Are you suffering from eczema? You can get benefit from the essential oils that we will be discussing here.
Eczema is a dry skin condition. Those who have dry and sensitive skins often suffer from inflammation and itchiness of the skin.
The word eczema is an originated Greek word.
It refers to the meaning “to boil out.”
Using essential oils for eczema can be a very effective home remedy.
Here in this article, we will cover:
- What causes eczema?
- What is essential oil?
- How you can use essential oils
- Tips and precautions
- Frequently asked questions and answers
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What Causes Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition. It is also known as dermatitis. It is the last thing you would want on your smooth skin. [1]
The usual symptoms of eczema are swollen cracked skin with rashes and itchiness. The skin becomes red as the symptoms become prominent.
A study shows that in 2015, more than 245 million people suffered from this skin disease globally. [2]
A weak immune system is the primary cause of this skin disease which reacts to dust and allergens. Certain skin care products can worsen the condition even more.
Eczema is not life-threatening, but severe itching can cause extreme discomfort. The rashes often ooze out puss and become painful.
Bacteria and fungi can worsen the condition causing infections. Children and infants are often the main victims of this skin disease.
What Is Essential Oil?
Essential oils are the concentrated form of liquids extracted from plants.
The oil contains both chemical and aromatic compounds and is often named after the plant it originates from. [3]
It is also known as Aromatic oil or Ethereal oil.
14 Best Essential Oils That You Can Use
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is one of the best essential oils for treating eczema. Stress triggers eczema, and lavender oil is known to relieve stress.
The oil has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. [4]
These properties diminish the infection causing bacteria and fungus. The use of this oil reduces inflammation of the skin. It also reduces pain in the affected area and soothes swollen skin.
Lavender oil protects your skin from further infections as well. You can mix lavender essential oil with any carrier oil of your choice and apply on your skin.
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2. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil gained immense popularity in the recent years.
It is also known as Melaleuca oil that comes from the leaves of the tea tree.
Tea tree is an Australian native plant named Melaleuca Alternifolia, native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. [5]
The oil is widely used for its amazing benefits.
Tea tree is a very good relaxant with great anti-inflammatory properties. It soothes and relaxes your affected skin.
It promotes the growth of new and healthy skin cells.
Tea tree oil prevents your skin from all sorts of infections as well and reduces scars and marks.
It is mandatory to dilute tea tree oil before using. Mix it with any healthy carrier oil and apply.
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3. Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile essential oil is an amazing element well known for its soothing capability.
Eczema promotes irritation and inflammation of the skin.
Chamomile oil gives your affected skin relief.
Many studies proved that chamomile essential oil is one of the best oil for skin care. [6]
As eczema affected skin are very sensitive and deteriorate quickly, one needs to handle it with care.
This oil is the perfect thing for such skin. It soothes dry skin by removing itchiness and prevents further infections.
Blend chamomile essential oil with any carrier oil and apply directly onto the skin.
4. Fennel Essential Oil
Fennel essential oil contains anethole, an anti-inflammatory agent.
This agent shows powerful capability in handling inflammation of the skin. [7]
The oil can promote relief of insect bites, rashes, and irritation of the skin.
Similarly, fennel essential oil can soothe eczema affected skin as well. [8]
You can use fennel essential oil directly on your skin.
You can also mix it with other healthy ingredients for the best results.
5. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil works wonderfully well on your eczema-affected skin. It is a useful remedy for skin infections. [9]
Dry and rough skin is the reason behind eczema.
Eucalyptus oil works on your dry skin and provides moisture to it.
It checks dry skin conditions and reduces the harshness of the skin.
To treat your damaged skin better and to reduce inflammation, use eucalyptus essential oil for it.
6. Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood essential oil, a necessary part of Ayurveda, comes from the evergreen sandalwood tree. [10]
The oil works as a reliable treatment for your eczema-affected skin.
When you have eczema, your skin becomes itchy and scaly.
This essential oil can treat your scaly skin and reduce itchiness.
Many studies have found sandalwood essential oil as an effective remedy for psoriasis.
As the skin problems are similar, it is applicable for eczema as well.
It reduces redness and swelling of the skin.
Along with its health benefits, sandalwood essential oil works for spiritual wellness as well.
7. Turmeric Essential Oil
Turmeric essential oil is one of the best remedies for eczema.
Curcumin of turmeric is an anti-inflammatory agent. Many studies proved its strong ability in treating inflammation of wounds and infected skin. [11]
The oil consists of wonderful antioxidants and antibacterial properties.
Use of this oil on your affected skin will reduce itchiness and roughness of the skin.
