Howdy Partner!
Are you suffering from the dry, cracked skin caused by eczema?
Well then, you’re in the right place.
Winter is here and if you know anyone who occasionally suffers with the dry, itchy, reddened and cracked skin associated with eczema, that is not good news. The dry air tends to make these problems worse.
My son suddenly developed eczema on his knuckles this past winter and was miserable. I love a good skin salve and am always looking for reasons to develop a new one, so after some research and a bit of trial and error, I came up with Eczema Skin Salve.
This amazing little eczema skin salve worked so well that it’s now my most requested recipe.
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What Is Eczema?
Eczema is a condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, rough and cracked, sometimes to the point of bleeding. While it can occur anywhere on the skin, it commonly appears on skin creases such as elbows, knees, knuckles, wrists and even eyelids although any area can be affected. It is estimated that 35 million Americans suffer from eczema, most of those being children.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the source of a person’e eczema since the causes can be either internal or external. If the eczema is caused by external irritants such as detergents, latex, bacteria or fungi then it’s called contact dermatitis. Eczema can also be triggered by allergic reactions that manifest themselves on the skin and are often accompanied by more typical alergic reaction such as hayfever or asthma.
Possible Eczema Triggers
- Irritants–detergents, soaps, disinfectants, shampoo, juice from fresh fruits or vegetables
- Microbes–viruses, bacteria, certain fungi
- Foods–dairy products, wheat, nuts, seeds, eggs, soy products,
- Allergens–pets, pollen, dust mites, mold
- Temperature–extreme hot or cold, high or low humidity, sweat
- Hormones–women may experience worsening of symptoms during pregnancy or their mentstral cycle
- Stress–although not a cause, it can worsen symptoms
- family history of either allergies or dermatitis
What’s In Eczema Skin Salve?
The base recipe is the same as Fabulous Skin Salve with the addition of avocado oil (which you can buy at Costco or a well stocked grocery store) and a few different essential oils that are especially good for dry, cracked, irritated skin.
I only use therapeutic grade essential oils because they are of the highest purity you can buy. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and what you put on you, you put in you, so whatever brand you use make sure it is pure enough to take internally.
Coconut Oil–I love this stuff. Get it extra-virgin and unrefined. Coconut Oil is a natural moisturizer that nourishes and protects your skin.
Avocado Oil–(not pictured) contains high amounts of Vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and E. Also contains amino acids and several essential fatty acids making it great for those with dry, cracked, itchy, irritated skin.
EVOO–Extra-virgin olive oil contains 4 anti-oxidants that help neutralize free-radicals that can lead to dryness and skin aging. It is hydrophillic meaning it traps moisture in your skin leaving it softer and smoother.
Vitamin E–powerful anti-oxidant, protects and repairs skin while restoring elasticity.
Lavender EO—analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, soothes occasional skin imperfections and irritations, moisturizing, regenerating, calming.
Melaleuca EO–analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, renowned for its cleansing and rejuvenating effects on the skin, promotes healthy immune function.
Geranium EO–anti-inflammatory, astringent, has a smoothing and beautifying effect on the skin.
Thyme EO–antioxidant, antibacterial, provides cleansing and purifying effects for the skin.
Frankincense EO—anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, has a soothing effect on the skin, increases the potency of the other essential oil it’s combined with.
How Do I Make It?
Making any skin salve is a lot easier than you might think and this one is no exception.
Put the coconut oil, EVOO, avocado oil and beeswax in a glass jar (I used a wide-mouth pint mason jar) and place jar in a pan about half full of water. Heat up water, stirring mixture frequently until everything completely melts.
The beeswax will seem like it’s never going to melt, and just when you’re about to give up, Bam!, it’s gone.
Carefully lift the jar out of the pan (use oven mitts please–it’s hot!) and place it on a dish towel on your counter.
Immediately add arrowroot powder, by slowly sprinkling it into the oil, stirring vigorously at the same time to prevent clumping.
Now you need to let the mixture cool for a few minutes because essential oils lose their medicinal properties in high heat. My rule of thumb is if I can hold my fingers against the jar for ten seconds without screaming, it’s ready to add the EOs. Not very scientific I know, but it works.
