MULTI-PURPOSE BALM
We are a bit barmy (sorree!) about these top to toe multi-taskers, mostly balms, which moisturise lips, soften cuticles, elbows, heels and any other dry patches, even help skin conditions such as eczema and tame flyaways. Some can even be deployed as make-up removers at a pinch, our testers find. They’re great value and our testers love them, as these results show. They’re usually fantastic for all skin types and all ages. And, as you can see from these winners, the formulations are often natural. NB Balms are one of the most ancient cosmetic formulations and many of these are based on classic all-natural ‘recipes’.
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD de Mamiel Skin Recovery Blend
This handcrafted formula began its life many years ago as an oil that Annee de Mamiel developed for patients suffering with eczema. The oil morphed into a balm with the addition of soothing butters, healing clay and cape chamomile, offering compromised skin from face to toes a layer of soothing protection. Several testers just used it on their faces to great effect; others used it top to toe on dry skin patches, eczema, hands and cuticles – and for other, less common concerns such as ‘joggers nipple’. Don’t worry if it melts, Annee advises; stirred and popped in the fridge overnight it will recover its original balm consistency.
£105 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. This is a balm but quickly turns to an oil with the heat of your hands or fingers. Fragrance is unique! Like a herbal, minty sweet smell. Very difficult to describe. Lovely though. I use this of a night-time if I find my skin is especially dry that day. Especially now that we're coming into the winter. It’s so comforting for the skin and smells incredible. How a thing smells is such a big thing for me. It makes or breaks the experience so that’s a big tick in the box!’ • ‘Very beautiful. I had a dry patch on the back of my ear where I had tried a cheap cleanser in the summer and it had caused a few dry patches. This balm cleared it up over the course of a few days. I applied a film over the dry patch and it simply went .no stinging. No fuss. Skin cleared up no problem. I suffer from bad cuticles due to nibbling! Even though I use hand cream they can be very dry. I rub this balm into them and it is keeping them so soft it’s stopping me from nibbling at the hard skin because there is no hard skin to nibble. A little pot of amazing smelling balm that will help with dry skin and problem areas’ • ‘When I first got this I was unsure of when or how I would use this. Truth is, I’ve used it more than I though I would! It's small enough to carry around with you so handy for anything that crops up.ie, dry lips, cuticles, dry patch on face etc. at night its so nice to put a fine layer on before bed. Smells so nice and calming too. Sinks into skin and you wake up and you skin is so soft and moisturised. The pot is small, but you only need such a small amount as it melts into a balmy oil, it will last for absolutely ages. I’m sure there are probably many uses for it I haven’t even thought of yet and it’s going to be so handy over the winter. If you have any kind of eczema or skin condition this stuff would be great. I have given this product a 10 because there isn’t anything I don’t love about it’ • ‘Soothed and nourished dry patches everywhere – elbows, knees, heels, nails, cuticles - cleared them up after one application. Also use on face - My Mum always comments the following morning when I use this overnight - usually saying my skin looks "great" or "healthy". Little luxury pot that can do everything - pricey but worth it’ • ‘Very distinctive fragrance of chocolate limes - smells almost medicinal but in an amazing way. No taste when used as a lip balm. I enjoy it and believe this is part of the appeal of the product - it is soothing and restoring - almost like meditation in a balm. It definitely smells like luxury’ • ‘a lovely extravagant feeling product that is just so nice on skin- I use it on my face - and feels especially soothing if skin is dry or tight’ • ‘A magical, miracle worker. It is much better than my usual product and I think its something everyone should have in their medicine cabinet or skincare stash. One amazing use was its ability to treat 'joggers nipple'. A family member is a distance runner and developed joggers nipple after excessive training. I suggested she try this and it soothed them quickly so she was able to resume training after a few days’ • ‘This is a lovely, soothing balm that helps improve dry skin. It has a gorgeous strong fragrance. The texture is smooth and it is very easy to apply to the skin. It feels luxurious and natural. A great product to help with patches of eczema, dry lips or cracked heels. I have small patches of very dry skin that also have some pigmentation problems (the skin stays white). When suing on these patches, I found this balm calmed them down and drastically improved the dry skin. Any inflamed, dry red patches were also soothed’ • ‘Using this balm as a lip a balm is my favourite way to use it. I really struggle with dry lips and a tiny bit of this when they are becoming too dry really helps. They instantly go softer and it makes lipstick look so much better on my lips. I have also tried it on my cuticles a few times and they too have gone softer and more manageable. I have used this on the heels of my feet and it has reduced the look of the cracked skin and made them look and feel so much softer.’
