Salve

A salve is a semisolid ointment made from oils and wax, spread on the skin to form a protective, slow-absorbing layer that carries added ingredients.

Salves are anhydrous, containing no water, and are traditionally made by infusing herbs into a carrier oil and thickening the result with beeswax. The absence of water means no preservatives are required and the product keeps well, though it can soften in heat. Salves are firmer than lotions and creams and sit on the skin longer, which is why they are used on dry, cracked, or rough areas. The terms salve, balm, and ointment overlap heavily in everyday use.

A CBD salve is a hemp extract infused into this oil-and-wax base, sometimes with essential oils, menthol, or arnica. The label should state total cannabinoid milligrams in the container, the extract type, the full ingredient list, and a batch number tied to a certificate of analysis. Salves are regulated as cosmetics unless drug claims are made. Research on cannabinoids applied to the skin is limited and largely preclinical, and how much cannabinoid penetrates beyond the outer skin layers from a salve has not been well characterized.