If you or your child suffers from eczema, you know it can be incredibly uncomfortable and frustrating. I have good news though-eczema can be easily soothed and calmed by making my easy and quick DIY eczema cream. It’s full of natural, nourishing ingredients that can be used on skin as often as needed without worry of side effects. Anybody can make this DIY easily and the essential oil content is mild enough to be used on the youngest of skin.
Eczema is one skin issue that can show great improvement with natural homemade products. Eczema requires lots of nourishment and can react negatively to unnatural ingredients so making a gentle, natural DIY eczema cream can go a long way to help relieve eczema. I don’t personally have eczema but I have done quite a lot of research and have a few loved ones that suffer from it. I have created a product that will not only reduce redness and inflammation, it will also relieve uncomfortable itchiness.
If you’re not sure if your skin condition is eczema, Web MD has a visual guide to eczema. A few things to look for are hot, red spots that are swollen. Sometimes the affected area has small, rough bumps that can leak and crust over. After healing, the area might look lighter or darker than the rest of your skin.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is when the skin becomes itchy, inflamed, or has a rash-like appearance. There are seven types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis.
When an irritant or an allergen from outside or inside the body “switches on” the immune system, it produces inflammation. It is this inflammation that causes the symptoms common to most types of eczema.
Eczema is so common that according the National Eczema Association, 31 million people suffer from it!!
So, lets try to get some relief naturally! Many products for eczema contain either a topical steroid or petroleum. Neither ingredient is a good idea and I personally think they should be avoided and reserved as the last resort. However, there are simple ways you can safely relieve your eczema symptoms.
Natural Ways to Relieve Eczema:
- Cut out dairy
- Avoid harsh cleansers
- Use gentle clothes detergent
- Eat food rich in Omega 3s
- Eat anti inflammatory foods
- Up your vitamin D by spending 20 minutes in the sun daily.
- Avoid hot baths
Natural Ingredients that Relieve Eczema:
- Aloe Vera Gel-Simply use aloe like you would a moisturizer and apply it directly to the eczema. Aloe is a fantastic hydrate and healer. It is also very calming to the skin.
- Oatmeal-Oatmeal is very calming and can relieve itches. An oatmeal bath can go a long way with relieving eczema and is safe for children. You can also make an oatmeal mask for nourishment and relief.
- Apple Cider Vinegar can be sprayed directly on the area but should be diluted 50/50 first. Ingesting apple cider vinegar can be incredibly helpful as well.
- Unrefined Coconut Oil can help to nourish the skin since it is high in fatty acids. Not to mention, it is extremely healing and I can personally vouch for it’s ability to speed up healing.
- Manuka Honey is a powerful healer and soother and can be dabbed directly on the affected area.
- Tea Tree Essential Oil has been shown to relieve itchiness and skin dryness as well as prevent infections.
More Soothing DIY Balm Recipes:
DIY Eczema Cream:
- 2 tbsp. Cocoa Butter (find it HERE)
- 2 tbsp. Shea Butter (find it HERE)
- 3 tsp. Vitamin E Oil (find it HERE)
- 1/4 cup Avocado Oil (find it HERE)
- 15 drops Lavender Essential Oil (find it HERE)
- 10 drops Chamomile (find it HERE)
Directions:
- First, you need to make a double boiler. To do this, fill a medium sized pot half way full with water.
- Take a glass pyrex measuring cup in the water.
- Add avocado oil, shea butter and cocoa butter to the glass cup.
- Turn on heat to medium.
- Allow butters and oils to melt completely.
- Remove from heat and add vitamin E and essential oils and gently stir.
- Pour mixture into containers. This recipe makes 4 oz. Find a 4 oz. jar HERE.
- Allow to cool.
- Optional: I call this DIY a “cream” because I like to stir the mixture after it’s cooled giving it a more light and pliable texture.
To Use:
- Apply a thin layer over affected areas, 1-2 times a day.
DIY Eczema Cream
Eczema can be easily soothed and calmed by making my easy and quick DIY eczema cream. It's full of natural, nourishing ingredients that can be used on skin as often as needed without worry of side effects. Anybody can make this DIY easily and the essential oil content is mild enough to be used on the youngest of skin.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. Cocoa Butter
- 2 tbsp. Shea Butter
- 3 tsp. Vitamin E Oil
- 1/4 cup Avocado Oil
- 15 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 10 drops Chamomile
Instructions
- First, you need to make a double boiler. To do this, fill a medium sized pot half way full with water.
- Take a glass pyrex measuring cup in the water.
- Add avocado oil, shea butter and cocoa butter to the glass cup.
- Turn on heat to medium.
- Allow butters and oils to melt completely.
- Remove from heat and add vitamin E and essential oils and gently stir.
- Pour mixture into containers. This recipe makes 4 oz.
- Allow to cool.
- Optional: I call this DIY a "cream" because I like to stir the mixture after it's cooled giving it a more light and pliable texture.
Notes
To Use:
Apply a thin layer over affected areas, 1-2 times a day.
This cream should not only nourish eczema, it should also provide relief with itching and reduce redness and inflammation.
