Top 7 Essential Oils to Help Eczema
One out of every ten adults in the United States suffers from some form of eczema. People of all ethnicities are affected by eczema at similar rates, proving that this skin condition is one that certainly does not discriminate. No matter your background, your lifestyle, or where you come from, you could find yourself developing eczema throughout your lifetime.
Essential oils are one method that many use to treat their eczema, since the condition itself isn’t exactly curable. There is no magic pill, cream, or treatment that will take care of eczema for good, but treatment options do allow you to lessen the symptoms and clear up eczema outbreaks when they do occur. Along with a carrier oil, a few essential oils are particularly beneficial in treating outbreaks of eczema, and the top 7 of these oils are:
- Tea tree oil – Tea tree oil is one of the most powerful essential oils you can have in your stock for your skin, including helping to alleviate eczema conditions. Tea tree oil is antimicrobial, antifungal, and an anti-inflammatory all at the same time. It has the ability to treat various forms of eczema and outbreaks stemming from various causes.
- Peppermint oil – Peppermint essential oil can be used for so many different things, including helping to alleviate eczema symptoms. For those who have eczema conditions that come along with itching symptoms, peppermint oil has been known to help with providing cooling relief.
- Eucalyptus oil – Eucalyptus essential oil is both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, which can help to clear up some eczema conditions. With anti-inflammatory properties, eucalyptus oil may be able to calm some of the skin irritation symptoms that come along with an eczema outbreak.
- Lavender oil – Lavender oil is the quintessential calming oil, whether you’re using it in a diffuser for aromatherapy or applying alongside a carrier oil to the skin. For eczema, lavender essential oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory that can help to alleviate skin irritation while keeping the skin clean with antimicrobial benefits.
- Clary Sage Oil – Clary sage oil is another oil that may be beneficial in the treatment of eczema outbreaks. Often times, areas affected by eczema are irritated and itchy. This leads to further irritation and a vicious uncomfortable cycle. Clary sage oil works to help calm the skin so you can stop this cycle from occurring.
- Rosemary oil – Rosemary essential oil is well known for its circulatory benefits, and in cases of eczema, this may help your skin to repair or recover quickly. If your eczema leaves behind scarring or hyperpigmentation, rosemary essential oil may help to fade these lingering spots as well.
- Spearmint essential oil – For those looking for a gentler alternative to peppermint essential oil applied topically, but who want the same anti-itch properties, spearmint essential oil may be just what you’re looking for. Those with very sensitive skin may find it gentler than peppermint essential oil.
Using Essential Oils For Eczema
The best way to use essential oils for eczema is applied topically, but all topical applications should be diluted before being applied to the skin. Using an easy to absorb and nourishing oil like fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or grape seed oil is an easy way to nourish your skin while skill reaping all of the reward of your essential oils. Essential oils on their own can be caustic, harsh, and too powerful for topical application, so a carrier oil is crucial for your safety.
Typically, you’ll want to add in about 9 drops of essential oil to every 2 teaspoons of carrier oil for a 3% dilution. You may choose to opt for 9 drops of 1 eczema calming oil, or you may choose to mix your oils to create your own eczema relief blend. Regardless of the number of oils you use, always stick to the same dilution method. 9 drops of peppermint oil will require the same dilution as 3 drops of rosemary oil, 3 drops of peppermint oil, and 3 drops of spearmint oil.
About Eczema
It’s important to note that eczema can come in all different forms, and no two eczema cases are going to be exactly alike. The 7 common types of eczema are:
- Atopic dermatitis – An immune system response causing disruption in the skin barrier.
- Contact dermatitis – The result of the skin coming into contact with an allergen.
- Dyshidrotic dermatitis – Allergen related and results in blistering on the hands and feet.
- Neurodermatitis – Common in older populations and often caused by repeated rubbing.
- Nummular eczema – Found in very dry skin around areas of lesions.
- Seborrheic dermatitis – Eczema that affects areas near oil-producing glands.
- Stasis dermatitis – Caused by fluid leakage stemming from poor circulation in the legs.
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25 Responses
amanda
can’t wait to try these ideas. very helpful information thank you
amanda
can’t wait to try these ideas. very helpful information thank you
Sophie McDonough
I have always found peppermint oil to be amazing with my psoriasis and allergy symptoms all year round!
Kylie B
Thanks I didn’t realise all of these oils helped eczema.
Emma Gough
sometimes I just can’t stop the itch with my eczema, I’m going to give the peppermint oil a try – such a helpful post, thank you
Emily k
Can’t wait to try these out, I’ve tried so many chemist creams and they are only temporary!
Jeanette Leighton
Great article I get patches of eczema on my legs so I will have to try some of these
Charlotte S
I only recently discovered peppermint oil and love it! It is wonderful for headaches too and I didn’t know it helped the skin as well.
syap1001
interesting product
Dianne
Great article, surprised clove oil isn’t included.
William R
I did not realise there were so many types of eczema. Looking forward to trying some of these tips!
Chloe
Great post, lots of useful info =)
Aharrison
My mother used to use Tea tree on my small eczema patches, however it used to rapidly fry them out and irritate the skin. I now use peppermint oil & calendula cream and find it much more soothing and effective.
Ali Simpson
I’be had eczema since I was little and mum always used eucalyptus oil on me! Works well!
Mrs Rachael Sexey
Thank you so much for the informative article. My daughter has eczema so I will definitely be trying this out, especially the lavender as it’s one of my favourite essential oils
Jennylyn Gross
this is good to know
Nicole Genevieve
These are so helpful. Thank you!
Rochelle
A lot of interesting information.
Jeenah
Love the helpful and interesting information.
Sonia
Truly a fabulous blog to learn this amazing natural skincare products for annoying eczema without any toxic chemical ingredients. Thank you.
Eva Kiraly
I’ve been getting eczema a lot in the last few months, I’ve had acute bronchitis so I’m thinking that may have brought it on.
Susan Smith
Very interesting i was surprised the Tea Tree Oil is good for eczema, will certainly tell my friend who suffers badly with it
Caroline Lissaman
My son has moderate eczema. Would be curious to try these natural remedies as they would be gentle on his skin.
laura scriven
Lavender oil seems to help in so many ways.
Lyndsey Rullman
February 10, 2020
Very interesting! I was really surprised at some of the oils recommended for eczema.