From Desert Survival to Skin Relief: The Creosote Bush Story

 Just a reminder that I am not a licensed professional, just a self taught maker with a deep interest in what goes into skincare. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or nursing or have chronic health conditions before using herbs or essential oils.

Here is a little peek into one of my favorite skincare ingredients, Creosote bush. Also known as chaparral, desert chaparral and greasewood.

That distinctive desert scent? It's actually your first clue that this plant means business when it comes to calming irritated skin…

Creosote bush in the wild

What's Actually Happening

When your skin gets irritated, it sends out "help" signals that create redness and discomfort. Creosote bush contains natural compounds that essentially tell those signals to calm down.

Why It Works So Well

The same compounds that help this plant survive desert extremes also protect and soothe your skin. Unlike harsh chemicals, creosote works with your skin's natural healing process. The oils I use (prickly pear, grapeseed, jojoba) help deliver these benefits 

Creosote bush infusing into prickly pear oil

How I Capture the Benefits: The Oil Infusion Process

Why Oil Infusion Works

Water-based extracts can't capture creosote's most valuable compounds - they're oil-soluble. That's why I use traditional oil infusion, the same method indigenous communities have used for centuries.

My Process

I slowly infuse dried creosote bush in carefully chosen oils over several weeks. This gentle extraction preserves the delicate compounds that get destroyed by heat or chemical solvents.

The Oil Matchmaking

Prickly pear fruit from nopal cactus

• Prickly pear oil (body salve): Perfect for larger areas that need deep moisture and protection
• Grapeseed + jojoba blend (hand salve): Quick-absorbing grapeseed paired with long-lasting jojoba - ideal for hands that get washed frequently

From Oil to Salve

Once the oils are fully infused with creosote's beneficial compounds, I transform them into salves using natural beeswax or candelilla wax. This creates a protective barrier that holds the healing oils against your skin longer, letting the anti-irritation compounds do their work without washing or rubbing away.

Why This Matters

Store-bought extracts often use harsh methods that strip away the very compounds that make creosote effective. My slow infusion method means you get the full spectrum of benefits, plus the added nourishment of premium carrier oils in a long-lasting, protective salve format.

What You Get

Rich salves with that unmistakable desert scent - proof that the active compounds are fully present and ready to soothe your skin.

The finished product 

Get yours here!

The Bottom Line

Sometimes the most effective skincare isn't pretty or trendy. It's just honest, hardworking ingredients that deliver results.