The number one key with eczema is diet. It is extremely important to cut out dairy. Dairy might not be the problem but it often is. If you see no relief after cutting it out then I would add it back and eliminate grains next.
Stress is also a cause that can flair eczema up. Managing stress can go a long way when managing eczema.
Since I have been trying to manage my perioral/ocular dermatitis, I have learned so much and realized that a topical product is not enough to get a skin condition under control. Every aspect of one’s being has to be addressed. That was very dramatically worded but I run across so many people, including myself that are desperate for improvement and relief and unfortunately as I’ve learned firsthand, there’s rarely a quick fix.
I’ve also learned that many skin conditions respond best when they are nurtured rather then exacerbated by strong, harsh products.
This DIY eczema cream is very easy to make and guaranteed to provide relief. However, it is imperative to use quality ingredients and to consistently apply this cream when having a flair up. I use Mountain Rose Herbs for butters, essential oils and carrier oils. I trust their quality and even their sourcing.
DIY Eczema Lotion Labels!
I created a label in case you’re interested! You can save this image and have Sticker You make waterproof/restickable labels or just print them yourself by using THESE labels and uploading the below picture to the Avery website! Learn more about Sticker You plus get loads more label designs HERE. If you go with Sticker You, the perfect size label for 1 ounce tins is 1.75 inches round.
xx, Jenni
P.S. This DIY is definitely a double duty product. I have been using it on my heels and legs for loads of moisture and smoothing!! Feel free to use it where ever you have irritation or dry skin.
PIN IT!!!!
I’ve never had to deal with eczema but my daughter really struggled when she was younger. We had to be super careful with detergents…anything with a fragrance or color would totally set her off. There were times we had to resort to steroids to deal with some major inflammation, but natural creams like this are definitely the way to go. Just keeping that skin nourished and not allowing it to dry out makes such a huge difference. Also, not just food but any allergen can trigger it in someone. She was allergic to dogs and if a dog licked her it turned into eczema.
Elizabeth-This is great information. Does your daughter still deal with it?
Good evening Jenni
I attempted to make this cream and after cooling it is still liquid oil? I’m unsure what I did wrong please let me know?! Thanks
Juanita-cocoa butter is what will thicken it up and I find that cocoa butter can take a while to harden again. You can always melt again and add more cocoa butter or if you have beeswax you can add about a teaspoon to the balm and remelt. You can also speed up the hardening process in the fridge. Hopefully since you wrote this, the balm has hardened.
Hi Jenni
Did you try Neem oil?
This oil is absolute heaven. It helps with so many things. I’m using it with almost everything now. It is great for eczema, psoriasis, it does wonders for hemorrhoids
Veneta-I haven’t-I’ve heard amazing things but doesn’t it smell really bad?
Pingback: DIY Eczema Cream - Jenni Raincloud - Clear Skin
Jenni, You are a blessing! I just spent an hour reading post after post! I just mixed your witch hazel deodorant spray up and will be trying it today!
I’ve had eczema my entire life. Flare ups can be painful, itchy, embarrassing!
I make a solid lotion bar (which can also be put into chapstick tubes for lip balm) which does wonders for me and my family! I use equal parts of beeswax, solid oil (shea butter is my go-to) and liquid oils. My LO and I just made a TON for Christmas/Hannukah gifts, and for “party favors” for her upcoming birthday. My exact recipe is: 1/2 cup beeswax, a half cup shea butter, 1/4 cup of grapeseed oil, (in 1/4 cup measurirng cup I mixed) 1 TBS jojoba, 1 TBS argan, and top with avacado oil. I added 10 drops lavender, 5 frankincense, 5 myrrh, 4 on guard (I’m a DoTerra addict) and 5 helichrisum essential oils. When I have a flare up, I add 10 drops chamomile to help soothe. (usually added to a small re-melted “bar”)
My brother in laws mother was here over the weekend, and she was rubbing her psoriasis so I gave her the little tub I keep in my purse to try. By Sunday evening she was asking how much it cost per batch, would I make it for her and how do I store “extra”……. BTW, I keep any “extra” in the tubes in a bag in my freezer, and will even store glass jars full in the freezer for later use. NEVER put frozen/cold jars in hot water to remelt though! It MUST come to room temperature before coming into contact with heat.
I’ve added rose and more lavender for a “feminine” bar, and rosemary sandalwood for a “masculine” bar…….
I love your blog, and will be back for more!!!!!!
Monica-Thank you so much for sharing this and your recipe! Since I don’t suffer from eczema I had to base this recipe on research and common sense so I’m so happy to have your input! Thank you for your kind words!!! Hope the deodorant is working well!
Hello, I made this last night for my son who really struggles with eczema, but it won’t solidify..it’s still in liquid form. Have you ever had that happen? Any tips?
Courtney-Oh no!! The beeswax is what solidifies the oils. Did you use the beeswax from Mountain Rose Herb? I’ve used a couple others from Amazon that I didn’t have a problem with. You can add more beeswax until you get the consistency you want-it’s a slow process this way but you’ll eventually get what you want. Good luck!
