Are There Alternatives to Neosporin?

Are there alternatives to Neosporin?

We can learn a lot of things from older generations. Like cold process soap making, cheese making, simple living, and more. But just because our parents or grandparents did it doesn’t mean we should do it. An example is using Neosporin for every scrape or seeking out antibiotics for every sickness. Why? Well actually for very similar reasons. Concerning antibiotics, there are many bacteria that are mutating and creating antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria because of the overuse of antibiotics. There are many ways to prevent the use of antibiotics but that is a topic for another time.

Why Neosporin shouldn’t be used on wounds?

1. It contains antibiotics and thus creates an opportunity for new strains of bacteria to become antibiotic resistant. While creating an environment where not only the bad bacteria but the good bacteria has been killed. Thus disrupting the microbiome. (1)
2. It contains petroleum jelly.
3. May cause redness and swelling. (2)
4. There are actually natural and effective alternatives.

What’s the problem with petroleum jelly?

“For petroleum jelly to be pure it has to be thoroughly refined. However, it is often not fully refined in the US, which means it is contaminated with toxic chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).” (3)

“PAH-contaminated products are a cancer risk. And U.S. manufacturers are not legally required to remove PAH and other pollutants from petroleum jelly products. Also Petrolatum is inherently comedogenic, which means it will clog the pores. And the barrier that it creates traps any harmful bacteria that may already be on the skin.” (4)

So what are the alternatives?

1. Honey
2. Herb-infused olive oil
3. Beeswax

Olive Oil

Olive oil has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties; therefore it can facilitate the repair of tissue naturally. Pure olive oil also contains a natural chemical that acts as a painkiller. The oleocanthal that Olive oil contains can have an analgesic effect by a mechanism similar to ibuprofen, thus it can relieve wound pain. It is important to note that several studies have shown that olive oil has no side effects for consumers.

Honey

Honey has 6 properties that support its antibacterial features.
Those 6 properties are: a high concentration of sugar, low PH, low water activity, high hydrogen peroxide, viscosity, and flavonoids.
You could use just honey on a wound and place a bandage over it. Our Honey Lip Balm would be a great, easy application that contains the benefits of honey and beeswax. It also contains the nourishing benefits of tallow; if you would like to learn more about that read our blog post on the benefits of tallow for skin care here.

This lip balm is a great addition to be thrown in a purse or a first aid box. You can find our Honey Lip Balm at: https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/lip-balm/  

Herbal infused oil:

An herbal oil infusion is when medicinal herbs that have healing properties have been placed into an oil for six weeks or more. Then the oil is strained and the result is a healing oil that can be used in many different ways. Some examples of herbs and the healing properties that they infuse into the oil are these:

1. Calendula: a very supportive herb especially for skin care due to its abundance in Flavonoids & Antioxidants. Some of the benefits of Calendula are: prevents cell damage, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial.
2. Yarrow: The leaves are antiseptic, styptic, and antimicrobial in nature and are often used to help slow the flow of blood in minor cuts and scrapes. They simultaneously help to cleanse the area and help to protect it from further infection. (5)
3. Plantain: One of the reasons why plantain is a medicinal herb is that all parts of the plant – the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds – contain a lot of antioxidants. Flavonoids, polysaccharides, and caffeic acid are just a few of the phytochemicals in plantain. (6)
4. St. John’s Wort: If you use St. John’s Wort for topical application in the form of a salve or tincture, it can speed the healing process of burns, bruises, and scrapes by stimulating the circulation of oxygenated blood to damaged skin cells. (7)
5. Comfrey: When you apply comfrey to your skin, it can have some benefits on rashes and irritations. The high content of antioxidants and vitamin C, make comfrey pastes and salves the ideal solution for speeding up wound healing. Antioxidants also help eliminate foreign substances in the body and prevent cell death, while vitamin C’s importance in producing collagen means that it is necessary to produce new skin cells for healing. (8)
6. Lavender: Although many people turn to lavender for relaxation and aromatherapeutic applications, its effect on treating infection is impressive, to say the least. Many people apply crushed leaves on wounds and injuries for healing wounds as well as to prevent the development of wound infections. (9)
7. Chamomile: Chamomile is an effective remedy for irritated skin, swelling in the face, toothache, and pain that stems from other inflammatory complications. Because of its ability to relieve swelling, you will often see chamomile added to various cosmetic products, body lotions, and even toothpaste. (10)

These 7 herbs and their healing properties can be found in our All Purpose Salve. Along with the benefits of Olive Oil and beeswax. You can purchase Dandelion Naturals All Purpose Salve at: https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/all-purpose-salve/

Beeswax:

1. Beeswax is a great skin protector perfect for problem spots such as cracked heels, psoriasis, and eczema.
2. It contains vitamin A which is great for aging skin and wrinkles, and stimulates collagen production.
3. Beeswax relieves inflammation, and has antimicrobial and regenerative effects due to the flavonoid chrysin.
4. Beeswax also has an antiseptic effect due to the Sterols it contains.
5. Beeswax contains natural sunscreen properties that can help to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays. When applied to the skin, beeswax forms a barrier that helps to reflect UV rays. (11)

Mineral Oil is derived from petroleum. Mineral oil and Beeswax both function as an occlusive, which creates a barrier that prevents moisture loss. (12)

Olive oil functions as an emollient, which supports the skin’s natural function. Honey is also best used with something like beeswax so that moisture is retained on and in the skin. This is why we have formulated our Honey lip balm and All Purpose Salve with the most healing and non-toxic ingredients that would deliver the most benefits to the user!

You can find more non-toxic, plastic-free, artificial fragrance-free alternatives on our website! We look forward to serving you with nourishing skincare products that are safe for your skin and your baby’s skin!