Skin Care & Balms FAQ

Skin Care & Balms FAQ

Which TerraSana Farms skin care product should I choose?

Our skin care collection includes several oils, balms, salves, and sprays because different skin concerns call for different products.

Here's a quick guide:

Neem Balm – A rich botanical balm commonly chosen for dry, irritated, and problem-prone skin. Neem-based skin products are also commonly used by people dealing with concerns such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, dermatitis, and acne.

Skin Healing Oil – A concentrated botanical oil that can be incorporated into skin care for scars, fine lines, puffiness, age spots and sunspots. It can also be useful for soothing the uncomfortable stinging sensation left behind by bug bites.

Soothe & Heal Spray – A convenient, lightweight botanical spray for areas where you'd rather not apply a heavier balm or oil.

Black Drawing Salve – A traditional-style salve made with activated charcoal and bentonite clay. It is commonly used when dealing with small, superficial things that have become stuck beneath or embedded in the skin, such as splinters.

Hands & Heels Balm – A rich moisturizing balm designed for rough, dry hands, heels, elbows, and other areas that need extra conditioning.

Paw & Nose Butter – A simple, essential-oil-free balm made specifically for dry paws and noses.

What's the difference between a balm, oil, salve, and spray?

The biggest difference is texture and how the product sits on the skin.

Oils spread easily and work well when you want a lightweight product for a targeted area.

Balms and salves contain oils, butters, and/or waxes that create a thicker product. They stay in place longer and are especially useful when skin needs a heavier, more protective product.

Sprays are lightweight, quick to apply, and convenient for larger or difficult-to-reach areas.

One isn't necessarily better than another. The right choice depends on what you're using it for and the texture you prefer.

What is Neem Balm and what is it commonly used for?

Our Neem Balm is a rich botanical balm featuring neem oil, along with skin-conditioning ingredients and a small amount of lavender essential oil.

Neem has a long history of traditional use in skin care, particularly for dry, irritated, and problem-prone skin. Neem products are also commonly chosen by people looking for botanical skin care for concerns such as:

  • Eczema-prone skin

  • Psoriasis-prone skin

  • Rosacea

  • Dermatitis

  • Acne and blemish-prone skin

  • Dry, rough, irritated skin

Because it is a heavier balm, you generally only need a small amount.

Individual skin conditions vary considerably, and Neem Balm is not intended as a medical treatment or replacement for care recommended by a healthcare professional.

What does neem smell like?

Neem has a very distinctive natural aroma. It is earthy, nutty, herbal, and sometimes described as slightly garlicky.

We don't heavily fragrance our Neem Balm to cover the natural neem aroma because doing so would require adding considerably more fragrance or essential oil than we want in a product intended for problem-prone skin.

If you've never used neem before, don't be surprised by its natural scent.

What is Skin Healing Oil and what can I use it for?

Our Skin Healing Oil is a concentrated botanical oil made with helichrysum, frankincense, sandalwood, myrrh, lavender, and fractionated coconut oil.

It's a versatile oil that can be incorporated into your skin care routine for areas of concern including:

  • The appearance of scars

  • Fine lines

  • Under-eye puffiness

  • Age spots and sunspots

  • Dry or weather-stressed skin

  • Localized areas that need additional skin conditioning

It can also be useful after bug bites when you're dealing with the lingering stinging or uncomfortable sensation on the skin.

Because this is a concentrated oil and spreads easily, a little goes a long way. Apply a small amount to the desired area and gently massage it into the skin.

Avoid direct contact with the eyes.

What is Soothe & Heal Spray?

Soothe & Heal Spray is our lightweight alternative for people who prefer a spray rather than a balm or oil.

It contains witch hazel, fractionated coconut oil, peppermint, lavender, chamomile, and helichrysum.

It's particularly convenient when you want something quick and easy to apply without massaging a heavier balm into the skin.

What is Black Drawing Salve and what is it used for?

Black Drawing Salve is based on the traditional concept of a drawing salve and is made with calendula-infused oil, coconut oil, castor oil, beeswax, activated charcoal, bentonite clay, lavender, and tea tree essential oils.

It is commonly used when something small and superficial has become embedded beneath the surface of the skin, such as a splinter.

Apply a small amount to the area. Because activated charcoal gives the salve its deep black color, consider covering the area to keep the salve in place and protect clothing and fabrics.

Black Drawing Salve shouldn't be used as a substitute for appropriate medical care for deeply embedded objects, puncture wounds, significant injuries, or signs of infection.

What is Hands & Heels Balm?

Hands & Heels Balm is made for those stubborn dry areas where regular lotion sometimes isn't enough.

Its richer consistency is particularly suited for dry hands, rough or cracked-feeling heels, elbows, knees, and other areas of very dry skin.

