Essential Oils for Eczema and How to Use Them
The word eczema is derived from an ancient Greek word, which means “to boil out.” It’s a term used for any swelling or redness in the skin, also known as skin inflammation. It can reveal itself in a lot of ways, and its symptoms vary from person to person.
Anyone who has dry, itchy and sensitive skin is said to have eczema. However, it can also include symptoms of dark discoloration, rashes, swelling, blistering, peeling and oozing.
And not to forget, red and warm skin can also be a significant indication towards some skin infection which could be easily characterized as eczema.
In this article, I’m going to talk about what are the possible causes of eczema and essential oils for eczema treatment.
Related Reading: Eczema on the Face: Causes and Treatments
What Causes Eczema?
Research suggests that about 30 million Americans are living with eczema. The precise reason behind eczema is unknown, but it is said to have some genetic origins.
It has been closely associated with the way asthma or hay fever work in the family. If both the parents have asthma, hay fever, or eczema, then it’s likely that their children will acquire one or more of the conditions.
Even though there is no known cure for eczema, people who are living with it might experience some remission periods when the skin is clear.
A setback, that is, flare-ups could be triggered by some environmental factors such as:
- Chemical irritants found in soaps, detergents, shampoos, disinfectants, and household cleaners.
- Food allergies from eating dairy, soy, eggs, wheat, nuts, and seeds.
- Swings in temperature from hot to cold, dehydration during physical activity, and high and low humidity.
- Micro-organism like fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
- Allergens from pet dander, molds, and dandruff.
- Clothing made of wool or synthetic fibers.
One way to treat eczema is that you identify your trigger because eczema doesn’t work in the same way for any two people.
When you identify your triggers, start avoiding them by making simple and small lifestyle changes. Wearing soft fibers like cotton and eliminating certain foods from your everyday diet and using mild cleansers will be helpful.
Along with environmental triggers, certain physiological and emotional factors can also evoke eczema flare-ups. Because of the hormonal changes that take place during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, eczema symptoms can worsen.
Emotional distress can also cause eczema relapses, and there is an important mind-body relation with all kinds of skin diseases.
This is a complicated cycle to break, since bouts of anxiety or depression, or worse, both anxiety and depression coupled will only flare up eczema symptoms.
Essential Oils for Eczema
Even though there are many treatments available for those who suffer from eczema, from tropical steroids to over-counter-creams, people have often complained that medications and the treatments use are ineffective, too expensive and more often than not have adverse side effects.
The good news here is that people are turning to natural remedies such as oils made of natural herbs and plants as their healing properties are much more efficient than over-the-counter creams or medicines.
Botanical oils are much more promising when it comes to reducing skin inflammation, and it also increases the skin’s moisture barrier.
Comprehensively, essential oils for eczema can be used to treat the underlying factors that trigger eczema relapses, such as by combating anxiety and treating hormonal imbalance.
Some essential oils to treat eczema and how to use them is explained below:
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Because of its skin soothing properties, Lavender has been in use for more than a century to treat skin inflammatory conditions like redness and itching. It also has moisturizing characteristics and locks in moisture in dry skin accompanied by eczema.
For this magical oil to work, all you have to do is add two handfuls of instant oatmeal in a warm bath and add 7 to 10 drops of lavender essential oil and whisk the bath with your clean hand.
Bask in the warm bath for about twenty minutes and let it relax your muscles. This will calm your skin.
2. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Also known as melaleuca, tea tree essential oil is recognized by its effective antiseptic properties and one of the best essential oils for eczema treatment.
It’s a godsend for itching and also clears off the infection caused by laceration due to excessive scratching.
Applying tea tree essential oil is extremely easy. You have to add approximately five drops of tea tree essential oil in the ¼ cup of jojoba oil and massage it all over the skin touched by eczema.
3. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil is extremely useful in treating all sorts of scars.
It has dynamic anti-inflammatory properties which can calm inflammation caused by eczema. And it also increases the efficiency of other oils it’s mixed with.
For formulating your own homemade eczema cream using this oil, you will have to add 7 to 10 drops of frankincense essential oil in about two ounces of shea butter.
After this, all you have to do is stir with a spatula, and there it is! Now, apply it all to the infected skin, and I promise it will do wonders for your eczema.
4. Helichrysum Essential Oil
Just like the name, helichrysum essential oil has majestic healing powers, and it’s a charm for treating eczema and other skin scars like acne scars.
Its potent anti-inflammatory characteristics are a great deal of help in reducing itching, redness, and pain induced by eczema.
For making the helichrysum healer, take a clean mason jar and add 4 tbsp. of cocoa butter, 2 tbsp. of coconut oil and one tsp. of beeswax pellets in it.
Melt the ingredients in the jar by placing it in a pan filled with couple inches of water and heat it using a low flame.
Let it cool off for 2 minutes, and then add ten drops of helichrysum essential oil and ten drops of lavender oil. And presto! Leave it two harden for about two hours before use.
5. Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile is one of the best essentials oil for eczema. It helps soothe the dry, itchy patches of eczema skin. Chamomile essential oil heals inflammation and is a life-saver for the redness caused by eczema.
