South African Natural Skincare

The Balm

A multi-purpose calming concentrate for everywhere skin needs rescue.

This concentrated balm melts on contact with skin warmth, delivering a potent blend of Prickly Pear Seed Oil, Blue Spirulina, and indigenous African botanicals. A single jar rescues dry lips, cracked hands, rough heels, irritated cuticles, and parched skin anywhere on the body. One balm. Every dry patch. Sorted.

4.9 ★★★★★

75 Verified Reviews

100% Natural

Naturally Derived Origin

Since 2014

Made in South Africa

Buy The Balm

The Balm Calming Concentrate 40ml by Skin Creamery

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Key Benefits

What does The Balm do for your skin?

The Balm Calming Concentrate is a multi-purpose rescue balm that soothes, repairs, and protects dry, cracked, and irritated skin anywhere on the body. Its concentrated formula melts on contact with skin warmth, delivering anti-inflammatory botanicals and deeply nourishing oils exactly where you need them most.

Multi-purpose rescue for everywhere

One concentrated balm for face, lips, hands, heels, cuticles, elbows, and dry patches anywhere on your body. Replaces multiple single-purpose products with one potent formula.

Instant relief for dry, cracked skin

Mango Seed Butter and Jojoba Oil create a protective barrier that locks in moisture, while Marula and Baobab oils deliver immediate nourishment to parched, compromised skin.

Blue Spirulina’s calming power

Spirulina Platensis Extract delivers phycocyanin — a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that calms reactive skin, reduces redness, and gives The Balm its distinctive blue-green colour.

Prickly Pear — nature’s anti-ageing powerhouse

Prickly Pear Seed Oil contains 150% more vitamin E than Argan Oil. One of the world’s most precious oils, it combats free radicals, supports collagen, and reduces the visible signs of ageing.

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Who Is It For?

Is The Balm right for me?

The Balm is for anyone with skin that needs rescue. Whether it’s dry hands from constant washing, cracked lips in winter, rough heels, or reactive skin that flares easily — this concentrated balm delivers targeted relief exactly where you need it.

If your hands, lips, or heels are constantly dry and cracked

You wash your hands frequently, your lips are always peeling, your heels catch on the bedsheets. The Balm melts into these rough, dry areas on contact, creating a protective seal that locks in moisture and lets skin repair itself.

If your skin is sensitive, reactive, or easily irritated

Redness, flaking, tightness — your skin reacts to everything. The Balm’s anti-inflammatory trio of Blue Spirulina, Imphepho, and Frankincense calms reactive skin and provides a soothing barrier against irritants.

If you want one concentrated product that works everywhere

You’re tired of buying separate lip balms, hand creams, heel creams, and cuticle oils. The Balm replaces them all. One jar, one formula, for every dry patch on your body.

Skin Types & Conditions

Is The Balm good for my skin type?

The Balm is best suited for dry, dehydrated, sensitive, and mature skin types. It’s a rich, concentrated formula designed as a targeted treatment. For oily skin, use it only on specific dry areas rather than all over the face.

✓ Recommended For

Dry or Dehydrated Skin

The concentrated blend of Jojoba, Mango Butter, Marula, and Baobab oils delivers deep nourishment. The balm texture creates a protective occlusive layer that prevents moisture loss.

Use morning & evening

Sensitive or Reactive Skin

Blue Spirulina, Frankincense, and Imphepho work together to calm inflammation and soothe irritation. The gentle formula is free from synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals.

Use as needed on reactive areas

Eczema or Dermatitis

Many customers with eczema-prone skin find relief with The Balm’s anti-inflammatory ingredients. The protective balm barrier helps shield compromised skin from environmental irritants.

Patch test first, use on affected areas

Mature or Ageing Skin

Prickly Pear Seed Oil’s exceptional vitamin E content combats free radicals and supports collagen. Frankincense promotes cell renewal. Rich in antioxidants.

