of overheating.
You’ll need:
- Clean, dry glass jar
- Dried herbs of your choice
- Carrier oil
- Cheesecloth or fine strainer
Steps:
- Fill your jar halfway with dried herbs.
- Cover with oil, ensuring herbs are submerged completely.
- Stir to release trapped air bubbles.
- Seal the jar and place it in a sunny window or warm location.
- Let it infuse for 4–6 weeks, shaking gently every few days.
- Strain through cheesecloth and bottle your oil.
It’s slow. It’s simple. And it feels like the kind of medicine-making our great-grandmothers would approve of.
The Warm Infusion Method (Fast & Effective)
If you need your oil today, this method works beautifully.
Steps:
- Place herbs and oil in a heat-safe bowl or double boiler.
- Warm gently for 2–3 hours on the lowest setting.
- Ensure the oil never gets hot enough to fry the herbs—low and slow is key.
- Strain, bottle, and cool.
Warm infusions are what many small-batch makers (including us) rely on when we need a batch ready in a shorter timeframe without sacrificing potency.
DIY Herbal Salves: Nourishing, Protective, and Easy to Make
Once you have an infused oil, transforming it into a salve is simple—and endlessly customizable.
A basic salve requires only two ingredients:
- Herbal infused oil
- Beeswax
But you can elevate your salves with:
- Essential oils
- Vitamin E
- Tallow (for extra nourishment and firmness)
- Shea butter
- Cocoa butter
Basic Herbal Salve Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup herbal infused oil (calendula, lavender, plantain—your choice)
- 1 oz beeswax (start here; add more for a firmer salve)
- Optional: 10–15 drops essential oil, 1 tsp vitamin E
Instructions:
- Melt beeswax and herbal oil together over low heat.
- Stir until fully blended.
- Add essential oils or vitamin E once cooled slightly.
- Pour into tins or glass jars.
- Allow to cool until solid.
You just made a salve—simple, powerful, and garden-born.
Best Herbal Combinations for Common Skin Needs
These combinations are easy to grow, make, and use. They’re also the foundation of many professional botanical products.
For Dry or Cracked Skin
- Calendula
- Comfrey
- Lavender
- Tallow or olive oil base
This is the blend that inspired our Slap A Hippie Udder Bliss Tallow Moisturizer—which is deeply moisturizing.
For Acne-Prone or Oily Skin
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Plantain
- Grapeseed or jojoba oil
For Soothing Eczema or Irritation
- Chamomile
- Calendula
- Plantain
- Tallow and shea butter blend
For After-Sun or Minor Burns
- Aloe leaf (fresh gel added at use, not in oil)
- Lavender
- Calendula
- Olive or jojoba oil
For Sore Muscles or Stiffness
- Rosemary
- Arnica (if available)
- Peppermint
- Olive oil
How We Use Herbal Oils at In Harmony Farms & Slap A Hippie
Herbal-infused oils aren’t just something we talk about—they’re woven into our work.
You’ll find them in:
-
Slap A Hippie Beard Wash & Conditioner Duo
Rosemary and mint-infused oils support hair and skin while giving that rugged, not-trying-too-hard scent profile. -
Udder Bliss Tallow Moisturizer
Infused oils marry beautifully with grass-fed tallow, creating nutrient-dense skincare that supports your skin’s natural rhythms.
We make these products because they work—and because replacing synthetic ingredients with homegrown herbs just makes sense.
Tips for Storing Your DIY Oils & Salves
To keep your creations fresh and effective:
- Store in dark glass jars
- Keep them in a cool, dry place
- Use clean hands or a spoon when scooping salves
- Add vitamin E as a natural preservative
- Label with date and herbs used
Most infused oils last 6–12 months, and salves typically last even longer due to the added beeswax.
Bringing It All Together: Your Garden, Your Skin, Your Ritual
Herbal skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t require a lab, fancy equipment, or a background in chemistry. It simply requires a willingness to slow down, pay attention, and trust that the earth provides what we need.
By growing herbs and learning to make your own infused oils and salves, you’re not just crafting skincare—you’re cultivating a deeper connection to your land, your body, and the rhythms that tie them together.
And when you don’t have the time (or the desire) to DIY everything?
That’s why Slap A Hippie exists—to give you the same level of handcrafted, herbal-rich nourishment in ready-to-use form.
Because this life—this homestead, this hustle, this slow return to the land—isn’t about perfection. It’s about coming back into harmony. One herb. One jar. One ritual at a time.