I don’t see beeswax listed as an ingredient. Did I miss it? Thanks!
Heather-This recipe doesn’t contain beeswax! Thanks!
If this recipe doesn’t solid up can you melt some beeswax and add the cooled mixture and remix?
Jane-I have only reheated the entire mixture with the added beeswax in it. Your method is better since you’re not reheating the beneficial oils again but I haven’t tried it this way to know for sure that it will work. If you aren’t using beeswax from Mountain Rose Herbs, I highly recommend it. I’ve never had an issue with my recipes not thickening up with their brand. I have with others. Best of luck!
What can I use instead of Chamomile?
Diane-You can just omit it and use more lavender.
Hiya Jenni! I totally love your recipes and have been making/using your Hyaluronic Acid Face Cream for over 2 years now. However, I am now finding its really irritating my face 😔 sad, as I loved it sooo much. I am guessing that my skin is going through a change (so not the product itself). I have terrible dry patches on face atm and can’t use anything on it (don’t even use face wash). Do you think I can use this eczema balm on my face?
Is store bought avocado oil the same as this avocado oil?
Judy-Yes-I’m not sure why Mountain Rose Herbs has a cooking avocado oil and a cosmetic avocado oil but they should be the same. You definitely won’t cause harm using the oil intended for cooking.
Pingback: 8 Healthy Habits That Healed My Eczema - Flavours & Faith
Pingback: Relieving Your Eczema Itch - Flavours & Faith
I had a really bad case of eczema that festered on the backs and fronts of my hands years ago, and persisted for months, maybe even a couple years. I realized it was related to eating wheat. I am not celiac. Once I stopped eating wheat, the reaction would subside. I even had a doctor who practiced traditional Chinese medicine treat me, and that is how the condition went away.
But if I ate wheat again, the eczema would re-appear on my hands. Wish I had known about your ointment here at that time. Eczema is awful. It itched constantly, the skin cracked and bled a bit, was hard to do anything like wash dishes, etc., since having my hands in water aggravated the condition. Plus it looked and felt like the dickens day in and day out. Not even using gloves helped. Sometimes it would cause me to wake up at night because of the itching. I would even wrap my hands in a clay poultice at night with a cotton bandage to try to heal it.
Now if I eat wheat, I don’t get eczema, but avoid it as it is known to cause gut issues, which I do have somewhat, and have read many blogs where people have had to stop eating it. I don’t want that, nor do I want the eczema to come back. Eczema can be caused by other things too, of course. Is worth having a naturopath do a food allergy type of test for people with the eczema and gut issues. I just had one done recently.
Elizabeth-I have heard wheat is the culprit of a lot of issues. I have cut out wheat too and experienced better health-mainly gut health. Did you get food allergy testing done? I’m wanting to do this but don’t even know where to start or how it’s tested. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jenni
I note a few comments re beeswax & not clear whether u do add to this ezcema recipe or not? If yes, how much. Btw I’ve made a number of your recipes and they are fab. Thanks for sharing.
Carol-There is no beeswax meant to be in this recipe. The cocoa butter is very hard and will thicken up the recipe enough. Thank you for your kind words!!
Pingback: Natural Homemade Products Your Face Will Love - KAZRUSS
I love your site!
Can there be a substitute for lavender? We are sensitive to fragrant oils. We also don’t like the smell of lavender.
Thank you!!
Karen-You can just leave it out! You might look into infusing an oil with lavender and/or chamomile. It’s pretty easy and fun to do! The scent from infusing is MUCH less then using the essential oil. You can get a how-to post on infusing HERE.
Hi Jenni,
Would this recipe be suitable for my 6month old son? He has had eczema for around 2months now and got quite bad…. I have cut out dairy as I am still breastfeeding so hope that will help too but would be good to make a natural lotion for him too. I have made lots of your recipes before and always loved the results so thank you!!
Nicola-I would put it on my 6 month old. I say no essential oils for 3 mos. and younger but after that gentle essential oils work well. Thank you for your nice words!! I appreciate it!
Hi Jeni,
I absolutely love reading all your articles and recipes!
Can you please let me know once made how long does this balm last for?
Thanks x
Mari-Thank you so much!!! Yes, the balm lasts for 6 mos.
Hi there!!! Ok. To make sure I’m reading this right (it’s not like you haven’t said it a thousand time) but the beeswax is not needed for this recipe. It should still harden right? I think that’s what I’m understanding after going through the comments.
Hilary-Yes, no beeswax in this recipe. It will harden due to the large amount of cocoa butter!
Hi Jenni
Want to make this for my son for eczema but he also suffers with acne so was wondering if I could double up on the Shea butter & leave out the cocoa butter (only as I read it is comedogenic; is this correct?). Thank you.
Carol-You sure can-your balm won’t be as hard but I believe it would still be fine.
Hi can use butter from cocount insted of the bean of choclate pls? Thanks
Ritianne-You sure can-that would work great-I’ve not worked with coconut butter so I’m not sure if it will harden the balm enough so that’s the only concern that your balm might be a bit soft.