Which Functional Cream Is Right for You? A Quick Guide Based on Skin and Body Needs

At Four Elements Organic Herbals, we offer a variety of functional creams, each crafted for specific skin and body needs. Our creams blend traditional herbal wisdom with certified organic ingredients grown right on our Wisconsin farm.

Important Fact: According to the National Institutes of Health, herbal supplements are the most widely used complementary and alternative medicine approach with an increasing trend particularly over the last two decades, as people increasingly seek natural alternatives for their health and wellness needs.

If you've been wondering which cream might work best for your particular needs, you're in the right place. Jane Hawley Stevens has been specializing in herbs since 1981, and her decades of experience inform each handcrafted formula we offer.

For Muscle & Joint Relief: Arnica Capsicum Cream

When muscles speak up after a day of gardening or joints remind you of yesterday's hike, reach for Arnica Capsicum Muscle and Joint Cream. This restorative formula harnesses the traditional power of arnica, capsicum, and St. John's wort—herbs that herbalists have recommended for centuries to support recovery.

The cream combines wild and cultivated plants like meadowsweet and witch hazel with our native prickly ash to create a balanced herbal blend. Applied directly to areas needing attention, it works to soothe tired muscles and nurture joints experiencing the natural wear of daily living or physical activity.

Perfect for active individuals, aging joints, and post-workout care, this cream offers targeted support where and when you need it most. Many customers keep one jar by the bed and another in their gym bag for quick application after exertion.

For Hormonal Balance: Wild Yam Cream

Women seeking natural support during life's transitions often turn to our Wild Yam Balancing Cream. This best-selling, award-winning formula combines wild yam root with black cohosh, red clover, and vitex—herbs traditionally associated with hormonal harmony.

The cream applies easily to pulse points like wrists and the abdomen, where just a half to one teaspoon twice daily can help the body find its natural rhythm. Many women incorporate this cream into both morning and evening routines during monthly cycles, perimenopause, or other hormonal shifts.

Thoughtfully formulated with organic ingredients and scented with rose geranium and clary sage essential oils, this cream offers botanical support without synthetic additives. It remains one of our most requested products since Jane first developed it in the early days of Four Elements.

For Skin Soothing: Look, No X Ma! Cream

When skin becomes irritated or uncomfortable, our Look, No X Ma! Skin Soothing Cream offers gentle relief. Jane developed this formula over 20 years ago for her infant daughter who was experiencing severe skin discomfort, making it a product born from maternal care.

The cream features licorice root, which contains compounds with cortisone-like properties, paired with calendula, comfrey, and chamomile to cool and soothe troubled skin. These botanical ingredients work together to help you live more comfortably in your skin.

This unscented formula has remained our top seller for two decades, trusted by families dealing with sensitive skin conditions. Apply as needed to areas requiring extra care, and watch as nature helps restore comfort to irritated skin.

For Everyday Beauty & Skin Maintenance: Look Beautiful! Cream

For daily facial care that helps you age gracefully, our Look Beautiful! Moisture Cream delivers botanical nourishment that's stood the test of time. Jane created this formula when she turned 40, seeking a natural approach to mature skin care—and the results speak for themselves.

This cream features calendula and rose geranium infusions paired with swoon-inducing neroli essential oil, creating a sensory experience that keeps customers coming back well into the second decade of this product's life. The traditional blend supports skin's natural radiance while providing daily moisture.

Make this cream the foundation of your morning and evening facial routine. Many customers report that their friends notice a difference in their skin's appearance after just weeks of regular use. The formula works beautifully on all skin types but offers particular benefits to mature skin seeking renewed vitality.

For Circulation Support: Look! Toning Vein Cream

When legs feel heavy or feet need extra attention, our Look! Toning Vein Cream provides targeted support. This specialized formula centers on classic herbs traditionally used to assist healthy circulation and vein function.

Horse chestnut and oak bark form the foundation of this cream, complemented by gotu kola and St. John's wort to create a comprehensive approach to circulatory wellness. The formula absorbs readily into skin, leaving behind the subtle, uplifting aroma of helichrysum, juniper, and grapefruit essential oils.

Apply morning and night to legs, feet, or other areas with circulation concerns for optimal results. Many customers incorporate this cream into their evening self-care ritual, massaging it onto tired legs after a long day of standing or sitting. Regular application supports the body's natural circulatory processes.