£105 for 30ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD L'OCCITANE Petit Remedy
This 100% natural balm from a much-loved French brand proclaims it’s ‘Your head-to-toe beauty saviour!’ and our testers agreed, loving the little sunshine yellow tin to pop in handbag or pocket. Based on sunflower seed oil and shea butter, it also has beeswax and sweet almond oil with comforting arnica flower extract and skin-soothing marigold. From a soft balm, it morphs into a silky oil on contact with the skin. This is yet another Beauty Bible Award for The Petit Remedy to add to its gallery of gongs – from a Bronze Award last year it’s shot up to Joint Gold with this new round of testers. Although the cute little round tin is tiny you only need a pea size amount for elbows and heels with un petit pois for lips and cuticles… Our intrepid testers found a range of other creative uses for Le Petit Remède so read on to find out.
£12 for 15ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. Balm of wonder, a handbag hero, a versatile beauty balm. I love this stuff, so handy and so versatile. Excellent. I used this on knees, ankles, heels, sides of fingers where I had dishidrotic eczema and it was wonderful. Immediately soothing and very nourishing. It worked a treat to moisturise and relieve itchiness’ • ‘It was superb as a lip balm - although it was not thick, it created a super moisture barrier which hydrated and prevented any further drying, I also used it on my hands (the tops of my hands rather the palms) and it was incredibly hydrating. It melts and spreads on the skin so easily - absolutely fantastic. I massaged into cuticles and again it was wonderful- really softened them and felt like it was strengthening the nail too’ • ‘I used it on my eyebrows to nourish and groom them and also on eyelashes when I didn't want to wear mascara. It was really good for both of these, giving a great natural enhancement whilst on holiday’ • ‘The texture changes with the temperature. It is a loose solid waxy texture. On holiday, it was softer, on colder days at home, more solid. Regardless of initial texture, on application to the skin, it spreads very easily and absorbs well. You only need a tiny amount as a little really does go a long way. This is super hydrating and very versatile’ • ‘this was brilliant for me as I currently have invisalign braces so my lips are so dry a lot of the time and I found this my little saviour I really liked it and it was really effective in reducing my dry lips. A gorgeous spa/herby like fragrance, nice. I hate lip balms that feel sticky but this was so soft and lovely on application. Absolutely no annoying residue left behind either. My husband says I have the most kissable lips now…wink wink!’ • ‘I used this on my elbows where I have rough dry patches and it had an instant effect of softening them. My daughter had mild eczema on her arm and I tested some of this on it. It was surprisingly effective without irritating the area further. She wants one for herself that she can carry around with her!’ • ‘Wow, what can I say about this cute little gem of a product! Great things come in small packages and all that! I love a product that does it all and this one certainly does. I suffer from the occasional bout of dry and flaky skin on my face and have to be careful what I use. I was initially reluctant to use this, as it is slightly fragranced. I need not have worried. I literally just used a stroke’s worth of this and by morning it was gone! With no irritation whatsoever, bonus. I adored the light lavender soothing scent. I also like having this in my handbag at all times. The perfect all in one multi use all over remedy that you won't be able to live without! ’ • ‘It stopped my multiple mosquito bites on holiday from being as itchy and a lot more; also a good product for when you have a cold, stops your nose going like Rudoph's and feeling dry and sore’ • ‘kept my cuticles looking health without lifting my acrylic nails; cleared up the little dry eczema patches I get on some fingers, better than my usual hand cream. Skin would be instantly noticeably softer. Nice to keep in my desk to apply preventatively during the day to stop them reappearing. My son kept stealing it to use as a lip balm because he liked the smell of it.’