Use morning & evening

Normal Skin (as targeted treatment)

Even balanced skin gets dry patches in winter, rough cuticles, or chapped lips. Use The Balm as a targeted treatment on areas that need extra attention.

Use as a spot treatment

! Use With Caution

Oily or Acne-Prone Skin

The Balm is a rich, concentrated formula that may be too heavy for full-face use on oily skin. However, it works beautifully on dry spots, lips, hands, and cuticles.

Use on dry spots only, not full-face

Active Acne

Avoid applying directly onto active breakouts. The occlusive balm texture may trap bacteria and worsen acne. Use only on non-affected dry areas.

Avoid on active breakouts

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Key Ingredients

What makes The Balm so effective?

The Balm features four hero ingredients: Prickly Pear Seed Oil for anti-ageing, Blue Spirulina for anti-inflammatory power, Imphepho for indigenous healing, and Frankincense Oil for cell renewal. These are carried in a nourishing base of Jojoba, Mango Butter, Marula, and Baobab oils.

Each ingredient was selected for its unique ability to rescue dry, cracked, and compromised skin — from the world’s most precious cactus oil to an indigenous South African botanical used in traditional healing for centuries.

Nature’s Most Precious Oil

Prickly Pear Seed Oil

One of the most expensive oils in the world, cold-pressed from the tiny seeds of the Opuntia Ficus-Indica cactus. It contains 150% more vitamin E than Argan Oil, primarily as gamma-tocopherol — a potent antioxidant. Rich in linoleic acid (up to 60%), it combats free radicals, supports collagen production, and reduces the visible signs of premature ageing.

Anti-Inflammatory Superfood

Blue Spirulina (Spirulina Platensis Extract)

This blue-green algae extract gives The Balm its distinctive colour and its calming power. Rich in phycocyanin — a unique pigment-protein with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Clinical research shows Spirulina promotes fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation, supports collagen production, and helps calm eczema and acne topically.

Indigenous South African Botanical

Imphepho (Helichrysum Odoratissimum) Oil

The most widely used medicinal plant in South Africa, known as Imphepho in Xhosa and Zulu traditions. Used for centuries in traditional healing for wounds, burns, and eczema. Rich in essential oils, flavonoids, and tannins with clinically demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and skin-regenerating properties.

Cell Renewal & Grounding

Frankincense (Boswellia Carterii) Oil

Used in healing traditions for millennia, Frankincense contains boswellic acids — the strongest anti-inflammatory terpenes found in nature. Research confirms it inhibits key inflammatory pathways, protects healthy cells, and supports skin barrier repair.

How To Use

How do I use The Balm?

Take a pea-sized amount of The Balm, rub between your palms to warm and melt the solid balm, then press onto cleansed skin morning or evening. Use on face, lips, hands, cuticles, dry patches, heels — anywhere skin needs rescue. A little goes a very long way.

Warming The Balm between palms before application

Step 1

Cleanse

Step 2

Tone

Step 3

The Balm ✦

Step 4

Moisturise

Application Technique

Face (dry, sensitive, or mature skin)

After cleansing and toning, warm a pea-sized amount between palms and press onto the face. For dry or mature skin, use all over. For combination skin, apply only to dry areas like cheeks or around the eyes. Follow with moisturiser on untreated areas.

Lips, hands, cuticles & heels

Apply a small amount directly to dry, cracked areas anytime — no routine required. The Balm works as a standalone treatment for lips, hands, cuticles, heels, elbows, and any rough or dry patches.

Dry patches, eczema & irritation

Apply The Balm directly to affected areas as a targeted treatment. Its anti-inflammatory ingredients help calm irritation while the occlusive balm texture protects compromised skin and prevents further moisture loss. Use as needed throughout the day.

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Customer Reviews

What do customers say about The Balm?

4.9

★★★★★ Based on 75 verified reviews

The Balm has a 4.9 out of 5 star rating from 75 verified customer reviews. Customers consistently praise its versatility as a multi-purpose rescue balm, its soothing calming effect, and its ability to transform dry, cracked skin.