It also promotes faster healing of your skin and provides protection.
8. Helichrysum Essential Oil
You can use helichrysum essential oil to alleviate sufferings of eczema. [12]
It combats infections causing bacteria and is safe to direct application on skin.
As the oil in anti-allergic and shows no allergic reactions to the skin, it is an amazing remedy for severe skin conditions.
It has natural anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation and redness of your skin.
It speeds up the healing of wounds and soothes your skin.
The best oil that combines well with helichrysum essential oil is jojoba oil. Mix the two oils and apply.
9. Basil Essential Oil
Basil essential oil extracts from holy basil also known as Ocimum sanctum. [13]
This oil contains strong soothing properties.
Many studies have shown that basil essential oil can be used to alleviate pain from skin conditions.
This oil is a perfect remedy for eczema.
It can reduce the pain and itchiness that you get from eczema.
It also reduces inflammation of the skin which adds great comfort.
10. Rose Geranium Essential Oil
Rose geranium oil is famous for eczema treatment.
The oil originates from a rose geranium plant.
Eczema causes redness of the skin.
Rose geranium oil reduces redness and the pain of your affected skin. [14]
Its natural healing properties soothe the infected skin.
The oil also checks inflammation of your skin and promotes relief to it.
To use this oil on your eczema-affected skin, mix it with any healthy carrier oil and apply.
11. Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot essential oil is known for its contribution in treating severe skin conditions. [15]
Eczema affected skin remains dry, itchy and irritates a lot.
The oil has anti-inflammatory agents that can soothe your affected skin.
It fights off itchiness and thickening of the skin and protects from infections.
Mix in any carrier oil with a few drops of bergamot essential oil and apply over your affected skin.
12. Thyme Essential Oil
Eczema damages the tissues of your skin. Some of those damages are so severe that it takes a lot of time to heal completely.
Most of these damages happen because of a secondary infection.
As eczema affected skin becomes very sensitive, they get easily infected for the second time.
Thyme essential oil can solve all these problems.
The oil has potent antimicrobial properties that protect your skin from secondary infections. [16]
The anti-inflammatory agents of this oil reduce inflammation of the skin.
It also reduces redness and reliefs swollen skin.
13. Carrot Seed Essential Oil
You get carrot seed essential oil from carrot seeds. [17]
The oil improves the longevity of your skin by promoting elasticity.
It tones the skin tissues of your affected area making them firm.
Carrot seed essential oil soothes inflammatory skin conditions.
Therefore, it can be one of your best choices to treat eczema.
Carrot seed essential oil works great when mixed with other useful ingredients.
You can blend this oil with other ingredients to make a fantastic remedy for your skin.
14. Cedarwood Essential Oil
Atlas cedar trees are the mother trees of cedarwood essential oil.
The oil has natural antifungal and insecticidal properties. [18]
It prevents affected skin from infections.
Cedarwood essential oil is a mild astringent that works amazingly well in treating skin conditions like eczema. [19]
You can use cedarwood essential oil by mixing it with your lotions or creams and rubbing your skin gently with it.
Another way is adding five to six drops of the oil in warm water and soaking your body in the water for fifteen minutes.
Tips and Precautions
If you are up to using essential oils, here are some of the tips and precautions that you should be aware of:
- Dilute strong essential oils before applying them directly on your skin.
- Make a patch test on a small portion of your skin to check for allergies or irritations.
- Never rub the affected skin too hard as this may cause harm to the surface.
- Be very gentle with the application of essential oils onto the affected area.
- Don’t use random stuff on your skin to heal it.
- Avoid applying too much oil to your bruises as this may cause harm rather than curing the problem.
- Never skip the step of moisturizing your skins regularly.
- If your affected skin develops any severe infection, it is recommended to consult a doctor before as it may need medications to get cured.
- Try to maintain good hygiene and drink lots of water.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q 1: Can you use essential oils on babies?
A 1: Yes you can use essential oils for babies as well. Mix a few drops of lavender essential oil with sweet almond oil and apply to your baby’s skin.
Q 2: What are the best ingredients to dilute essential oil?
A 2: The best ingredients that you can use for diluting your choice of essential oil are shea butter, aloe vera gel, coconut oil, jojoba oil and sweet almond oil.
The Bottom Line
Essential oils are nature’s blessings for us.
Alongside many health benefits, essential oils significantly provide relief for various skin problems.
You can get benefit from using essential oils treatment at home.
Follow the necessary safety measures and successfully treat your eczema affected skin by using the essential oils.
Hope this article was helpful to you. For any queries, leave a comment in our comments section below.