Snip the ends of the vitamin E capsules and squeeze into oil mixture. Add the essential oils and mix thoroughly.
As soon as you have added your oils you need to get the salve into containers and my favorite container is a 4 oz. mason jelly jar. This recipe will fill 2 of those and it’s a great size to give away.
Does It Really Work?
Yes, it certainly did at my house. You can also use this Eczema Skin Salve anywhere on your body to combat, not just dermatitis, but any type of dry skin and as a bonus it smells great! My hubby loved the smell so much he immediately pilfered one of my jars. Guess I’ll be making some more sooner than I thought!
Anyone you know suffering from very dry, cracked, irritated skin will love you for it. Assuming your significant other doesn’t use it all up first! 🙂
Eczema Skin Salve
1/2 cup extra-virgin coconut oil
1/4 cup avocado oil
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tbsp. beeswax pastilles
3/4 tsp. vitamin E (I use 3 of the 1000 I.U. softgels)
1/2 tsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch (to cut greasiness)
15 drops lavender essential oil
15 drops melaleuca essential oil
12 drops thyme essential oil
15 drops geranium essential oil
10 drops frankincense essential oil
Combine first 4 ingredients in a pint jar and place in a pot half-filled with water. Bring water to a boil and stir frequently until ingredients are completely melted. Remove jar from pan and place on a dish-towel covered counter. Slowly add arrowroot powder, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Allow mixture to cool enough that you can touch the jar comfortably for at least ten seconds. Add vitamin E and the essential oils and stir. Immediately pour into desired containers and cover with a piece of paper towel so nothing weird gets into it. Do not disturb for several hours and preferably overnight. Once completely cooled, put lids on and store at room temperature.
Makes approx. 8 oz.
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
Ooh I need to try this! I’ve had terrible eczema since I was a kid and am alwyas looking for ways to help it! Thanks for sharing!
Leah says
You’re welcome Morgan! So many people have reported great results with this salve so I’m sure it will help you. Let me know how it goes. 🙂
–Leah
Kirsten says
I’m fascinated by this. My youngest suffers from eczema and he has a spot on his arm we have been trying to get under control all winter. I will try anything! Thanks for sharing. Stopping by from SITS!
Leah says
Hi Kirsten–thanks for stopping by. My boys had it on their arms too which is the whole reason I developed this salve. It’s helped so many people so good luck and keep me posted. 🙂
–Leah
Heather @Country Life, City Wife says
Oh thank you for this. I was just diagnosed wit eczema and hate the steroid cream they put me on! I will definitely be making this! I love that it is natural.
Leah says
Hi Heather–don’t even get me started on those steroid creams! Love that you’re looking for all-natural alternatives. This salve has helped so many people so I’m sure it will help you. Good luck and please let me know how it goes. 🙂
–Leah
Cristina at Ava's Alphabet says
I can’t wait to try this. Just need to find some avocado oil – I have every thing else on hand! My eczema has never been worse than it is this winter. Thanks for sharing.
Leah says
Hi Christina! Avocado oil shouldn’t be too hard to find and it really is good for eczema. But if you can’t find it just replace it with extra-virgin olive oil and you will still have great results. Have a great day!
–Leah
Dana says
This looks great and super straightforward. What do you recommend, however, for people who have a high sensitivity to scent? I am familiar with only some of the essential oils (lavender and thyme can be quite powerful, for example) and want to be careful with the scent as a possible headache trigger.
Thanks!
Leah says
Hi Dana–thanks for your question. I have heard of people with sensitivity to scent but as this is not an issue for me or anyone in my family I don’t know if I can give you much advice. To me this salve has only a mild odor but since you have a sensitivity it may smell much stronger to you. I do recommend you only use the highest quality essential oils you can buy as inferior and diluted oils or anything with fake fragrances is surely worse on your system. You could try a small batch just as a test or, if you know you are sensitive ta a certain oil in the blend, you could just leave it out. Good luck and please let me know how it goes.