£12 for 15ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD MV SkinTherapy multiBALM
From English facialist and skin expert Sharon McGlinchey, who’s lived and worked in Sydney Australia for many years now, this balm sets out to be a one-pot wonder with multiple uses. It’s handcrafted in small batches, and as Sharon puts it, ‘brimming with anti-inflammatory omegas, antioxidants and healing plant nutrients. Hero ingredients are organic sea buckthorn oil, organic camellia seed oil and calendula oil, plus organic shea butter. Bottom line, it will intensely treat any areas of dry and damaged skin – all the usual plus for instance tattoo aftercare, itchy rashes and insect bites. Sharon first created it when she suffered a reaction to a lipstick – for three years, she battled dermatitis of the lips with serious dryness and flaking; she tried all sorts of lip balms in vain so she set to work in her lab and created MultiBALM. Vegans please note it does contain beeswax. The balm comes with an applicator that testers loved, likening it to a guitar pick.
£28 for 15ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. The texture is DIVINE! Literally. It just melts into the skin. There's no other way to put it really. I have some random patches of seriously dry skin on my body that are a bit scaly/rougher than other parts of my skin. I've tried all the usual tricks but to no avail. After a few days of consistent use morning and evening, and being pretty generous with the product, those nasty patches are GONE! Banished! My lips and nails are almost always constantly dry these days. I loved using this on my nails and cuticles and found it softened and smoothed everything. As it's a thick solid balm, it's much easier to carry this around and use it for lips, nails, cuticles on the go’ • ‘My heels are something I am seriously embarrassed by. They are always always dry and rough. I've used baby foot masks before; I regularly use a '"cheese grater" (that’s my name for my foot file!) and moisturise my feet and heels every night but god help me if I skip a day! I used this balm on my heels in addition to my usual foot routine, and wore cotton socks to bed and noticed a DRASTIC improvement. My poor boyfriend no longer has to deal with my dry heels brushing up against his warm feet in bed! ’ • ‘I had a pretty major surgery earlier on in the summer. I've got a delightful 8in scar as a result. I would usually reach for Bio-Oil for scars like this but decided to put this to the test instead. What a dream. It really softened the scar and the skin around it, just 3 months post op, my scar is now a tiny faint line’ • ‘When I opened the box and saw what I call the guitar pick, I thought it was a bit unnecessary so I tried to use it without. I struggled to get a good amount on my fingers, as it seemed to just melt into them so I used the pick and wow. The product comes out like a really solid thick balm but as soon as I applied it to my various body parts, it melted on contact with the skin. Divine!!!!! My only small gripe is that the pick should have a tiny pouch for it as otherwise it gets lost (and dirty!) in my make up bag! ’ • ‘Wonder balm that can be used on various areas of the body to achieve different results’ • ‘Worked like a dream on my dry harder areas of skin. Immediately noticed more hydrated and soft skin from using it. I found my elbows really loved this product and had great long lasting effects’ • ‘What a product! I love this product due to how versatile and handy it is. I was also impressed with the modern packaging and the pick that came with it to extract the product, that was a real game changer in comparison to products I have tried before. I loved how happy my dry areas were; normally I get sore uncomfy elbows and heels so this was a true wondrous product. I have already swapped out my current product in favour of this as it worked so much better and was a more pleasant experience applying it. It was such a handy size too’ • ‘I really enjoyed using this balm. I do suffer from dry, flaky skin patches on my knees and elbows. I loved it as a lip balm underneath lip gloss and on my dried cuticles. I use a lot of nail polish removers and these dry out my nails and cuticles but using this balm on my hands and nails and popping white cotton gloves on then going to bed helped my hands and nails tremendously’ • ‘A reliable fast relieving balm that has multiple uses and acts fast protecting your skin. I used it for a bee sting, as I had nothing else in. The Balm provides fast, effective reliable relief when you need it most. Fantastic product.’
