Soothing salves are a type of topical treatment used to reduce inflammation and provide relief from skin irritations. OINTMENTS (9 letters) and balms (5 letters) are two common forms of soothing salves. OINTMENTS are typically thicker than balms and contain more oil, while balms are usually lighter and contain more wax. Both OINTMENTS and balms are effective at providing relief from skin irritations and reducing inflammation.