Side by Side: Sleep Balm and Night-Night Balm

Sleep: young or old, we need it; and arguably as much as we need food, air, and water. However, it’s estimated that around 60 million Americans suffer from some sort of sleep disorder, including insomnia. Even us Badgers toss and turn from time to time! While the reasons for not sleeping are numerous and can differ from person to person, it’s essential that we let our bodies rest and rejuvenate to feel alert ready for the next day.

At Badger, we approach being healthy from a holistic perspective, which includes eating healthy food, drinking lots of water, and getting plenty of sleep. So what do Badgers do when sleep is hard to find? We turn to the art of aromatherapy, which uses pure botanical essences to calm, relax, uplift, and clear restless minds. Since Badger makes two sleep balms, people often ask: What’s the difference between the two? Can adults use Night-Night Balm? Can my kiddos use Sleep Balm?

Those questions and more are answered below in this side-by-side comparisons of Badger’s best sleep buddies. But before we dig in, it’s important to note that our balms are not drugs, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise solve medical issues. So if you have a serious sleep issue, you should consult with your doctor or practitioner to determine the best course of treatment. That being said, if you like nice soft skin and dreamy aromatherapy blends, then please read on!

Who the product is intended for:

Sleep Balm: busy adults with restless minds.
Night-Night Balm: active kids who need to unwind and relax.

Generally speaking, grownups and kids have different reasons why they can’t sleep. Adults, for the most part, have a difficult time turning off their brains long enough to fall asleep. Instead we’re thinking about the emails that need sending and errands that still need doing, while worrying about the bills and endless to-do lists. It’s no wonder why we have trouble falling asleep!

Sleep Balm features balsam fir, a key ingredient that evokes a mind-clearing walk in the woods, only from the comfort of your own bed. This magical oil is refreshing and relaxing to the body, as well as warming, helping to ease you into a relaxed state of mind so sleep can come naturally. Bergamot, which is a citrus, is traditionally uplifting without being stimulating and helps put you in a better mood as you drift off. Traditionally bergamot balances emotions, which can be very helpful if you tend to get riled up about stuff.

Night-Night Balm is a little more traditional in its approach. Chamomile and lavender are calming herbs for kids, while spearmint and mandarin are emotionally uplifting. In combination they promote peace and calm for a relaxed, happy transition into sleep.

Ingredient breakdown:

Sleep Balm Ingredients: *Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive) Oil, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), Essential Oils of *Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot), *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Verbenone), *Zingiber Officinale (Ginger), *Abies Balsamea (Balsam Fir) and CO₂ Extract of Zingiber Officinale (Ginger).

Night-Night Balm Ingredients: *Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Oil, *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Extract, Essential Oils of *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Santalum Album (Sandalwood), *Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin), *Mentha Viridis (Spearmint), and *Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile).

* = Certified Organic

As you can see each balm is 95-100% USDA Certified Organic, with a base of extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, and castor oil in addition to aromatherapeutic essential oils. Our extra virgin olive oil comes from a family-owned estate in Spain, and is the highest quality food-grade oil you can get. In fact, it’s used by Michelin Star chefs in France and Spain for its remarkable health qualities. As a result these balms nourish the body – meaning you and the little ones have really soft skin – while providing many aromatherapeutic benefits.

Where to apply for best results:

Since both balms are based around the principles of aromatherapy, you’ll want to apply them anywhere you can smell the aroma. This includes under the nose, on the lips, chest, wrists, shoulders, temples, or other pulse points. You can also apply them to your feet and belly, and allow the essential oils to diffuse into the air. A lot of parents have said that they use Night-Night Balm for bedtime massages to relax their little ones, and as a bonus, mom and dad end up feeling relaxed, too.

Other notable points:

Aside from having different essential oil blends, I find that Night-Night Balm has a milder smell than Sleep Balm. But both can be used by anyone in the family at any time - since neither balm is a drug, they don’t actually make you sleepy. I find the Night-Night Balm especially relaxing to use at work.

Check out Badger's Sleep Balm and Night-Night Balm

Do you have an experience with Sleep Balm or Night-Night Balm? Share your story in the comments below!