£28 for 15ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Made by the Beekeeper Wonder Balm
The deep colour of this all-natural balm is down to organic wild rosehip oil, the largest ingredient by amount. That’s paired with organic beeswax (as you might have guessed..), cocoa utter, and a bunch of plant oils – hemp, camellia tea, jojoba and borage oil plus healing essential oils of patchouli, frankincense, rose geranium, parmarosa and rosemary. There is an actual real beekeeper Rebecca Beveridge who takes her hives with her on her travels over England. It comes in a charming little recyclable screw top aluminium tin. NB vegans beware: remember this does contain beeswax.
£25 for 45g - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. I am a convert to balms and this one is a real cracker. It feels greasy/oily to apply, which is not unpleasant band it sinks into your skin in seconds. There wasn't a residue unless you wanted one and in some cases I did eg dry patches. It was quite grainy looking but this was just the nature of the product and totally disappeared on application. There was a really gorgeous fragrance. You instantly knew you were dealing with essential oils which is always a plus for me. This was where it shone as any dry patches were instantly soothed and hydrated with no sting giving instant relief. The look and feel of my elbows improved. It was great on lips and dry shins. It smoothed down any frizzy bits on my hair and I also used it on my 4-year-old grand daughters poor little nose after a cold had left it a bit sore. I could tell from the ingredients that there was nothing in there to hurt her and that was great’ • ‘I have curly hair great for dry ends. Just a great product essential for holiday travel bags so many uses. Also stops shoes rubbing on bare skin’ • ‘All round soother full of natural ingredients suitable for children and adults and in my case a dog. A great product to keep in your bathroom. I suffer from a little dry eczema on one of my shins and on my ears. I was able to apply some on both these areas a little thicker than normal and not rub it in so much. Whilst I was going about my business during the day at home it slowly cleared both areas up. They still flare up of course but this balm soothes them as soon as they do and instead of lasting for days both my ears and shin can be tackled in a couple of days whilst the itch connected with the condition is instantly soothed and stopped. I have used this balm on the inside of my spaniel’s long floppy ear when that got a bit dry and it worked beautifully clearing up the dryness in a couple of hours and he didn't object to the smell either but enjoyed the treatment. My daughter has had to have an ingrown toenail totally removed; it left a really dry, rough square of skin on her big toe, which doesn't look very nice. This balm has been a godsend in getting the skin in that area to look normal again. I have also used it as a preventive by that I mean I applied it to the outside of both nostrils when I had a cold to prevent any painful skin, chapping or cold sores. Normally when I get through the amount of tissues I do blowing my nose these are almost inevitable but as my cold cleared up my poor nose didn't suffer too much and I am sure this is because I applied the lovely soothing balm’ • ‘Helped bruising after an injury - a definite improvement after massaging it into the skin over a few days, and healing was quicker than predicted’ • ‘I used it on a nettle sting for one of my children and they said it eased the pain instantly. I also used it on one of their grazes which they didn't think was healing - they really liked it.’
£25 for 45g - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Drunk Elephant Wonderwild Miracle Butter
This vegan-friendly, cruelty free balm was formulated to help rescue and soothe dry, irritated, chapped and otherwise compromised skin – from wind-burned cheeks and chapped lips to dry elbows and cracked heels. The rich blend of plant butters includes marula, mango and cupuaçu to help defend skin against pollutants and other environmental stressors. All those powerful antioxidant vitamins and fatty acids should help strengthen the skin barrier, the brand says, restoring it to health. It does contain hydrogenated vegetable oil, which may put off some consumers, but this skin-softening emollient is totally safe in topical products – although you might prefer not to find it in food.
