5 Essential Oils For Eczema

Essential oils have become quite “mainstream” now. While we still have a long way to go when it comes to research, many people do find them helpful in alleviating symptoms.

Diving into essential oils for eczema

I started using oils 7 years ago and delved into that world more when I started going through topical steroid withdrawal. During that process, I learned how they could aid in my healing with eczema, as well as provide other benefits to my daily life. It has taken a lot of trial and error for me to figure out what my skin can and cannot handle, though.

Skin irritation

Although essential oils are natural, and can be helpful to some, they can also cause irritation on eczema skin. This is why it’s extremely important to do your own research and patch test everything yourself. It is always best to consult your doctor before trying any herbal or natural remedies as well.

Top 5 essential oils in my toolkit

Below, I’ve listed the top 5 essential oils that I use almost on a regular basis. Some, I use on my skin directly (diluted with a carrier oil). Others, I tend to use as aromatherapy to relieve stress and improve overall well-being.

Lavender

Lavender has antifungal and antibacterial properties, so it can be extremely beneficial for alleviating symptoms of eczema.¹ It is also a generally calming and soothing oil. Therefore, it may indirectly help with eczema by helping manage one of our biggest triggers - stress.

I personally love diffusing lavender oil in my home, especially in the evening when it’s time to wind down before bed!

Frankincense

Frankincense is another one of my favorites. This oil has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can reduce skin irritation and redness from eczema. This is another one I love to diffuse and typically mix with my lavender oil in the evenings.

Chamomile

I’m a big fan of chamomile in general, so this is an all-time favorite for me. Chamomile has anti-microbial properties and thus has the potential to help with irritation and redness in eczema as well.² Known for its calming and soothing properties, it can also be diffused to aid with stress relief. In addition to using the essential oil, I just love drinking chamomile tea in general!

Tea tree oil

Tea tree is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and one of the most popular oils in skin care. There have been some studies done on tea tree oil and contact dermatitis, but nothing conclusive in regards to atopic dermatitis yet.³ Since tea tree has antimicrobial properties, it can potentially be helpful in preventing infection or stopping one from spreading.⁴

Helichrysum

This oil has been used for itching for many years.  It has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, and has been shown to inhibit the growth of staphylococcus on skin.⁵ This can be extremely helpful for those of us with eczema since we are so prone to infection. It’s also said to be great for wound healing in general.

Use a carrier oil!

All essential oils should be used with caution and definitely diluted in a carrier oil when applying directly to the skin. One of the most common carrier oils is coconut oil, however, I find that it irritates me a bit. I personally prefer using olive oil or jojoba oil in place.

Use oils with caution

As with anything else, we have to be extremely careful with our sensitive eczema skin. It’s important to do research, consult with our doctors, and patch test everything to know what will work for you. The few listed above are just some of my own personal favorites. As with anything else, they may not be the right fit for you.

We are all so incredibly different, and there are many factors at play. In order to find what is most beneficial for you, you have to take control of your own health, as well as listen to your own body.