–Leah
Alise says
I’m so looking forward to making this very soon because I have severe eczema on most of my body, hands being the worst. I am in my 40s and having a hard time doing everyday functioning. I need relief from this!! I will let you know how it works out.
Thanks
Leah says
Hi Alise–so sorry to hear about your struggle with eczema. This worked great on my son but his was more mild than yours. Please let me know how it works but if it doesn’t just send me an email and I might have some other things you can try. Good luck!
–Leah
Vanessa says
Hi, Could the Olive oil be replaced with jojoba oil?
Thank you
Rose says
Hi Leah, thank you so much for posting this recipe. Can’t wait to try it on my daughter’s skin..only thing is, I live in Canada and don’t know where I can get these ingredients.Can you tell me where I can find all these ingredients or if there’s a one stop shop for all of them?
Another question is, can we use this salve on broken skin (due to scratching away the itchiness) or just the pre-scratching phase of eczema (super dry/irchy skin that’s still intact)?
Please and thank you 🙂
Leah says
Hi Rose–thanks for your questions. Where in Canada do you live? Just wondering since I was actually born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta although I live in Utah now. All of the items for the eczema skin salve can be ordered online (I get them from Amazon) with the exception of the essential oils. Those you can order from me by emailing me at fabulousfarmgirl.com.
You can put the salve on broken skin and it will help keep it disinfected. The key is consistency so apply it several times a day. If you have any other questions or have problems ordering anything you want, just send me an email. Have a great day!
–Leah
Debbie says
Great Info!!
Leah says
Thanks Debbie–glad you liked it. 🙂
Alexis Lantz says
Hi there! I’m trying to make your eczema salve for my two year old. Which thyme do you use? Thyme ct Thymol, Thyme ct Linolool, or Thyme Benchmark? Thanks!
Leah says
Hi Alexis–I only use doTerra essential oils and the main constituents in their thyme are Thymol, para-cymene, γ-terpinene. It’s important to be consistent with the salve so I recommend applying morning and night. Hope it helps and if you have any more questions you can email me at fabulousfarmgirl@gmail.com. 🙂
–Leah
Heather says
Tired of just medicine really want to try smth new .Reading comments an article feeling that I want to try it right now!
Leah says
Definitely try it Heather and let me know how it works for you. 🙂
–Leah
Gina says
I am dying to try this and have everything but Thyme. Can you think of a substitute that would be as effective? Thanks!
Piper Robertson says
Either Basil EO and Oregano EO should have the same effect.
Sylvia Smith says
I am eager to try your salve. I refuse to use steroid cream.
Julie O'Hanley says
I make a facial cream/body butter based on a Rosemary Gladstar recipe (her “perfect cream”). Do you ever have a problem with the beeswax turning into little balls when the cream is exposed to cold. At first I thought it was the coconut oil but I ruled that out. Do you have any suggestions?
Piper Robertson says
A lot of would-be creams don’t use (at all or enough) of an emulsifier. Try heating the oil and wax blend for at least 3 minutes after the wax has melted, stir it very well, throughout the cooling process. Things like shea/cocoa/mango butter have a water contact that the wax alone cannot bind the oils and water together. Try adding Stearic acid (derived from the palm plant it’s perfectly natural and safe) you can get it anywhere you buy candle making supplies or through a quick search on Amazon for cosmetic grade stearic acid. About a half teaspoon would suffice for most cream recipes, I would also include a tablespoon of rose water, to make sure that the emulsifier does its job.
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Janet says
Eczema is most often caused from the toxic ingredients in vaccines that are trying to escape the body. Unfortunately, most people never make the connection. After doing quite a bit of research (as recommended by a nurse that first alerted me to the eczema/vaccine connection) I stopped vaccinating my son that suffered greatly from severe eczema from the time that he was two years old until he was around twelve. Praise be to God, his eczema eventually cleared up (he’s 22 years old now). I’m so grateful to the nurse that took a very bold step by alerting me to this.
Kathy says
I suffer with psoriasis. The palms of my hands will not fully heal. I’m hoping this salve gives me some relief.