“This product has been wonderful for my hands. I volunteer at a bat rehab centre and my hands have been extremely dry.”

— Lucy, verified buyer

“Great for dry cracked heals and cracked lips… all dry skin.”

— Nicole, verified buyer

“Soothing and calming. Great de-stressor.”

— Christine, verified buyer

About Skin Creamery

Who makes The Balm?

Skin Creamery is a South African natural skincare brand founded in 2014 by Hannah Rubin. Based in Cape Town, the brand was inspired by the rich botanical traditions of the African continent. The Balm brings together some of the world’s most precious plant oils — Prickly Pear from the Opuntia cactus, Marula and Baobab from African trees, and Imphepho, an indigenous South African botanical used in traditional healing for centuries. Each ingredient is ethically sourced, and every jar is handmade in South Africa.

100% Naturally Derived Indigenous African Botanicals Vegan & Cruelty-Free Beauty Without Cruelty Endorsed Made in South Africa Women-Owned

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about The Balm

Everything you need to know before trying The Balm Calming Concentrate for yourself.

What makes The Balm blue-green? +

The distinctive blue-green colour comes from Spirulina Platensis Extract, also known as Blue Spirulina. This is a natural pigment from blue-green algae, not an artificial colourant. Blue Spirulina is rich in phycocyanin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.

Can I use The Balm on my face? +

Yes, The Balm is formulated for use on the face as a targeted treatment for dry patches, around the eyes, and on lips. For dry, dehydrated, or mature skin, it can be applied all over the face after cleansing. For oily or combination skin, use it only on dry spots.

Is The Balm too heavy for oily skin? +

The Balm is a rich, concentrated formula designed for dry and compromised skin. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, it may be too rich for full-face use. However, it works beautifully as a targeted treatment on dry patches, lips, cuticles, and hands.

What does Imphepho do for the skin? +

Imphepho (Helichrysum Odoratissimum) is an indigenous South African botanical that has been used in traditional healing for centuries. It has clinically demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and skin-regenerating properties. It helps calm reactive skin, supports wound healing, and encourages cell renewal.

Can I use The Balm on eczema or dermatitis? +

Many customers with eczema and dermatitis use The Balm to soothe and protect dry, irritated skin. Its anti-inflammatory ingredients — Blue Spirulina, Frankincense, and Imphepho — help calm reactive skin. However, if you have a severe or active flare-up, patch test first and consult your dermatologist.

What does The Balm smell like? +

The Balm has a grounding, earthy-floral scent from its blend of Frankincense, Rose Geranium, and Imphepho essential oils. Customers describe it as calming, warm, and slightly resinous — a natural aromatherapy experience. There are no synthetic fragrances.

How long does a jar last? +

A 40ml jar of The Balm typically lasts 3–4 months with regular use. Because it’s a concentrated formula, you only need a pea-sized amount per application. A little goes a very long way.

Is The Balm safe for babies? +

While The Balm is made from natural ingredients, it contains essential oils (Frankincense, Rose Geranium, Imphepho) which are not recommended for very young babies. For children over 2 years, patch test on a small area first. For babies under 2, consult your paediatrician.

Is The Balm safe during pregnancy? +

The Balm contains essential oils including Frankincense, Rose Geranium, and Imphepho in small concentrations. While these are generally considered safe, consult your healthcare provider during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester.

Where is The Balm made? +

The Balm is handmade in South Africa by Skin Creamery, a women-owned brand founded by Hannah Rubin in Cape Town in 2014. Many of the key ingredients — Marula Oil, Baobab Seed Oil, and Imphepho — are sourced from the African continent.

Try The Balm

Ready to rescue your skin?

One concentrated balm for face, lips, hands, cuticles, heels, and dry patches everywhere. R450 for 40ml of multi-purpose calming power.

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The Balm