Essential Oils For Eczema
Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting 1 in 3 children and over 1 million Australians. And with many different types of eczema, each presents different symptoms from inflamed skin to unpleasant scabs.
Essential oils have a long history of stress-reducing and anti-inflammatory properties that may provide relief for eczema. If you’re looking for a natural solution to treat your flare ups or sensitive skin, essential oils may help you manage eczema and prevent complications.
Benefits Of Essential Oils For Eczema
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts distilled from various plants. When used in aromatherapy or diluted with a carrier oil for topical use, essential oils are known to bring a range of benefits for eczema and other skin conditions. These include:
- Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatment
- Reduce itching
- Reduce swelling and pain
- Soothes skin and calms irritation
- Relief from dry, cracked skin
Essential oils are easy to introduce to a daily routine and there are many essential oils that may help relieve eczema and other skin conditions. These oils are outlined below:
Best Essential Oils For Eczema
Every essential oil has versatile properties, meaning that the same essential oil may be used to relieve eczema in different ways. Below is a list of some of our favourite essential oils for eczema:
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil is rich in essential oil benefits. With an incredibly fresh, earthy and pleasantly clean aroma, Tea Tree Oil is highly valued for its powerful analgesic, anti fungal, antibacterial, decongestant, healing, diaphoretic, stimulating and deodorizing properties.
Because of this, it is commonly used in personal care products such as lotions, creams, gels, washes, shampoos and various cosmetic products, to help heal wounds and ease inflammation.
Tea Tree Essential Oil is also widely recognised when it comes to skincare. When diluted and applied topically it has been seen to help reduce symptoms of acne, burns, sunburn, insect bites, blisters, eczema, chickenpox, cold sores and athlete’s foot.
You can dilute your Tea Tree Essential Oil in a carrier oil, add your dilution to a roller bottle or glass pipette bottle and apply it as a massage oil or skin serum. We recommend a 1 – 2% dilution for skin application and a 0.5 - 1% dilution for facial application.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint Oil is one of the most popular essential oils. Because of its antiseptic and antibiotic properties, Peppermint Oil naturally cleanses the skin. Peppermint Essential Oil is also known to soothe irritation, inflammation and redness, due to its natural ‘cooling’ effect.
When diluted and applied topically, Peppermint Oil dilates blood vessels which has a ‘cooling’ and ‘analgesic’ (pain relieving) effect. For this reason, Peppermint Oil is known to ease eczema, sunburn and other skin complaints.
You can dilute your Peppermint Essential Oil in a carrier oil, add your dilution to a roller bottle and apply it as a massage oil. We recommend a 1 – 2% dilution for skin application and a 1% dilution for facial application.
Some of the best Peppermint Essential Oils are Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha Arvensis) and Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha Piperita).
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
Recognised as one of the most ancient therapeutic herbs known to mankind, Roman Chamomile Essential Oil is known to soothe inflammations such as eczema, acne, rosacea and rashes.
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil is highly valued for its powerful anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. This, along with its antiseptic abilities, makes it a fantastic essential oil for eczema.
You can dilute your Roman Chamomile Essential Oil in a carrier oil or base massage oil, add your dilution to a roller bottle or glass pipette bottle and apply it as a massage oil. Roman Chamomile Oil can also be added to existing moisturizers. We recommend a 2 – 4% dilution for skin application and a 1% dilution for facial application.
Sandalwood Essential Oil
Known to be one of the most luxurious and sought-after essential oils, Sandalwood Essential Oil is known to cleanse and hydrate the skin, whilst smoothing and balancing the complexion. This makes Sandalwood Oil beneficial for dry and aging complexions; it may also provide relief for eczema.
You can dilute your Sandalwood Essential Oil in a carrier oil or massage oil, add your dilution to a roller bottle or glass pipette bottle and apply it as a massage oil, or skin serum.
You can also receive these Sandalwood Oil benefits by adding it to any existing moisturizers. We recommend a 1 – 2% dilution for skin application and a 1% dilution for facial application.
Best Carrier Oils For Eczema
Even though essential oils may provide relief for your severe eczema, it’s important to use these oils with caution. You must dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before using them topically. Below are some of our favourite carrier oils that are gentle and safe to use on troubled skin:
As a general guideline we always recommend a 2 – 4% dilution for skin application and a 1 - 2% dilution for facial application.
Other Tips To Treat Eczema
Apart from essential oils, some medications may help relieve eczema. Talk to your GP or pharmacist for advice. You may be advised to try:
- Taking a patch test
- Avoid perfumed products
- Monitor food allergies
- Prescription topical steroids or antihistamines
Where To Buy Essential Oils For Eczema
While essential oils are generally available to purchase at health, wellness and retail stores, it is important to keep in mind that the purity and quality of these essential oils will vary. That is why we recommend finding a reputable supplier.
Here at AWO we have a wide selection of 100% pure essential oils and organic essential oils that are sold at reasonable prices. Because our stock is purchased in bulk quantities our costs are significantly less, which allows us to offer our high-quality products at affordable prices. We are also based right here in Australia!
Essential Oil Safety
Whilst essential oils are natural products, they are extremely potent and can cause serious harm if used incorrectly. For this reason, we recommend the following:
- In line with the Therapeutic Goods Act, we do not recommend ingesting essential oils without the guidance of a registered Aromatherapist or Naturopath.
- Avoid using Essential Oils during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.
- We recommend storing your Essential Oils in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring that they are not directly exposed to sunlight and are out of reach of children or pets.
- Essential Oils can be very concentrated and are likely to cause irritation or reactions if applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it is important to first dilute your essential oils before using topically (on the skin). Our recommended dilution percentages can be found under the ‘Best Essential Oils For Acne’ section.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness.