Eczema. A skincare malady many of us are all too familiar with. The question is, to use essential oils or not to use essential oils on eczema? And where do other natural ingredients like carrier oils stand? Special considerations must be taken when using anything on eczema-prone skin. Don’t worry, we’re not about to leave you high and dry. Here’s our top tips for using essential oils with eczema. 

Skin Patch Testing

The first step in using essential oils with eczema is finding out if your skin is compatible with them. A good place to start when using any high powered ingredients such as essential oils is with your doctor or dermatologist in this case. Doctors and dermatologists are able to perform skin patch tests – tests that diagnose your sensitivity to a substance. This is perhaps the most accurate way to go about assessing if essential oils are compatible with your skin, but you could also perform an at-home skin patch test. To do so, apply the substance to your forearm and cover it with a bandaid. If using essential oils, make sure it’s diluted. We recommend starting with a low dilution between .5 - 1%. Leave overnight and check in the morning for any redness, itchiness, or signs of irritation. If no irritation has occurred, you may be safe to continue using the essential oil. Also note that if you tend to get eczema in the same spot, you should perform an additional test on that area of skin following the skin patch test on your forearm. Lastly, you should also test other ingredients in their pure forms such as carrier oils, butters, and waxes.

EOs For Eczema

Which essential oils should you test with eczema? Gentle, skin nourishing, anti-inflammatory essential oils such as Lavender, German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Thyme, and East Indian Sandalwood. Many of these oils are available in our newest synergy blend, Skin Love, which also includes a variety of other helpful oils such as Evening Primrose and Rosehip CO2s. Our OK For Kids blend Soothe & Smooth is also a wonderful choice for kids 2+. 

Other Natural Eczema Healers

Where should you turn next if you discover your skin is simply not compatible with essential oils? Know that you’re not alone and that there are still many ways you can enjoy essential oils. Then, make a soothing body butter or salve sans EOs. But again, only after performing a skin patch test with individual ingredients. Carrier oils such as Tamanu, Rosehip, Camellia Seed, Coconut, Jojoba, Pomegranate Seed, and Sesame are all skin nourishing, restorative, and soothing to inflammatory conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Mango butter and shea butter are also anti-inflammatory and natural waxes such as soy, carnauba, and candelilla all act as occlusives, locking in ingredients and keeping moisture from escaping. 

Further Considerations

It’s important to recognize that the root of eczema doesn’t just end with an oil mixture, body butter or ointment. Eczema is often triggered by what you eat, gut health, and stress. Working to improve these common triggers may stop eczema altogether and are worth trying for reasons beyond your skin’s health. 

Though eczema and psoriasis are not the same conditions, many of these precautions also apply when looking to use essential oils with psoriasis. 

Eczema Friendly Recipes

DIY Healing Skin Salve with Essential Oils 

• Reduce 2 g of Skin Love, to 1 g

DIY 3 Ingredient Coconut Body Butter

• Replace 80 drops Joy or Shine with 35 drops Skin Love

Kokum Butter Balm DIY

• Replace EOs with 12 drops Skin Love or 6 drops Lavender + 6 drops Sandalwood

Our Best Essential Oil Balm DIY For Stressed Skin

• Replace EOs with 12 drops Lavender, 6 drops German Chamomile, 6 drops Sandalwood and 3 drops Thyme