For particularly dry heels, apply a small amount before bed and consider wearing clean cotton socks overnight.

What is Paw & Nose Butter?

Paw & Nose Butter is our simple moisturizing balm for dogs' dry paws and noses.

It is made with beeswax, coconut oil, vitamin E, olive oil, and shea butter with no added essential oils.

Apply a small amount to dry paw pads or the outside of the nose as needed. This product is intended for external use.

Can I use these products on sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin varies considerably from person to person.

Some of our products contain essential oils and botanical ingredients that may not agree with everyone's skin. We recommend patch testing a small area first, particularly if you have sensitive or reactive skin.

If irritation, burning, significant redness, swelling, or another reaction develops, discontinue use.

What is a patch test?

Before applying a new product to a larger area, place a small amount on a small patch of intact skin.

Allow time to see how your skin responds before using the product more broadly.

Patch testing can't guarantee that you'll never experience irritation, but it can help identify an obvious sensitivity before applying a product to a larger area.

Can I use these products on open wounds or broken skin?

Unless a product is specifically labeled for that use, we recommend using our skin care products on intact skin.

Deep cuts, puncture wounds, burns, animal bites, infected areas, or wounds that aren't healing appropriately should receive appropriate medical attention.

Why did my balm get softer in the summer or harder in the winter?

This is normal for products made with natural oils, butters, and waxes.

Temperature has a significant effect on balm consistency. A balm may become noticeably softer in a hot vehicle, mailbox, market tent, or warm room and considerably firmer during cold weather.

If your balm becomes very soft, place it somewhere cool and allow it to return to its normal consistency. Avoid repeatedly exposing the product to extreme temperatures whenever possible.

Why doesn't every jar look or smell exactly the same?

Our products are made in small batches, and botanical ingredients naturally vary.

Natural oils, waxes, butters, herbs, and other ingredients can have slight differences in color, aroma, and texture from batch to batch.

These variations are normal with products made from botanical and naturally derived ingredients.

How much product should I use?

Usually, a small amount is all you need.

Our concentrated oils, balms, and salves spread easily. Start with a small amount and add more if necessary.

A thicker layer isn't necessarily better. Using a smaller amount also allows the product to absorb more comfortably into the skin.

How should I store my skin care products?

Store products in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and excessive heat.

Avoid leaving balms or oils in a hot vehicle for extended periods. Heat can soften balms and can accelerate changes in natural oils and botanical ingredients.

Keep containers securely closed when not in use and avoid introducing water into jars or tins.

How long do TerraSana Farms skin care products last?

Most of our skin care products have an expected shelf life of approximately 12–18 months when stored properly.

Because many of our products contain natural oils, butters, botanical ingredients, and essential oils, heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and improper storage can shorten their useful life.

For the longest shelf life:

  • Keep products tightly closed when not in use.

  • Store them in a cool, dry place.

  • Keep them out of direct sunlight.

  • Don't leave them in a hot vehicle for extended periods.

  • Avoid introducing water into jars or tins.

If a product develops a significant change in smell, color, texture, or appearance before that time, discontinue use.

How do I know if a product has gone bad?

Natural oils and butters can eventually oxidize and become rancid.

Signs that a product may no longer be good include an unpleasant rancid or "old oil" odor, an unusual change in color or texture, visible mold, or another significant change from the product's normal appearance or aroma.

When in doubt, discontinue use.

Are TerraSana Farms skin care products preservative-free?

It depends on the product.

Oil-based and anhydrous products—products made without water—have different preservation requirements from products containing water or water-based ingredients.

Products containing water require appropriate preservation to protect the integrity and safety of the formula.

"Preservative-free" doesn't automatically mean safer or better. We formulate according to the needs of the individual product.

Are essential oils always safe because they're natural?

No. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts, and natural doesn't automatically mean non-irritating or appropriate for everyone.

We use essential oils intentionally rather than assuming more is better.

If you have sensitive skin, allergies, are using a product on a child, or have another reason to be cautious with essential oils, review the individual product ingredients before use.

Can children use these products?

It depends on the individual product, the child's age, its ingredients, and where the product will be used.

Products containing essential oils aren't automatically appropriate for young children simply because they're plant-based.

For infants, very young children, children with sensitive skin, or children with an existing skin condition, consult their healthcare professional before use.

Can I use these products while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding require additional consideration because several of our products contain essential oils and concentrated botanical ingredients.

We recommend reviewing the ingredients of the individual product with your healthcare professional before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Important Product Information

TerraSana Farms skin care products are intended for external cosmetic and personal-care use. Information about traditional, common, or potential uses is provided for educational purposes and is not a guarantee of results.

Individual experiences vary. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease or replace appropriate medical care.