You can use many different essential oils for eczema. Choose oils that have a scent you like and consider combining two or more essential oils for a custom blend to meet your unique needs and preferences. You can buy essential oils at many natural food stores, or online at places like Amazon.com. Make sure you’re getting pure essential oils, not merely scented oils. One way to tell the difference is by looking at the price. The price of essential oils will vary depending on the type of oil, while scented oils are usually priced the same for all scents.
Do not use essential oils that treat eczema directly on your skin, as this may cause severe skin irritation. Instead, add up to 10 drops of essential oil to two or three ounces of carrier oil, like almond oil, walnut oil, or grapeseed oil, and then apply that to the affected areas. You can also add up to 10 drops of essential oil to your bath. If you’re using two or more essential oils together, just use 10 drops total, not 10 drops of each. If you have very sensitive skin, use fewer than 10 drops total. When you’re dealing with essential oils, remember that a little goes a long way!
If you choose to use essential oils in a bath, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends using lukewarm water, rather than hot water, because hot baths may end up making your symptoms worse. Apply a moisturizing lotion or cream immediately after your bath to keep your skin from getting too dry. A fragrance-free moisturizer made from natural ingredients is recommended so it doesn’t irritate your skin.
Essential Oils For Eczema
Geranium – Often used to treat insect bites, this essential oil relieves pain and inflammation and soothes itchy skin.
Juniper – Less flowery in scent than some of the other essential oils for eczema, this essential oil decreases pain and inflammation.
Lavender – This essential oil decreases pain and inflammation, soothes itchy skin, and helps skin heal. It also soothes irritated nerves and helps promote restful sleep, which can be very helpful if severe itching has been driving you crazy and keeping you awake at night. It’s often used in a bath for infants or children with eczema since it’s a very gentle essential oil.
Marjoram – Often used to treat insect bites, this essential oil relieves inflammation, irritation, and discomfort.
Peppermint – This essential oil has a cooling effect and relieves pain and inflammation while soothing itchy, irritated skin. Spearmint essential oil has similar properties.
Rose – This is one of the most expensive essential oils that treat eczema, but it is effective if you can afford it. It relieves pain and inflammation and heals sore, damaged skin. To make it more affordable, try using just two or three drops of rose essential oil along with a more affordable essential oil, like lavender or tea tree oil.
Spikenard – This is another less flowery essential oil that decreases inflammation and also helps promote restful sleep.
Tea tree oil – This may be one of the best essential oils for eczema. It decreases pain and is healing to the skin. It also has antibacterial properties, helping to prevent infection due to excessive scratching and irritation. Unlike most essential oils, tea tree oil can be safely used directly on your skin, although it can also be used in a carrier oil or in a bath along with other essential oils. It also combines well with most other scents.
Vetiver – This essential oil decreases pain and is healing to the skin. It also promotes restful sleep.
A Natural Moisturizer For Eczema
Our favorite natural moisturizer for eczema is Wild Naturals Eczema and Psoriasis Moisturizing Skin Cream. It contains natural ingredients that nourish and help heal damaged skin while sealing in moisture and relieving dryness and itching. We suggest using it immediately after a bath containing essential oils as well as after a shower.
For the best price and assortment of essential oils, we recommend Amazon.com. We also found their customer reviews extremely helpful.
University Maryland: Eczema