softening vs salving

softening is a noun but salving is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
softening	Yes	Yes	No	No
salving	No	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, softening and salving are synonyms defined as:

softening and salving: having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin

Other synonyms of softening include demulcent, emollient.

softening (noun)	salving (noun)
the process of becoming softer

softening (adjective)	salving (adjective)
having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin	having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin