18 Essential Oils for Eczema

Eczema can be such a difficult condition to treat. And so hard to find answers for!

But it’s so debilitating that you’ll want to keep looking until you find something that works. Luckily for us, essential oils provide an inexpensive, low-risk option for eczema treatment.

Contrasted to western medicine, which still focuses on topical steroid treatment, you find a much more versatile (and safe) approach to help rid you of your skin condition in essential oils.

Below are 18 oils that are specialized to combat the symptoms of eczema and just great for your skin overall. After the list of recommended essential oils, I’ve also included a variety of blends and applications for you to choose from. Most are DIY and very simple to create and apply.

I hope you find what you need!

1.) Carrot seed EO

The carrot was introduced to Europe from Asia about 600 years ago. The essential oil is derived from the rich seeds of the plant. Carrot seed oil is wonderful for all skins types. It’s incredibly healing, contracts and tones skin tissue, adds elasticity, and calms inflamed skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.

2.) Chamomile EO

Chamomile has applications for pretty much all skin problems. It’s particularly effective for eczema. It limits inflammations and softens and soothes dry, flaky skin. It’s calming to the skin and mind and very gentle to boot.

3.) Lavender EO

Lavender is one of the most valuable oils for skin care and skin conditions. It stimulates the growth of new cells, kills bacteria, is antibiotic and antiviral. It prevents scarring and eases the pain.

4.) Bergamot EO

Bergamot is what creates the unique flavor of Earl Grey tea. It has both citrus and floral notes and has been a folk medicine in Italy for millennia. Bergamot is excellent for treating much skin complains including acne, eczema, psoriasis varicose ulcers and seborrhea of the skin and scalp.

5.) Birch EO

Birch is cleansing and purifying for the skin. It’s anti-inflammatory to boot which makes it a great choice for agitated skin conditions.

6.) Tea Tree EO

Tea tree has many outstanding properties. It’s best known for its capacity to stimulate the immune system, prevent fungal, bacterial and viral infections. Tea tree is drying, so make sure you mix it with some cooling and moisturizing oils. Manuka/tea tree is an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic and relaxant.

Manuka calms inflammatory and allergic reactions effectively anywhere in or on the body. It also promotes new cell growth and helps skin marks and scars fade away.

7.) Rosemary EO

Rosemary offers powerful astringent properties. It tightens skin, kills bacteria and is a great oil for treating acne, dermatitis, eczema and athlete’s foot.

8.) Balsam Fir EO

Balsam reduces inflammation, boosts immunity and kills bacteria. Tolu balsam, in particular, is excellent at soothing and healing dry, cracked and chapped skin.

9.) Cedarwood EO

Cedarwood essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and sawdust of Atlas cedar trees. Cedarwood oil kills bacteria, prevents or destroys fungal infections and is insecticidal and mildly astringent. This makes it an excellent addition to blends, steams and masks when treating a variety of skin complaints including eczema.

10.) Geranium EO

Geranium promotes rapid skin healing and eases pains and discomforts associated with skin conditions including eczema. It’s good for all skin types as it promotes a balanced level of sebum on the surface of the skin.

11.) Helichrysum EO

Helichrysum is anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory and promotes cell growth. This makes it perfect for allergic conditions such as eczema.

12.) Mandarin EO

Mandarin has many traditional medicinal uses including curing skin disorders and maintains moisture balance where applied.

Below the skin, it improves circulation of lymph and blood. Above the skin it promotes new cell and tissue growth. When applied the skin is rejuvenated and healing times become greatly reduced.

13.) Sweet / Wild Orange EO

Sweet orange is a great tonic for all skin types. It stimulates and brightens both oily and dry skin types. It’s toning, soft and glowing.

14.) Rosewood EO

Rosewood improves blood circulation and speeds up wound healing. It stimulates the body to produce hormones and enzymes to stabilize bodily functions.

17.) Yarrow EO

Yarrow is a potent anti-inflammatory. It’s especially suited for skin, respiratory and digestive inflammation. It also promotes circulation and is a diaphoretic meaning it can help the skin remove toxins from mild perspiration.

15.) Spikenard EO

Spikenard root provides an essential oil that’s earthy and an ideal skin tonic. It’s anti-inflammatory, sedative and soothing. Applied to skin it is gentle yet does a great job of preventing bacterial growth.

16.) Tagetes (Marigold) EO

Tagetes is a very warm, calming oil from the beautiful flowers of the marigold plant. This oil sedates and calms inflammation and skin irritation on contact. It disinfects and cleans as well.

4 DIY Blends and applications for Eczema

To get the best out of your topical treatments for eczema it’s good to whip up some mixtures. Below we’ll go over a variety of applications such as DIY misting sprays and lotions.

DIY EO Compress Blend

This is a very comforting and healing blend. When applied it immediately decreases the inflammation and itching associated with eczema.

Here is a recipe for a single application:

• 2 cups cold water
• 2 drops geranium or lavender EO
• 2 drops lemon or myrrh EO
• 1 drop chamomile or cypress EO

Directions:

• Place your essential oils in a medium size, non-reactive bowl and combine thoroughly.
• Pour your cold water into the bowl and stir well.
• Soak a cloth and wring out enough of your water mixture so that the cloth won’t drop.
• Place the cloth on the affected area twice daily.

DIY EO Symptomatic Relief Lotion 

For this blend, we start with vitamin E cream.

For every 4 ounces of vitamin E cream add:

• 5 drops carrot seed
• 20 drops of lavender
• 5 drops geranium
• 4 drops bay leaf 

Mix blend well and apply 2-3 times a day to affected areas.

DIY Oil Blend for Dry Eczema

In a 2 ounce (60 ml) glass dropper bottle combine:

• 8 tsp (40 ml) hemp seed, grapeseed or sweet almond oil
• 10 drops evening primrose oil
• 10 drops chamomile EO
• 5 drops myrrh EO
• 5 drops lavender EO

Shake to blend.

Application: Using your fingertips gently apply over the affected area.

Some quick notes on dry eczema:

• For dry eczema, it’s recommended that you take quick, warm showers (not hot) and end the shower with cold water.
• It’s common for those suffering from dry eczema to be deficient in omega-3 essential fatty acids. It’s recommended that you supplement daily with rich sources of supplemental omega-3s.
  • Wild caught cod liver oil (for omnivores and pescetarians)
  • Organic Hemp Seed oil (for vegetarians)

Cream Blend for “Weeping Eczema”

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 ml) shea butter
• 15 drops lavender EO
• 15 drops frankincense EO
• 15 drops myrrh
• 10 drops chamomile
• 1 tsp vitamin E cream

Directions:

• First, melt your shea butter in a small non-reactive bowl. (You can do this by setting your bowl over a pot of simmering water, or any other of your preferred methods)
• Once the shea butter has liquefied add your essential oils and vitamin E cream. Mix well.
• When cool enough pour your mixture into a 2-ounce double-walled jar.
• Allow to cool and seal tightly.
• Application: Use your fingertips and apply over affected areas.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this post has been helpful for you.

If you have any questions, comments or recommendations of your own please let us know in the comment section below!