£35 for 60ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. Fabulous all rounder product that does so much! Seriously does what it says in the tube, which is a very rare trait for most of the products on the market. Brilliant, everyone should own a tube’ • ‘It promised a radical change on your complexion and I believe to be true. Nothing like testing this after a busy period of sun exposure. It truly did the job and excelled at it. Everyone commented on how well my tan stayed and how healthy my skin looks like’ • ‘My skin is so much brighter. Specially as I used this after summer to recover vitality. It was a miracle! Very much reduced as my after-summer skin was very uneven. It helped to maintain my tan for longer too in a more uniform manner’ • ‘This really worked on my dry elbows overnight they went from sandpaper to greaseproof paper. My hands probably looked the oldest bit of me and I am beginning to get crêpey hands & age spots there, this did reduce the look of them, removed the crêpeyness and hydrated hands where every hand cream had failed. I tended to put on at night and this worked well, by next morning it was absorbed and my skin was soft. I was a bit sceptical about this product but it was good. I used on my pigmentation near my hairline and this did seem to reduce over the trial. The sun/ age spots on my hand have definitely reduced’ • ‘it promised to bring back skin to a healthier state and to use on chapped, rough, dry skin to add an extra bit of love. It did do that and was quick to work on my dry elbows, feet and hands. The dryness and crêpeyness on the backs of my hands was significantly reduced’ • ‘this is seriously moisturising and soothes dry skin amazingly. Texture is improved, skin soothes and soft. Areas of dry skin - knees, elbows, slight patches on cheeks all completely soft and smooth. Knees look younger! Smooth, even toned, less red!’ • ‘I am a nurse and always washing my hands. I used this on chapped fingers also lips and around my eyes. I liked it very much’ • ‘Interested to use this on my face as it's recommended elbows, heels and lips too as a rescue remedy and I wondered if it would be too greasy for my face, particularly during the daytime. It is very greasy when first applied, but in the morning I had soft, moisturised skin and could easily wipe away any residue. It would be much too greasy for daytime wear though. I popped it in my bag for travelling, as the tube is very convenient. Love that it's vegan and cruelty free.’
£35 for 60ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD and BEAUTY STEAL (JOINT) Weleda Baby Calendula All Purpose Balm
While this fragrance-free honey-coloured product is brilliant for babies (as some testers found), it’s fantastic for any age and even the most sensitive skin. This all-natural formula is made with nourishing organic sunflower and avocado oils, cocoa seed butter, protective candelilla and carnauba waxes, all infused with healing calendula extract (that’s marigold by any other name). Weleda promises it’s suitable for redness, chafing or dryness of any kind. If you’re a hayfever sufferer try a dab around the rim of each nostril to act as a barrier against pollen and other allergens. It has a multitude of other uses, too. We’re always amazed at the ingenuity of our Beauty Bible testers and this panel is no exception – just read on for creative tips!
