If you've only ever used lotion, incorporating a balm into your routine for the first time can feel slightly unfamiliar. Balms have a different texture, a different application method, and work best when used a bit differently than a standard lotion. Here's everything you need to know to get started.
Understanding What a Balm Is For
Unlike a lotion, which is mostly water combined with some oil and emulsifying ingredients to keep the two mixed together, a balm is a concentrated, mostly water-free blend of fats, oils, and sometimes waxes. This makes it more occlusive and longer-lasting on the skin, better suited to targeted, more intensive moisture needs rather than light, all-over daily hydration.
Think of a balm as a tool for specific problem areas or intensive treatment, rather than a full replacement for your everyday body lotion.
When to Reach for a Balm Instead of Lotion
Particularly dry or rough areas, like elbows, knees, and heels, which tend to need more concentrated moisture than a standard lotion provides.
After sun exposure, when skin needs more intensive barrier support to recover from the added stress of UV exposure and heat.
During especially dry seasons or climate conditions, when your regular lotion alone doesn't feel like enough.
As an overnight treatment, for areas that benefit from extended, uninterrupted contact with a richer product while you sleep.
How to Apply a Balm Correctly
Start with clean, slightly damp skin if possible. Applying a balm right after a shower, while skin still has some residual moisture, helps the balm seal in that moisture rather than working on completely dry skin.
Use less than you think you need. Balms are concentrated, and a little genuinely goes a long way. Warm a small amount between your palms or fingertips first, which softens the balm and makes it easier to spread evenly.
Press and massage gently, rather than rubbing vigorously. This helps the balm absorb more evenly and avoids unnecessary friction on already-dry or sensitive skin.
Give it time to absorb before dressing. Balms can take a few minutes longer to fully absorb than a lighter lotion, so allow a short window before putting on clothing to avoid transfer.
Building a Simple Routine Around a Balm
A straightforward way to start is by using your regular lotion for everyday, all-over hydration, and adding a balm specifically for problem areas, elbows, knees, hands, and heels, either in the morning as part of your regular routine or at night as a more intensive treatment.
If you're using a balm on your face (like our Soothe Balm, useful for particularly dry or irritated patches), apply it as the final step in your evening routine, after any serums, since its thicker, more occlusive texture works best as a top layer sealing everything else in.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using too much at once. This can leave skin feeling greasy or take too long to absorb, and doesn't actually improve results, since a balm's benefit comes from its concentrated formulation, not from the sheer volume applied.
Applying to completely dry skin when better options exist. While balms do work on dry skin, applying to slightly damp skin generally produces better results by giving the balm additional moisture to help seal in.
Expecting instant results for significant dryness. More severe dryness or cracking, particularly on heels or hands, typically takes one to two weeks of consistent use before showing meaningful improvement.
Getting Comfortable With the Texture
The thicker, richer texture of a balm compared to lotion can feel unfamiliar at first, particularly if you're used to fast-absorbing, lightweight products. Give yourself a week or two to adjust to how it feels and how your skin responds, most people find that once they experience the difference in how effectively a balm addresses genuinely dry or problem areas, the adjustment period is well worth it.
Our Recommendation
Whether you're addressing dry patches, recovering from sun exposure, or simply looking to add a more concentrated treatment step to your routine, our balms are formulated around simple, skin-compatible ingredients designed to work with your skin's own chemistry rather than masking dryness with a temporary, surface-level fix.