For All-Over Nourishment: Lemon Balm All Over & Under Cream

For versatile, whole-body skin care, our Lemon Balm All Over and Under Cream offers the perfect solution. This formula celebrates our favorite herb—lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)—prized for its many virtues in traditional herbalism.

The cream combines lemon balm with St. John's wort, chamomile, and thyme to create a balanced botanical blend that supports healthy skin function. Its light, citrusy scent from lemongrass essential oil makes application a sensory pleasure while providing everyday nourishment.

Use this cream anywhere skin needs attention—from hands and elbows to face and body. It absorbs quickly without greasiness, making it suitable for daily use. Many customers keep a jar in multiple locations throughout their home, ensuring botanical skin support is always within reach.

For Cooling & Refreshing: Peppermint Thyme Foot Cream

When tired feet need revival or overheated skin craves cooling relief, reach for our Peppermint Thyme Foot Cream. While originally developed for foot care, customers discovered this versatile cream works wonders in multiple applications.

The formula features peppermint, which creates a pleasant cooling sensation followed by gentle warmth—making it excellent for chest application during seasonal changes. Plantain and thyme amplify these benefits, while lovage adds a refreshing, celery-like aroma that pairs beautifully with mint for an uplifting experience.

Apply to feet after a long day, massage into tired leg muscles, or use as a refreshing chest rub when needed. The invigorating scent and sensation make this cream a favorite for active individuals and anyone seeking a moment of cooling comfort in their self-care routine.

For Deep Skin Repair: Rose Comfrey or Unscented Comfrey

When skin needs serious repair, our comfrey-based creams offer concentrated botanical support. Choose between Rose Comfrey Moisture Cream—Jane's first product created in 1987—or Unscented Comfrey Moisture Cream for fragrance-free care.

Both formulas harness the power of comfrey root, affectionately known as "the aloe of the north," which grows abundantly on our Wisconsin farm. When the root is split open, it reveals a rich, demulcent quality that soothes and supports skin much like aloe vera. The Rose Comfrey version adds the heart-opening aroma of rose essential oil, while the Unscented option works perfectly for sensitive users or as a base for practitioners.

These creams work wonders on rough, hardworking hands—from gardeners to blacksmiths—while remaining gentle enough for sensitive skin. Apply to areas needing extra care and watch as this time-tested herb helps restore skin's natural balance.

For All-in-One Family Use: Self-Heal Cream

For versatile, everyday skin support, our Self-Heal Moisture Cream offers the perfect solution. Named after the historically valued native plant Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris), this formula provides an alternative to our Unscented Comfrey Cream with a slightly different texture and application.

The cream delivers a gentle drying effect while maintaining the softening properties Four Elements creams are known for. This balance makes it ideal for addressing various skin needs, from minor outdoor irritations to everyday household mishaps.

Keep this multitasking cream in your medicine cabinet, first-aid kit, or travel bag for quick, gentle care whenever needed. Many families rely on this formula as their go-to solution for everyone from toddlers to grandparents, simplifying their natural first-aid approach with a single, versatile product.

For Lymphatic Support & Breast Massage: Violet Burdock Balm

Nurturing lymphatic wellness becomes a daily ritual with our Violet Burdock Breast and Body Balm. This award-winning formula (named American Herbalists Guild's 2014 Best Topical Skin Product) combines traditional lymphatic herbs in a luxurious cream.

Wild violets, burdock root, figwort, and poke root work together to support healthy lymph function throughout the body. The balm carries a delicate scent reminiscent of a spring morning, created by chamomile and orris root essential oils, making daily application a moment of self-care rather than a chore.

Use this cream for gentle breast massage to support healthy tissue, or apply to areas where lymphatic support is desired. Many women incorporate this balm into their morning or evening wellness routine, creating a moment of mindful connection with their bodies through intentional massage.

Finding Your Perfect Match

Every cream in our collection reflects Jane's four decades of herbal expertise and Four Elements' commitment to certified organic ingredients. Each formula begins as plants growing in the pristine Baraboo Bluffs of Wisconsin, carefully tended and harvested before being transformed into the effective creams you trust.

We believe that skin and body care should work with nature, not against it. That's why our creams contain no synthetic additives—just pure botanical wisdom in every jar. As you select your cream, trust both the science behind our formulations and your body's innate wisdom about what it needs.

Ready to discover which cream will become your new favorite? Explore the full Functional Creams Collection to find the perfect match for your skin and body care needs.

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