£7.95 for 25g - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. This balm has the nicest texture of any balm I've ever used, it is extremely moisturising yet absorbs super-quick. I love that it has no fragrance to speak of – except a faint honey like smell - and can be used by everyone including babies. Instantly moisturises dry patches leaving skin smooth and comfortable. Lips feel comfortable and smooth and great on cuticles as it's softening but not greasy. Does a good job of softening and moisturising anywhere on the body, feet, elbows etc. . I applied some to a recurring patch of eczema on my baby granddaughter's chin and it cleared up after a couple of days, so my daughter wouldn't be without this now for her baby. Also the little tin is very handy to pop into your bag and carry around with you’ • ‘A hidden gem -something I would never have considered buying but which has a myriad of potential uses - great for use when travelling too! I was not sure what to use it for at first but I have had a very dry patch behind my ear which I had used E45 cream on to no avail. The balm has worked amazingly both on soothing and healing the dry patch so that it has in fact now disappeared. I used it on my left hand cuticles and they are now much less red than those on my right hand so I will be using the rest for that. Yes - I think I have been converted to the usefulness of balm - and the small transportable pot is also very useful’ • ‘I loved this product, it has so many uses and really soothes dry and chapped skin and lips. It even helps with flyaway hair! It is a great size, in a small tin, and fit easily into all of my bags. I even took it with me on my commute to save on space, as it can aid with many skin issues. I would definitely recommend this product to others, it's great. Very effective on dry areas, such as knees, elbows and the webs of hands. I rubbed a very small amount between the palms of my hand and swiped over my hair, this helped to set my hair and keep flyaways in check’ • ‘excellent product for rehydrating, soothing, protecting - easy to carry around with many many uses; unfragranced and has healing calendula to soothe; an absolute new must have addition to my handbag love it. Good for under nose sore from blowing, and on feet after shoe rubbed’ • ‘It’s a good staple to have in your handbag for when you need help with chapped lips and or a slight glow up over lipstick turning your work make up to on the town make-up.’
£7.95 for 25g - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Mauli Rituals Sleep Dharma Calm Balm
So, a bit of a different concept here as the main action of this balm is to calm your mind. But being a balm it also has lots of other uses, our testers found, as you can read below. This ‘soul soothing, therapeutic remedy’, based on Ayurvedic wisdom (Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of India), contains adaptogens – ashwaganda, brahmi and chamomile – with what the brand terms ‘a sacred trio of clary sage, bergamot and jasmine, to invite a gentle exhale from the stresses of modern living’. Keep it by your desk to diminish fatigue, by your bed to relax a racing brain, and apply it during yoga or meditation practice. In keeping with the brand name, there is a ritual on the website to follow to reclaim your calm. It’s 100% natural, no GMO ingredients, vegan, cruelty free and eco-friendly. A true mind and body remedy.
£44 for 20g - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. I adore this balm! It smells so-soooo good - very spa like, relaxing but uplifting and it lingers. It sinks into skin really nicely and the very luxurious little gold spoon means you can control how much you scoop out (I only ever want to use a little spoon for all my skincare now!). Sinks in lovely, is easy to smooth over any dry bits. Don’t overdo it though, otherwise like all balms, it will be 'greasy' but it'll last AGES. It smells organic, fresh and natural. The scent packs a punch and lingers but isn’t too heady or strong. I have adored using this on my cuticles at night-time; I also rub it into the pulse points of my wrists when I do this. It has made a big difference to my cuticles and surrounding skin - especially when the temperature got colder. I also use it on elbows, knees and heels – it leaves the skin soft and glowy. If I have a little left over, I use it to tame my brows (a really small amount, applied with a spoolie brush)’ • ‘You don't know you need this until you try it. Used on my very dry elbows and brilliant result. Also used on some issues with heels and again worked well. This is very much a being-kind-to- yourself product. Fragrance is divine, very high-end spa like and definitely soothed and calmed. I have started to bring this with me to work as I am perimenopausal and found that it can help me refocus and concentrate when I get those episodes’ • ‘A beautiful-looking jar containing the most gorgeously scented blend of essential oils. Named "Calm Balm", which it is if rubbed into palms and inhaled to soothe and relax, it also really addresses any dry rough patches of skin, nails and cuticles. It is now an essential part of my night-time self care routine. I'm sure that the soothing qualities of all the essential oils help me to relax before I drift off to sleep’ • ‘ I'm a big fan of ashwaganda and have been taking supplements for a few years now, so was pleasantly surprised to hear that this product contained ashwaganda. Great for calming the mind and taking the edge of any stress. This product is great for massaging before bed on to back of neck and shoulders to make you feel relaxed and calm’ • ‘It's become part of my nighttime ritual - I love the calming grounding scent and rub it into my hands, not forgetting my nails and cuticles, and enjoy inhaling the scent.’
£44 for 20g - click to buy