Anne says
Looking for a natural remedy for a friend but her eczema is on her eyelids . Assuming this wouldn’t be recommended for eyelids but just wanted to verify.
Lenny Suijkerbuijk says
Can it be used around the eyes and on the eye lids?
Susan says
Hello and happy new year Leah,
I want to try this with my 6 yr-old granddaughter. Is it safe for her to use? Also, would it be problematic to substitute the beeswax with an alternate product? I am very allergic to it and really do not like having to work with it. Thank you.
Susan
Melinda says
Sounds Expensive…Just saying 😭
Melinda says
Sounds Expensive…Just saying
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Teresa says
my fried has psoriasis. do you have something for that??
Piper Robertson says
To Start.. Exema and Psoriasis might look similar but they are vastly different.
As I have had psoriasis all my life, I have to say that any treatment really depends on the location of the lesions. There are many hypotheses as to what causes flare-ups, stress and environmental factors being at the top of the pseudo-intellectual band-wagon. At its root, however, Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease closely related to arthritis. All you will ever be able to do is treat symptoms, it will never ‘go away.’ For a topical solution, I use Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, with German chamomile EO, Rosehip Seed Oil, and Teatree EO. I apply it as an oil as that is what is most effective for me though you can use the blend following the above instructions for a salve. To use it I apply it on my scalp, thirty minutes before I shampoo, other sites (behind my ear, navel.. etc) I apply it after my shower. This relieves the itching and flaking and slows the growth of plaque scales. Scalp psoriasis is also greatly benefitted by using an apple cider vinegar rinse at least once a month to rebalance the PH. For long-term help with getting rid of the appearance of lesions, your friend needs an anti-oxidant rich diet with a focus on the amino-acid chains and vitamin D3.
I will be honest, just using the oils makes it a lot easier to live with to the point where I hardly ever scratch, and I don’t even use them every day anymore.
Shanta says
Hi:
I have just started using this on my 7 months old daughters skin. She has been suffering from eczema for about a month and nothing has worked so far. I used every ingredients but thyme and geranium EO since I am not sure about safety parameters of these two oils in infants. I used 8 drops of each EO instead 15. Can you please tell me usually how many days it takes to show some results. Thanks so much.
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Sandra says
Maybe I missed it in my reading but what is the purpose of the arrowroot?
Patsy says
Thanks for the recipe.
Sue Winston says
I have had eczema since three years of age. Through out the years I have tried many expensive creams, steroids,etc. Some did help, but it always came back. I finally did get some relief for a long period of time. Now at 62, it’s creating a problem on my legs and feet. I would just like to truly find something that will calm the itch and spread.
Sheila Bradford says
Can u sell me a jar of this? I have no desire to make my own.
Curtis says
Thank you so much for your sharing.
Excuse me, what’s the expiry day of the salve?
Thank you so much for your time 🙂
Samantha says
Would this salve have the same effect without the essential oil?
Cindy says
I don’t know if this will help you now as it’s been a few months lol. And sorry in advance for it being so long… It would certainly be beneficial without the oils but even better with them. Her explanation of the benefits of each essential oil is spot on with mine. I don’t like the smell of geranium oil (way too strong for me) so I don’t use that one. And I forgot all about thyme being so beneficial! If you can’t get them all, I do recommend starting with tea tree oil and lavender. When one of my boys was a baby, desitin wouldn’t touch his rash but desert essence face wash with tea tree and ginger (awapuhi) was what promoted healing for him. I’ve used lavender to help with small burns while cooking and it’s amazing. And as she said, find a high quality oil. The cheap stuff is likely to have things in them that are not good.
I’ve been making my own cream now for at least 6 months (before that I would just mix my preferred essential oils with coconut oil), when my atopic dermatitis started to get serious. My scratched open areas heal much better with my ointment than with anything else the derm recommended. I found this today as I’m still experimenting with ratios of the different components (just picked up mango and shea butter to add, cocoa butter arrives in a few days). Like I said, I’m experimenting lol. My AD has gone up nearly to my elbow on one arm recently so I decided to try the addition of those butters.