- What exactly is a body balm? How does it differ from the creams and lotions we know so well? What are its unique benefits? And can I use it on my face? In this comprehensive guide, our skincare experts answer this and more.

We share the unique benefits and versatile uses of body balm, and the correct way to incorporate it into your routine. 

What is Body Balm?

A body balm is a concentrated, typically waterless (“anhydrous”) skincare product, designed to provide hydration, nourishment and protection.

Unlike light lotions or water-based creams, balms are richer and more occlusive, which means they sit on the skin’s surface for longer, but better lock in moisture and create a protective layer. This makes balms most useful on dry, rough or damaged areas, but you can also use them as a preventative measure. 

Body balms tend to have a thick, rich, and emollient texture. 

Is Body Balm the Same as Cream or Lotion?

In short, no, balms, creams and lotions are all different formulations. 

Traditional creams and lotions are emulsions of water and oil, stabilised with emulsifiers. While useful for hydration, they can sometimes contain preservatives and other additives to keep the water-based components stable.

A balm, by contrast, is formulated from a blend of butters, waxes, and oils. This creates a rich, dense, and occlusive texture that acts as a protective barrier, sealing in moisture and delivering a high dose of active nutrients directly to the skin. 

Think of a balm as more of a natural treatment, rather than just a moisturiser. Because balms are so concentrated, they can feel heavier on the skin but also deliver lasting protection that lotions and most creams can’t match. 

Peruda’s Natural Botanical Body Balm with Cupuaçu Butter is a perfect example of a balm. It has a water-free formulation, free from synthetic additives, with no added fragrance; it’s derived solely from its wild-grown and organic ingredients, with a subtle, natural aroma that reminds of dark earthy chocolate. Apply on damp skin or with a light spritz of water to ease the absorption on overly dry skin and enable the moisture lock in. You don't need much to reap the benefits - a little goes a long way. 

Benefits of Body Balm

Why choose a balm over other products? There are several benefits of a body balm, in particular for those with sensitive skin or specific skin concerns.

1. Intense Hydration: The occlusive nature of balms creates a physical barrier on the skin’s surface, reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This means the hydration you’ve built up (from a bath, shower, or even a lighter moisturiser) is locked in for hours, keeping your skin supple and soft for far longer.

2. Repair and Protection: A compromised skin barrier is at the root of many issues like dryness, sensitivity, eczema, and psoriasis. The rich emollients in a balm, like the luxurious Cupuaçu and Murumuru butters in Peruda’s formula, can replenish lipids, soothing irritation, and actively supporting the skin’s natural repair processes.

3. Nutrient-Dense: Without water to dilute the formula, every gram of a balm is packed with active botanical ingredients. Your skin receives a direct infusion of vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.

4. Versatile: While designed for the body, many high-quality balms can be used for targeted treatment on extra-dry patches, cuticles, heels, and even, cautiously, on the face (more on that later).

5. Safe for Sensitive Skin: The absence of water often means a reduced need for synthetic preservatives. Furthermore, the exclusion of artificial fragrances, dyes, and common irritants makes a pure balm an excellent choice for those with reactive, sensitive, or allergy-prone skin.

What Is Body Balm Used For?

Body balms can be used for a wide range of uses. Peruda’s botanical balm, in particular, has gained a reputation for addressing a range of concerns with its natural formula.

• Dryness & Dehydration: For skin that feels tight, flaky, or rough, a balm provides the intensive relief that lighter creams cannot.

• Eczema & Psoriasis: The non-irritating formula is designed to soothe inflammation, reduce itching, and provide a protective barrier over vulnerable skin, allowing it to heal. Our client feedback has shown remarkable results for these conditions, including heat-induced dermatitis.

• Scar Appearance: The combination of skin-regenerating oils and butters can help improve the texture and appearance of scars by promoting skin cell regeneration and improving elasticity. Our client feedback has reported truly transformative scar recovery. 

• Post-Treatment Care: The gentle, dermatologically-approved, and natural formulation makes it suitable for skin recovering from medical treatments, which can often be more reactive - this is how Peruda was founded, from a need for gentle skincare for fragile, treatment-affected skin after cancer. 

• Everyday Prevention: Even without a specific skin concern, using a balm on high-stress areas like elbows, knees, and hands can prevent problems before they start, leaving your skin feeling hydrated and smooth.

How to Use Body Balm

A balm’s texture is different, so application might be different from what you are used to. 

1. Scoop: Using clean, dry fingers or a small spatula, scoop a small amount of balm, about the size of a 5p coin, for one large area. 

2. Warm: Rub the balm between your palms. The heat from your hands will melt the butters and oils, transforming the dense balm into a spreadable oil.

3. Press and Glide: Press your oiled palms onto your skin and glide them over the area. Focus on dry or problematic patches.

For best results, apply to slightly damp skin after bathing or add a spritz of water to lock in that extra hydration. 

Do You Put Balm on Before or After Moisturiser?

The golden rule of skincare is to apply products from the thinnest to the thickest. Therefore, you would typically apply your water-based serums or light lotions first, allowing them to absorb before applying your balm. 

Can You Use Body Balm on Your Face? 

This depends on the specific formulation and your skin type.

Generally, body balms are too rich for the facial skin of those prone to congestion or acne. However, Peruda’s Natural Botanical Body Balm, with its non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) ingredients and clean formulation, has been used by many on their faces.

As one testimonial highlights, a 15-year-old girl used the balm on her face, and her breakout-prone skin "returned to normal very fast." This speaks to the balm’s ability to repair the skin barrier without causing irritation. If you wish to try this, always patch test first on a small area of your jawline. For those with very sensitive skin, it can be used as an overnight treatment to boost hydration. 

Do You Wash Off Body Balm?

No, you don’t wash off body balm. It’s designed to be left to soak in, in order to moisturise and nourish your skin, and create the protective barrier. 

How Do You Store Body Balm?

Body balm should be stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, unless specified otherwise. To prevent melting on extremely hot days or in hotter climates, store in the refrigerator between uses. 

Peruda's Body Balm 

Founded in Switzerland, Peruda Skincare was born from a personal journey of healing skin after cancer treatment. This experience created an uncompromising mission: to create dermatologically approved, 100% natural botanical skincare that is specially crafted for sensitive and post-treatment skin.

Our balm has a unique botanical blend that repairs damage, promotes regeneration, and improves elasticity for our customers. Their stories of managing psoriasis, healing scars, and finding comfort for sensitive skin, are what drive us. Our star ingredients? 100% natural bioactive botanicals:

• Wild-grown Cupuaçu Butter: An Amazonian superfruit butter, holds more than 200% of its weight in water which is even more moisturising than shea, packed with antioxidants and phytosterols to improve skin elasticity.
• Wild-grown Murumuru Butter: Rich in omega fatty acids and vitamin A, it forms a protective, non-greasy film on the skin to enhance softness and retain moisture, repairs the lipid barrier, and has antimicrobial properties. 
• Wild-grown Andiroba Oil: A revered Amazonian oil known for its anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, perfect for soothing irritation and improving skin texture.
• Organic Safflower Seed Oil: Light and rich in linoleic acid, it moisturises and helps to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.
• Upcycled Rice Wax: A sustainable, hard wax that gives the balm its structure without compromising its natural purity.

Keep Reading

For more insights into caring for sensitive treatment-affected skin, check out:

• Your Simple Skincare Routine for Dry Sensitive Skin

• A Natural Way to Care for Allergy-Prone Skin

• Summer Skin Survival: 5 Expert Tips for Sensitive Skin

Have questions about our ingredients or which product is right for you? Reach out via our contact form or message us on social media - we’d love to help!

Shop our wide range of skincare products, including our face wash, face serum and exfoliating mask. 

Skincare professional? Peruda offers select products in treatment sizes for estheticians, skincare therapists, clinics, salons, and wellness professionals.