It also treats allergies such as poison ivy. To make the chamomile cream, you have to add 5 to 10 drops of chamomile essential oil in about two ounces of softened mango butter.
Stir well until it is well mixed and ready to slather!
6. Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium essential oil, when mixed with certain oils can turn out to be a fantastic moisturizer that can be used for treating acne, blackheads, psoriasis, dry skin, and eczema.
It’s a non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing essential oil.
All you have to do is mix 5 to 10 drops of geranium essential oil with ½ a cup of avocado oil and store it in an amber glass bottle. Apply it with no constraints over the affected skin and watch it work its magic!
7. Neroli Essential Oil
Distilled out of pure white neroli flowers, the neroli essential oil is one of the best for the treatment of eczema. It heals inflamed skin and works effectively with itching.
It calms the skin and has a beautiful fragrance! Add 5 to 7 drops of neroli essential oil in a small container filled with 2 ounces of coconut oil. Mix well with the use of a spatula.
Apply it evenly to the infected skin.
8. Bergamot Essential Oil
Drawn from the bergamia tree, bergamot essential oil is exclusively useful in treating dry eczema. However, it is vital that you remember to apply it only at night since it’s photosensitive and can affect your skin negatively when worn in the sun.
Create a bergamot balm by adding 5 to 7 drops of bergamot essential oil in 2 ounces of avocado butter. Mix it properly and store in a dark, dry place.
Apply it at night, and you will be utterly surprised by its healing properties for your dry skin!
9. Juniper Essential Oil
Juniper essential oil is especially effective for clearing cellulite and under eye bags, but it also helps treat weeping eczema.
All you need to do is add three drops of juniper essential oil and three drops of peppermint essential oil in a glass bowl filled with cold water.
Stir it well and apply it to the infected skin using a clean cloth. Repeat after 60 seconds.
10. Patchouli Essential Oil
Originated in South East Asia, this particular essential oil is used for reducing stress and treating anxiety and depressing.
For eczema, it helps reduce inflammation and soothes irritation. Add 5 to 7 drops of patchouli essential oil in a spray bottle filled with one cup of distilled water. Shake well and apply for immediate relief.
11. Benzoin Essential Oil
Benzoin, also known as gum Benjamin was originated in East Asia. It’s used as a remedy for dry patchy skin, and to recover from sores and wounds.
It also reduces inflammation, turning out to be an effective treatment for eczema-affected skin.
Mix ¼ a cup of sweet almond oil with one tsp of wheat germ oil and six drops of Benzoin essential oil in an amber glass bottle. Stir well, and apply it to infected areas.
12. Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme essential oil works as a disinfectant when it comes to eczema affected skin and also curtails inflammation and redness.
Add 7 to 10 drops of thyme essential oil in ½ a cup of coconut oil and pour the solution into a clean container. Apply to the affected area at least three times a day.
13. Birch Essential Oil
Birch essential oil is known for its beauty benefits. It refreshes dull skin and is effective in treating psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
Mix 3 tbsp. of coconut oil with three drops of peppermint essential oil and six drops of birch essential oil in softened 3 tbsp. of raw shea butter.
Mix the ingredients using a hand mixer into whipped cream. Apply it to infected areas.
14. Hyssop Essential Oil
Hyssop essential oil is effective in treating dry eczema. It locks moisture into the skin and decreases inflammation along with irritation and itching.
Add 7 to 10 drops of hyssop essential oil in two ounces of Vitamin E cream and mix well. Store in a mason jar and apply for a soothing effect.
15. Marjoram Essential Oil
Now, this essential oil for eczema is a natural remedy for insect bites and skin irritations and pain. It also helps in reduction of skin inflammation.
To make the marjoram massage oil blend, you will have to mix 5 to 10 drops of sweet marjoram essential oil in ½ a cup of rosehip oil and stir well.
Keep the mix in an amber glass bottle and apply it on affected skin with the help of a dropper.
What Essential Oils Should You Use For Sensitive Skin?
Apart from eczema, a lot of people suffer from the curse that is sensitive skin. Here are some essential oils for eczema you can use for sensitive skin:
- Sunflower Seed Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Borage Seed Oil
- Evening Primrose Oil
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Rosehip Seed Oil
- Baobab Oil
Sensitive skin can be taken care of my mixing an essential oil with a carrier oil. The secret to making an essential oil solution is mixing approximately 12 drops of an essential oil with one ounce of carrier oil.
Before applying, it is important that you take a skin patch test. This is extremely vital for people with eczema or sensitive skin.
Because eczema determines the way our skin looks, sometimes, it becomes extremely important to do something about it if we don’t like the way our skin looks.
And not just that, eczema causes a lot of skin irritation which can come between plenty of day-to-day activities.
Making some changes in your lifestyle and taking some time out to treat yourself with above mentioned essential oils for eczema could turn out to be a great relief!
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Sources:
Sheehan L., “12 Anti-Inflammatory Essential Oils to Heal Eczema,” Natural Living Ideas web site, August 12, 2015; http://www.naturallivingideas.com/heal-eczema-with-essential-oils/
“15 Essential Oils for Eczema treatment and Recipes,” Beauty Munsta web site, last accessed January 22, 2018; https://beautymunsta.com/15-essential-oils-for-eczema-treatment-recipes/